The Brandons - Angela Thirkell

One hot July day, Mrs Lavinia Brandon, the beautiful, diplomatic and universally adored widow of Henry Brandon, receives an ominous summons.
Henry's Aunt Sissie, a formidable and wealthy elderly spinster, has requested a visit from her relatives with a view to deciding whom should inherit her home.
As Aunt Sissie increasingly takes to her bed, Mr Grant falls perilously in love with Lavinia, his cringingly embarrassing mother makes a thorough nuisance of herself, Sir Edmund, an old friendof the Brandons, insists on misunderstanding everyone, and Miss Morris, Sissie's companion is comtemplating a jobless future with a sense of relief...