Read Online As if by Magic by Dolores Gordon-Smith - Free Book Online Page B

been for your help, Mrs Lassiter. As it was, he got taken to the Royal Free and very nearly didn’t make it, even then. George and I are old friends,’ he continued, seeing that further explanation was necessary. ‘I found out from a pal of mine in the police what had happened, recognized the name and, to cut a long story short, George is staying with me until he recovers completely.’
    â€˜But, George, how did you come to be in such dire straits?’ asked Mr Lassiter wonderingly. ‘Sit down.’ He turned the command into a request. ‘Please?’
    George hesitantly sat down again. ‘I think I’d better tell you the story of the legacy,’ he said. He did so, as briefly as he could. ‘But who this Rosemary Belmont is, I don’t know,’ he finished.
    His grandfather looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Rosemary?’ he said quietly. ‘Rosemary. I knew she’d married again but I’d forgotten her husband’s name. She must be the woman I knew as Rosemary Vernon. She . . .’ He broke off, looking at George. ‘I’m sorry, my boy. I don’t know quite how to break this to you. You see . . .’ He hesitated once more then, gathering himself, spoke in a rush. ‘Rosemary was your mother.’
    There was dead silence. George sat bolt upright, his hands clenched. ‘No,’ he said at last. ‘No, she wasn’t. My mother wasn’t called Rosemary. She was Susan. Susan Harrison. You’re wrong, sir. You must be wrong.’
    â€˜I’m not,’ said Mr Lassiter quietly. ‘I’m sorry if this is a shock to you, George, but Rosemary Vernon was your mother.’
    George looked at him in bewilderment. ‘But how can she be, sir?’ he protested. ‘I know who my mother was.’
    Mr Lassiter put down his glass. ‘I’m sorry, George. Your father should have told you.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s obvious that he didn’t. All I can say in mitigation is that he was hurt. Badly hurt.’ He sighed. ‘Rosemary Vernon was your mother and the reason why you lived here.’ His eyes became distant. ‘Your father was a stubborn boy. Mary – your grandmother – always said that he took after me.’ He blinked rapidly. ‘Maybe he did. Poor Charles. I wish I could have seen him again. It’s too late now.’
    George gazed at him in complete disbelief. ‘Can you explain, sir?’ he said at last.
    There was a long pause, then Mr Lassiter shook himself. ‘Charles married Rosemary Vernon against my wishes. I don’t wish to speak ill of your mother, George, particularly as she is dead, but I considered her to be flighty and spoiled and the very last person who Charles should have married.’ He looked at George apologetically. ‘I have to tell you the truth as I see it, otherwise you’ll never understand.’
    George sat back in his chair. ‘I think you’d better.’ He glanced at Jack. ‘I didn’t know what to expect, but certainly nothing like this.’
    Mr Lassiter turned to Anne. ‘Would you get drinks for us, my dear? I think we could all do with something.’
    Both George and Jack accepted a whisky and soda gratefully. ‘As I say,’ continued old Mr Lassiter, ‘I never thought Rosemary was the right wife for Charles.’ He picked up his glass and grimaced. ‘It gave me no pleasure at all to be proved right. She was an actress and Charles was dazzled by her. They very quickly grew apart. Rosemary wasn’t interested in making a home for Charles and it was in an attempt to bring them together that Mary and I suggested they live here until you were born, at least. The idea was to take the cares of running a household off her shoulders so she could concentrate on you, but Rosemary was never cut out to be a mother. She was fond of you, don’t think she wasn’t, but she couldn’t cope with