Heirs of Ravenscar Read Online Free Page B

And he fell for Neville’s idea of putting him in your place. George thought he could usurp you. His brother . And then he married Isabel when he knew you were against it. If those are not betrayals then I don’t know the meaning of that word.’
    â€˜It’s all my fault, really it is, Richard,’ Cecily said slowly, wanting to placate. ‘Don’t be angry with Ned. I am the one who begged Ned to forgive George for his transgressions, because I wanted to heal the family, make it whole again. I wanted to show the world a united front. We are a famous family, Richard dear. We are the Deravenels . I did not want to expose us to ugly gossip, tittle-tattle on the streets.’
    â€˜Didn’t I matter then?’ Richard asked, wonderingly, gazing at his mother. ‘ My feelings weren’t to be considered?’ He looked from his mother to Ned. ‘You know he betrayed you, and that I have always stood by your side no matter what. My loyalty binds me. And yet you permitted George to block my marriage to Anne, which caused us great pain.’
    Edward answered swiftly, adopting a cajoling tone. ‘Because you were both so young I believed I had time to work things out with George. He was creating numerous problems, more serious than you’ll ever know. Look, getting to the essence of it, he was demanding all of Neville’s fortune because Isabel was the eldest daughter. He didn’t want Anne to share in it, that’s why he tried to block the marriage – because he knew you would fight for Anne’s rights.’
    â€˜It’s always about money or power with George, isn’t it, Ned?’
    â€˜Too true. However, because you agreed to wait, I did manage to hammer out a deal with George, a deal you would accept. Let’s not forget, I did get Anne her fair share of Neville’s estate, Richard.’
    â€˜It was an iron-clad will, if I remember correctly,’ Richardshot back. ‘Neville Watkins never left anything to chance. Never made mistakes like that! And I also happen to know that the entire estate was actually left to Nan Watkins. Neville wanted his wife to have everything, and only after her death were the girls to receive their share.’
    â€˜I know that, Richard,’ Ned replied in the same conciliatory voice. ‘I had to enlist Nan’s help, although you perhaps don’t know this. I also had to give George a very handsome financial settlement, a huge amount, out of my own money, actually, in order to solve the problem finally.’
    â€˜I see.’ Richard sat back, his expression still one of anger.
    â€˜And you did marry Anne,’ Cecily pointed out in a quiet voice.
    â€˜Practically in secret, here at Ravenscar. A tiny wedding ceremony, with no guests except the immediate family,’ Richard answered grimly, shaking his head. ‘I just don’t understand why it is that George has to be accommodated all the time. I really don’t. And personally I think he’s crazy. Let’s not forget our cousin Henry Grant, who spent a lot of time in lunatic asylums …’
    Ned threw back his head and guffawed, looked amused. ‘Oh, Richard, that’s a beauty! Are you suggesting that the bad genes carried by Henry Deravenel Grant of Lancaster might well be inherent in the Deravenels of Yorkshire, the true heirs of Guy de Ravenel? The real Deravenels, as we say about ourselves.’
    If Edward had hoped Richard would see the joke he was wrong. His youngest brother shook his head, the grim expression making his mouth taut. ‘I think George is crackers. Just consider the daft things he does at times … then you’ll see what I mean.’
    â€˜Richard, really, I don’t believe that is a very nice thing to say about George. He can be very kind, and he does mean well,’ Cecily answered.
    No, he doesn’t, Richard thought, but said, ‘If you say so, Mother. Let’s close the