The Ghost of Glendale Read online

  “My future is my concern, ma’am,” she replied tersely for she would brook no interference. “Would you like me to have some tea brought in before I show you to your room? It is evident that my father has been detained.”

  “No thank you. Perhaps it is time I went to see how Lydia is getting on,” Sophia said, rising and judging it prudent to ignore what she felt was disrespect from her niece, for nothing was more certain than that she had been dismissed.

  “I suspect she is still fast asleep. Allow me to escort you to your chamber. I shall see you are called in time for supper.”

  Not wishing to exacerbate an already tense situation, Sophia had little choice than to comply, but Phoebe was biting her lip. While her aunt was a guest at Glendale it was ill-mannered indeed to have antagonised her, no matter the provocation. We are at loggerheads already and she hasn’t been in the house above an hour yet. However are we going to rub along for several weeks?

  Supper was not quite the ordeal Phoebe had anticipated. Edward had recovered his humour, Lydia her spirit and Sophia was evidently determined to exert herself to be nice (in her niece’s opinion, condescending) to everyone. The plans for her entertainment were made known to her and she expressed appreciation, not having expected, she said, that they would put themselves out to such a degree.

  “Invitations have not yet been despatched for we did not know exactly when to expect you but I shall see that they are delivered in the morning. Unless our immediate neighbours are free and can be persuaded to join us we shall dine quietly tomorrow. Thereafter I hope you will find there is sufficient to amuse you during your stay.”

  “You are too kind, my dear. Lydia and I thought only to escape the heat of the city. We did not anticipate you would go to so much trouble on our behalf.”

  “Would you prefer the solicitations remain unsent,” Phoebe asked, wide eyed and innocent, but she would not meet her father’s eye.

  “No, no. Now that your proposals are in place it would be a pity to forego them.”

  Chapter Four

  “It was fortunate that you weren’t present for I should certainly have given myself away, but I so wished you’d been there to enjoy the joke.”

  Phoebe and Duncan were sitting again on the fallen tree where they had first met. He had thought her a little overwrought in the stable yard but after a good canter she was as relaxed as ever in his company and smiling now as she related what had happened the previous evening.

  “Does she always rub you up the wrong way?”

  “Almost invariably, but when I stayed with her in London I was able to hold my tongue. I was her guest and it would have been unforgivably rude of me not to. Here at Glendale I will not have her cutting up my father’s peace. It seems to me that if I can inject some humour into the situation, be she never so aware, I am able to restrain myself.”

  “Is her understanding so inferior then?”

  “By no means. She is intelligent enough. Just that she has no sense of the ridiculous. I cannot believe how unalike she is to my mother who could make anyone laugh by merely a word or even a gesture.”

  “I wish I could have met her. I have a less than warm relationship with my own mother and never experienced the joy that is so obvious when you speak of yours.”

  Phoebe looked searchingly at him for it seemed he had become sad. He answered the question in her eyes.

  “She preferred my brother and was never at pains to hide it.”

  “Oh I’m so sorry!”

  As they walked the horses back, Phoebe invited him for supper that evening together with Rupert and his father.

  “We are to act as peacekeepers?”

  “Is that how it seems. I fear you are right and that subconsciously it was my intention. Nonetheless I would be delighted for myself if you could join us. It seems to me we have not yet shared a meal and I cannot remember the last time Rupert and Max dined with us.”

  “I shall accept your invitation gladly and will pass it on to the others. Do you have a difficult day ahead of you?”

  “No, for Lydia is a delight and reminds me so much of my mother. I need only escort my aunt about the house and show her one or two of our more grand possessions and she will be most affable.”

  “Sets a lot of store by that sort of thing, does she?”

  Phoebe went on to tease him about his own collection and to ask if he too set store by it. He countered by assuring her that he regarded each piece not as a possession but as a treasure of which he had the privilege to be the guardian. They parted company as they exited the wood but their anticipation of the evening to come left them both in high spirits.

