Read Online Pride of the Courtneys by Margaret Dickinson - Free Book Online Page B

hatred.
    Millicent must be the person, or at least party to it, for here she was telling the deliberate lie, and after all, who but perhaps Georgiana would believe my word against hers?
    Upset by the loss of the dagger, Sir Hugh seemed to lose his sense of time and must have reverted, to the past.
    He twisted his fingers together nervously.
    â€˜Victoria, my dear, we must not upset mother so, you must go. Go now, go quickly. Please go.’
    He became most distressed. His words made no sense to me, but for his wife, Bassett, and even Georgiana, they must have held significant meaning, for Lady Courtney drew a startled breath and turned pale, whilst Bassett led him gently from the room, and, with Sir Hugh still muttering, took him to rest in his room.
    â€˜We had better return to the drawing-room to discuss this unfortunate affair,’ said Lady Courtney, regaining her composure. ‘And wait for Bassett.’
    There was an uneasiness in the room whilst we awaited Bassett’s return. As I passed the mirror to take a chair near the window, I saw my face was deathly pale, my eyes frightened, and my mouth trembling. I felt close to tears, surrounded by scheming enemies. But I would not weep, I would not let these people break my spirit. I would fight them.
    Before Bassett returned. Lady Courtney began to deride me in no uncertain terms.
    â€˜You came to this house, Louella Lloyd, an unwelcome encumbrance on this family. You and your relations have caused nothing but trouble to the Courtney family for many years. Are you never to stop?’
    â€˜Perhaps, if I knew what it is my family have done. But I have not taken the dagger. I swear it.’
    â€˜Don’t make it worse by lying, girl. Why don’t you own up and return the dagger? Don’t you realise what may happen to us all now the dagger has left the Courtneys? Misfortune will befall us—and the thief. You’ll regret it, Louella Lloyd, you’ll regret it.’
    But her goading was cut short by Bassett’s return.
    Georgiana dashed to him, she was in tears now.
    â€˜Bassett, do something, please. She didn’t do it. How could she?’
    Bassett put his arm round her, and looked at me over her head.
    â€˜Bassett, say you know she didn’t do it,’ she murmured against his jacket.
    â€˜I—I don’t know, Georgiana.’
    â€˜Bassett,’ she flung herself away from him. ‘How can you be so cruel? Are you, too, against her?’
    And she returned to my side.
    â€˜Well, I believe Louella. I’ll stand by her, even if you—if you throw me out.’
    â€˜That’s what we ought to do with her Lady Courtney indicated me. ‘ Ungrateful brat. Throw her out, Bassett.’
    â€˜No one is to be thrown out, mother, at all. We shall find the thief, never fear.’
    â€˜But what will happen to us in the meantime?’ Lady Courtney wailed. ‘We shall lose all our money, or something dreadful will happen. Look what happens to your father every time he sees her. Look who he thinks she is. How do you think I can bear it?’
    And Lady Courtney dissolved into tears in an attempt to persuade her son.
    â€˜Get rid of her, Bassett, for my sake. Can’t you see she’s just like her mother, breaking up our home?’
    This was too much. I stood up.
    â€˜I don’t understand all this talk about my mother. If you won’t tell me, how can I? But I am not a thief. I have not touched the dagger. I didn’t even know where the keys were to the cabinet. Since you obviously no longer wish me to stay, I will leave at once. I have no desire to remain here either.’
    â€˜There you are, you see, Bassett?’ screeched Lady Courtney, she was hysterical now. ‘She has the dagger, she’s trying to get away now. Stop her.’
    What did the foolish woman want?
    But Bassett took charge of the situation.
    â€˜Go to your room, Louella, away from this painful affair, whilst