Best Kept Secret (The Clifton Chronicles 3)

'Clearly,' said Virginia, leaving them to go off in search of Giles, as she felt it was time for the guests to leave.

Giles accompanied the vicar to the front door, which was taken as a sign by the remainder of the guests that the time had come for everyone else to depart. When he closed the door for the last time, he breathed a sigh of relief, and returned to the drawing room to join the family.

'Well, I think that went as well as could be expected in the circumstances,' he said.

'One or two of the hangers-on treated it more like a feast than a wake,' said Virginia.

'Would you mind, old chap,' Giles said, turning to Harry, 'if we dressed for dinner? Virginia feels strongly about that sort of thing.'

'One can't afford to let standards slip,' volunteered Virginia.

'My father couldn't have let them slip much further,' said Grace, which caused Harry to stifle a laugh. 'But I'm afraid you'll have to count me out. I have to get back to Cambridge as I have a supervision to prepare. In any case,' she added, 'I came dressed for a funeral, not a dinner party. Don't bother to show me out.'

Giles was waiting in the drawing room when Harry and Emma came down for dinner.

Marsden poured them each a dry sherry, then left the room to check that everything was running to schedule.

'A sad occasion,' said Harry. 'Let's drink to a great lady.'

'To a great lady,' said Giles and Emma, raising their glasses as Virginia swept into the room.

'Were you talking about me, by any chance?' she asked, without any suggestion of irony.

Giles laughed, while Emma could only admire the magnificent silk taffeta gown that swept away any memories of Virginia's mourning weeds. Virginia touched her diamond and ruby necklace to make sure Emma hadn't missed it.

'What a beautiful piece of jewellery,' said Emma on cue, as Giles handed Virginia a gin and tonic.

'Thank you,' said Virginia. 'It belonged to my great-grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Westmorland, who bequeathed it to me in her will. Marsden,' she said, turning to the butler, who had just returned, 'the flowers in my room are beginning to wilt. Perhaps you could replace them before I retire this evening.'

'Certainly, m'lady. When you are ready, Sir Giles, dinner is served.'

'I don't know about you,' said Virginia, 'but I'm famished. Shall we go through?' Without waiting for a reply, she linked arms with Giles and led them all out of the room.

During the meal, Virginia regaled them with stories about her ancestors, making them sound like the backbone of the British Empire. Generals, bishops, cabinet ministers, and of course a few black sheep, she admitted  -  what family doesn't have one or two of those? She hardly drew breath until the dessert had been cleared, when Giles dropped his bombshell. He tapped his wine glass with a spoon to ensure he had everyone's attention.

'I have some wonderful news to share with you,' he announced. 'Virginia has paid me the great honour of consenting to be my wife.'

An uneasy silence followed, until Harry eventually said, 'Many congratulations.' Emma somehow managed a weak smile. As Marsden uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled their glasses, Harry couldn't help thinking that Elizabeth had only been in her grave for a few hours before Virginia had fulfilled her prophecy.

'Of course, once we're married,' said Virginia, touching Giles gently on his cheek, 'there are bound to be a few changes around here. But I can't imagine that will come as much of a surprise,' she said, smiling warmly at Emma.

Giles appeared so bewitched by her every word that he simply nodded his approval whenever she came to the end of a sentence.

'Giles and I,' she continued, 'plan to move into Barrington Hall soon after we're married, but as a general election is on the cards, the wedding will have to be put off for a few months, which should give you more than enough time to find somewhere else to live.'

Emma put down her glass of champagne and stared at her brother, who didn't meet her gaze.

'I'm sure you'll understand, Emma,' he said, 'that we'd like to begin our married life with Virginia as the mistress of Barrington Hall.'

'Of course,' said Emma. 'Frankly, I'll be only too happy to return to the Manor House, where I spent so many happy years as a child.'

Virginia glared at her fiance.

'Ah,' Giles eventually managed. 'I had intended to give Virginia the Manor House as a wedding present.'

Emma and Harry glanced at each other, but before either of them could speak, Virginia said, 'I have two elderly aunts, both of whom have recently been widowed. It will be so convenient for them.'

'Giles, have you even considered what might be convenient for Harry and me?' asked Emma, staring directly at her brother.

'Perhaps you could move into one of the cottages on the estate?' suggested Giles.

'I don't think that would be appropriate, my darling,' said Virginia, taking his hand. 'We mustn't forget that I plan to have a large household, in keeping with my position as the daughter of an earl.'

'I have no desire to live in a cottage on the estate,' said Emma, spitting out the words. 'We can afford to buy our own home, thank you.'

'I'm sure you can, my dear,' said Virginia. 'After all, Giles tells me Harry is quite a successful author.'

Emma ignored the comment and, turning to her brother, said, 'How can you be so sure that the Manor House is yours to give away?'

'Because some time ago, Mama took me through her will line by line. I'd be only too happy to share its contents with you and Harry if you think it might help you plan for the future.'

'I really don't think it's appropriate to discuss Mama's will on the day of her funeral.'

'I don't want to appear insensitive, my dear,' said Virginia, 'but as I'll be returning to London in the morning, and will be spending most of my time preparing for the wedding, I think it would be best to sort out these matters while we're all together.' She turned to Giles, and gave him the same sweet smile.

'I agree with Virginia,' said Giles. 'No time like the present. And I can assure you, Emma, Mother has made more than adequate provision for both you and Grace. She has left you ten thousand pounds each, and divided her jewellery equally between you. And she's left Sebastian five thousand, which he'll inherit when he comes of age.'

'Such a fortunate child,' said Virginia. 'She's also given her Turner of Lock at Cleveland to Jessica, but it will remain in the family until she's twenty-one.' In that one sentence, Virginia revealed that Giles had shared the details of his mother's will with his fiancee, before bothering to tell either Emma or Grace. 'Most generous,' continued Virginia, 'remembering that Jessica is not even a member of the family.'

'We look upon Jessica as our daughter,' said Harry sharply, 'and treat her as such.'

'Half-sister, I think would be more accurate,' said Virginia. 'And we mustn't forget that she's a Barnardo's orphan, as well as being Jewish. I suppose it's because I come from Yorkshire that I have a tendency to call a spade a spade.'

'And I suppose it's because I come from Gloucestershire,' said Emma, 'that I have a tendency to call a scheming bitch a scheming bitch.'