  “We are invited, you, Max and I, to dine at Glendale this evening. You may know that Baroness Talbot and her daughter arrived yesterday.”

  Rupert laughed. “I’d like to see Sir Edward do the pretty at a formal occasion. More likely to excuse himself and disappear into his library. As for Phoebe, well she don’t much like to stand on ceremony either. You know what, I think maybe we should stay at home and enjoy a quiet game of piquet. I’ve just remembered what she told me about the aunt. A bit of a harridan, she said. Yes, definitely a game of piquet.”

  Duncan was having none of it. “Where is your chivalry, man? Miss Marcham needs you.”

  “No, you go. That will do the trick. I shall play with my father.” But Max, when the proposition was put to him, was all for visiting his friend. The fact that Edward employed a very fine chef might also have had some influence on his decision. Rupert gave in with good grace and the two younger men went off to try their hand at fishing.

  Phoebe found her aunt and cousin in the drawing room. Sir Edward was nowhere to be seen. She determined to be on her best behaviour.

  “Forgive me, Aunt, for I have this moment returned from my morning ride. I do hope you have not been waiting long.”

  Sophia, for her part just as determined to be genial, assured her they had themselves only just arrived. “I took some hot chocolate in my bedchamber earlier and that served me for a while. Certainly I was in no way ready to rush about in this heat. Not that it isn’t much pleasanter here than in London for although it is hot it is not stuffy.”

  “And are you quite recovered, Lydia?”

  “Indeed I am. I slept so soundly that I knew nothing until my maid drew back the curtains.”

  Phoebe suggested they might, armed each with a parasol, take a walk about the gardens. She assured them there were several tree-shaded benches where they might sit and admire the view, promising later, when it became too hot, to return to the house when she might show them one or two of the rooms they had not yet visited.

  “Glendale is so vast one might surely spend months and still not see all its chambers,” Sophia said. Phoebe blanched at the thought. However, her proposal met with approval.

  “Good heavens! Is that you, Wiggins? I thought you must have retired years ago.”

  “Well, Miss Sophy,” the housekeeper replied, using her nursery name and reducing Baroness Talbot to a child again, “you are out there. You will see that I am still on my feet and certainly not ready to give up yet.” Phoebe, remembering that Mrs Wiggins had acted as nursemaid to both sisters, was astonished to see the effect she had on her aunt. For the first time ever she found her quite endearing. Doubtless it wouldn’t last but it was refreshing to see.

  “And this is Miss Lydia. Well, you are so like your Aunt Emily I should have known you anywhere.”

  After this exchange of greetings the ladies enjoyed a light luncheon before beginning their exploration of the house. Phoebe chose to take them to the Long Gallery. One or two landscapes hung there but it was mostly given over to statuary. She hadn’t been since going with Duncan and was curious to know how palpable her ancestor’s presence would be. There was no rush of cold air. Phoebe had to conclude that Simon Marcham was particular about whom he showed himself to. She was slightly disappointed, feeling that her aunt would have been truly impressed to encounter a spirit from another ti
me. Then she remembered what Duncan had said about a soul in torment and she felt only sadness. Lydia was delighted with a painting depicting the exact scene they had admired when seated on a bench in the garden though Phoebe didn’t consider it to be one of the artist’s finer works. The rest of the day went well, and with a promise to see on another day the room that held some fine examples of porcelain as well as that which housed the greater part of the art collection they retired to their rooms to prepare for the evening.

  Even in the small dining room, and with seven at the table, it felt overly large for the number of people assembled. Sophia found no fault though, much preferring the grandeur of this room to that of the small parlour where Phoebe and her father normally enjoyed their meals together. They were waited upon by several members of staff, the lady of the house keen to impress her aunt in any way she could. Phoebe placed no store by such pomp but if that’s what her aunt was expecting then that’s what she would find.

