He shook his head. "Couldn't run it on what was left if I did. I don't mind. I've got you."
They walked on. "If Paula and Joe didn't want it sold - if they were willing to forgo their share of the price, you could keep it. Nat meant you to have it. I always thought that was why he bought it."
"It was, originally. It's all right, Mathilda. I shan't mind - much. The only thing I couldn't bear would be to see Joe here."
"Well, you won't: he doesn't like the place."
The saturnine look came back into his lace. "You know nothing of what Joe likes or dislikes. None of us does."
"He's never made any secret of the fact that historic houses don't appeal to him."
"Reason enough to assume they do. I fancy Joe would like enormously to be Lord of the Manor. But he shan't be. Not unless he chooses to buy it. I'll stand out for a sale - and run the bidding up, too!"
"Why do you hate Joe so bitterly, Stephen?" she asked quietly.
He glanced down at her, a derisive expression in his hard eyes. "I hate Joe for his hypocrisy."
"Do you think he can help acting? It's second nature, I believe."