Read Online The Savage Gorge by Colin Forbes - Free Book Online

shoulder before he left the drawing room.

'Oh, God!' Margot said in a loud voice.
    She began running two fingers up the sleeve of Tweed's arm. Her smile was inviting when Sable spoke. She had a cultured voice and a very pleasant manner as she spoke to Margot.
    'I'm not sure Mr Tweed likes you doing that during his first visit.'
    'Drop dead,' Margot snapped. 'Just because you manipulated Pater into sending you to Heathfield you think you're the cat's whiskers,' she went on nastily. 'I went to a good school but it wasn't Heathfield . . .'

'Calm down, Margot,' Sable said quietly, still stand ing.

'You shove off,' screamed Margot. 'You weren't invited to this party!'
    She jumped up, advanced on Sable, her right fist clenched ready to punch her sister in the stomach. Sable, taller, stood very still, shot out her long arms, her hands on Margot's shoulders. She gave Margot a violent shove. Margot staggered backwards, ended up sprawled in an armchair.

Sable fingered a diamond brooch attached to the top of her jacket. Margot leaned forward, screaming
    as she felt under the left leg of her jeans. She pulled out a knife from a holster attached to her lower leg.
    'See that!' she screamed. 'Pater's birthday present to his pet, Sable.'
    Margot leapt to her feet. She rushed at Sable, knife raised to slash her. Sable remained quite still. Then as Margot reached her one long arm shot out, the hand grasped Margot's knife hand by the wrist, twisted. Margot yelled in pain and dropped the knife. At that moment during the struggle Lord Bullerton returned.
    'Couldn't hear a word . . . bloody hell. Margot, are you mad?'

'We had a disagreement,' Margot replied sullenly, sitting on the armchair, nursing her twisted wrist.

Tweed leaned forward, studied the knife. One side had a keen blade, the other a regular serrated edge. Not the weapon which had been used to carve up the faces of the two women in London.

A good-looking young man in his early twenties entered the room. Wearing a neat grey suit, his fea tures were striking and his eyes almond-shaped, which gave him an air of authority.

'This is Lance, my son ... and this is Margot again,' he said in a voice rumbling with fury.

'Again. Always Margot again,' Margot yelled in fury.

Bullerton raised one huge hand, slapped her so hard across the face Paula thought he would take her head off. Then he administered the same harsh blow to the other side of her face. She burst into tears and ran from the room.

I’ll get rid of this,' said Lance.
    He picked up the knife by the handle, walked across to a door a distance beyond the bar, opened it and Paula saw it led to a marble-tiled toilet. He came out with a large towel wrapped round the knife.

'Plenty of deep fissures on the moor,' he explained. 'It will be safe down there. I never knew Margot went in for knives.'

I’ll give her hell later,' Bullerton growled.

'May I suggest you don't?' requested Lance. I’ll arrange for Mrs Shipton to prepare a nice tea for her. Muffins, which Margot loves, plenty of butter, Dundee cake and a large pot of tea. I'll take it up to her myself.'
    'All right. If you think that's best. You'd make a good candidate to carry on the title when I'm gone.'
    'He really doesn't want that,' Sable's cultured tones broke in. 'He's told you that enough times.'
    'No, he doesn't,' Bullerton agreed after Lance had left. 'I think now you'd make a better job of it. You're competent, controlled, don't mind responsibility - which Lance does. And you're popular with the people who count.'

'Let me make one thing clear,' Sable said firmly. Tm not asking for it or assuming anything. You do change your mind quite often.'

'True enough,' he agreed. 'But I've been thinking about the whole business.'

'Time we left,' Tweed suggested. 'It has been inter esting. I think you've got the gem of a house. A real Georgian.'
    I’ll come out on the terrace with you. Sable, join us, please.' As he walked out with Tweed, Mrs Shipton appeared with