  One thing became very obvious before the evening was much advanced. Rupert, normally garrulous in the extreme, was very quiet and could hardly tear his eyes from Lydia. A well brought up young lady, for her mother was only too aware of how harmful it could be if one was deemed to be fast, Lydia, having once caught Rupert’s gaze, blushed charmingly and looked away. Thereafter she did not look at him again but concentrated her attention upon Sir Edward on one side and Duncan on the other. Poor Rupert had to be content with chatting to Phoebe on the one hand and conversing with Sophia, to whom he had taken an instant dislike, on the other. However, he quickly realised that if he were to have any chance of advancing himself in the eyes of the daughter he would need the mother’s approval. He could be charming when he chose and on this occasion he chose. Sir Edward was able to talk to Max, who sat on his other side, and was therefore able to consider that the evening had gone off well. “Very well indeed, in fact,” he told his daughter in an aside when the ladies left the gentlemen to their port.

  Phoebe had little opportunity to talk to Duncan and the evening was considerably advanced before they had time for a few quiet words.

  “I hope I have done as you wished.”

  Phoebe didn’t pretend to misunderstand. Duncan had engaged Lydia in conversation and facilitated an exchange between Edward and Max. Her father was content and her aunt was impressed.

  “I am grateful indeed. I was astonished to see Rupert so taken with my cousin. My only experience has been as a pseudo-sister but his small attentions after supper, bringing her fan, putting her shawl about her shoulders when it turned cooler, showed him to be a man of no little address.”

  “Whereas I had so little opportunity I could not even engage you in conversation.”

  Phoebe looked up at him. His gaze was serious. She could not misunderstand but was too unsure of her own heart to encourage him in this vein. Instead she said, “Simon made no appearance this afternoon when I escorted my aunt and cousin to the Long Gallery. I wondered if he is receptive only to sympathetic visitors and am more anxious than ever to examine the contents of my mother’s chest. It would be unfair though to do so without you for I feel he spoke to us both the other day. I shall do what I can to create an opportunity. How to be rid of my aunt for a couple of hours is the thing.”

  “I’m honoured that you choose to include me,” he said formally and then, much more in character, “though I would be most put out if you did not for everything indicates that this must be a shared adventure.”

  “Perhaps we may contrive something between us. Will you ride again in the morning?”

  “Of course. It is the best part of the day.”

  “Then we will have the freedom to discuss it further.”

  Phoebe bade him goodnight and went to bed wondering if the adventure he referred to was that of Simon or if he was alluding to something else even closer to home.

  “I cannot believe it! Max has invited my aunt and my cousin to take tea at Cranford this afternoon, though I am sure it was at Rupert’s instigation the invitation was extended.”

  “Undoubtedly, for Rupert has spoken of nothing but the fair Lydia since we left Glendale last evening. Her clear blue eyes. Her straw-coloured hair. How appealing is her reticence.”

  Phoebe smiled delightedly for this was not behaviour she had ever observed in her childhood friend, nor had she suspected him capable of it.

  “Our butler must have put something strong in his wine to make him talk so.”

  “Certainly he was behaving as if intoxicated but not, I think, from the wine.”

  They talked more of the projected tea party, Phoebe saying that even her father had consented to go. “I think because he is hoping for an opportunity to discuss with Max the merits of a horse in his stable which Papa is tempted to buy.”

  “Does he still ride then?”

  “No, this would be a carriage horse. He still enjoys tooling his gig about the estate.”

  “And are you too going to Cranford this afternoon?”

  “That is just what’s so convenient. I may send my apologies and we can instead investigate the chest in my mother’s drawing room. Unless, that is, you are obliged to be present.”

  Duncan assured her it would be an easy matter to make his excuses and that he would ride over to join her later.

  Chapter Five

  Phoebe was in a fever of excitement for the rest of the day and honest enough to acknowledge that it wasn’t only the prospect of their research that was the cause. The ladies strolled again in the garden, Lydia delighting in the maze and challenging her cousin to find the exit before her.

