Anne Mather - Relative Sins

‘No, he hasn’t,’ said Sara tersely, the sight of the boy and man together doing unpleasant things to her insides. ‘I—Ben and I are going shopping. We need warmer clothes than those we’ve got at present.’

Ben’s cry of outrage only narrowly missed being echoed by his uncle. ‘Shopping?’ he exclaimed. ‘Can’t you go shopping tomorrow? It’s a beautiful morning. It’s a shame to waste it going into town.’

Sara’s lips tightened. ‘Nevertheless—’

‘Nevertheless—what?’ Alex’s expression had hardened somewhat. ‘Is it really necessary to punish the child because you’re angry with me? I’ve said we need to talk, and I mean it. So don’t make me say something now we’ll both regret.’ He paused. ‘I’ll ask again; may I take Ben out for an hour or so this morning? I’m sure you can find other things to do.’

Sara’s resentment was crippling, but there was no mistaking the threat in Alex’s voice. She didn’t know exactly what he meant—what he knew —but she couldn’t risk him saying anything controversial in front of her son. ‘I…Oh, very well.’ She gave in ungraciously. ‘But I shall hold you personally responsible for his safety; is that understood?’

‘Of course.’ Alex’s dark eyes were vaguely sardonic.

‘And…and how come you’ve got a pony for him to ride? I thought your father only bred hunters.’

‘He does.’ Alex set Ben on his feet and then regarded her steadily. ‘We’re boarding it while the bailiff’s son and his family are away. Don’t worry. I’ll see Ben comes to no harm. He is the parents’ only grandchild, after all.’

Sara turned away. She didn’t need a reminder that, for all that she had longed desperately for another child, there had been no more pregnancies after Ben. Not that Harry had ever reproached her, she remembered. On the contrary, he had always assured her that he was content with the child they had. But then, Harry had always been there for her, in whatever way she needed him…

‘He’ll need to wear something warm.’

Alex’s voice followed her as she moved across the polished floor, and she glanced round, beckoning Ben to come to her side. ‘He doesn’t have a hat,’ she said, her voice clipped and flat. ‘I thought that was essential before you got on a horse.’

‘It’s a pony, Mum!’ exclaimed Ben, but Alex’s reply overrode him.

‘He can borrow Robin’s. I’m pretty sure it will fit. Robin’s only eight, you see. And rather small at that.’

‘Come on, Mum!’

Ben’s impatience was showing, and despite her reluctance she allowed him to tug her towards the stairs. ‘You—you will look after him, won’t you?’ she demanded at last. She twisted her hands together. ‘He’s never been on a horse before. Harry—Harry was never very interested in—in animals.’

‘I know.’ Alex’s eyes were guarded. ‘He was my brother for twenty-eight years before he was your husband. I knew everything there was to know about him. Including his weaknesses…but I don’t suppose you want to hear about them.’

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.