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Chapter 17
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 18
" But will they agree to the terms of the will ? Joan protested . ' It cannot be pleasant for either of them to marry a girl they know nothing of , and whose acquaintance they have only just made . ' It's not quite so bad as all that , ' Mr Tredegar smiled . ' Each will have a chance of getting to know you really well , and the marriage will not take place until you are ready for it . I am quite sure Donald will be prepared to carry out the terms of the will and save Kilrossan Castle . He is like his father and has a strong sense of duty . Jerry now ... well , Jerry is unpredictable , but often in crises such as this the black sheep suddenly awakens to his family responsibilities and it is not as if you were a stranger , my dear Miss Alberto, you are one of the family . ' They never thought so , ' said Joan , and she recalled a little bitterly the hard struggle the mother she could barely remember had had to keep going with a young child and an invalid husband
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 19
Perhaps even now we would be able to put Peter McGurtrie's money to good. Mr Tredegar had said that it was left to her absolutely provided she fulfilled the condition laid down in the will. That condition ! It was difficult to think about it - her mind kept shying away from the subject . Her life had been so dull and full of work that she had never thought of marriage ; she had never met young men , nor had a chance to lead the life that a normal young girl should ; and she knew nothing whatever about love and marriage , save the bare facts of life , which girls learn in their cradles nowadays .Of the art of attracting a man , making him fall in love , keeping his love after marriage , and managing him when he had become a husband , she was entirely ignorant .She supposed her cousin Donald would propose to her , and she would accept him ; she would not feel justified in refusing him , for i would mean that the McGurtries would suffer financially , and the mortgage on
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 20
Alberto the heiress , who would soon be engaged to Sir Angus McGurtrie's son , had nothing in comnion with the hero of that episode . Lucy had never been able to shop ad lib . befere , for she'd had no money to spend on anything but the barest necessities , and then had to account to Aunt Ella for every penny she had parted with . What a change now !She indulged her love of colour to the full , and discarded the plaid frock of which she had been so proud without a qualm . She hadn't time to have her hair washed and set it did not need a ' perm ' , as there was a natural kink in it , which a clever hairdresser could coax into big smooth waves . She wondered whether she should discard her fringe , and thought that she had better not - her new clothes made her look a stranger ;she did not want to be unable to recognize herself when she looked in a mirror . She bought some cosmetics and got the girl behind the perfumery counter of a large store to apply them for her , an
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 21
And tell herself that hotels such as this will be her proper environment from now on , she tried think of the extent of her fortune and failed ; all she could Visualize was a succession of five and ten pound notes stretching endlessly to the horizon . Mr Tredegar was waiting for her and he got up the moment she entered .Punctual again , Miss Lucy ! Now , can I tempt you to a cocktail ? ' " I've never had one in my life , ' she replied breathlessly as she sank down on a comfortable couch . Then it is high time you started . He made a sign to the waiter and ordered two White Ladies . ' A most innocuous drink I assure you , he told her . He was eyeing her critically . She had certainly interpreted literally his sug gestion that she should do the thing in style when she went shopping . Her clothes were really too much for such a simple occasion as lunch with one's solicitor ; she might have been going to a garden party at Buckingham Palace .She would have a lot to learn
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 22
A great pity Peter McGurtrie had nusias ... , dud would not refuse him , for at this stage of her elo , any man could capture her . Later on , however , she become thoroughly bored with her husband , a marriage might end in disaster . If Lucy had been qui he would have had a try for her himself , thought Mr Tredegar , and he would probably have succeeded . knew how to handle shy girls , and he would draw Lucy very , very gradually , until she came to him of her own will . It would have been a distinct advantage to have with all that money , and if she were a little trying were always means of amusing oneself without her ing . He could have been very good to the funny little taught her everything she needed to know , and kept love with him . A couple of babies would have an her and her money for good . But since she lost the money unless she married ont the McGurtrie boys , and without it she was of no inter whatever , Maurice Tredego realized that he must think himself
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 23
Now I have the tickets and have booked sleepers for to - night ; also sent a wire to Kilrossan telling your relations to expect you - they will have to make arrangements for you to cross... You will find it lonely at first , but I shall be stay or a few days and you can call on me whenever you ostalgia for Sevila . " smiled at him so sweetly and candidly that he had made a deep impression ; he was not to that she was thinking of that dark - haired , merry Oung man who had broken into her aunt's house the is night . She stood on the tiny jetty gazing across at the island . The westerly wind was blowing , whipping the grey waves and cresting them with foam . Behind lay the le town of Oncar - a huddle of grey houses with slate; narrow cobbled streets ; tiny shops with windows ich stocked very little save fishing tackle and nets . There e a number of men in kilts with plaids slung over their woulders or the quayside row watching the loading of a iny steamer by fishermen 13
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 24
At the great main entrance and she was surprised to see the number of flowers growing in it . Donald is an enthusiastic gardener , ' said Maurice Tredego . Particularly where rock plants are concernea . He sends all over the world for different specimens . Up a flight of worn grey steps to the open front door , solid and nail - studded , and so into a huge gloomy hall with two stained - glass windows throwing beams of coloured light across the broad ornamental staircase and just touch ing the musicians ' gallery at the top. Ancient and tattered colours hung from either side of the stone fireplace where the arms of the McGurtries were carved , and Lucy saw several antlers on the walls . A couple of shaggy dogs rose from the skin rug before the hearth and came forward , growling a little ' Be quiet , you two ! A tall thin man with an aesthetic face who walked with a limp , came forward ; quietening the dogs . He wore an ordinary tweed suit and no kilt ; there were pince - nez
In Love With A Stranger Chapter 25
Margaret McGurtrie was tall and large - boned , with a face of unusual beauty , had it been allied to a slender body she would have been able to hold her own with anyone tut she was too big , and all her movements were clumsy One was apt to overlook eyes of a violety - blue fringed by thick dark lashes , black hair with bluish lights in it , a wide and generous mouth and a pale honey - tinted skin , wher one was confronted with big feet , ugly hands , and a stride like a grenadier's , combined with a gruff mannish voice Margaret dressed in tweeds and heavy brogues which made her feet look even bigger ; her thick knitted stockings did not help , and she favoured fawns and greys which were the worst possible colours for her . " Sorry , I couldn't come across to the mainland to meet you , ' she said to Joan . ' But Phoebe , my mare , is foaling and I had to be in the stables ; we are afraid we are going to lose her . ' Isn't the foal born yet ? ' asked Sir Archibald . ' No , father . I
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