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

Surprise gave way to disbelief and her hands went to her mouth, fingers steepled over her lips, as the news sunk in. A sixth sense drew her gaze to where Laura was seated and she was shocked by the malicious look on her sister’s face. “The bequest stipulates,” the solicitor continued, “that if Miss Foxton tires of the property at any time, or has no further use for it, the cottage must be sold and the proceeds distributed to a charity or charities of her choice.”

By the time Ben Hollingsworth had fielded questions at the end of his reading of the will and made a short closing address, nearly an hour and a half had passed since the meeting had started. People were talking in an animated fashion as they left the room and Bella hung back, in no hurry to depart especially if it meant running in to Laura. As she stood watching everyone leave, Ben Hollingsworth picked up his folder from the desk and made his way over to her.

“Surprised?” was all he said.

“More like stunned, really,” Bella answered. “It was totally unexpected and so generous!”

“Rupert thought you’d be pleased. He was a canny fellow you know. Had great insight where people were concerned and he thought the world of you.” And it’s not difficult to see why, Ben thought, as he sensed himself falling under her spell. “He had a feeling about your latest book….”

“If it wasn’t for Rupert,” she interjected, “I know the book wouldn’t have had the same impact. He allowed me to witness the anguish and torment that both he and Claire went through after her stroke in a way that I don’t think many people would have been prepared to do. Not only was he brutally honest about his own views on the subject but he also revealed how much he loved his wife and how her suffering was affecting him. If I could ever find a man who loved me half as much as he loved his wife, I’d consider myself lucky.” The sincerity of her words touched him.

“I think you’re very lucky to have had an uncle like Rupert. He always impressed me with his humility and there’s not many people I can say that about today. Especially from the circles he moved in.” Bella nodded in agreement, then gave a deep sigh.

“So, Mr. Ben Hollingsworth, what happens now?” Had he wished, he could have chosen to interpret the question as he saw fit but knew she was alluding to the matter of the cottage.

“There’s the inevitable paperwork, I’m afraid, but little more than that to take care of. I can arrange a time for you to come in…”

“Where did you get my mobile number from, incidentally?” she asked, with mock suspicion.

“Your publisher was kind enough to give it to me, once I had established my identity.” He looked pensive, for a moment. “Do you know Willow Cottage, at all? I mean, have you ever been there?” She appeared to be amused by his comment. “Have I said something funny?”

“Not at all! Please don’t get me wrong,” she said, placing a hand on his sleeve, briefly, in a placatory gesture. The intimacy of her touch was unexpected and he wasn’t prepared for the small shockwave that raced through him. He searched her eyes for any response, sensing that it was a shared experience rather than his alone, and wasn’t disappointed with what he saw there. It prompted an idea that quickly began to take shape in his mind.

“It just occurred to me,” Bella continued, interrupting his train of thought, “that I’m getting all excited about Willow Cottage and it could be derelict, for all I know!” It was Ben’s turn to laugh, that engaging chuckle of his that she’d heard down the phone.

“So, you mean to say you’ve got no idea what you’ve inherited from your uncle?” Still laughing, she shook her head. “Well, there’s a simple way to put that right. If you’re free, why don’t I take you down there, this weekend? I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.”

“With the cottage, you mean?” she replied, with a grin.

“What else?” he answered, half in jest. “Seriously, as the executor of your uncle’s will I would consider it no less than my duty to show you the cottage. We could be down there and back in a day. Strictly business. What do you say?” Bella couldn’t deny she was intrigued by the thought of seeing the cottage. And a day spent with Ben Hollingsworth wouldn’t be a great hardship. He seemed like good company.

“Ok, it’s a deal. I’ve got my first free weekend for months. Saturday or Sunday?” He thought for a moment, before answering, knowing that he’d have to move heaven and earth to make either.

“Can you meet me here, outside, at 8-o-clock Sunday morning? We can leave your car in the company car park, out back.”

“Consider it done. Will I need to bring anything?” she asked, as they walked towards the boardroom door.

“Not that I can think of but it’s probably best you only have a light breakfast,” he answered jovially, shutting the door behind them. “See you Sunday, then,” he said by way of a farewell, leaving her looking more than a little perplexed by his comment.

All the way back to her Holland Park flat, as she negotiated her sporty, red Alfa Romeo through the heavy London traffic, Bella could hardly contain her excitement. Following hard on the heels of the news about the cottage, she now  faced the prospect of being able to view it, at the weekend, and could look forward to the company of Ben Hollingsworth. While caught at a set of traffic lights in Edgware Road, she contemplated the man she was about to spend Sunday with, a man she knew nothing whatsoever about. There were two types of men in Bella’s life. Those that she was attracted to instantly and those that she had known over a long period of time and