Free Anna Jacobs by Mistress of Marymoor Page B

finding them both lacking.
    She spoke crisply, refusing to be intimidated. “You may ask, sir, but it’s really none of your business. I’m here at the invitation of the late Mr Jannvier and Mr Pascoe.”
    “I think it is my business now.”
    He moved forward to stand over her in a way that made her feel threatened and she took an involuntary step backwards.
    “I’ll ask you again who you are and I’ll thank you for a prompt answer this time,” he snapped.
    A voice from the door made him swing round sharply. “The lady is my wife, Elkin, and I’ll thank you to mind your manners when you speak to her.” Matthew stood there, his hair still rumpled, his expression stolid, betraying nothing of his feelings.
    Deborah felt relief course through her.
    “Wife! You’re not married. She’s your doxy, more like.”
    Matthew moved to stand by Deborah’s side. “You’re wrong, Elkin, but I’m sure Mrs Pascoe will accept your apologies for that insult. And this time, at least, I shall overlook it.”
    Elkin ignored Deborah, hostility in every line of his body. “It doesn’t actually make much difference who she is. I’m here because we Elkins are the only relatives old Ralph had left and I’m his heir.”
    “But you’re not his only relatives,” was the gentle answer and now Matthew put his arm round Deborah’s shoulders. “My wife can claim an even closer relationship than you, for she’s Ralph Jannvier’s great-niece. Her name was, before our recent marriage, the same as his.”
    Simley let out an audible gasp.
    Elkin went red and fury built up swiftly in his face. “I don’t believe you!” he growled. “This is just a trick to try to get hold of the estate. Ralph has never mentioned her existence to me, not in all the years I've known him! What proof do you have of her identity?”
    “Ralph has known of her existence ever since her birth.”
    Elkin glared from him to Deborah. “I don’t believe you.”
    “You can always check with Mr Downie. He too has been aware of her existence for a long time.”
    “I shall do more than ask for his opinion—I shall demand proof of her identity.”
    “Do that!” Matthew snapped. “In the meantime, Mr Downie has put me in charge at Marymoor until after the will is read and my wife and I are not receiving visitors.” He moved towards the door as if to show Elkin out.
    Deborah felt as if it would take only the smallest thing to set the men at each other’s throats. She saw Simley look at Elkin questioningly and decided that if it came to a fight and the servant tried to join in, two to one against Matthew, she would snatch up the nearest vase and hit him over the head with it.
    However, Elkin shook his head as if to tell his henchman to hold back and turned to her instead, forcing a sour smile which faded almost immediately.
    “My apologies for the misunderstanding, Mrs Pascoe.”
    She inclined her head slightly but cared little whether he apologised or not.
    Elkin turned back to Matthew. “My mother is outside in the coach, expecting to stay here for the funeral. Do you indeed intend to turn us away?”
    Deborah watched her husband closely, seeing his hesitation. She knew it would look very strange if they turned Ralph Jannvier’s only other relatives away, though she didn’t look forward to having a man like this staying in the house.
    After a moment Matthew said in a toneless voice, “Pray ask your mother to come inside. No doubt we can find rooms for you both until after the funeral, but you will understand that we haven’t many servants, so cannot guarantee you much attention, either in the house or the stables.”
    “I’ve brought my own man and my mother’s maid, so I daresay we can manage.” Elkin moved towards the door. “I’ll fetch my mother in. She’s not in the best of health and the journey has tired her.”
    When she and her husband were alone Deborah pulled her letter out of her pocket and held it out to Matthew. “I’ve written to