Read Online A Conspiracy of Ravens by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online Page B

him.”
    “Why sad?” Matthew asked. “Is he ill?”
    “No, but he’s so different from the other men in the family. The most graphic example I know of a man’s who’s out of his place.”
    “That’s interesting you should say that, Dora,” Dylan said. “You know the Bible says that ‘as a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.’ Kind of a sad verse.”
    “Well, Arthur Hayden is a sad man,” Serafina said. “He’s forty-five now, and he’s never done anything to bring any public disgrace on the family. He’s a good painter. He wanted to study in France and Italy, but Rupert persuaded the earl to put a stop to that. Arthur is not a man of business, and his failure to please his brother has caused him to drink too much. And this, of course, is a great sadness to Gervase, his daughter.”
    “Gervase saw you in Romeo and Juliet , Dylan,” Dora said, smiling, “and she’s the one who insisted that you come tonight. So, you’ll have to be very nice to her.”
    “I’m always nice to ladies. Is she cross-eyed or ugly in any way?”
    “Don’t be foolish!” Serafina said sharply. “She’s a very beautiful young girl. Very spirited and has a quick wit. She’s also a dedicated Christian. Sings at the church all the time and visits the sick and the elderly. It’s just sad to see her father waste his life.”
    “I’m sure it also grieves his mother, Lady Leona Hayden, greatly. She was the second wife of Lord Darby’s father, Leslie, and she lives at Silverthorn, though she’s a widow and an invalid of sorts. Her mind doesn’t work very well anymore. She becomes confused.” Serafina paused and looked out at the rain. “Of course, Edward, Rupert, and Leah are not Lady Leona’s children. They’re the children of her husband’s first wife, Edith Carrington. Leah’s son, Bramwell St. John, lives at Silverthorn too. Everyone calls him St. John.”
    “Yes, Sinjin,” Dora said, emphasizing the characteristically British pronunciation.
    “You know, the Americans find that quite interesting,” Dylan said, “how St. John could become a thing like Sinjin, but it’s his name. He can call himself anything he wants. What sort of chap is he?”
    “He’s about your height, lean, and a very good athlete when he chooses. He’s had some problems though,” Serafina said hesitantly.
    “It’s so sad.” Dora shook her head. “He went to Oxford and fell into the sins of young men.”
    “What are the sins of young men, Miss Aldora?” Dylan asked, humor dancing in his eyes. “I’ve never been able to get them straight. Would you care to go into that a little bit further?”
    “You are awful, Dylan! Now, I’m not going to talk about the sins of young men. I suspect you know far more about them than I do.”
    “I expect you’re right.” Matthew grinned. He nudged Dylan with his elbow. “I’ll explain it all to you when we’re alone, Dylan.”
    “Well, it sounds like a typical English family,” Dylan said, “with some heroes and some villains.”
    “Oh, there are no villains in the Hayden family. Just some sadness,” Serafina said. “But I suppose you’re right. All families have this sort of thing.”
    As the carriage bounced over the road, Serafina sat back and listened to Dora speak to Matthew, drawing out of him some of his experiences in Scotland Yard. She studied the face of Dylan, wondering what really went on, wondering how she had ever become so involved in the life of an actor. It disturbed her sometimes, for she knew that her interest in him was more than casual. Still she thought of how he had risked his life—nearly given it, in fact—to save David, and she knew she would never forget that as long as she lived.

    “You look very well, my love.”
    Edward Hayden came to stand behind his wife, who was sitting at her dressing table. He put his hands on her shoulders, and she reached up and covered them with her own. “Thank you, dear. I think