Read Online Yew Tree Gardens by Anna Jacobs - Free Book Online Page B

annoyance.
    But Mr Mortlake’s shrewd gaze betrayed neither pity nor disgust, just a calm interest. ‘Must be annoying.’
    ‘It is.’
    ‘Miss Bennerden had a twitch in the left side of her face after the accident. People who knew her soon got used to it,but some found it disconcerting at first. People round here are very friendly, you’ll find, even more so in the country than in the town itself.’
    Gil realised the man was offering comfort – and what he’d said was comforting. Strange that a complete stranger could do that for him. ‘Is that where the house is, in the country? I’m afraid I know nothing of Miss Bennerden, except that she was a distant connection of my grandmother and had had a bad accident.’
    ‘Yes. Very bad. It left her in pain and unable to walk without help. She was a fine lady, a sad loss to us all, and will be greatly missed in her village. She didn’t let her own problems stop her helping others. I admired her greatly.’
    ‘Do you know why she made me her heir?’
    ‘She didn’t leave everything to you, so you’re not the sole heir. There are several other bequests to people she knew and loved, people she felt needed a little help. But she wanted you to receive yours first and understand its implications before other announcements were made.’
    ‘I see. But that still doesn’t explain why she chose me. We’d never even met.’
    The lawyer paused, as if to consider his next words. ‘She’d always kept in touch with your grandmother and even after Mrs Rycroft died, she still corresponded with another lady who lives near your father’s country estate. So Miss Bennerden knew what was happening to your family and …’ He hesitated. ‘Well, she knew how difficult things had become for you. She understood what that was like better than anyone else could, I’m sure.’
    ‘You mean, she was sorry for me.’ Gil heard how flat and ungracious his voice sounded, couldn’t help it.
    ‘In one sense, yes. But mainly, she felt your problemswould give you a better understanding of the troubles of others. She asks that you use the money she’s left you not only to help yourself but to help those in need.’
    Gil didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t ungrateful, far from it, but he hated that being a cripple was the reason for his legacy. As for playing the benefactor, he hadn’t a clue how to set about that. He’d feel a fool even trying, he was sure.
    ‘It’s a lot to take in and you’re looking tired, Mr Rycroft, if you don’t mind me saying so. I have some papers for you to sign, then if you wish, you can go straight to Oakdene.’
    ‘I’d like that.’
    ‘Unfortunately I can’t accompany you because I have another appointment within the hour and then a social engagement this evening which means a lot to my wife. I’ll visit you tomorrow afternoon at Oakdene, however, and go through the details of your own and the other bequests then.’
    He pushed some papers across to Gil, who read them carefully, then signed them because they seemed straightforward enough, and also because this man wouldn’t try to cheat anyone, he was sure.
    Mr Mortlake put the papers into a folder, then got up and walked round the desk, ready to show his guest out.
    ‘I hope I haven’t sounded … ungrateful.’
    ‘You’ve sounded worn out.’ He patted Gil’s shoulder. ‘Things will seem much better in the morning. Mrs Tibbins, the housekeeper, will see that you’re looked after for tonight. You’ll need to take a train to Wootton Bassett, then another cab out to the house. Don’t forget, Oakdene House in the village of Pypard West.’
    The cabbie touched the brim of his bowler hat and, oncehis passenger was safely inside, pulled the blanket off the horse and climbed back into the driving seat. When he told it to walk on, it moved gently through the busy town to the station.
    After another train ride, it was a relief to find a cab waiting at the station. ‘Do you know where Oakdene