They had all known where to write to him, much of the need for secrecy having been lifted with Laura's death.Duncan had felt obliged to inform a number of people about that unhappy event. At the same time the steward atWoodbinePark had grown suddenly and ominously silent. His only warning had come in a formal note written in the bold hand of his grandfather's secretary, though his grandfather's signature was scrawled at the foot of the page, unmistakable despite the fact that it had grown shaky and spidery with age.
But then, suddenly, all his plans had gone awry, and he had been forced to leave the child with the Harrises in Harrogate while heĭashed off toLondon in the hope of averting disaster. Toby had been wildly excited when told that he would be living henceforward at the place about whichDuncan had told him so many exciting stories-Duncan's memories of his boyhood there were almost exclusively happy ones. He was to be known at Woodbine as the Harrises’ orphaned grandson. Most important of all, four-year-old Toby was going there too.
The Harrises, who had been in his employ for the past five years in various capacities, were going with him-the position of head gardener had fallen vacant and Harris was to fill it. His funds had been cut off, without warning and without explanation, at just a time when he was preparing to return home at last-home beingWoodbinePark in Warwickshire, the house and estate where he had grown up and that had provided him with a comfortable income since his father's death fifteen years ago. Claverbrook House was whereDuncan must go sooner rather than later, though. Sir Graham, her second husband, was not delighted to see him, but he was fond of his wife so did not turn his stepson from his doors. 1 WHEN Duncan Pennethorne, Earl of Sheringford, returned toLondon after a five-year absence, he did not go immediately to Claverbrook House onGrosvenor Square, but instead took up a reluctant residence onCurzon Street with his mother, Lady Carling.
0 kommentar(er)
