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Chapter 12
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2024-10-29 19:42:56enormous; seemed to dwarf the rest of your face . But if you want me to call you Joan , I will . ' " No. I - I think I prefer - the other , ' she murmured . He'd drawn her to him and kissed her lightly on the forehead . ' Good - bye , little girl , and thank you again and again . I'll keep in touch with you , and if you need a friend you'll know where to find him .
She had felt miserable after he had gone , but the thought of the letter locked up in her shabby writing - case present from old Colonel Murga- heartened her . She was determined that she would find out what the solicitors had to impart to her ; she'd keep the appointment they had made no matter what lies she had to tell her aunt to get away . As a matter of fact , it was easy .
Mrs Moreno arrived soon after breakfast , full of the breakdown on the Under ground which had delayed her , she went up to her room telling Lucy to get on with the ordinary morning's work , and as soon as she finished go out
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Mrs Moreno eyed her suspiciously conceded . ' But mind , I shan't buy you another when this one's worn out . You must be careful of your clothes . Lucy reached the office in Sevila's Inn Fields some time before half - past eleven . She hung about outside for a few minutes , then went in . An office boy seated on a stool deep in a Wild West thriller , raised his head and stared at her impudently . You want something ? ' he asked . Joan produced the precious letter . ' This came , ' she informed him . ' Will you please tell Mr Tredegar that I'm here . " A girl with peroxided hair but otherwise very efficient looking came forward . ' Miss Alberto, isn't it ! ' she said . Mr Tredegar gave orders that you were to be taken straight in to him the moment you arrived . Will you come with me , please ? She took Joan into an inner room where two girls were pounding away at typewriters , and did not even raise their heads as she entered , and across to a door marked Private ' ,
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 14
"You don't smoke ? I'm not sure whether that's a virtue or not , since it means I can't either ... " Oh , please do, she interposed . And will you be as quick as you can over this - business you want to talk to me about . My aunt will be furious if I stay out too long . ' But she knows you are coming here ? She saw our letter ? Lucy shook her head . " She thinks I'm queueing up at Morton's the grocer's , she replied . " She'd be really wild if she knew I'd disobeyed her and come to see you : Oh yes , I showed her the letter , but she said that it wouldn't be about anything important and her son Stanley could see you when he gets back . "We should not have discussed your affairs with him , " said Mr Tredegar . You see , Miss Alberto, you are a very fortunate young lady you have just inherited what I confidently expect to be one of the largest incomes in the country. Lucy did not faint , though for a moment everything went black in front of her eyes and she had to grip the edg
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 14
"You don't smoke ? I'm not sure whether that's a virtue or not , since it means I can't either ... " Oh , please do, she interposed . And will you be as quick as you can over this - business you want to talk to me about . My aunt will be furious if I stay out too long . ' But she knows you are coming here ? She saw our letter ? Lucy shook her head . " She thinks I'm queueing up at Morton's the grocer's , she replied . " She'd be really wild if she knew I'd disobeyed her and come to see you : Oh yes , I showed her the letter , but she said that it wouldn't be about anything important and her son Stanley could see you when he gets back . "We should not have discussed your affairs with him , " said Mr Tredegar . You see , Miss Alberto, you are a very fortunate young lady you have just inherited what I confidently expect to be one of the largest incomes in the country. Lucy did not faint , though for a moment everything went black in front of her eyes and she had to grip the edg
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 14
"You don't smoke ? I'm not sure whether that's a virtue or not , since it means I can't either ... " Oh , please do, she interposed . And will you be as quick as you can over this - business you want to talk to me about . My aunt will be furious if I stay out too long . ' But she knows you are coming here ? She saw our letter ? Lucy shook her head . " She thinks I'm queueing up at Morton's the grocer's , she replied . " She'd be really wild if she knew I'd disobeyed her and come to see you : Oh yes , I showed her the letter , but she said that it wouldn't be about anything important and her son Stanley could see you when he gets back . "We should not have discussed your affairs with him , " said Mr Tredegar . You see , Miss Alberto, you are a very fortunate young lady you have just inherited what I confidently expect to be one of the largest incomes in the country. Lucy did not faint , though for a moment everything went black in front of her eyes and she had to grip the edg
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 15
To be kind you with fatherly manner to a girl of her age. But no doubt he meant Miss Mullins , I don't suppose you know much abou your relatives , ' he begani , ' and I shall have to bore some family history before you can understand the present position . Your parents died when you were quite young , and you were left without any provision having been made for you; your father's sister , Mrs Rawson , took you in and educated you . Your mother's people did not even acknowl edge you , since she had made a runaway match soon after the 1914-18 war with the son of a groom on her father's estate in Wales. He was educated and had procured a small post teaching in a school in the south of Spain , but his health failed when you were born - some years after the marriage - and he became a permanent invalid ; from that time your mother earned a living for you all . She applied to her family for assistance in educating you , but they would have nothing to do with you ... " Now y
