Read Online The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Victoria Alexander
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before him now.
He surveyed the expectant expressions on the faces of his family in the large, gracious Millworth dining room, the scene of any number of announcements, proclamations, and revelations through the years. Indeed, it seemed whenever there was a critical issue affecting the family it was revealed and discussed here. It had become something of a tradition. It was assumed when a request was made to meet in the dining room it would be a family matter of some importance.
“I am sorry to interrupt,” he said with an apologetic smile although everyone was in excellent spirits. Exactly why this had struck him as the perfect moment to say what had to be said. One should always seize an opportunity when it presented itself. “I didn’t think this could wait any longer. In truth, I shouldn’t have waited this long. But it’s rare that the entire family is together in one place. I didn’t want to take the chance that some of you would scatter in the morning so I thought it best to do this now.” This was an announcement he did not want to repeat.
Basil nodded at the newlyweds. “But I do apologize for taking you away from the festivities.”
“Nonsense, Uncle Basil,” Camille said with the sort of smile that could only come from someone truly happy. “The ball is well under way and no one will miss us for a few minutes.”
Basil had asked his brother and sister-in-law, their twin daughters, Beryl and Camille, along with Beryl’s husband, Lionel, Lord Dunwell, and Grayson, as well as the youngest Channing daughter, Delilah, to join him. Delilah was accompanied by an American, a Mr. Russell. From what Basil had heard last night, there was a question as to whether Mr. Russell would be here at all but judging by the way he and Delilah looked at one another, they had resolved whatever problems they’d had.
“I must confess, you have us all dying of curiosity,” Beryl said. Beryl always did come straight to the point.
“And a certain amount of apprehension.” Nigel studied his brother closely. “It’s not like you to be preoccupied and on edge but you have been since you arrived at Millworth.”
“I will try to keep this as succinct as possible.” Even though Basil had rehearsed any number of times since he had learned of Jack’s existence, the right words evaded him now. He braced himself and met his twin’s gaze directly. “I know you have been concerned about the fate of Millworth as you have no sons. And upon our respective deaths, your title, the estate, and everything associated with it will be inherited by some distant relative we scarcely even know.”
“It’s the way of the world.” Nigel shrugged as if it didn’t matter but both brothers knew it did. “I’ve made my peace with it.”
“As have we all,” Delilah said. “Admittedly, it will be rather sad to see Millworth pass into unfamiliar hands but it’s not as if any of us will be left penniless.”
“Thanks to appropriate first marriages,” Bernadette said smugly.
Bernadette had done an excellent job of raising the girls on her own after Nigel had gone off to wander the world. She had made it her mission in life to make certain her daughters would not face financial insecurity should their husbands decide to seek adventure rather than live up to their responsibilities. The first marriages for all three girls were to older gentlemen with substantial fortunes. No matter what happened in the future, their financial security was assured.
“That is one less thing to be concerned with,” Basil said under his breath.
It was only in widowhood that Beryl and Camille, and now apparently Delilah, had found what looked to be genuine love. Exactly as their mother had planned. Something Bernadette had admitted to Basil but would never admit to her daughters. It was one of many confidences she and her brother-in-law had shared through the twenty years of Nigel’s absence from his family. Not that Nigel hadn’t realized his
He surveyed the expectant expressions on the faces of his family in the large, gracious Millworth dining room, the scene of any number of announcements, proclamations, and revelations through the years. Indeed, it seemed whenever there was a critical issue affecting the family it was revealed and discussed here. It had become something of a tradition. It was assumed when a request was made to meet in the dining room it would be a family matter of some importance.
“I am sorry to interrupt,” he said with an apologetic smile although everyone was in excellent spirits. Exactly why this had struck him as the perfect moment to say what had to be said. One should always seize an opportunity when it presented itself. “I didn’t think this could wait any longer. In truth, I shouldn’t have waited this long. But it’s rare that the entire family is together in one place. I didn’t want to take the chance that some of you would scatter in the morning so I thought it best to do this now.” This was an announcement he did not want to repeat.
Basil nodded at the newlyweds. “But I do apologize for taking you away from the festivities.”
“Nonsense, Uncle Basil,” Camille said with the sort of smile that could only come from someone truly happy. “The ball is well under way and no one will miss us for a few minutes.”
Basil had asked his brother and sister-in-law, their twin daughters, Beryl and Camille, along with Beryl’s husband, Lionel, Lord Dunwell, and Grayson, as well as the youngest Channing daughter, Delilah, to join him. Delilah was accompanied by an American, a Mr. Russell. From what Basil had heard last night, there was a question as to whether Mr. Russell would be here at all but judging by the way he and Delilah looked at one another, they had resolved whatever problems they’d had.
“I must confess, you have us all dying of curiosity,” Beryl said. Beryl always did come straight to the point.
“And a certain amount of apprehension.” Nigel studied his brother closely. “It’s not like you to be preoccupied and on edge but you have been since you arrived at Millworth.”
“I will try to keep this as succinct as possible.” Even though Basil had rehearsed any number of times since he had learned of Jack’s existence, the right words evaded him now. He braced himself and met his twin’s gaze directly. “I know you have been concerned about the fate of Millworth as you have no sons. And upon our respective deaths, your title, the estate, and everything associated with it will be inherited by some distant relative we scarcely even know.”
“It’s the way of the world.” Nigel shrugged as if it didn’t matter but both brothers knew it did. “I’ve made my peace with it.”
“As have we all,” Delilah said. “Admittedly, it will be rather sad to see Millworth pass into unfamiliar hands but it’s not as if any of us will be left penniless.”
“Thanks to appropriate first marriages,” Bernadette said smugly.
Bernadette had done an excellent job of raising the girls on her own after Nigel had gone off to wander the world. She had made it her mission in life to make certain her daughters would not face financial insecurity should their husbands decide to seek adventure rather than live up to their responsibilities. The first marriages for all three girls were to older gentlemen with substantial fortunes. No matter what happened in the future, their financial security was assured.
“That is one less thing to be concerned with,” Basil said under his breath.
It was only in widowhood that Beryl and Camille, and now apparently Delilah, had found what looked to be genuine love. Exactly as their mother had planned. Something Bernadette had admitted to Basil but would never admit to her daughters. It was one of many confidences she and her brother-in-law had shared through the twenty years of Nigel’s absence from his family. Not that Nigel hadn’t realized his
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