Read Online Newport: A Novel by Jill Morrow - Free Book Online Page B

Catharine with one last glare before allowing his hand to drop to his side. Her eyes narrowed in response.
    “I apologize,” Nicholas said smoothly, reaching for his cigarettes. “But let me point out that we still disagree about my father’s state of mind.”
    “You are the only one in disagreement.” Adrian did not offer a light. “The rest of us—including your sister—understand that reason enough exists for your father to believe this communication might be real.”
    “Our written agreement says nothing about a majority decision.” Nicholas cupped one hand around the end of his cigarette as he lifted a flaming match to its tip.
    “But, Nicky,” Chloe started, “Amy knew so much about Margaret. You can’t possibly believe that she could create all that from thin air.”
    “I do not deny that Miss Walsh is a very convincing young lady. And her aunt”—he exhaled the cigarette smoke in Catharine’s direction—“is too clever by half. However, since ambiguity does indeed exist regarding unanimous agreement, I propose another séance, to take place tomorrow night.”
    “I hardly think that necessary,” Adrian said.
    “I didn’t expect you would, Mr. de la Noye.”
    Catharine drew herself up. “I don’t understand, Mr. Chapman. What do you hope to gain by this? You’ve made it quite clear that we’ll never change your mind.”
    Nicholas took another long drag of his cigarette, then crossed the room to the Tiffany lamp on the sideboard. “That you won’t,” he said, flicking its switch with a resounding click. Light pooled across the dark wood of the sideboard as he continued toward the next lamp.
    “Then what’s your point?” Jim asked, planting himself a little closer to Amy.
    Nicholas turned on another lamp. “I may not understand how anyone could be drawn into such stupidity, but I do understand that most people are motivated by material gain. Miss Walsh would not have initiated this spiritualist scheme unless there was something she wanted. It’s quite clear what she wants from my father. I even understand what she wants from my sister and me. The upper class has ever been a target for hoi polloi. But why draw Mr. Reid into it? And, if my suspicions are correct, why Mr. de la Noye?”
    “Mr. Reid and I have arrived merely to fulfill a request from our client,” Adrian said. “Nobody has drawn either of us into anything.”
    “Really?” Nicholas lit the final lamp and turned toward him. “Let’s consider, Mr. de la Noye. Each one of us here tonight got a . . . message, shall we say . . . from the great beyond. Pure claptrap, of course, but messages all the same. Husband heard from wife, mother from daughter. I received information regarding a child who most assuredly doesn’t even exist. Why, even Mr. Reid here was given words purported to come from his grandmother, who I can only assume is now part of the heavenly choir.”
    Amy shrugged. “The spirits are always grateful for the opportunity to speak to those they love.”
    Nicholas ignored her. “And now it seems that there was one message left—one message that could not be delivered due to Amy Walsh’s human frailty. I’m betting, Mr. de la Noye, that the message is for you.”
    A deep red flush flooded Catharine’s face. “And what would that prove?” she demanded. “I’m quite sure that Mr. de la Noye is willing to forgo confirmation of your theory. You don’t care about the message at all, do you, Mr. de la Noye?”
    Adrian’s mouth twitched. “No,” he said. “Of course not. There’s no need to revisit the spirit world on my behalf.”
    “Then do it on mine,” Nicholas said. “Allow me the chance to enlighten you, Mr. de la Noye. You may not be able to sway me to your way of thinking, but perhaps I can sway you to mine. If I am correct, perhaps you will be the one to call the authorities and end this charade once and for all.”
    “Why would we do this?” Jim demanded. “It has nothing to do with our