Read Online Heirs of Ravenscar by Barbara Taylor Bradford - Free Book Online

pushing herself up on the pillows. ‘Allowing him to be the voice of Deravenels?’
    Edward looked at her intently. ‘He can be a bit volatile, I know that, even in business discussions. But I promised him a large bonus if he pulls it off to my satisfaction. He’ll be careful how he handles himself because of the prospect of money.’
    â€˜I hope he doesn’t make a mess of it,’ she murmured, thinking out loud.
    â€˜Funny thing is, Jane, Richard said the same thing to me earlier today,’ Ned said. ‘If it doesn’t work, I won’t care toomuch, you know. George is strange at times, but more of a nuisance I’d say than anything else.’
    â€˜No, he’s not a nuisance, Ned. He’s a threat.’
    â€˜Why do you say that?’ he asked, frowning to himself. Will Hasling had made the same comment several times in the last few weeks.
    Jane answered in a thoughtful voice, ‘I think he’s in competition with you. I’ve always believed that George sort of … well, fancies himself, thinks he can be you, thinks he’s as good as you, as clever as you, and he’s not. Everyone knows how brilliant you are.’
    â€˜It was Neville who put those ideas in his head, a long time ago. Obviously they’ve taken hold. Now that the War is over perhaps I can ship George off somewhere. To America, perhaps.’
    Jane laughed. ‘On a permanent basis, of course. Don’t you think that would be a good idea?’
    â€˜Yes. And I’ve got an even better idea,’ he murmured, leaning towards her, kissing her fully on the mouth, and moving even closer. ‘I want to make love to you again, before we go down to dinner.’
    â€˜What about the necklace –’
    â€˜To hell with the bloody necklace,’ he interrupted, smiling at her. ‘I don’t care if I do get a few scratches as long as I can have you in my arms. You, Jane, my one true love.’
    â€˜Oh Ned –’
    He cut off the rest of the sentence by placing his mouth firmly on hers.

SEVEN
    A mos Finnister sat in his office at Deravenels on the Strand, giving Will Hasling his entire attention. There was an expression of concern on his face as he listened to the other man.
    â€˜And so,’ Will continued, ‘I would appreciate it if you could do a bit of digging, Amos. In your usual discreet fashion.’
    Nodding, Amos asked, ‘Do you think Mr George has fallen in with a bad lot? Is that it, Mr Hasling?’
    â€˜Yes. And a dangerous lot, at that. The drinking, the whoring are bad enough, well that’s George’s nature, I’m afraid: he’s always been a bit of a libertine. It’s the drugs that worry me, and the gambling. He’s losing a lot of money on a regular basis, a great deal , in fact. Very troublesome.’
    â€˜If I might ask, how did you find this out?’ Amos gazed at Will steadily.
    â€˜Someone came to me, warned me.’ Will nodded, and murmured, ‘Thank God.’
    â€˜I’m assuming it’s someone you can trust, Mr H?’
    â€˜It is, actually, Amos, and there’s no good reason why you shouldn’t know. It came from one of my brothers – Howard. When he was at Eton he became extremely close to a boy called Kim Rowe-Leggett, and, in the way of old Etonians, they’ve stayed close friends over the years. Rowe-Leggett is a stockbroker in the City these days, quite well-known, and very successful. Anyway, he likes the occasional flutter on the ponies, and he sometimes gambles, on a small scale, at one of the newer London gambling clubs. He’s a member of Starks, Julian Stark’s place, another old Etonian. To get to the point, my brother told me that according to Kim Rowe-Leggett the gossip about George is rampant. Naturally I’m perturbed. Not only about his gambling losses, but the drugs.’
    â€˜I don’t blame you.’ Amos shook his head. ‘Mr George