Heirs of Ravenscar. Barbara Taylor Bradford

Wyland Deravenel was her character. Right from the beginning Cecily had understood that her daughter-in-law was ambitious for herself and her family – and there were scores of them, as Cecily knew only too well. There was an arrogance inherent in her personality, and she was a snob. Cecily was well aware that her eldest son knew she had never believed Elizabeth Wyland was good enough for him. As Richard had once said, with great acerbity, ‘She’s not good enough to lick Ned’s boots, Mother.’ Richard was far too intelligent for the likes of Elizabeth. He had seen right through her from the start, and had detected her jealousy of him instantly. Richard knew she thoroughly resented his relationship with his eldest brother, was eaten up because he was Edward’s favourite and his most trusted ally.

      It was true, her daughter-in-law did have an extraordinarily jealous nature, and was constantly confronting Edward with rather vile and vulgar gossip about him, announcing that she knew all about his affairs with other women.

      Cecily sighed to herself. Being nobody’s fool, she had long ago acknowledged that her son adored women. At the same time, he was 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 spoken kindly 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.

      ‘I’m assuming that all of my other grandchildren are perfectly all right,’ Cecily exclaimed, smiling at the young doctor.

      ‘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.’

      ‘Thank you, Doctor,’ she responded.

      Richard, moving forward, hurrying towards his mother, announced, ‘Dr Leighton says I’m very fit, in great health.’

      ‘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.’

      ‘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?’

      ‘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 my motorcar 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.’

      ‘Yes, I do, Dr Leighton, and thank you so much for coming so promptly.’

      ‘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.’

      ‘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 –’

      ‘You look very well to me, Richard,’ Cecily cut in with a frown.

      ‘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?’

      ‘No, I don’t. The doctor was merely being his usual efficient self.’

      ‘I understand. I really do like Peter Leighton, and I was delighted when he took over Dr Rayne’s practice. He’s young and intelligent and caring. His methods are very modern, and he’s most up-to-date with the latest advances. I approve of his approach.’

      Edward walked in, a broad smile on his face. ‘I was so glad to hear the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen a moment ago. Earlier this morning, when I came back from my ride, the house was ghastly, so quiet, and the total silence rather eerie. In fact, Jessup just told me that Cook was most upset about Young Edward, hence the gloomy atmosphere in her domain. According to Jessup, none of the other staff were allowed to speak.’

      ‘I know she can be quite a tartar at times,’ Cecily murmured.

      Walking across to the drinks tray which stood on a chest-of-drawers, Edward poured himself a glass of pale Amontillado sherry. Then went and stood in front of the French doors, staring out at the gardens and the sea beyond, lost in thought.

      His mother said, ‘Ned?’

      ‘Yes, Mother, what is it?’ He swung around to face her, his blond brows arching.

      ‘It’s the fourteenth of December today. Only ten days left until Christmas. I do think we ought to consider cancelling the festivities we’ve planned. Bronchitis lasts several weeks, even longer –’

      ‘I’m not going to consider cancelling. I’ve already decided to cancel. Immediately. It must be done today. That will give the guests we were expecting some time to make other plans … well, hopefully. After lunch, I’ll telephone Will, also Vicky and Stephen. They’re like family and will understand. I’d better have a word with George, also.’

      ‘George!’ Richard exclaimed, gaping at his brother. He was thunderstruck. ‘You didn’t tell me you’d invited George, Ned. How could you?’

      ‘I didn’t. George invited himself and you know what our brother is like. And he also said that he was bringing Isabel and the children.’

      ‘Why didn’t you tell him he couldn’t come for Christmas?’ Richard cried irately, his pale face unexpectedly flushed.

      Edward was totally silent.

      ‘You know how upset I’ve been with him, and so has Anne. The way he treated her and blocked our engagement was appalling!’ Richard shook his head. ‘I don’t want to see him. Or Isabel, for that matter. She plays along with him.’

      ‘She’s weak,’ Ned muttered. ‘She dare not oppose him in anything.’

      ‘It was my idea,’ Cecily interjected very softly, staring at Richard.

      ‘Why?’ Richard demanded, his voice rising. ‘In God’s name why? George has treated me most abominably these last few years.’

      ‘I hoped you would both make up this Christmas, be friends again, loving brothers, the way you used to be.’

      Laughing hollowly, Richard snapped, ‘I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, Mother.’

      ‘He’s your brother,’ she answered.