Read Online The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt - Free Book Online

was their knowledge of silk.”
    He thought it was romantic and exciting and he said he would enjoy his stay at The Silk House all the more because of the fascinating history behind it.
    I could see that Grand’mere liked him. She had a very special look in her eyes; she smiled and nodded and talked volubly with a sprinkling of French among her words.
    We could have gone on quite happily for a long time but Charles came out. He had returned to the house and was immediately told that his guest had arrived and had gone into the gardens so he had come to look for him and I guessed the sound of our voices had directed him to us.
    He stood at the entrance to the garden looking in surprise at Drake Aldringham sitting between myself and Grand’mere chattering to each other like old friends.
    “Drake … old fellow,” he said.
    Drake stood up.
    “So there you are,” he said. “I should have let you know but it seemed more sensible to arrive.”
    “It’s good to see you. Sorry I was out and there was no one to receive you.”
    “Oh, but there was Miss Lenore and her grandmother. We have had a very interesting chat.”
    Charles gave a sharp laugh. He hardly glanced at us. He took Drake’s arm and said: “Let’s go in.”
    Drake looked over his shoulder and smiled at us. “I’ll see you later,” he said.
    And they had gone.
    Grand’mere looked at me, her eyes smiling.
    “But he is charming. He is very … interessant … I like him. He is a very nice young man.”
    “I thought he was quite pleasant.”
    “It is good that such come to the house,” said Grand’mere.
    She looked at me with dreams in her eyes. I was beginning to realize how preoccupied she was with my future. As we went back to the house she was humming En passant par la Lorraine under her breath.

    The entire household was enchanted by Drake Aldringham. He was natural in his behaviour, so enthusiastic about every-thing and charming to everyone. Even Cassie came out of her shell and talked to him with ease. Lady Sallonger was delighted with him. She would have him sit beside her and talk.
    “My dear boy, you must tell me all about yourself. It is so exciting for me. Here I am a prisoner… on my couch doomed to spend my life here and you … you have these wonderful plans. Tell about that uncle of yours … and of course of your father. When are you going to get into Parliament? You must be our member, mustn’t he Julia? We would all work for him, wouldn’t we?”
    “Oh yes, we would,” said Julia fervently.
    Julia was already half way to falling in love with him, but I think she would have been with any young man who had pre-sented himself at that time.
    He had great charm and could respond to Lady Sallonger’s mildly flirtatious conversation and be quite serious with Philip; I used to hear him laughing heartily with Charles; he was at ease and at home with everybody. He always had a special smile for me; and I would often find him sitting next to me when we were in the drawing room. I thought meeting me first had made a special friendship between us.
    Julia was a little resentful of that. I understood. She wanted Drake’s undivided attention and it was indefensible that I, not even a member of the family, should take it from her. When I sat with him, Cassie would often join us and it was amazing how she lost her shyness in his company. I often found Charles’s eyes on me and I felt rather uncomfortable under his scrutiny. I thought he was implying that I should remember my place.
    It was agreed that something must be done to entertain the guest and Lady Sallonger decided on a dinner party. We should ask about twenty guests and with the family that should make a considerable party. They might dance afterwards, just informally as the company would be comparatively small. There was a ballroom which was not used half enough but would be, of course, after Julia had come out. Lady Sallonger thought that several people who did not live very far away