[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
strict social hierarchy. The nouveaux riches lived on Commonwealth
Avenue, and the social climbers on Newbury Street.
Less affluent old families lived on Marlborough Street. Back Bay was the
city's newest and most prestigious address, but Beacon Hill was still
the citadel for Boston's oldest and wealthiest families. It was a rich
mixture. of Victorian townhouses and brownstones, old churches and chid
shopping areas. Rose Hill, the Stanford estate, was a beautiful old
Victorian house that stood amid three acres of land on Beacon Hill. The
house that the Stanford children had grown-up in was filled with
unpleasant memories. When the limousines arrived in front of the house,
the passengers got out and stared up at the old mansion. ' can't believe
Father isn't going to be inside, waiting for us,' Kendall said.
133 Woody grinned. ''s too busy trying to run things In hell.' Tyler
took a deep breath. ''s go.' As they approached the front door it
opened, and Clark, the butler, stood there. He was in his seventies, a
dignified, capable servant who had ' at Rose Hill for more than thirty
years. He had watched the children grow up, and had lived through all
the scandals. Clark's face lit up as he saw the group. ' afternoon!'
Kendall gave him a warm hug. ', ifs so good to see you again-' ' been a
long time, Miss. Kendall.' ''s Mrs. Renaud now. This is my husband,
Marc.' ' do you do, sir?' "My wife has told me a great deal about you.'
' too terrible I hope,'sir.' , the contrary.
She has only fond memories of YOU. ' you, sir.1 Clark turned to Tyler. '
afternoon, Judge Stanford.' ', Clark.' . ''s a pleasure to see you, sir.' ' you. You're -looking very well.' ' are
you, sir. I'm so sorry
about what has happened.' ' you. Are you set up here to take care of all
of us?' 134 Goh, yes. I think we can make everyone comfortable. ' I in
my old room?' Clark smiled. ' right.' He turned to Woody. 411m pleased
to see you, Mr. Woodrow. I want to -' Woody grabbed Peggy's arm. ' on,'
he said curtly. ' want to get freshened up.' The others watched as Woody
pushed past them ' took Peggy upstairs. The rest of the group walked
file:///G|/EBOOKS/Fiction1/Sidney%20Sheldon/MorningNoon%20Night.txt (56 of 148)10/9/2004 10:22:22 PM
file:///G|/EBOOKS/Fiction1/Sidney%20Sheldon/MorningNoon%20Night.txt
into the huge drawing room. The room was dominated by a pair of massive
Louis XIV armoires.
Scattered around the room were a giltwood console table with a molded
marble top, and an array of exquisite period chairs and couches. An olu
chandelier hung from the high ceiling. On the walls were dark medieval
paintings. Clark turned to Tyler. ' Stanford, I have a message for you.
Mr. Simon Fitzgerald would like you to telephone him to tell him when it
would be convenient to arrange a meeting with the family.' ' is Simon
Fitzgeraldt Marc asked. Kendall replied. ''s the family attorney. Father
has been with him forever but we've never met him.' ' presume he wants
to discuss the disposition of the estate,' Tyler said.
He turned to the others. ' it's all right with all of you, I'll. arrange
for him to meet us here tomorrow morning.' ' w;ll be fine,' Kendall
said. 135 ' chef is preparing dinner,'Clark told them.'Will eight
o'clock be satisfactory?' ',' Tyler said. ' you.' ' and Millie will show
you to your rooms.' Tyler turned to his sister and her husband. ''ll
meet down here at eight, shall we?' As Woody and Peggy entered their
bedroom upstairs, Peggy asked, ' you all right?' ''m fine,' Woody
snapped. ' me alone.' She watched him go into the bathroom and slam the
door shut. She stood there, waiting.
Ten minutes later, Woody came out. He was smiling. ', baby.' '."
"Well, how do you like the old house?' ''s ... it's enormous.' ''s a
monstrosity.' He walked over to the bed and put his arms around Peggy.
"This is my old room. These walls were covered with sports posters - the
Bruins, the Celtics, the Red Sox. I wanted to be an athlete. I had big
dreams. In my senior year in boarding school, I was captain of the
football team. I got offers of admission from half a dozen college
coaches.' ' one did you take?' He shook his head. ' of them. My father
said they were only interested in the Stanford name, that they just
wanted money from him. He sent me to an engineering school where they
didn't play football.' 136 He was silent for a moment. Then he mumbled,
' could'a been a contenda .. She looked at him puzzled.
"Whaff He looked up. ''t you ever see On the Waterfront?' 6NO. t ' was a
line that Marlon Brando said. It means we both got screwed.' ' father
must have been touih.' Woody gave a short, derisive laugh.
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about him. I remember when
file:///G|/EBOOKS/Fiction1/Sidney%20Sheldon/MorningNoon%20Night.txt (57 of 148)10/9/2004 10:22:22 PM
file:///G|/EBOOKS/Fiction1/Sidney%20Sheldon/MorningNoon%20Night.txt
I was just a kid, I fell off a horse. I wanted to get back on and ride
again. My father wouldn't let Ine..You'll never be a rider," he said.
"You're too clumsy."' Woody looked up at her. ''s why I became a
nine-goal polo player.' They came together at the dinner
table,,strangers to one another, seated in an uncomfortable silence,
their only connection childhood traumas. Kendall looked around the room.
Terrible memories mingled with an appreciation for its beauty. The
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]