Beyond the Veil of Tears Read Online Free Page A

money.
Cocksure little runt.
    George’s eyes returned to Angeline’s white face. ‘Your father’s main concern was to protect you, should the unthinkable happen. You do understand that, don’t
you?’
    Yes, she did, of course she did, but losing Oakfield was almost as bad as the loss of her parents. Her voice unsteady, she whispered, ‘Is there no way I can keep the house?’
    ‘I’m sorry, Angeline.’
    They looked at each other, and although she felt very small and lost, Angeline held herself straight, her chin lifting. Strangely her mind wasn’t in a whirl any longer. Her mama had always
said one had to have the grace to accept what couldn’t be changed, and the sense to recognize what could. This was the former. Whatever her private feelings on the matter, it was kind of
Uncle Hector to take her into his home and offer her protection. Her gaze now going to her uncle, she said quietly, ‘I’ll try and not be a bother, Uncle.’
    ‘Of course you won’t be. We’ll get along just fine, m’dear.’ It was too hearty, and Hector moderated his tone as he added, ‘Your rooms are being prepared and
will be ready shortly, so spend the next day or two deciding what you want to bring with you.’
    Everything.
She wanted to bring everything, because every single stick of furniture, every ornament, every picture, was part of her mother and father. But of course that was impossible.
Inclining her head, she said flatly, ‘Yes, Uncle.’
    It was settled.

Chapter Two
    It took every ounce of Hector’s self-control to remain civil in the time before George Appleby took his leave. Angeline had long since retired to her room when the two
men walked out of the study into the hall, after discussing the finite details of the will. George had insisted in dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s with Angeline’s guardian,
determined that Hector would have no excuse in the future to try and wheedle money out of the estate by saying he hadn’t understood how things stood. Hector was fully aware of the
solicitor’s motives. He would have liked to punch him on the nose and boot him out of the house. As this was impossible, he had played the devoted uncle and urbane host, albeit with gritted
teeth.
    Fairley appeared to help George on with his greatcoat and hand him his hat. He told him that one of McArthur’s lads was bringing the solicitor’s pony and trap from the stables.
George thanked him, before pausing and saying, ‘Bad business this, Fairley.’
    ‘Indeed, sir.’
    ‘Terrible shock for Miss Angeline, for us all.’
    ‘Yes, sir. Knocked everyone below stairs for six.’
    ‘I can imagine. Well, goodnight, Fairley.’
    ‘Goodnight, sir.’
    As George stepped out into the snowy night and walked over to where Seth McArthur was holding the pony’s reins, he was thinking, ‘Poor devils! They might think they’ve been
knocked for six now, but once Hector breaks the news they’re all out of a job, it’ll be even worse.’ Comforting himself with the fact that he’d at least been able to secure
Myrtle for Angeline, he climbed up into the trap and, pulling the vehicle’s thick horsehair blanket over his legs, clicked his tongue at the pony.
    Hector didn’t wait to see George depart. Turning on his heel on the doorstep, he swung round and barked at the butler, ‘I want a word with you in the drawing
room.’
    Five minutes later Fairley emerged, white-faced and shaken – as much, he said later to the rest of the staff, after dinner had been served to Angeline and her uncle and Miss Robson in the
dining room, by the master’s brother’s high-handed manner as anything else. ‘He wants us out by the end of the month.’ And, to the chorus of shocked gasps that followed this
bombshell, he added, ‘All, that is, except Myrtle, who’s going to accompany Miss Angeline to Mr Stewart’s residence. Myself, Cook and Mrs Lee receive six months’ wages in
lieu of notice. The rest of you, three