  “How can you be sure I do not know its secret?”

  “That would be too bad! Do you?”

  “No, for I haven’t ventured in there since I was a child and have never found my way out without help.”

  Phoebe summoned a footman to sit in a high chair overlooking the labyrinth and the young ladies were guided to the centre. Each was determined she would be first to find the exit. It was cool enough in the shelter of the hedges, if a little airless. In the end neither resolved the mystery and abandoned the search when Sophia was heard calling from outside. They were guided out and joined Lydia’s mama on the bench where she was waiting for them.

  “I see you have had a fine time. It has been very pleasant here but now I should wish for some refreshment for even with the parasol I am becoming uncomfortable.” It was said without rancour; she was in good spirits and Phoebe began to hope her stay at Glendale would not be quite as taxing as she had anticipated.

  Time passed quietly enough until the party was ready to set out for Cranford. They talked of Clarissa’s wedding. Sophia commented that the visit to Glendale was a godsend. She had been so busy for so long, what with all the shopping and the dressmaking and a hundred and one other things besides, that it was a relief to be still for a change. “Though I enjoyed it immensely and would be happy to do the whole all over again,” she said, looking pointedly at her daughter and causing her to blush. Phoebe was impatient for them to leave but she contained her frustration well enough. Sophia and Lydia went to retrieve their bonnets while Phoebe made sure her father was ready. When they asked why she wasn’t joining them she said there was much she had to do at home and she would see them later. Having waved them off, she went straight to her mother’s withdrawing room, retrieved the chest and set it on the table. Then she sat down to wait for Duncan. He didn’t keep her waiting for long. He strode into the house through the back with no more ceremony than Rupert would have shown and entered the room just as she was ordering some tea.

  “Good afternoon, Mr Armstrong. Would you care for some refreshment?” she asked, barely able to contain her excitement in front of the footman. He asked for a tankard of ale and sat beside her.

  “Perhaps we should wait until the footman returns with the tray.” Not even to herself did she sound convincing.

  “When I consider how I rushed over here, riding poor Beau far harder than I should in this heat, I am astonish
ed you can even make such a suggestion. Come on, girl. Get on with it,” he said, eyes brimming with laughter. She ignored the appellation but could not help responding to the man’s charm.

  She’d never met anyone like him before and, though no slave to convention herself, she was nonetheless amazed at how disregarding he was of its boundaries. Clarissa’s recent wedding had only confirmed that she herself was destined for spinsterhood. She didn’t enjoy life in the capital and, since she knew every gentleman of marriageable age in the vicinity of Glendale, the likelihood that she would meet her fate was small indeed. But her fate had come in the form of a giant of a man with few airs and graces but with whom she had felt an almost instant bond. Phoebe had to acknowledge that she had tumbled head over ears in love. In just a few days he had stolen her heart, but who was to say he wouldn’t disappear as quickly as he had come.

  Duncan watched as she drew the chest towards her and opened the lid. It was a sizeable container and full to the top with documents. The uppermost was in her mother’s hand and it was plain she had meticulously catalogued every item. They began at the top of the list, not wanting in their eagerness to get things out of order. After examining the first few, Duncan remarked that every single one contained some reference or alluded to Simon.

  “It would seem that she was entirely focussed on him.”

  “Yes, I always knew she had a deep interest but this is way beyond what I imagined.”

  Some time went by. The footman came and went and though everything held their interest there was no clue in the documents they uncovered as to the family legend. Several different hands had penned what they had read so it seemed Emily wasn’t the only person who had taken an acute interest in the tale. Phoebe had taken a clean sheet of paper and copied her mother’s list, item by item. She didn’t want to deface what Emily had prepared but desired a record of her own that she could annotate. They came to a notation which said merely ‘poem’. Phoebe added it to her list and took the next piece from the chest, and she gasped!