Heirs of Ravenscar Read Online Free

not the unmitigated womanizer his wife made him out to be. Not these days. In fact, as far as Cecily knew, and she was well-informed about everyone in the family, Edward only had one woman friend at the moment. This was Jane Shaw, a divorcee, who had been part of his life for a long time. Cecily understood that Edward was the kind of man who genuinely needed companionship from a woman, and Jane supplied this.
    Will Hasling, Edward’s best friend and a particular favourite of hers, knew Jane well, and he had always spokenkindly about her to Cecily, had convinced her that Jane was not ambitious, nor angling for marriage with Edward, that she was perfectly content to be his friend. And friends they were, apparently, enjoying a shared love of music, the theatre and art.
    If Elizabeth were smarter, she would keep her mouth shut and stop berating Edward about non-existent affairs, Cecily suddenly thought. Knowing men the way she did, being unjustly accused generally pushed an innocent man into the arms of the first available woman. She’s such a fool …
    Letting her thoughts drift off, Cecily turned around at the sound of footsteps, and stood up when Peter Leighton came into the library, followed by Edward and Richard.
    â€˜I’m assuming that all of my other grandchildren are perfectly all right,’ Cecily exclaimed, smiling at the young doctor.
    â€˜Indeed they are, Mrs Deravenel. I would even go so far as to say they are in blooming health. And, I must add, they are the most beautiful children I’ve ever seen.’
    â€˜Thank you, Doctor,’ she responded.
    Richard, moving forward, hurrying towards his mother, announced, ‘Dr Leighton says I’m very fit, in great health.’
    â€˜I’m glad to hear it,’ Cecily answered warmly.
    Edward murmured, ‘Elizabeth won’t be coming down to lunch, Mother. She’s exhausted herself, mostly with worry, I think. Anyway, Dr Leighton insisted she went to bed.’
    â€˜I quite understand, Ned.’ Glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece, Cecily addressed Peter Leighton. ‘I don’t suppose I can coax you into staying for lunch, since I know you’re house-guesting with the Dunbars. But perhaps you will partake of something – coffee or tea? Perhaps sherry?’
    â€˜You’re so kind, Mrs Deravenel, but I won’t, thank you very much. I must be getting along. The roads were icy this morning, and what is normally a fifteen-minute run in mymotorcar took me forty minutes. So I’m sure you do understand that I must be setting off if I’m to arrive at The Lodge in time for lunch.’
    â€˜Yes, I do, Dr Leighton, and thank you so much for coming so promptly.’
    â€˜I shall return tomorrow, to check on Young Edward. In the meantime, Thomas Sloane, the chemist in Scarborough, is preparing the medicines, and as I just told Mr Deravenel you should receive them soon. He’s sending his son Albert in the van. But do use the raspberry vinegar mixture if the boy is coughing excessively.’
    â€˜I will, and thank you again, Dr Leighton.’
    Cecily shook his hand, as did Richard, and then Edward escorted him out into the Long Hall.
    Richard sat down opposite his mother, and explained, ‘Dr Leighton only gave me an examination because he was worried –’
    â€˜You look very well to me, Richard,’ Cecily cut in with a frown.
    â€˜Yes, I know, and I am perfectly well. Seemingly young men between the ages of twenty and thirty are those most likely to catch Spanish flu. He thought I could easily be a candidate because of my age, that’s all it was about.’
    Cecily peered across at Richard. ‘You don’t have any symptoms, do you?’
    â€˜No, I don’t. The doctor was merely being his usual efficient self.’
    â€˜I understand. I really do like Peter Leighton, and I was delighted when he took over Dr Rayne’s practice. He’s young and