The Emma Harte 7-Book Collection: A Woman of Substance, Hold the Dream, To Be the Best, Emma’s Secret, Unexpected Blessings, Just Rewards, Breaking the Rules. Barbara Taylor BradfordЧитать онлайн книгу.
‘Since we don’t have a compulsory draft system, the country has to rely on volunteers – usually single men between the ages of eighteen and thirty.’ Adam stopped, aware of the sick expression on Jocelyn’s face. ‘Are you all right, old chap? You look positively ghastly.’
‘The boys,’ Jocelyn said in a whisper. ‘I’m not going to be able to restrain them, Adam. They’ll both volunteer immediately. You’re lucky, Adam. Gerald would never pass the physical and Edwin is married. Also, he has a sense of responsibility to you, and to Jane.’
‘I’m not so sure about Edwin, to be very honest with you. He’s also impulsive at times. Don’t think being a married man will stop him if he makes up his mind to go to war. Edwin will consider his responsibility is to his King and country and not the family, or even to Jane. I have a sneaking suspicion they will take precedence over everything else.’
Jocelyn bit his lip nervously. ‘This is a bloody foul messup, isn’t it? Who would have thought a few years ago that we would be plunged into this disastrous situation, Adam.’
‘Bruce McGill warned me ten years ago that there would be a great war,’ Adam said quietly, his eyes brooding. ‘He was right. That was in 1904—’
‘Was it, by Jove!’ Jocelyn interjected. ‘I didn’t know old Bruce was a political pundit.’
‘I’m not sure that he is,’ Adam remarked. ‘But he does happen to be a tremendously rich and powerful man, and he has friends in high places. When Bruce was in London last year with his son Paul he was full of foreboding, and I ignored him. I’m beginning to think I’m an ostrich like everyone else.’ Adam stood up. ‘I presume you’re cancelling the shoot, Jocelyn.’
‘Naturally. I don’t expect anyone will be interested in grouse at a time like this,’ Jocelyn replied with a weak smile. ‘Thanks for inviting me down to the newspaper. I really appreciate it, old chap.’
‘I’ve been glad to have your company, Jocelyn. Now let’s be off. This room is beginning to suffocate me.’
An hour and a half later Adam’s new Daimler motorcar was pulling into the driveway of Fairley Hall. Adam bade the chauffeur a crisp good-night and bounded up the steps.
Murgatroyd was hovering in the dimly lit entrance hall. He hurried forward when he saw Adam, as obsequious as always. ‘Mrs Fairley came down ter the kitchen ter tell me and Cook that we was at war. Aye, it’s horrible news.’
Adam cleared his throat. ‘Yes, indeed it is, Murgatroyd. The days ahead are going to be difficult for us all. But we must pull together and be strong in the country’s hour of need.’ He noticed the light streaming out from the library. ‘Has Mrs Fairley not retired yet, Murgatroyd?’
‘No, sir. She’s been waiting for yer. I built up the fire and made her some hot chocolate a bit ago, being as how it’s a right nippy night.’
‘I see.’ Adam strode across the hall.
Olivia had heard Adam’s voice and she was halfway across the floor when he entered the library. ‘Oh, Adam, this is all quite dreadful,’ she cried as she flew into his arms.
He held her close for a moment, stroking her hair. ‘Yes, it is, my dear. However, we’ve been expecting it and we must be courageous.’ He moved away from her and looked down into her face. ‘You shouldn’t have waited up for me. It’s awfully late, darling.’
She returned his smile. ‘I was terribly anxious to see you.’
‘I’m afraid I am a little done in.’
‘Perhaps a drink will help,’ she suggested.
‘It might indeed. I’ll have a nightcap before we go to bed. Brandy, please.’
Olivia gave him a soft loving look. Adam watched her gliding across the floor, his spirits lifting as they always did when he was with her, the war momentarily forgotten. She was wearing a deep blue crêpe de chine evening dress which flattered her lissome figure and reflected the colour of her eyes. Her face was still unlined and the white streak that shot through her dark luxuriant hair was most arresting. At fifty-four she was a striking woman, and in Adam’s opinion she grew more beautiful with age. They had been married for six years. In 1907 the Deceased Wife’s Sister Marriage Act, legalizing a man’s marriage to his sister-in-law, had been finally passed by Parliament after its defeat in 1901. Adam had convinced Olivia to become his wife in 1908, and they were so completely happy, so perfectly compatible no one else existed for them.
‘Incidentally, Edwin telephoned earlier. I told him about the grim developments,’ Olivia said, returning to the fireplace with the brandy.
Adam stiffened. ‘How did he react?’
‘With surprising mildness, I thought. He and Jane are driving over from Kirkby Malzeard tomorrow, to stay with us for a week as we had planned.’
‘Well, that is good news,’ Adam said. ‘Knowing Edwin, I had visions of him careering back to town to be in the thick of things. I’m glad they are coming. At least you will have some congenial company when I’m absent during the day.’
‘Do you think they are happy, Adam?’
‘I’m damned if I know. Why do you ask?’ It struck him then that perhaps Olivia had also noticed the curious lack of warmth between his son and daughter-in-law.
‘I can’t really put my finger on it,’ Olivia said thoughtfully. ‘There’s a distance between them. Oh, Edwin is outwardly charming and most considerate. But not very affectionate. They don’t seem like a couple to me. And sometimes I have noticed the most awful empty look in Edwin’s eyes.’ Olivia paused and stared at Adam. When he made no response, she pressed, ‘Haven’t you noticed it, darling?’
Wary though he was of embarking on this discussion, Adam admitted, ‘Well, yes, I have, to be truthful. If there is anything wrong there it’s definitely to do with Edwin. He’s changed radically in the past few years. He devotes twenty-four hours a day to the law, or so it seems to me. He has no other interests and appears to be determined to become the most outstanding young barrister in England before he’s reached thirty. And I feel he neglects Jane frightfully.’
‘Yes, he does,’ Olivia agreed.
‘And yet he has every reason to be happy with her. Jane is charming and pretty and comports herself in the most mature and dignified manner. Pity they haven’t had a child. I must say, I was rather looking forward to having a grandchild. Expected one by now. After all, they’ve been married three years.’
Olivia stared into the fire and after a long moment turned to Adam. ‘Did you believe that nasty story Gerald told you a few years ago? The story about Edwin and Emma Harte?’
‘Certainly not!’ Adam exclaimed, wishing he meant his words. Intensely protective of Olivia, he did not wish to upset her tonight by dragging out old skeletons. And so for once in his life he lied to her. ‘Gerald has no regard for the truth. His story was not only preposterous but quite unfounded. It was undoubtedly engendered by his desire to denigrate Edwin in my eyes. You know Gerald has always been inordinately jealous of his brother.’
Olivia was not entirely placated. ‘I remember you made discreet inquiries at the time, about Emma and the child, but are you sure your information was correct, Adam?’
‘Of course I am!’ He put down the brandy balloon and took Olivia’s hand. ‘Now, why are you suddenly worrying about that old story? It’s long forgotten.’
‘I really don’t know, darling. I suppose because we began to talk about Edwin’s marriage and his happiness. If you say the story is not true, then Edwin can’t have anything on his conscience.’ Her eyes roved over Adam’s face searchingly. ‘And yet it has often crossed my mind that he does. Perhaps it’s the peculiar look in his eyes that troubles me, Adam.’
Adam frowned. ‘Now, come, my darling,’ he said softly. ‘You