The Knapthorne Conspiracy by Malcolm Ballard (best english novels for beginners txt) 📕

known better than to let it affect her but the barb dug in deep and her eyes flashed angrily at Laura’s pathetic insinuation and the crudeness of the implication.

“Get out, Laura, if that’s all you’ve got to say!” she retorted, not having moved from the open door. Her sister laughed out loud. It wasn’t a pleasant sound.

“Ha! You don’t get rid of me that easily Miss high and mighty Arabella Foxton,” she replied, taking a seat in the nearest armchair. “I wondered what Rupert was going to leave you after I only got that piddling bit of jewellery!” Bella couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

“Laura!” she exclaimed, slamming the door shut. “That necklace is worth a lot of money. You’ve always had your eye on it…” Laura rounded on her before she could finish, a look of pure scorn on her face.

“A lot of money? Have you any idea of what that old bastard was worth Arabella?” Laura had never and would never call her sister Bella. “Old Rupe was as rich as Croesus! Even you must have figured that out after today, and all I get out of it is that fucking necklace. Still, you didn’t do too badly, did you?” Bella was absolutely fuming. Only Laura could wind her up like this.

“How dare you talk about Rupert like that. He was one of the kindest, most understanding men I’ve ever known. And, for your information, I had no idea he was going to leave me the cottage.”

“One of the kindest most understanding men I’ve ever known!” Laura mimicked the words, in a childlike voice, and then gave a harsh laugh. “You’re priceless, Arabella, you really are. Do you expect me to believe that? I know why you’ve been playing up to him over the years. And more besides, for all I know. Well, you’ve got what you wanted now, haven’t you?” Bella wanted to slap her hard and moved towards her with every intention of doing so.

“Go on then!” her sister goaded her. “That’d really look good in the headlines, wouldn’t it. Well known author Arabella Foxton sued for assault by her own sister. Should do wonders for your sales.” Bella had had enough.

“Get out, Laura. If you don’t leave immediately I’ll call the porter and have you thrown out!” Laura stood up slowly, a supercilious grin on her face.

“Really, sister dear, you ought to do something about that temper of yours. Old Rupe wouldn’t be too impressed if he could see you now.” She made her way to the door and Bella followed, at her shoulder. At the door Laura turned to her sister and smiled sweetly.

“The reason I called was just to let you know that I shall look forward to visiting you now you have a place in the country. Maggie and I would really love to borrow it one weekend.” Bella’s spirits hit the floor as Laura let herself out, closing the door behind her. She was literally shaking with rage, incensed by what had just taken place and really regretting the fact that she hadn’t slapped her sister. Whatever the consequences might have been, she thought, it would have made me feel a hell of a lot better. In an effort to calm herself, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ‘So much for having a nice relaxing bath” she muttered, indignantly, resisting an overwhelming urge to scream.

Come Sunday morning the trauma of Laura’s visit had faded, helped in no small way by the anticipation with which Bella was looking forward to the day ahead. Sunday was usually reserved for indulging herself. A lie-in then a pub lunch with friends being the highlights of the day. This day, she had risen at 6am, showered, then taken a great deal of care in selecting her outfit, a reflection of what she thought of Ben Hollingsworth. Bella was a natural clothes-horse, seemingly able to add style to a pair of faded jeans or an old shirt. She instinctively knew what suited her personality and dressed with a casual elegance, the envy of many of her women friends. Needless to say, Laura had always despised her for being able to look so good and having the colouring to wear just about anything. After having had a light breakfast, as instructed, and inspecting her make-up one last time she had left home at 7.40am for the short journey to The Strand. Ben Hollingsworth arrived at five minutes before eight, which pleased Bella immensely as she became seriously annoyed when people were late for appointments. If Ben had have turned up at five past or, God forbid, twenty past eight he would have gone way down in Bella’s estimation, unless he had phoned to let her know. What she didn’t know was the drama he had gone through to even get there and how close he had come to not turning up at all. As he walked up to her, he was beaming broadly, as though he hadn’t a care in the world. Dressed in green cords and dark brown loafers with a lemon-coloured lambswool sweater over a light checked shirt he looked relaxed and happy, even though he might not have felt it.

“You look stunning,” he announced. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to today. This your car?” he asked, indicating the Alfa parked at the kerb.

“Certainly is. How do I get to the car park?” He took her arm, motioning her towards the car as the tantalising fragrance of her perfume wafted over him.

“I’ll jump in and show you where to go. Just take the first on the left.” They got in the car and Ben directed her to the car park. Once there they parked the Alfa and transferred to his silver BMW. Before long, they were heading north, out of London.

“Excuse me, for sounding a little confused,” Bella ventured. “But when I last looked at a map, Dorset was to the south-west. Do you know something that I