Free The Eden Inheritance by Janet Tanner Page B

horrible, Guy!’ Her mouth set in a thin line; she pulled on her cigarette. ‘I’m entitled to my friends just as you are to yours. How is Wendy, by the way?’
    â€˜Wendy’s OK.’ He knew better than to elaborate; Lise was jealous of any relationship he had with women.
    â€˜You haven’t married her yet.’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Why not? Is it because you don’t love her?’
    â€˜None of your business.’
    â€˜I am your cousin.’
    â€˜But not my keeper. And I thought you wanted to talk about my reason for being here, not my intentions regarding Wendy.’
    She smiled briedly. ‘ Touché . Go on then, tell me.’ She leaned over the desk to look at the papers spread out there and he caught a whiff of perfume – her mother’s guest soap, he guessed, certainly not scent. Lise never used it. ‘What is this?’ she asked.
    â€˜Lists of the things that were looted from the château during the war. I’m sure Grandpapa has told you about them just as he told me.’
    â€˜Of course. But why are they suddenly so important?’
    â€˜Because I might be on the point of getting them back.’
    She whistled softly.
    â€˜How? I thought they’d gone forever.’
    â€˜So did we all.’ He went on to tell her about the information he had received and she listened intently, finishing her Gaulois and lighting another from her stub.
    â€˜So – you’re going to the Caribbean,’ she said when he had finished.
    â€˜I hope so, yes. The trouble is neither Grandpapa nor my mother, are very keen on the idea. Mum is downright hostile – I expected that – but Grandpapa has reservations too, I think.’
    â€˜Why?’ Her dark eyes were puzzled in her narrow face.
    â€˜I don’t know. He seems to think it will stir up all kinds of unpleasantness. Frankly I’m a bit surprised by his attitude. He was always so full of hatred for von Rheinhardt. I’d have thought he’d have jumped at the chance for revenge.’
    â€˜Oh, you know Grandpapa – what he’s like. He’s always hated anything to disturb the calm waters of his world and I think he’s got worse as he’s got older. People do that, don’t they? Age only makes them more extreme, more set in whatever ways they have.’
    â€˜That’s true, I suppose. But as you say, he’s an old man. I don’t want to upset him.’
    â€˜He didn’t ask you not to go on with this?’
    â€˜No. He gave me access to this file.’
    â€˜There you are then. He’s probably glad really for you to do what he can’t do himself. You must try to find out if it really is von Rheinhardt, Guy. The bastard deserves everything that’s coming to him.’ Her voice was fierce again, that same tone that debated politics far into the night with her left-wing friends and verbally tore the old order to shreds. Guy found himself smiling now at her fervour.
    â€˜You think I’m doing the right thing, then?’
    â€˜Absolutely. I only wish I could come with you. I couldn’t, I suppose …?’
    â€˜No, Lise, I’m afraid you couldn’t.’
    â€˜Well, keep me informed anyway. Jesus Christ, I’d like to get my hands on that German pig!’
    â€˜I’m sure you would, but if it is him I shall turn him over to the proper authorities. We live in a civilised world now, thank goodness – and thanks to the Allies.’
    â€˜And our own brave countrymen and women. Don’t forget what they did. Your father, your uncle …’
    â€˜I know,’ he said. But he felt a prickle of discomfort all the same, remembering Guillaume’s warning. ‘Well, I’m going to bed now. I don’t think I can do any more tonight. My concentration has gone.’
    â€˜My fault, I supose,’ she said ruefully.
    â€˜Not really. I was getting muzzy anyway. There’s a limit