must have lodged it with his solicitor, surely.’
‘He’ll have kept his own copy. He did everything in duplicate.’
‘That’s true.’
Annoyed at the intrusion, he put the papers aside and rose to his feet.
‘Why do you need to bother me, Luke?’
‘There’s something we must discuss.’
‘If it’s what I think, you’re wasting your breath. That matter is long over and done with. Forget all about it.’
‘Lydia is our sister . We can’t just ignore that fact.’
‘She left this family of her own accord and she is not coming back to it.’
‘I disagree.’
Lucas Quayle usually lost any arguments with his brother because the latter had established his dominance over a long period. This time, however, the younger man would not give way. Tall and well built, he had something of his father’s good looks and had cultivated a similar moustache. The resemblance ended there. While Vivian Quayle had been wholly committed to his responsibilities as the owner of some profitable coal mines, his second son had been more wayward, embarking on two or three different careers before abandoning each in turn, and feeling the lash of his father’s tongue and that of his elder brother’s. It was only when he’d married after a succession of dalliances that he’d introducedany stability into his life. It irked him that his brother still treated him like the aimless drifter he’d once been.
‘I think that we should get in touch with Lydia,’ he declared.
‘I won’t hear of it.’
‘She has a right to be here, Stanley.’
‘Lydia spurned this family and lost all claim on it as a result. When I finally find the will, I’ll guarantee that her name is never mentioned in it.’
‘Our sister is not expecting it to be. She and Father … broke apart decisively. I accept that. But the nature of his death will surely wipe away the old bitterness. Lydia needs to be told that she’s welcome in this house again.’
Stanley stamped a foot. ‘It will never happen while I’m here.’
‘Think of Mother. She’d want to see her daughter.’
‘Don’t drag Mother into this. I’m the head of the household now and my writ runs here. No more argument, Luke,’ he affirmed. ‘Lydia is persona non grata here.’
His brother was appalled. ‘Do you hate her so much?’
‘I don’t even acknowledge her existence.’
‘What’s happened to you, Stanley? You’ve changed since you took over the mines. Father could be callous when forced to be but you make a virtue of it. I don’t have to ask Mother or Agnes how they feel. I know that, in their hearts, they’re ready to forgive and forget. They’d love to see Lydia again.’
‘Well, it won’t happen.’
‘You can’t keep her away from the funeral if she chooses to come.’
‘Yes, I can. I’ll see that she’s refused entry to the church.’
‘Would you really do such a thing?’ asked his brother.
‘I’m confident that it won’t come to that,’ said the other, softening slightly, ‘but I’ll do what Father would have wanted and that’s to shun her completely. As for getting in touch with Lydia, we don’t even know where she is.’
‘I do,’ said the other.
For a few seconds, his brother was stunned. His eyes smouldered and, when he spoke again, his voice was dripping with accusation.
‘You dared to maintain a correspondence with her?’ Stanley grabbed his brother’s lapels.
‘I’m entitled to make my own decisions about Lydia.’
‘How long has this been going on?’
Lucas waved a hand. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘How long , I asked?’ demanded his brother.
‘I tracked her down a few months ago.’
‘Whatever for?’ he shouted, veins standing out on his temples.
‘I was curious.’
Stanley Quayle released him and stood back, eyeing him with complete disgust. Before he could say anything, there was a tap on the door and the butler entered with a telegraph. Aware of the taut atmosphere, he simply handed it to the elder