Amelia Peabody Omnibus 1-4 Read Free Page B

sight.’
    ‘Proceed,’ I said. ‘I will be the judge of
that.
’
    ‘I am sure you will!’ The dimple reappeared, but did not linger. Her face pale, her eyes steady, the girl began to speak.
THE GIRL’S STORY
    My name is Evelyn Barton-Forbes. My parents having died when I was an infant, I was brought up by my grandfather, the Earl of Ellesmere. I see you recognize the name. It is an ancient name and an honourable one – although many of the holders of the title have not been men of honour. My grandfather … well, I cannot speak fairly of him. I know he is regarded by many as miserly and selfish; though he possesses one of the greatest fortunes in England, he has never been known as a philanthropist. But he was always good to me. I was his pet, his little lamb, as he called me. I think perhaps I was the only human being to whom he never spoke harshly. He even forgave me for being a girl and not the heir he so ardently desired.
    I suspect you are a feminist, Miss – Amelia? Then you will be indignant, but not surprised, to know that although I am the only child of my grandfather’s eldest son, I cannot inherit his title or estates. There are few exceptions to the rule that only male descendants may inherit. When my father died prematurely, the next male heir was my cousin, Lucas Hayes.
    Poor Lucas! I have not seen a great deal of him, but I always liked him, and I cannot help but pity him because Grandfather was so cruelly unfair to him. Of course Grandfather would never admit to prejudice. He claims to dislike Lucas because of his extravagance and wild habits. But I feel sure such tales are only rumours. Grandfather really hates my unfortunate cousin for the sin of being his father’s son. You see, his mother, Grandfather’s eldest daughter, ran away with – with an Italian gentleman…. (Excuse my emotion, Amelia, you will understand its cause presently. There; I am better now.)
    My grandfather is British to the core. He despises all foreigners, but especially those of Latin descent. He considers them sly, slippery – oh, I cannot repeat all the terrible things he says! When my aunt eloped with the Conte d’Imbroglio d’Annunciata, Grandfather disowned her and struck her name from the family Bible. Even when she lay dying he sent no word of comfort or forgiveness. He said the Conte was no nobleman, but a fraud and a fortune hunter. I am sure that is untrue. The Conte had very little money, to be sure, but that does not mean his title was not genuine. However, Lucas, on reaching maturity, felt it wise to change his name, since his true one maddened Grandfather. He calls himself Lucas Elliot Hayes now, and he has abandoned his Italian title.
    For a time it seemed that Lucas had succeeded in winning Grandfather by his assiduous attentions. I even wondered whether Grandfather was considering a marriage between us. It would have been a happy solution in a sense, for, the estate and title being entailed, Lucas would eventually inherit them. But without my grandfather’s private fortune, which was his to dispose of, the earldom would be a burden rather than a privilege; and Grandfather made no secret of his intention of leaving that money to me.
    Yet if there was such a scheme, it came to nothing. Hearing of some new misbehaviour, Grandfather flew into a rage and sent Lucas away. I am ashamed to admit I was relieved. Fond as I was of Lucas, I did not love him; and being a foolish, sentimental girl, I fancied love must precede marriage. I see you frown, Amelia, to hear me use such terms of myself. They are too mild, as you will soon learn.
    For love came, as I thought; and it proved my utter undoing.
    While Lucas was with us I had become interested in drawing. Lucas said I had considerable natural skill, and before he left he taught me what he knew. Afterward, I was desirous of continuing, so Grandfather, who indulged me more than I deserved, advertised for a drawing master. Thus Alberto came into my life.
    I cannot