A Debt From the Past Read Online Free

me that he was told to deliver it to this address.’
    ‘That is quite correct.’ His lordship rose to his feet. ‘Ask the man to take it up to the master suite.’
    ‘You will do no such thing!’ Beth raised her voice; his arrogance was beyond the pale. ‘What right do you have to move your belongings into my home?’
    His sigh was weary. ‘You do not reach twenty-one for another year, so until then I shall take over the running of the Langton estate and use this mansion as if it were mine.’
    ‘You cannot! I forbid it.’ She was more than angry by now; she was frightened.
    His laugh was humourless. ‘You cannot stop me, Miss Langton. From the moment I was declared your guardian, you ceased to have any rights over your father’s property. It is effectively mine to do with as I wish for the next year.’
    Beth felt ill, but she would not allow this obnoxious man to believe he had won. ‘I demand proof!’
    ‘I do not care for your inference that I might be a liar. I am now the legal master of this house and your affairs.’
    For the first time in her life a feeling of helplessness washed through her, but her stubborn character would not allow her to give up. ‘But why do you not stay at your own house? The Sharland estate is no more than six miles away; there is no need for you to move in here, surely?’
    ‘From what I have been told, you are sadly in need of supervision, and I cannot do that while I am residing in the Sharland house. Anyway, the house will not be habitable for some months while renovations are taking place to turn it into a school. I intend to see that you no longer run wild.’ He pursed his lips in disapproval. ‘I would have expected you to still be in deep mourning for your father. I believe he died less than a year ago.’
    ‘My father forbade it.’ She was incensed by his attitude; what right did he have to judge her? ‘He said life was for the living. He never did agree with the dowdy dress and long periods of mourning.’
    ‘A remarkable man, then.’
    ‘Yes, he was.’
    He cast her one more disapproving glance and then strode out of the room. The butler remained, obviously bewildered and distressed. ‘Miss Langton?’
    She tore her angry gaze away from the retreating figure and gave Jenkins a quick explanation.
    His usually impassive expression wavered for a moment. ‘I’m very sorry to hear about Lord Sharland. What shall we do about this gentleman moving in?’
    ‘Do as he says for the moment, Jenkins, and tell the rest of the staff what has happened. Then have the master suite made ready for him. We shall have to go along with this for the time being. There has been a grave error made here, but I shall soon sort it out, and then we shall have the pleasure of throwing him and his belongings on to the street. For I have no doubt that is where he belongs!’
    ‘What a terrible thing to happen to Lord Sharland.’ The butler shook his head in sorrow. ‘He was such a kind man.’
    ‘Yes, he was, and that makes this all the more unbelievable.’ Her voice trembled as grief began to overcome her. With tears filling her eyes, she held her hand out for her Helen. ‘I will retire, Helen, while we decide what is to be done.’
    Before leaving the room, she faced the lawyer. ‘I shall be calling on you, Mr Crighton, when I shall expect to see all relevant papers and receive a full explanation about this disgraceful arrangement.’
    The lawyer bowed his head. ‘I am holding a letter for you from Lord Edward Sharland, Miss Langton, and there are provisions in the will I must discuss with you and Lady Helen.’
    ‘Why did you not bring the letter with you?’
    ‘Er ... I was ordered by Lord Edward not to let anyone else know about the letter.’ He glanced nervously around the room to make sure they were alone. ‘And he did mean no one.’
    ‘Very well. We shall be at your office early in the morning.’
    Once in the privacy of her room, Beth allowed the tears to flow freely,