Read Online The Philanthropist's Danse by Paul Wornham - Free Book Online Page B

me, I don’t know how.”
    Winnie was afraid of this imposing man, but she was tougher than she looked, a long life on a struggling farm had provided depths of courage she rarely explored. As Hagood leaned in again to whisper, she loudly exclaimed. “I think you’d better go Mr. Hagood, I’ve nothing else to tell you.”
    He stopped, surprised by her outburst and looked around quickly. A few people were within earshot and turned to see what was happening. Dennis Elliot was one of the witnesses. For once he had found a moment to himself while Janice had gone to fawn over Bethany’s grief. Dennis walked to the old lady and cast a suspicious eye over Hagood before he took the seat on the other side of the old woman and put a hand gently on hers. “Is there trouble here ma’am?”
    Winnie turned to look at Dennis and saw a man who might have looked intimidating had he not possessed a defeated air. “There’s no problem. Mr. Hagood was just leaving. And call me Winnie, dear. If you go around calling me ma’am I’m apt to go thinking the Queen’s standing behind me.”

    She smiled with a twinkle in her sharp blue eyes and saw Dennis relax. He looked at Freddie again, aware something had happened, but Hagood was already walking away. Winnie was glad to be free of him, she would do her best to avoid being alone with Freddie Hagood, just to be safe.
    Winnie and Dennis exchanged small talk. He told of his long service as Mr. Thurwell’s manservant, and how he felt like an impostor to be included in a group he would usually be serving. Winnie nodded. She did not belong in the middle of a family battle over the fortune of a man she had never met. She felt Dennis’s attention shift and his eyes flicked nervously over her shoulder.
    Winnie knew the cause of his sudden nervousness. She was old but far from blind, so she was not surprised when she heard Janice’s voice behind her. Dennis stood and introduced his wife to Winnie, who quickly reminded him that they had already met. The two women exchanged polite smiles before Janice looked at her husband and demanded why he was wasting time in idle chat with a confused old woman when he should be talking to William Bird or Junior, working to ensure they would be treated right.
    She shook her head with a loud sigh as he offered no reply and grabbed his arm and marched toward the door. He looked like a schoolboy who’d been caught stealing candy from a dime store, and he gave Winnie a baleful smile as he was led from the room.
    $
    Bethany, Philip and Junior retreated to a corner of the library for a private discussion. Bethany was still in shock, her face was white as parchment. Philip was stunned, but Junior was furious. “That stupid philandering old man, I can’t believe he fell for that French slut’s bullshit.” His voice quivered with anger, and his hands shook with fury. “What are we going to do? It looks as if Bird is supporting her claim to a blood relationship.”
    “He’s probably fucking her, and they’ll split the cash she gets when this is over.” Philip said it in a low voice. He too was shaken by Camille’s revelation, but had fewer doubts his father might have sired an illegitimate child. Junior looked at his brother, surprised. “You might be right Phil, something’s wrong with this whole scenario. Why would the Old Man die without calling for us, why set up this fucking circus?”
    Bethany uttered an exasperated sigh. “Stop cussing, Junior. We’re not going to swear our way out of this mess.” He looked at his sister with open disdain. “So, Daddy’s favorite girl has decided to get involved. Welcome to the party Beth, it’s about time you woke up. We’re getting royally screwed here, sister. If you don’t get your pretty little head out of your ass, you might find your half-sister is shopping with your inheritance by the end of the week.”
    Bethany stared at her brother, stung by his blunt cruelty. She wanted to slap him, but something in