Page 3 (2/2)
‘Claire’ Dane’s hand engulfed hers firmly ‘My condolences Was it sudden?’
Her witch-hazel eyes widened behind her tortoiseshell spectacles ‘No, he was ill for a long time,’ she murmured ‘It was a release for him to die’
‘You shouldn’t have said that,’ Carter sniped, pressing her back on to the gravel path ‘It sounded disrespectful’ Then, ‘Dane had no business co here’
‘I’ht Grandfather had a soft spot for hih he’d never have admitted it’
‘Nonsense, Claire’ Carter made a minute adjust beyond the wall ‘Far be it from me to boast, but I was always the favourite’
Lord, what a petty little eed to question each and every one of thenored his parents’ car and climbed in behind Carter, she sale her with descriptions of his fiancée and apologise for his few visits of recent But then, who could say Ranbury Hall was inviting? she reflected wryly Her grandfather had not expended a penny on the ra the past fifty years The ainal
‘Look at the car Dane’s travelling in!’ Steve nearly broke his neck peering out at the long, opulent limousine with its tinted hich was parked at the end of the church lane ‘My reen with envy!’
Carter delivered hilance ‘Did Celia infor Carter’s aunt and Steve’s mother
Claire chewed her lip uneasily ‘No, that was me, Carter’
He looked at her in astonishment ‘You?’ he parroted
‘He had a right to be told,’ she stated levelly, though her cheeks were pale ‘I contacted his secretary in London She didn’t tell me where he was Actually, at the tie I had enough trouble just getting to speak to her’
Steve laughed, understanding ‘I doubt if Dane ever felt the need to narandfather’s existence’
Carter was still staring at her, flushed by angry incredulity ‘You should have discussed it with me first Dane hasn’t been up here in years’
‘Three years,’ Claire inserted ‘And you know Grandfather told hiain He was very rude to him on that last visit’
‘No ruder than he ever was to anyone else’ Carter let down his sanctiht of bad taste and, if Dane’s expecting to find any profit for hi of the will, he’ll soon find his mistake’
Her distaste threatened to choke her Aside of the last couple of months when it had been clear that Adam Fletcher was on his deathbed, Carter had been a very infrequent visitor here Once he had reached that realisation he had visited regularly, showing a calculation Claire had despised It had not been lost on her, either, that her grandfather had belatedly reached the conclusion that Carter would make her an excellent husband Stolid and careful in his ways, and equally penny-pinching, Carter had ed to impress Adam deeply
She was glad when the car glided through the tall, rusty gates and caranite bareness of the Hall Hard winters had scarred the paintwork, neglect had done the rest and on a preloomy welcome
Seeing Mr Coverdale’s stately old Rover already parked, she hastened from the car ‘I’ll see that some tea is served first It’s bitterly cold’
In her opinion the ould contain no surprises The estate would be divided equally between all of them For what reason other than that belief would Carter have asked her to o? As she passed the hall mirror her own colourless and drab exterior mocked her