Read Online High Master of Clere by Jane Arbor - Free Book Online

him so, he took her glass from her.
    ‘ You look as if you could do with another drink after all, ’ he said. But when he came back he brought another man with him and did not stay himself.
    When everyone had gone Mrs. Lytton was so happy with the party ’ s success that Verity hadn ’ t the heart to tax her with having prattled to Daniel after promising she wouldn ’ t. The three of them dined together, talking ‘ party ’ , but very soon afterwards Mrs. Lytton said she was tired and would go to bed. Verity wouldn ’ t be too late, would she, and if she were going to take Nash out first, why didn ’ t she ask Daniel to go too?
    She put the question in her clear, light voice in t he full hearing of Daniel who rose, opening the door for her and glancing his own question at Verity.
    Verity said, ‘ If you ’ d care to come. We usually go down to the shore, ’ and was waiting for him in wellingtons and a light coat over her cocktail frock when he joined her on the drive, having changed into corduroy slacks and a pullover in the interval.
    It was a lovely night. By the time they reached the shore the red autumn moon was up, spilling a light-path across the sea and blackening every shadow by contrast. The sands were still wet after high tide and their boots and Nash ’ s outsize pads scuttered arcs of water as they went.
    On the way down the lane they had talked about Nash, and Verity had described his illness of the summer, though without bringing up Max ’ s name again.
    ‘ Were you warned that it might recur ?’ asked Daniel.
    ‘ I ’ m afraid so. The vet says, at his age, “ any time ” . Meanwhile I try to be grateful for every day that he stays as well as he is. ’ As she spoke she skimmed a pebble into the surf for the little dog to follow. He did so, cavorting and dancing with frustration when he could not find it. Daniel threw another, his wrist flicking as expertly as Verity ’ s to make it skid four times on the surface before it finally sank, to Nash ’ s rage and Verity ’ s admiration for the expertise.
    ‘ You ’ re good, ’ she commented. ‘ I hardly ever manage more than two skids at a time. ’
    ‘ My record is six. It ’ s a knack, and you must pick the right kind of stone. ’
    ‘ I know, but —’ She watched as he skittered another across the shallows, then threw one herself. They continued turn and turn about until Nash, deciding he was the odd man out in a game on which his humans were too intent, trotted away.
    Wiping down their hands, they followed him, and after a minute or two Verity asked diffidently, ‘ How long have you known that silly story about us? When did Mother tell it to you? ’
    ‘ She didn ’ t. I ’ d heard it from my own mother years ago. Certainly long before either you or I were in a position to assert our right to pick our own mates, thanks very much. You were then at the crawling stage, I believe, and I was still in short pants. I may say I remember signifying in no mean fashion what I thought of the idea. ’
    ‘ I ’ m sure you did. ’ Verity ’ s short laugh was partly of relief that her mother hadn ’ t broken her promise. ‘ I think you were about ten at the time Mother and Mrs. Wyatt concocted it for fun. But I hadn ’ t realized you already knew it when you came to Clere. ’
    ‘ As I ’ ve told you, I did, and it lent a certain piquancy to our meeting. But I ’ m afraid I can ’ t pretend I came fired with romantic curiosity about you beforehand. ’
    ‘ You wouldn ’ t expect me to believe you did? ’ The ugly doubt which Lance had sowed in her mind made Verity add, ‘ All the same, Lance and I did wonder why you ’ d never got in touch with Mother or Father earlier. Because you must have known, before you were offered the High Mastership, that we were here? ’
    There was a moment ’ s pause. Then Daniel said, ‘ You ’ d realized that and read it as sinister? ’
    V erity remembered Lance ’ s ‘ phoney ’ with