Read Online Aunt Sophie's Diamonds by Joan Smith - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Joan Smith
Ads: Link
sorts of dinners were suffered through and enjoyed by the inhabitants of Swallowcourt and Chanely respectively. While Captain Tewksbury and Mrs. Milmont were settling in for a hand of piquet and Claudia and Luane were chatting quietly in a corner with Miss Bliss, Sir Hillary and Gabriel sat over a glass of ale, discussing the day's events and particularly the will. “Do you plan to marry Loo within the year?” Hillary asked.
"I always intended to marry her as soon as I was through college—well, and as soon as I have some means of supporting her of course."
"I'm sorry if it was my influence that caused you to put it off at Christmas. You both seemed so young."
"We neither of us wanted to when Sophie started her pushing. There's nothing like being told you must do something to make you sure you don't want to do it."
"There's no guarantee that your marriage to Luane is the event she refers to in the will. Unless you are determined to have her, I shouldn't do it on the expectation of inheriting. Not do it just for that, I mean."
"No, no. That has nothing to do with it. It would put us in easier circumstances, of course, but I can get a position of some sort. Lots of the fellows plan to do so. What do you think I should apply myself to, Uncle?"
"A seat in Parliament eventually, but you're a bit young for that yet. A few years as secretary to some member would be good experience. I'll speak to some friends. I can tide you over financially till you're in a better paying job."
"I can't take any more from you. Paying for my education..."
"At the moment you're my heir, cawker. A fine skint I'd look, with the pair of you begging on a street corner while I live the high life in my various mansions."
"It goes against the grain."
"It's bound to, but we weren't all born shod and hosed, Gab. Thank your stars you have some family. That's what families are for, you know."
"Some families. That Mrs. Milmont is a rum touch, ain't she, Uncle?"
"You're too kind in your choice of words."
They talked on in this manner till ten, with never a sarcastic or nasty remark leveled at Gabriel. Sir Hillary was fond of his charge, and in fact considered him as something very like a son. He had felt alone, though not lonely, in the world after his father's death ten years previously, till he had been saddled with Gabriel. He was always fond of Gab's mother, his cousin Anita, and though he wasn't the closest relative, he had taken the boy willingly. By insensible degrees he had regulated his life so that it revolved around his cousin. He made it a point to be home at Chanely when Gab was on holiday, and for his racier friends not to be. He took a more than avuncular interest in the boy, but was determined not to be so bound to him that he interfered unduly in his life. He and Loo were a good match—were as at home with each other as an old married couple despite their youth. Odd their relationship had developed along these lines rather than as brother and sister, but Gab was just enough older so that Loo had always adored him.
As the hands of the clock circled past ten, Hillary and his nephew both began stirring restively. Gabriel was waiting till his uncle mentioned retiring, failing which—and ten-thirty was pretty early for him to go to bed—he must start yawning himself. Hillary was wishing Gabriel would invite him along on the diamond hunt. He half hoped he wouldn't, too, for he supposed it behove him to put a damper on the scheme. He was ninety-nine per cent sure Gabriel meant to go and ninety-eight percent sure Loo would be with him, but hadn't even a suspicion that Claudia would be along. Added to this, he was about ninety per cent plus sure Jonathon would have a go at the grave-digging. Yes, it would be an interesting night, one way or the other.
Gabriel was not happy that Miss Milmont was to be of the party and risked sounding out his uncle on the girl. “How does Loo's cousin strike you—the Milmont girl?” he asked.
"As not
"I always intended to marry her as soon as I was through college—well, and as soon as I have some means of supporting her of course."
"I'm sorry if it was my influence that caused you to put it off at Christmas. You both seemed so young."
"We neither of us wanted to when Sophie started her pushing. There's nothing like being told you must do something to make you sure you don't want to do it."
"There's no guarantee that your marriage to Luane is the event she refers to in the will. Unless you are determined to have her, I shouldn't do it on the expectation of inheriting. Not do it just for that, I mean."
"No, no. That has nothing to do with it. It would put us in easier circumstances, of course, but I can get a position of some sort. Lots of the fellows plan to do so. What do you think I should apply myself to, Uncle?"
"A seat in Parliament eventually, but you're a bit young for that yet. A few years as secretary to some member would be good experience. I'll speak to some friends. I can tide you over financially till you're in a better paying job."
"I can't take any more from you. Paying for my education..."
"At the moment you're my heir, cawker. A fine skint I'd look, with the pair of you begging on a street corner while I live the high life in my various mansions."
"It goes against the grain."
"It's bound to, but we weren't all born shod and hosed, Gab. Thank your stars you have some family. That's what families are for, you know."
"Some families. That Mrs. Milmont is a rum touch, ain't she, Uncle?"
"You're too kind in your choice of words."
They talked on in this manner till ten, with never a sarcastic or nasty remark leveled at Gabriel. Sir Hillary was fond of his charge, and in fact considered him as something very like a son. He had felt alone, though not lonely, in the world after his father's death ten years previously, till he had been saddled with Gabriel. He was always fond of Gab's mother, his cousin Anita, and though he wasn't the closest relative, he had taken the boy willingly. By insensible degrees he had regulated his life so that it revolved around his cousin. He made it a point to be home at Chanely when Gab was on holiday, and for his racier friends not to be. He took a more than avuncular interest in the boy, but was determined not to be so bound to him that he interfered unduly in his life. He and Loo were a good match—were as at home with each other as an old married couple despite their youth. Odd their relationship had developed along these lines rather than as brother and sister, but Gab was just enough older so that Loo had always adored him.
As the hands of the clock circled past ten, Hillary and his nephew both began stirring restively. Gabriel was waiting till his uncle mentioned retiring, failing which—and ten-thirty was pretty early for him to go to bed—he must start yawning himself. Hillary was wishing Gabriel would invite him along on the diamond hunt. He half hoped he wouldn't, too, for he supposed it behove him to put a damper on the scheme. He was ninety-nine per cent sure Gabriel meant to go and ninety-eight percent sure Loo would be with him, but hadn't even a suspicion that Claudia would be along. Added to this, he was about ninety per cent plus sure Jonathon would have a go at the grave-digging. Yes, it would be an interesting night, one way or the other.
Gabriel was not happy that Miss Milmont was to be of the party and risked sounding out his uncle on the girl. “How does Loo's cousin strike you—the Milmont girl?” he asked.
"As not
Similar Books