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 15
To be kind you with fatherly manner to a girl of her age. But no doubt he meant Miss Mullins , I don't suppose you know much abou your relatives , ' he begani , ' and I shall have to bore some family history before you can understand the present position . Your parents died when you were quite young , and you were left without any provision having been made for you; your father's sister , Mrs Rawson , took you in and educated you . Your mother's people did not even acknowl edge you , since she had made a runaway match soon after the 1914-18 war with the son of a groom on her father's estate in Wales. He was educated and had procured a small post teaching in a school in the south of Spain , but his health failed when you were born - some years after the marriage - and he became a permanent invalid ; from that time your mother earned a living for you all . She applied to her family for assistance in educating you , but they would have nothing to do with you ... " Now y
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The second takes after his uncle and is another rolling stone and bad egg " . He was also in the army , but he cleared off some time ago and hasn't been heard of since ; the youngest son is a scholar , and there is one daughter . Margaret . After the war things went very badly with the house of Magnus ; excessive taxes and the rising cost of living ; the failure of investments made it impossible for them to carry on . And then Peter McGurtrie came on the scene again . It appeared he had made a fortune in South America ; and at one time was president of a republic there . No doubt he took advantage of his usual graft , which enabled him to build up his fortune , but he was luckier than most – he got away with it , and it was all safely invested , in Britain and the States . Seeing that his brother was in such dire straits he took a mortgage on Kilrossan Castle and allowed Sir Archibald an annual income ; no one knew anything about this - it was just between the two brothers .
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Lucy left the lawyer's office with her head in a whirl . She could hardly believe in the good fortune which had befallen her . But the crisp five pound notes which Mr Tredegar had given her for the purpose of providing herself with a wardrobe , now snugly reposing in her handbag , were proof enough . She had been told to go and shop and then meet him at the Ritz for a cocktail and lunch . He would have suggested one of those charming little Soho restaurants , but Lucy Alberto was an unknown quantity , and he thought that he had better go carefully and treat her in a formal and very conventional manner at first . He had said he would send one of his clerks round to explain to Mrs Rawson that her niece would not be back . It was only afterwards Joan remembered that she still had the ration books in her handbag , so the former would be unable to do her own shopping . Oh , well , what did it matter ? Aunt Ella Rawson had no control over her now . She was to leave
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In Love With A Stranger Chapter 52
' You're making fun of me . ' " That's the last thing I'd be likely to do , child . Marriage is a serious matter , I wondered if you have thought it out carefully , tried to imagine what life with Donald will be like . Oh , I'm not running my brother down ; he's a good sort and I respect him , but he's no husband for a girl like you ... I remember you telling me what a wretched life you've led - no fun , no parties , nothing like ordinary girls . Well , that's the sort of life you'll continue to lead if marry Donald . He has one love - and that is learning . Lucy raised her head and looked Jerry McGurtrie full in the face . " You're jealous ! ' she accused . ' So you think that's it ? I don't believe I have anything to be jealous of , because you don't love him ... You know nothing about love , do you ? As she remained silent he drew nearer to her , put his hand under her chin and forced her face up close to his , then bending a little , he kissed her full on
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 51
She had to think some excuse for her peace of changed attitude towards him and this seemed a feasible one . " You told me it was Sergio Dim , while all the time you were Jerry McGurtrie . Sergio Dim was the name I used , so there was no you my real name , lie about that . Why should I have told since I had dropped it entirely ? I did not dream that you were my cousin . As a matter of fact , I was hardly aware that such a person as Lucy Alberto existed . Donald knew more of our family history than I. You mustn't forget that I had been away for a long time . You told me about the letter from the lawyer , but you omitted to mention the name of the firm , so how could I know there was a connection between us . Come on , my dear girl , you must be fair . " You didn't tell me who you were when I saw you by the creek , ' she pointed out . You let me go on thinking that you were - were - * I didn't get very much chance to tell you , did I ? I should have done , but Donald forestalle
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There was an absorbed serious air about her which went straight to his heart ; she looked like a child playing at being an adult . He tiptoed up behind her and while she was still unaware of his presence bent and kissed the back of her neck . Oh ! She swung round , and as she did so he caught her hands . Blue eyes blazed into grey , anger and something that looked suspiciously like fear in hers. Now don't say what I know you are going to say , he cried . You're not really angry with me . I'll admit I took an unfair advantage of you just now , but the temptation was irresistible . I want to talk to you , Lucy, and so far you've not given me the opportunity . ' I've nothing to say to you , and I can't think what you can possibly have to say to me , ' she retorted , trying to make her voice sound cold , and failing. Please let go my wrists , ' she added . But he held them the tighter . " No , I won't let them go . If I do you'll jump up and run off ... Lucy , tell me ,
