Free The Paradise Will by Elizabeth Hanbury

candlelight.
    The spell was broken by Rowberry arriving with the roast capons and, during these moments, Alyssa managed to regain a little composure. Sir Giles was apparently not a rake – there had been no leering glances or lecherous behaviour – but he might be a practised flirt and she would do well to remember it. Rowberry departed and once more, they were alone.
    ‘May I enquire how your cousin received the news?’ he said.
    ‘He was very angry. You see, for years he expected to receive Hawkscote.’
    ‘Tom never spoke of him with manifest affection.’
    ‘My uncle was fond of Piers but found the way he ran his life frustrating.’
    ‘So why did your cousin still think he would receive the estate?’
    ‘Oh, Piers can be remarkably thick-skinned when he chooses,’ she replied. ‘He didn’t believe Tom’s frustration would result in Hawkscote being willed to me.’
    ‘He does not sound a particularly perceptive youth.’
    Alyssa looked at him quizzically. ‘Piers is the same age as I am, Sir Giles; he is hardly a youth.’
    ‘In my eyes, he is,’ he said, with a faint smile.
    ‘You are not Methuselah.’
    His smile deepened as he observed, ‘Not yet, thank God! Do you hold your cousin in affection?’
    ‘Yes and no—’
    ‘An ambivalent answer, if I may say so, Miss Paradise.’
    She laughed and his lazy gaze studied the dimple which appeared in her cheek. ‘Yes, but accurate! I like Piers when he abandons all pretension and reverts to his childhood character – fun-loving, adventurous, if sometimes exasperating. But since becoming an adult he has changed, and I am not enamoured of the altered Piers. He did not have a good role model in his father and was indulged by his mother; consequently, his general mien is one of bored selfishness. The will has only added to his cynicism, I’m afraid.’
    ‘Did he fly into a fury?’ he asked.
    ‘Yes, but I would have none of it – the situation is hardly my fault.’
    ‘Do you think he will contest, even at this late stage?’
    ‘He might, but he can’t really afford the legal fees. However, he’s not convinced all is lost and is coming to Dorset soon.’
    Sir Giles raised his brows. ‘To what purpose?’
    ‘I don’t think even Piers knows that,’ she said, giving a little shrug. ‘Perhaps it will convince him there is nothing further he can do.’
    ‘I hope he will not make things more difficult for you.’
    ‘So do I, but I’m not sanguine – trouble seems to follow Piers!’ she said, lightly. ‘We have spoken of my circumstances; now can I ask you a question?’
    ‘Should I be on my guard?’ he queried, smiling. ‘You are so direct I wonder what you will say next!’
    ‘Oh, nothing too controversial! I simply want to know who Miss Caroline Nash is. You mentioned in London she would not approve of us dining together.’
    Gil did not hurry to respond. He slowly sipped his wine, considering his reply. ‘Miss Nash is a close friend,’ he said, finally.
    ‘You mean there is an understanding between you?’
    ‘I suppose it could be described that way.’
    ‘That explains her opposition to us being alone.’
    ‘Yes.’ For some reason, Gil had never felt more uncomfortable in his life.
    ‘How awkward for you.’
    ‘Caroline accepts the reasons behind it,’ he said, choosing his words carefully.
    ‘Then I hope for your sake she proves more accepting than Charles. The repercussions from Uncle Tom’s will seem never ending,’ said Alyssa, with a sigh.
    Sir Giles gave her another searching look. ‘Miss Ravenhill seems charming. She must have been surprised to learn she was moving to Dorset?’
    ‘Yes, although she thinks it an adventure. Letty is delightful, and for one so young, she also gives her opinion unequivocally!’ She laughed. ‘However, I am hardly in a position to criticize her.’
    ‘It would not be wise,’ he observed, with smiling eyes.
    The desserts arrived then, allowing Alyssa to glance surreptitiously at the