Read Online Burning Bright (Brambridge Novel 2) by Pearl Darling - Free Book Online Page A

smirking bastards.
    Ned got up and walked back to the bar. “His three elder brothers died. Carried off by the pox,” he threw over his shoulder as he poured himself a tankard of ale. “He inherited the Stanton title unexpectedly. Up until that point he was a regular at the inn, always tupping one of the barmaids, gambling and drinking. Father had to stop him coming in because he was regularly drunk before he even arrived.” Ned paused for a breath, and took a long sip of his beer. “It was unexpected when he won Brambridge. He was a noted loser. And Viscount Summerbain, the man who owned the manor, never gambled. It was a sad day when the Viscount had to leave. He was a real gentleman.”
    “Viscount Summerbain?” James gave Ned a level stare. “Do you know if he had a family?”
    “Aye, a daughter. Lovely little thing she was. No idea what has become of them both now.”
    James clenched his fists under the table. It was going to be harder than he thought to find this Marie girl. But he wasn’t going to give up easily.
    Ned stood and returned to the bar as new customers came through the door, lightening the tap room. Looking around to make sure that no one was listening, James motioned Bill back outside.
    “Can I trust you?”
    “Of course you can, James,” Bill said, looking hurt. “Two years ago.—”
    “Yes, I know.” Two years ago Bill had saved his life. James rested against the edge of the horse trough. “Look. Father's will has just been read. I don't inherit anything unless I can find Viscount Summerbain's granddaughter, Marie Mompesson, within six months.”
    Bill stared at him. “You mean you can’t inherit until you find her?”
    “No.” James did not mention marrying the girl. It just made the task even more impossible. “And during that year all bills will be paid by the lawyers.”
    “Granger?”
    James nodded.
    Bill shook his head and sat down next to James on the other edge of the trough. “That’s not good news. He’s a lawyer but he’s only out to serve his own interests. I would keep an eye on him if I were you.”
    “I'm going to go to Ottery St Mary tomorrow to see him to make sure all the right payments are going to be made regarding the estate.”
    James put a hand on the edge of the trough. Should he tell Bill about his other mission to find out what was happening to disrupt the trading routes? When they had sailed on the Rocket they had trusted each other with their lives, and it seemed he knew the Hawk well. But Bill was one of the main facilitators of the trading route. If anything happened he would be the first to know about it, and yet he hadn’t mentioned any problems with it at all. Just how much did he know about what was going on?
     

CHAPTER 7
     
    Harriet looked up as Agatha stretched and pulled down the hunting knife from behind the door of their cottage.
    “You seem tired, Harriet. Perhaps you should scale back your play. I don’t understand how you fit it in with the teaching. Especially if Edgar is not paying you for it.” Agatha picked up the dull cotton of her overskirt and smoothed it over the blade of the knife.
    Harriet sighed. Her aunt wasn’t as taken with theatrical pursuits as Harriet was. Sometimes she wondered if they were related at all. Agatha was so methodical and mathematical. And practical. At least she hadn’t seemed put out that Edgar had stopped dropping by. To Harriet it had been a distinct positive. She thrust another log onto the pile by the fire.
    “At least Mrs. Madely has been in a good mood recently.” Agatha held up the blade to the fire light.
    “Mmm.” Harriet suspected that having the attentions of a wealthy man might have bolstered that mood. Despite Mrs. Madely’s pious ways she seemed to forget that she was married to the vicar.
    “You know, there is also something a little off about Edgar Stanton,” Agatha said thoughtfully, rehanging the hunting knife. The intricate design of the elephants on the handle shone