Beggars and Choosers Read Free Page A

think you’ll be able to persuade her to come downstairs?’ Sali asked.
    â€˜I’ll do my best.’ Mari pursed her lips disapprovingly. Gwyneth Watkin Jones’s ‘delicacy’ was famed from one end of Pontypridd to the other and the ‘good days’ since the birth of her youngest son Gareth ten years before, had been marked by the occasions when she had relinquished the day bed in her boudoir, for the drawing-room sofa. ‘You run along, Miss Sali, you don’t want to be too late to greet your father’s guests.’
    â€˜It’s horrible being the youngest. I’ll never be old enough to go to balls,’ Llinos muttered petulantly.
    â€˜You can watch from the landing,’ Mari consoled.
    â€˜It’s not the same.’ Llinos crossed her arms and glared at the housekeeper.
    â€˜It’s no good looking at me like that, Miss Llinos. Everyone would quite rightly look sideways at your father if he allowed you to go gadding around downstairs tonight at your age. But if you go along to the nursery, I think you’ll find an early present for you and one for Master Gareth on the table, along with some cakes and Christmas biscuits.’
    Llinos frowned. ‘What’s the present?’
    â€˜I’m not saying anything,’ Mari answered mysteriously.
    â€˜Please, Mari,’ Llinos pleaded.
    â€˜Now, let me see.’ Mari stared at the ceiling. ‘Didn’t someone say something about wanting a puppet theatre...’
    Llinos shrieked, jumped off the bed and darted out of the room.
    â€˜Your father spoils her and Gareth something awful.’ Mari picked up the sheet she had laid on the floor to save the skirt of Sali’s dress from dust, folded it and put it away in the bottom of the wardrobe.
    â€˜No more than he spoils Geraint and me.’ Sali checked her reflection one last time.
    â€˜The difference being, you’re so sweet-natured you deserve it.’
    â€˜I was just as difficult and awkward as Llinos at her age.’
    â€˜No, you weren’t.’ Mari watched as Sali went to the door. ‘If you didn’t look so perfect I’d risk hugging you.’
    â€˜I’ll give you a thank-you hug for making me look like this later.’ Sali walked on to the landing in time to hear the first knock on the door.
    â€˜I know we’re early, Harry, but I couldn’t contain Mansel a moment longer. He’s been like a jack-in-the-box that’s outgrown the box since he came home from the store.’
    Edyth James waited until Harry Watkin Jones’s butler, Tomas, removed her fur evening cape before offering her cheek to her nephew.
    â€˜Thank you for coming so early, Aunt Edyth.’ Harry watched Sali walk sedately down the staircase. ‘You look very beautiful,’ he complimented.
    â€˜The dress is beautiful,’ Sali corrected. ‘Thank you for buying it for me.’
    â€˜Thank your aunt, she was the one who suggested it as an early Christmas present.’
    â€˜In that case, thank you, Aunt Edyth. You have exquisite taste.’ Sali kissed Edyth and held out her hand to Mansel.
    â€˜Steady,’ Harry warned, as Geraint charged down the stairs at speed, fastening his gold cufflinks.
    â€˜Am I late?’
    â€˜No more than usual, Geraint.’ Mansel shook Harry’s hand.
    â€˜Harry, Mrs James, Mr James, children.’ A tall, gaunt, dark-haired, sallow-faced man entered the house, removed his overcoat and handed it to Tomos.
    â€˜Morgan,’ Harry greeted his wife’s brother. ‘Thank you for accepting my invitation.’
    â€˜I won’t stay long, Harry. It isn’t done for a minister to be seen on such frivolous occasions, but I called out of respect for Gwyneth.’
    â€˜She will be downstairs shortly.’
    â€˜Then she is well?’
    â€˜I believe so,’ Harry replied tersely. He disliked his brother-in-law intensely, not least because