Read Online Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison - Free Book Online

that he’s no longer taking care of retired circus horses in Spain?”
    â€œOh, her ladyship told you. I couldn’t say that Alfred has spent the last decade in Wormwood Scrubs prison,” Mum said with scorn. “But Alfred will be very useful to our protest group. Just you see.”
    â€œThat reminds me,” I said. “Lavinia is going to call you about an old friend of hers—Benedict Scroope—”
    â€œThat’s a good name, too. I must write it down—”
    â€œHe’s an environmentalist. Well connected apparently,” I said. “Even managed to save an entire village in Kent from demolition when the Channel Tunnel was built. They want to meet here.”
    Mum brightened. “Here? Not at the Hall?”
    â€œLavinia feels—I quote—‘ One needs to keep a certain air of mystery and distance from one’s people .’ Basically, she wants to get involved but doesn’t want to mix with the rabble.”
    â€œWhat an honor.” Mum’s face flushed with pleasure, then she scowled. “Will Eric be coming?”
    â€œLavinia said it would be just the three of you.”
    â€œNot even his lordship?”
    â€œHe’s gone to London.”
    As if on cue, Mum’s phone rang.
    â€œI bet that’s Lavinia, now,” I said.
    She snatched up the receiver, said, “Yes, m’lady” several times, “I promise I won’t say a word to his lordship,” then, “Lovely. Tomorrow at nine-thirty.”
    Mum put the phone down and turned to me. “Why can’t we mention this to his lordship?”
    â€œRupert told Lavinia not to interfere.”
    â€œOf course he’d say that,” said Mum with scorn.
    My mother did not have a particularly high opinion of Lord Honeychurch ever since we learned he’d tried to sell the estate to an adventure playground development company. Mum still didn’t trust Rupert’s change of heart and believed it was because he hoped to be reinstated as Edith’s heir. I had to admit I thought she could be right.
    â€œRupert drove Harry back to school and then went on to London,” I said. “Lavinia was pretty upset about it. Not that I’m gossiping.” But I realized I was!
    â€œGossip! You must! What happened? They argued over Harry? They separated?” Mum’s eyes widened. “Has he met someone else? I wouldn’t be surprised. She’s such a cold fish. And the way she wears her hair under that hairnet all the time. So unattractive.”
    â€œI’ll leave all that to your imagination,” I said. “I’m going to take a luxurious shower in your wonderful new bathroom.”
    â€œI had that shower put in especially for you.” Mum looked at the bird clock. “Do you mind getting your own supper tonight? If I’m expecting the gentry tomorrow I need to get cracking on these notes straight away.”
    â€œI was thinking about going to the Hare & Hounds.”
    â€œWhy?” Mum said suspiciously. “Isn’t that where that Valentine person is staying?”
    I felt myself redden and agonized over whether to lie. “They make a good steak and kidney pie.”
    â€œYou’re a hopeless fibber,” said Mum. “You’re going to see him, aren’t you? You’re going to talk to him behind my back!”
    â€œWhy don’t we just hear what he has to say about your options?”
    Mum grabbed the box containing her manuscript and headed for the kitchen door. “I hope you will both be very happy together. After all, he lives in London. You live in London…”
    And then it hit me. I don’t know how I had missed the obvious. “Would you like me to stay here a little longer?” I said gently. “At least until Alfred has settled in?”
    â€œIt’s up to you,” said Mum but I saw a flash of hope in her eyes and it made me feel like an idiot. As the