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chuckling. “I doubt that the post still crosses the Channel on English packets.”
“I believe neutral ships carry such letters,” said Emily repressively. “Does Sabrina go to these services every evening? She did not go last night.”
“Oh, no, only on Wednesday evenings. Many of the local gentry attend then, so she is sure of learning all the gossip as well as receiving her religious teaching.”
“Does Miss Lavinia go?”
“Occasionally, I believe, though she would scorn to make a practice of it. Says she reads her Bible every night before she puts out her candle, and that that plus Sunday ought to satisfy anyone.” He paused, regarding her searchingly. Then, his voice lacking its normal confident tone, he said, “I say, Aunt Emily, I do hope you ain’t still vexed with me about what I said earlier. Cousin Jack fair makes my blood boil, but I know I’m no match for him, and I could see nothing to be gained by putting my oar into the business and making him all the angrier.”
“Do not let such reflections prey upon your mind,” Emily advised. “When I told you earlier that I did not blame you in the least, I meant it.” Deciding not to seek out Sabrina for the moment, she pulled another chair close to his. “Sit down, Oliver. I wish to speak with you.”
He obeyed, watching her warily, and not looking the least bit reassured when she frowned, collecting her thoughts. When she looked directly at him and smiled, however, she had the satisfaction of seeing him relax. “I shan’t eat you, you know. I daresay your position is a most difficult one at present.”
“Ain’t it just!” He leaned toward her eagerly. “You cannot imagine what a fix Papa’s death put me in. For a time, I had my first quarter’s allowance, of course, but when that was gone and I applied to Cousin Jack for more, instead of sending me a draft like Papa always did, he wrote telling me I must learn to practice economy. I’d certainly never taken him for such a sobersides, I can tell you that. I was dished. Went to the money lenders, of course, so by second quarter my allowance was already spoken for, which meant I just got in deeper, which anyone ought to have known would be the case. Same thing happened when I received my third quarter’s allowance, which is when the proctor discovered the whole. I must say he put the wind up the Shylocks, for he’s a great gun when all’s told, but he made me write a full account of my debts to Cousin Jack and he wrote to him also, and then I was sent down. There was the most awful row when I got home,” Oliver added, shuddering at the memory. “Cousin Jack don’t seem to understand how it is, but Lord, I’ve never heard anyone accuse him of being stiff-rumped or tight with a shilling.”
“No, I don’t think he is either of those things,” Emily said. “Has he ever discussed the way matters were left here at Staithes when your father died, Oliver?”
“Lord, no. He don’t want me plaguing him to death with impertinent questions, either.”
“Have you tried asking pertinent questions?”
Oliver shook his head. “Wouldn’t want to vex him. He don’t heed what I say, and he don’t care about my pleasures, so here I sit, kicking my heels. I’ll be glad when Saint Just and the others arrive. Ted Bennett’s a quiet sort, and Harry’s always got his eye on the proprieties, but Saint Just’s always ripe for fun and gig.”
“Oliver, you are Baron Staithes now. I think you ought at least to express an interest in your estate.”
“And do you think for one moment that Cousin Jack won’t snap my nose off and send me to the roundabout?”
“Pray do not take that sarcastic tone with me,” she said sternly. “Meriden can scarcely refuse to explain to you how matters stand with your own property, and I think he will be pleased if you show an interest.”
“Well, I do not have any interest, since I have no power to change anything, so I cannot think for a moment why I
“I believe neutral ships carry such letters,” said Emily repressively. “Does Sabrina go to these services every evening? She did not go last night.”
“Oh, no, only on Wednesday evenings. Many of the local gentry attend then, so she is sure of learning all the gossip as well as receiving her religious teaching.”
“Does Miss Lavinia go?”
“Occasionally, I believe, though she would scorn to make a practice of it. Says she reads her Bible every night before she puts out her candle, and that that plus Sunday ought to satisfy anyone.” He paused, regarding her searchingly. Then, his voice lacking its normal confident tone, he said, “I say, Aunt Emily, I do hope you ain’t still vexed with me about what I said earlier. Cousin Jack fair makes my blood boil, but I know I’m no match for him, and I could see nothing to be gained by putting my oar into the business and making him all the angrier.”
“Do not let such reflections prey upon your mind,” Emily advised. “When I told you earlier that I did not blame you in the least, I meant it.” Deciding not to seek out Sabrina for the moment, she pulled another chair close to his. “Sit down, Oliver. I wish to speak with you.”
He obeyed, watching her warily, and not looking the least bit reassured when she frowned, collecting her thoughts. When she looked directly at him and smiled, however, she had the satisfaction of seeing him relax. “I shan’t eat you, you know. I daresay your position is a most difficult one at present.”
“Ain’t it just!” He leaned toward her eagerly. “You cannot imagine what a fix Papa’s death put me in. For a time, I had my first quarter’s allowance, of course, but when that was gone and I applied to Cousin Jack for more, instead of sending me a draft like Papa always did, he wrote telling me I must learn to practice economy. I’d certainly never taken him for such a sobersides, I can tell you that. I was dished. Went to the money lenders, of course, so by second quarter my allowance was already spoken for, which meant I just got in deeper, which anyone ought to have known would be the case. Same thing happened when I received my third quarter’s allowance, which is when the proctor discovered the whole. I must say he put the wind up the Shylocks, for he’s a great gun when all’s told, but he made me write a full account of my debts to Cousin Jack and he wrote to him also, and then I was sent down. There was the most awful row when I got home,” Oliver added, shuddering at the memory. “Cousin Jack don’t seem to understand how it is, but Lord, I’ve never heard anyone accuse him of being stiff-rumped or tight with a shilling.”
“No, I don’t think he is either of those things,” Emily said. “Has he ever discussed the way matters were left here at Staithes when your father died, Oliver?”
“Lord, no. He don’t want me plaguing him to death with impertinent questions, either.”
“Have you tried asking pertinent questions?”
Oliver shook his head. “Wouldn’t want to vex him. He don’t heed what I say, and he don’t care about my pleasures, so here I sit, kicking my heels. I’ll be glad when Saint Just and the others arrive. Ted Bennett’s a quiet sort, and Harry’s always got his eye on the proprieties, but Saint Just’s always ripe for fun and gig.”
“Oliver, you are Baron Staithes now. I think you ought at least to express an interest in your estate.”
“And do you think for one moment that Cousin Jack won’t snap my nose off and send me to the roundabout?”
“Pray do not take that sarcastic tone with me,” she said sternly. “Meriden can scarcely refuse to explain to you how matters stand with your own property, and I think he will be pleased if you show an interest.”
“Well, I do not have any interest, since I have no power to change anything, so I cannot think for a moment why I
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