Free The Shoemaker's Daughter by Iris Gower Page A

brother, how could she do it?’
    The words she had been about to say died on Hari’s lips. ‘Your brother?’ she echoed. ‘You didn’t say anything about your brother so I never mentioned him to Emily Grenfell. Duw! It’s all my fault.’
    ‘No,’ Craig said softly, ‘it’s my fault for not warning you about Spencer. What a fool I’ve been.’
    Hari looked down at Craig’s bowed shoulders, she couldn’t ask him to leave not now. ‘Sit down, Craig,’ she said softly, ‘let me fetch you some tea.’

6
    Emily lifted her head and breathed in the sweet March air, it was good to stand in the garden of Summer Lodge looking out over a tranquil sea with timid waves reaching for the shore. Soon the fine weather would come, she would be able to take rides along the coast road, get away for a while from the interminable drawing-room meetings and card calling that wearied and bored her.
    She wished she had been born into a different age, an age when women had been allowed to be more than a decorative possession. All that lay before a young lady of breeding was duty to parents and hopefully a good marriage.
    Emily sighed, unless Craig’s name was cleared she would remain an old maid for ever, she would never accept second best whatever her father said.
    ‘Emily.’ A voice spoke close to her ear, ‘It’s good to see you looking so well.’ Spencer Grenfell stood a little behind her, looking down at her. She turned to him, her heart beating swiftly as he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. ‘I’m sorry, you seem surprised to see me.’
    She shook her head not willing to admit that for a moment she had thought he was Craig. The brothers were very much alike, the same strong shoulders and the fine head of hair, but physical appearances were deceptive and there was about Spencer a weakness that showed in the line of his mouth and the almost shifty look in his eyes.
    ‘Any news?’ she asked quickly. ‘I can’t wait to hear what you’ve found out.’
    ‘Patience, Emily, all in good time, what about inviting me in and offering me a drink, the grass here is quite damp you know, and in those silly slippers, you’ll catch your death.’
    She warmed to him, he was concerned about her as a cousin should be. ‘Come inside we’ll have some cordial.’
    The drawing-room was lit with the pale promise of spring, daffodils were everywhere, on the occasional tables, in the window, yellow trumpets strong and bright against the damask wall-covering.
    When drinks had been served and the door closed after the bobbing maid, Emily leaned forward in her chair.
    ‘What of Edward Morris, is he guilty?’ she asked. ‘And when will Craig’s name be cleared?’
    ‘My brother will have to come forward before anything can be done,’ Spencer sipped the hot cordial slowly. ‘He must tell the judiciary that it was this accountant Morris who abused the trust the firm showed in him.’
    Emily shook her head. ‘No,’ she said firmly, ‘Craig can’t risk it, what if he was arrested again?’
    ‘Why should he be?’ Spencer said smoothly, ‘If my brother is innocent he has nothing to fear.’
    Emily rose to her feet in agitation. ‘That’s just not true,’ she protested, ‘his innocence didn’t prevent him from being wrongly accused in the first place, did it?’
    Spencer put down his glass with a sigh. ‘Has it occurred to you that this Morris fellow and my brother were in this thing together?’ he said softly.
    ‘That’s absurd,’ Emily said hotly. ‘Why should Craig want to steal from his own company and what’s more share the proceeds with an accountant?’
    ‘But it isn’t entirely Craig’s money, you know, a substantial part of it will be mine once my father’s estate is sorted out properly.’
    Emily shook her head. ‘I don’t believe Craig would be involved in anything illegal, certainly nothing that would harm your prospects, Spencer.’
    ‘There’s such a thing as greed, Emily, and sad to say brothers are