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 49
Jerry McGurtrie was fishing ; he had come out in the boat with Fergus , the piper's son , because he wanted to get away from the rest of his family , and think out his course of action in the immediate future . He had now been at Kilrossan a week , and the time had come to decide what he was going to do . Should he stand aside and leave Donald a free field with the heiress , or should he marry her himself ? Although Lucy had tried to avoid him on every possible occasion since his arrival at the castle , he knew that he had only to exert himself and he could take her from his brother . She was not adept at hiding her feelings and he was quite sure that she was in love with him . Their first meeting had been a most romantic one , and all she had heard of him since had done nothing to dispel her first impression . He was the prodigal son ; the ne'er - do - well ; the adventurer who refused to conform to the McGurtrie pattern and lead a conventional life - all attr
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 48
' I have one , but I don't think I appreciate it as I should , he informed her . ' In future I may do . She avoided his eyes ; the way he looked at her made her feel embarrassed . She did not even know whether he was a single man , there might be a wife in that home he spoke of - someone who cared for him and waited for him to come back to her . But she couldn't ask , it would look like ... it would look like ... " There's someone coming , ' he said at length . ' And he seems to be trying to attract your attention . Lucy turned in the direction he indicated and saw Donald striding down from the castle ; he was beckoning to her and seemed to be rather put out about something . He would be more put out when he realized she had a friend with her - if she could call Sergio Dim a friend , she had not wanted the two men to meet yet awhile - why she should feel a difference about it she could not tell , but she would have given anything to run away at that moment and keep on runnin
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 47
Very kind of you . ' She spoke a little breathlessly. You understand I - I am staying with relations , and and ... " Don't worry , I won't get in the way , he retorted , amused at her flounderings . The funny little soul was so transparent if she did but realize it . It would not be easy for her to hide anything . She was afraid that Donald would resent a stranger , as he very probably would . But Donald was going to get the shock of his life presently . " I haven't congratulated you yet on your very good fortune , ' Jerry said . " What are you going to do with all that money ? ' " It - it will mostly be spent on the estate , I suppose , ' she replied . ' Really I ' t given it a thought . But it's nice to be able to buy what I want and not feel I've got to economize on something else . Nice " is rather a tame expression to use , ' he laughed . ' I expected to find you much more enthusiastic . Big Eyes , you seem to have lost your enthusiasm for a lot of things . Are yo
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 46
The horizon was all flushed with it ... great bands of gold and flame , stretching as far as the eye could see , and overhead a limpid green rather like that seen in Egyptian skies . Jerry McGurtrie realized that he was not alone ; a girl was standing with her back to him staring across at the sunset - a young , slender girl with dark hair blown about by the wind , shoes with heels much too high for her , and a dress of the softest crêpe de Chine trimmed with fur . He trod very gently until he was only a few feet away from her . ' Hello , Big Eyes ! ' he said . The girl whipped round and he found himself gazing into the same large scared grey eyes as on that occasion when she had caught him enjoying a stolen meal in her aunt's dining - room in Fakenham Road . ' It's - not - you ? ' she gasped in a failing voice , her and flying instinctively up to her mouth , and going so pale that he took a quick step forward and slid an arm about her waist . ' I say , hold hard , y
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 45
I've nothing to complain of ... She blushed and cast down her eyes . ' We'll be gettin ' a baire come Michaelmas , " she added in an embarrassed tone . " That's great . Mind you ask me to stand godfather. Will you take me across to Kilrossan in your boat? ' The tall fair - haired young fellow nodded dourly . Yeah, he replied , being a man of few words . The crossing was as rough as usual , but Jerry did not mind it ; he had been born and brought up at Kilrossan and a rough sea was as familiar to him as a suburban street to other men . He took a hand at the oars , and he pulled across and landed to the right of the rocks . ' Go up to the house and ask Miss Margaret for something to eat , ' said Jerry as he leaped agilely out of the boat and helped Duncan drag it across the sand . " You needn't say you've brought me over . I want to surprise them . " He set off across the rocky ground towards the creek on the other side of the castle , his hands thrust into his p
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 44
Jerry McGurtrie arrived at Oncar in the early evening , he was not expected so there was no boat coming across from the island , but he did not mind . He was well known in the little town and strolled down to the quayside where the fishermen were drying their nets , pausing to speak to those he remembered . ' It's the young laird . ' The words flew from mouth to mouth , and men left their boats , women came to the doors of their houses ; bare - footed girls ran out , clutching shawls round their shoulders , to stare at the tall dark - haired blue eyed man with the broad shoulders and rangy figure , whom the older ones among them recalled as a baby , and later as a mischievous schoolboy always up to pranks . ' I want to get across , " he told them . ' Yes , I've come unexpectedly . I take it the laird and the rest of the family are in residence ? ' "aye , sir . ' One of the women pushed her way forward and curtseyed . ' Miss Margaret , she was here a bit ago , with th
