The Secret of Kolney Hatch Read Free Page B

leather club chairs flanked a peculiar circular table with legs that curved downward. A similar table that had a tray with a pot of tea and cups sat next to a new sofa upholstered with coffee-colored and tan swirls. Paul thought the piece was hideous, but he knew how Richard liked his exclusive furniture.
    Richard did not seem to notice Paul as he knocked softly on the door of the study and entered the room. He sat at a small desk with his back toward Paul, typing away on his typewriter. Papers were scattered everywhere in the tiny room, including the floor and the desk.
    “I better not be the main character of that manuscript,” Paul said in his imperturbable tone, and Richard jumped up from his seat.
    “Paul!” Richard exclaimed giving Paul a friendly pat and then ushering him back into the drawing room. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”
    Richard was not handsome in the same sense as Paul, but he was very attractive. His thick, jet black hair was parted in the middle and slicked with pomade, and his hollow cheeks surrounded his strong angular nose. Dark eyebrows and a thick black mustache set off his deep, dark eyes. And as usual, Richard was dressed well; today he wore a gray vest over a carefully pressed white shirt. His pants matched his vest perfectly while his black, shiny shoes matched the small, dark silk scarf tied around his neck.
    “What do you think of the new room?” Richard asked, pointing to the leather chairs and then the flamboyant   looking sofa.
    “Eccentric.”
    “I thought you’d say that,” Richard said cheerfully, “But, Paul, this is the new style in France. Someday even you  will have to modernize. You can’t stay stuck in the past forever you know.” Richard motioned toward the pot. “Have a cuppa.”
    Paul took a cup of tea and sat on the unattractive sofa.
    “How ‘bout what happened to that Louisa Stilwell, huh?” Richard continued.
    A knot welled in Paul’s throat—he reached for the cup and drank some tea to try to soothe the uncomfortable   sensation. “Didn’t you know her?” Paul asked.
    “In passing, yes, through mutual friends,” Richard said as he poured himself a cup of tea. “But I haven’t heard of her in years. The whole situation is tragic.”
     Paul rubbed his still aching head.
    “All right?”
    “I just…had a rough night.”
    “Who is she?” Richard teased, raising his left eyebrow as he took his seat in the leather chair that was next to the tall stone fireplace.
    “No, that’s not…”
    But Richard was already on to his next subject. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about a woman.”
    “Richard,” Claire said sternly as she entered the room with tea cakes and set them down next to the teapot, “I told you he won’t be interested.”
    Paul was curious now. “Interested in what?” He asked.
    “Claire has a cousin. Elena. She just broke off an awful engagement,” Richard said. “Paul, trust me, you’d like her.”
    Richard winked, and Paul looked at Claire whose face had formed a scowl as she took a seat in the leather chair next to Richard.
    “Honestly,” Claire said skeptically, “I don’t think she’s right for you at all, Paul.”
    Richard looked at Claire with surprise.
    “Oh, come on Claire. She’s perfect.”
    Claire said nothing more, only folded her arms across her chest.
    “It doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in the women around here anyway,” Paul said, resting the teacup on the table tray.
    “I’m speechless, honestly,” Richard said feigning disbelief, “Haven’t met a lady in London that doesn’t desire you.” Then he leaned in and whispered. “Even Claire talks about you a little too  much.”
    “Richard…if you don’t stop,” Claire warned, but Richard ignored her.
    “What did you say about Paul the other day, darling? That he has the ability to be around any woman of any age, type, or status and make her feel…what was that word? Oh yes, cherished.”
    “Richard!” Claire