Page 10 of Sunday's Child

‘My uncle Sir Oliver Greystone was shot in a duel. He was murdered eighteen years ago, shot through the heart on the orders of Sir Lucius Carey.’

Hester clutched her hands to her heart. ‘That’s a foul lie.’

Chapter Three

A murmur of consternation rippled around the room. Rosalind jumped to her feet and moved swiftly to Hester’s side, giving her a comforting hug. ‘I don’t believe a word of it, Hester.’

Tommy’s eyes widened in horror. ‘You can’t come here and say such things, Gervase. My great-grandpapa was a fine man.’

Bertie faced Gervase with an ominous frown. ‘Why would you make such an accusation, North?’

Walter clutched his wife’s hand. ‘You should be ashamed of yourself, sir. The dead can’t defend themselves.’

‘Exactly so,’ Gervase said, shrugging expressively. ‘My late uncle’s name has been muddied by accusations of cheating at cards. It was put about that he had an affair with Lady Prudence Carey, even though the woman was old enough to be his mother, which is why Sir Lucius arranged for his demise in a duel.’

Bertie half rose from his chair, but sank back again, panting from the effort. ‘How dare you cast aspersions on our grandmother’s good name?’

‘I only speak the truth.’ Gervase reached for the decanter and helped himself to a tot of brandy. ‘I’m sure you’ve heard the rumours about Lady Prudence’s amours while Sir Lucius was away at sea. The late Wilfred Carey’s paternity has been a cause for speculation …’

Leo Wilder stepped forward and snatched the decanter from Gervase’s hand. ‘That’s enough of that. How dare you come here and abuse Sir Bertram’s hospitality? You can go to hell.’

‘Why would you do this to us?’ Rosalind demanded angrily.

‘I suggest you leave now, North.’ Alexander made a move towards him, hands fisted. ‘Your behaviour is shocking beyond belief.’

‘I agree.’ Bertie signalled to Wolfe, who was poised ready to leap in when required. He grabbed Gervase by the collar and was marching him from the room when Gervase grabbed hold of the door jamb.

‘I know more about the Greystone family than I’ve told you, but now you’ll never discover the truth.’

‘Out with you,’ Wolfe growled.

‘Just a moment, Wolfe,’ Rosalind said hastily. ‘Just one thing before you are thrown out of our home, Mr North. If you are part of the Greystone family, as you claim, why are you here making trouble? Surely you ought to take your problems to your cousin Christina.’

‘Don’t worry, Mrs Blanchard. As the next surviving male in the family I plan to take my rightful position at Greystone Park.’

‘Sir Michael left the estate to his daughters.’ Patricia made a move towards him but Leo held her back.

‘Ignore him, Patsy.’

‘Let me go, Leo. I was part of that family. I feel responsible for what happens in Sylvia’s absence.’

‘Interesting,’ Gervase said, curling his lip. ‘Thank you for the information. I heard that Sylvia was seriously ill. As the only surviving male in the Greystone family, that will make it much easier for me to take over the estate.’

‘Take him away, Wolfe,’ Bertie said furiously. ‘If I wasn’t confined to this chair I would take pleasure in forcibly ejecting him from my home.’

‘Right away, guvnor.’ Wolfe tweaked Gervase’s arm so that he yelped with pain and released his grip on the jamb. ‘Out we go, cully.’

‘I have information that you might wish to know,’ Gervase called out as he was dragged from the room.

‘You tricked me, Mr North,’ Tommy cried passionately.

Nancy could see that Tommy was close to tears and she placed her arm around his shoulders. ‘It’s all right. It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known what he was going to say.’

Walter rose from his seat and laid his hand on Tommy’s quivering shoulder. ‘Don’t upset yourself, old chap. I dare say this isn’t the first time that North has abused someone’s hospitality. The fellow is clearly unhinged.’

‘I’m all right,’ Tommy said, sniffing. ‘I’m not a baby. I want to punch Gervase on the nose for saying things like that.’

‘Good boy,’ Bertie said with a grim smile. ‘The fellow is obviously out of his mind.’