Read Online The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell - Free Book Online Page B

of the trunk only seconds before the two stepped off the path and onto the grass verge leading to the bench.
    “Well, my dear cousin,” the man said as soon as the woman had seated herself. “Don’t you think wearing mourning is a mite hypocritical or did you and dear Aunt Abigail manage to settle your differences?”
    “We had no differences,” the woman replied. “Furthermore, I’m of age. Aunt Abigail couldn’t stop me from doing as I chose.”
    He laughed. “Come, come now. This is Cousin Jonathan you’re talking to, remember. We both know you’d never risk your comfortable life here by offending our late, sainted aunt.”
    “Don’t be disgusting, Jon,” she snapped. “Abigail’s dead. Can’t you let her rest in peace.”
    “My, my, little cousin,” he said. “Have we had a change of heart now that she’s gone? Or could it be that now that you’re set to inherit half of everything, you’re inclined to be generous?”
    Mrs. Jeffries held her breath and flattened herself closer to the tree. She prayed that neither of them suddenly got the urge to get up.
    “I’m not interested in Abigail’s money,” the woman cried passionately.
    “Aren’t you?” he replied, his voice so low that Mrs. Jeffries had to strain to hear. “Aren’t you in the least interested in money, my dear cousin? Now that she’s gone, you can marry that poor clerk you’re in love with. Isn’t it fortunate how things work out.”
    “I’m not in love with anyone,” she cried. “And if you’re implying I had anything to do with Abigail’s death, you’re wrong. You’ve more reason to want her dead than me. You hated her, remember.”
    “I remember,” he replied grimly. “And unlike you, I won’t play the hypocrite. I’m glad she’s dead. With her gone, I shall have control over my father’s estate.”
    “What makes you think so?” she said cattily. “You’ve no reason to think that Leonard will instruct the solicitors any differently than she did for all those years.”
    He sighed. “Oh Felicity, you’re so very naive. Dear Uncle Leonard doesn’t give a toss about my piddly little trust. He’s getting the other half of Abigail’s estate. Other than money, Leonard’s only interested in one thing, and it isn’t business.”
    “You’re being revolting again.”
    “I’m being truthful. Now that Abigail’s out of the way, he’ll have even less reason for being discreet. I’m sure with the proper persuasion I can convince Leonard to let me have control of my trust. Why not? I’m thirty years old.” He laughed again. “You’re the one with the problem, my dear. Last I heard, that clerk of yours had other fish to fry. Even with half of Abigail’s money, it may be too late.”
    She jumped to her feet. “You really are revolting. Benjamin loves me, and if it hadn’t been for Abigail’s wretched interference, we’d have been married by now.”
    “Calm down, calm down,” the man said soothingly. “You’re right, I’m being dreadfully rude. Forgive me, despite my cavalier attitude, hearing about Abigail’s murder has upset me. After all, I was one of the last people to see her before she died.”
    “Don’t be so melodramatic,” the woman replied. “Leonard told me that after they left you at the restaurant, they went on to the stupid séance. There were at least seven other guests. By the way, how did you come up with the money to take them out for a meal?”
    “I had a spot of luck on a horse and decided to repay my dear aunt’s many kindnesses to me,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
    “You mean you wanted to trap her long enough so she’d have to listen to another one of your silly business schemes.”
    “They aren’t silly,” Jonathan snapped vehemently. “If the old witch had given me my money when I wanted it last year, I’d be a rich man now. Do you have any idea how much silver that mine has produced?”
    Mrs. Jeffries straightened nervously as she heard the