The Black Moth - Georgette Heyer (best ereader for students TXT) 📗

INTRODUCING THE HON. RICHARD CARSTARES

WYNCHAM! A stately old house with mullioned windows, standing high on its stone terraces, half-covered by creepers; a house surrounded by lawns, rolling down on the one side to a river that rippled and murmured its way along beneath overhanging trees and a blue sky, over boulders and rocks, so clear and sparkling that the myriad pebbles could be seen deep down on its bed.

In the other direction, the velvet lawns stretched away till they met the orchards and the quiet meadowland.

On two sides the house had its terraces, very white in the sunshine, with stone steps leading down to a miniature lake where water-lilies grew, and where the tiny fish darted to and fro unconcernedly.

Flagged walks there were, running between flower beds a riot of colour, and solemn old trees that had stood there through all the years. Cool woodland lay beyond the little river, carpeted with dark moss, where in spring the primroses grew. So thick was the foliage of the trees that the sun but penetrated in uneven patches.

Up the terrace walls crept roses, yellow and red, pink and white, and tossed their trailing sprays across the parapet. Over the walls of the house they climbed, mingling with purple clematis, jasmine, and sickly honeysuckle. The air was heavy with their united perfumes, while, wafted from a bed below, came the smoky scent of lavender.

The old house seemed half asleep, basking in the sunlight. Save for a peacock preening its feathers on the terrace steps, there was no sign of life… .

The old place had harboured generations of Carstares. Earl had succeeded Earl and reigned supreme, and it was only now that there was no Earl living there. No one knew where he was. Scarce a month ago one died, but the eldest son was not there to take his place. For six years he had been absent, and none dared breathe his name, for he disgraced that name, and the old Earl cast him off and forbade all mention of him. But the poor folk of the countryside remembered him. They would tell one another tales of his reckless courage; his sweet smile and his winning ways; his light-heartedness and his never-failing kindness and good-humour. What a rider he was! To see him sit his horse! What a swordsman! Do ye mind the time he fought young Mr. Welsh over yonder in the spinney with half the countryside watching? Ah, he was a one, was Master Jack! Do ye mind how he knocked the sword clean out o’ Mr. Welsh’s hand, and then stood waiting for him to pick it up? And do ye mind the way his eyes sparkled, and how he laughed, just for the sheer joy o’ living?

Endless anecdotes would they tell, and the old gaffers would shake their heads and sigh, and long for the sight of him again. And they would jerk their thumbs towards the Manor and shrug their old shoulders significantly. Who wanted Mr. Richard for squire? Not they, at least. They knew he was a good squire and a kindly man, but give them Master John, who would laugh and crack a joke and never wear the glum looks that Mr. Richard affected.

In the house, Richard Carstares paced to and fro in his library, every now and again pausing to glance wretchedly up at the portrait of his brother hanging over his desk. The artist had managed to catch the expression of those blue eyes, and they smiled down at Richard in just the way that John was always wont to smile—so gaily, and withal so wistfully.

Richard was twenty-nine, but already he looked twice his age. He was very thin, and there were deep lines on his good-looking countenance. His grey eyes bore a haunted, care-worn look, and his mouth, though well-shaped, was curiously lacking in determination. He was dressed soberly, and without that touch of smartness that had characterised him six years ago. He wore black in memory of his father, and it may have been that severity, only relieved by the lace at his throat, that made his face appear so prematurely aged. There was none of his brother’s boyishness about him; even his smile seemed forced and tired, and his laughter rarely held merriment… .

He pulled out his chronometer, comparing it with the clock on the mantelpiece. His pacing took him to the door, and almost nervously he pulled it open, listening.

No sound came to his ears. Back again, to and fro across the room, eagerly awaiting the clanging of a bell. It did not come, but presently a footfall sounded on the passage without, and someone knocked at the door.

In two strides Richard was by it, and had flung it wide. Warburton stood there.

Richard caught his hand.

“Warburton! At last! I have been waiting this hour and more!”

Mr. Warburton disengaged himself, bowing.

“I regret I was not able to come before, sir,” he said primly.

“I make no doubt you travelled back as quickly as possible—come in, sir.”

He led the lawyer into the room and shut the door.

“Sit down, Warburton—sit down. You—you found my brother?”

Again Warburton bowed.

“I had the felicity of seeing his lordship, sir.”

“He was well? In good spirits? You thought him changed—yes? Aged perhaps, or—”

“His lordship was not greatly changed, sir.”

Richard almost stamped in his impatience.

“Come, Warburton, come! Tell me everything. What did he say? Will he take the revenues? Will he—”

“His lordship, sir, was reluctant to take anything, but upon maturer consideration, he—ah—consented to accept his elder son’s portion. The revenues of the estate he begs you will make use of.”

“Ah! But you told him that I would touch nought belonging to him?”

“I tried to persuade his lordship, sir. To no avail. He desires you to use Wyncham as you will.”

“I’ll not touch his money!”

Warburton gave the faintest of shrugs.

“That is as you please, sir.”

Something in the suave voice made Richard, from his stand by the desk, glance sharply down at the lawyer. Suspicion flashed into his eyes. He seemed about to speak, when Warburton continued:

“I believe I may set your mind at rest on one score, Mr. Carstares: his lordship’s situation is tolerably comfortable. He has ample means.”

“But—but he lives by—robbery!”

Warburton’s thin lips curled a little.

“Does he not?” persisted Carstares.

“So he would have us believe, sir.”

“‘Tis true! He—waylaid me!”

“And robbed you, sir?”

“Rob me? He could not rob his own brother Warburton!”

“Your pardon, Mr. Carstares—you are right: his lordship could not rob a brother. Yet have I known a man do such a thing.”

For a long minute there was no word spoken. The suspicion that had dwelt latent in Carstares’ eyes, sprang up again. Some of the colour drained from his cheeks, and twice he passed his tongue between his lips. The fingers of his hand, gripping a chairback, opened and shut spasmodically. Rather feverishly his eyes searched the lawyer’s face, questioning.

“John told you—told you—” he started, and floundered hopelessly.

“His lordship told me nothing, sir. He was singularly reticent. But there was nothing he could tell me that I did not already know.”

“What do you mean, Warburton? Why do you look at me like that? Why do you fence with me? In plain words, what do you mean?”

Warburton rose, clenching his hands.

“I know you, Master Richard, for what you are!”

“Ah!” Carstares flung out his hand as if to ward off a blow.

Another tense silence. With a great effort Warburton controlled himself, and once more the mask of impassivity seemed to descend upon him. After that one tortured cry Richard became calm again. He sat down; on his face a look almost of relief, coming after a great strain.

“You learnt the truth… from John. He… will expose me?”

“No, sir. I have not learnt it from him. And he will never expose you.”

Richard turned his head. His eyes, filled now with a species of dull pain, looked full into Warburton’s.

“Oh?” he said. “Then you… ?”

“Nor I, sir. I have pledged my word to his lordship. I would not speak all these years for your father’s sake—now it is for his.” He choked.

“You… are fond of John?” Still the apathetic, weary voice.

“Fond of him? Good God, Master Dick, I love him!”

“And I,” said Richard, very low.

He received no reply, and looked up.

“You don’t