Permelia Cottage

by Carole Lehr Johnson

  He laid a hand on Hodge’s shoulder. “I can see you all are managing well. Is Hodge entertaining you, or is this an exclusive party?”

  Letice chimed in, “You’re welcome to join us if you like.” She pulled out the vacant chair next to her, across from Susannah.

  He took a seat while Hodge handed out menus. “I’ll send Effie over to wait on you. Tristan is off tonight and will be sad to miss out on teasin’ you girls.” He showed them his sunniest smile and strolled away.

  Colin’s gaze settled on Susannah. “I’ll not interfere with your hen night out but a moment. I wanted to ask if after our meeting on Saturday, I could take you all to the factory? I’d also appreciate your support with designing floor plan layouts.” He paused. “That is—if you’re interested. Susannah, since you’re heading the training committee, and that won’t start until after the residents move in, I thought this would be a good way to keep you involved. The construction crew has finished with all the load-bearing walls, so you’ll have to design around them, of course.”

  Letice beamed her approval. “I’m sure Susannah would.” She threw him a pointed expression. “I thought Vita was to chair that committee.”

  “No, indeed, I believe she agreed to organize the indoor décor scheme—design and color, and such. It’s been a few days since the last meeting, so perhaps my memory isn’t sound.” He smiled, his sparkling eyes meeting Susannah’s. “We missed you at the meeting on Saturday.”

  She straightened in her chair and remained silent.

  Letice’s fingernails tapped out a tune on the table. “So, Susannah, are you game?”

  Susannah blinked a few times before she reluctantly agreed.

  “Grand.” Colin said. “I hoped you’d be eager to grant some vision.” He leaned forward and in a low voice repeated, “You were missed at the meeting.”

  Susannah’s face grew warm as she caught herself looking into his eyes, unable to respond, her mouth dry. She reached for her water and took a sip to buy a moment. “I—I had a tight deadline for a magazine article. That was all.”

  He gave her a nod, eyes flashing. “I see. I’m sure your article is smashing. I’d love to read one sometime.”

  To Susannah’s relief, Effie arrived to take their orders, asking twice as she wrote, scratched through what she’d written, and tried again. When she turned to Colin, he informed her he already had a table and was waiting for someone. She flushed and turned to take their orders to the kitchen.

  “Well, ladies, I’ve taken enough of your time. It was nice seeing you all. I’ll meet you on Saturday.”

  “Well, well, well …” Letice said, her eyes on Colin as he walked to a table across the room. “Wonder who he’s meeting?”

  “Do you suspect it’s a woman, Letty?” Amanda asked with wide eyes.

  Susannah stared at her crumpled napkin, focused on smoothing it. The man made her too nervous. How would she survive this committee? She sighed and brought her attention back to the lively banter.

  “Perhaps, but we shouldn’t meddle. Give him his privacy.” She gave a stern expression to Amanda and snickered. “Though, if he wanted discretion he should have ventured from this nosy village for dinner.”

  Amanda laughed and gave her a keen look in return.

  “Letice, what did you order?” Susannah asked, changing the subject.

  Letice gave Susannah’s arm a playful slap and whispered, “Susannah, don’t play coy—he’s dishy. Admit it.”

  Susannah grimaced. “And when have I ever called a man dishy?”

  Letice laughed—loud enough for the neighboring table to turn and stare. Her cheeks flushed. “Okay, I’ll behave.” Though, she made a half-turn to peer at Colin’s still empty table. “Amanda, tell me when his dinner companion arrives. Will you? You’ve a better vantage point.”

  Amanda sighed in resignation. “Not meddling, aye?”

  “Stop it, you two,” Susannah said in a hushed voice and shifted in her seat. “He may be on a date, and it’s none of our business.”

  Amanda’s eyes widened. “Oh, my.”

  Susannah, powerless to stop herself, twisted to glance at Colin’s table as he pulled a chair out for none other than Vita. She felt her face heat as she turned back to meet Letice’s eyes filled with compassion.

  “I told you he wasn’t interested in me,” Susannah said in a soft voice. “There’s your answer.”

  Susannah rose, tears stinging her eyes. She was being ridiculous. It didn’t matter who he had dinner with. “Excuse me,” she muttered and strode to the ladies’ room, her path taking her past Colin and Vita. She focused on Hodge, who stood nearby. Through her peripheral vision, she saw Colin glance her way, but she ignored him.

  ∞∞∞

  Susannah’s abrupt departure and the tears welling in her eyes did not go unnoticed by Amanda nor Letice. They exchanged looks, unsure what to do.

  “What is Colin doing with Vita?” Amanda’s eyes bulged. “They’re like chalk and cheese.”

  “Something’s amiss here. Colin would never fall for her. I don’t care how gorgeous she is.” Letice’s brow wrinkled. “I’m worried about Susannah. I knew she was interested in him—and I could’ve sworn he was too. But I could have it all wrong.”

  “I’ve known Colin for years, and I can tell you right now he did take a strong interest in Susannah. If Vita got wind of it though, and I’m certain she did at the meeting the other day, she’s working in the background to put an end to it.” Amanda sighed. “That sounds harsh, and Vita is a kind person in many respects, but when it comes to Colin—if she can’t have him—she’ll make sure no one else will either.”

  Letice nodded. “It seems the way of it. I had no idea they knew each other so well.”

  “Oh, they go ‘way back’ as Vita once put it.” Amanda narrowed her eyes. “I think they even walked out a bit in school. And, perhaps, whatever might have once been there between them is now rekindling.”

  ∞∞∞

  Susannah stared at her reflection in the mirror in the ladies’ room. She’d stopped the tears before they fell, yet she still felt so downhearted. Was she interested in Colin but too afraid to admit it? “Oh, you silly old fossil.” she muttered to her reflection. Naturally, a woman came out of a stall as she’d said it.

  “You alright, dearie?” The small white-haired woman asked with genuine concern.

  “Oh, yes, ma’am. Just having a bit of a heart-to-heart with myself.”

  The woman patted her shoulder. “Don’t be ashamed of speaking to yourself. I do it all the time. Sometimes, we’re our own worst enemy—as the saying goes. We shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves. Talk it over with friends, and they can help you sort it out.” She hesitated before opening the door to leave. “Have a nice evening.”

  “You too.” Susannah gave her an appreciative smile, remembering her own grandmother.

  Turning back to her image, she said, “Well, you heard the lady. Talk it over with friends. And so what if Colin isn’t interested in you? You weren’t searching for a man anyway.”

  On her return, Susannah was once again forced to go by their table, and kept her eyes focused on Amanda and Letice—and the unhappy expressions aimed her way.

  Susannah slid the chair back with a scraping sound and sat. “Look, girls. I don’t want your pity. I can see by your faces you think I’m crushed to see Colin and Vita together.” She took a sip of water, “But I’m not. I told you both that he wasn’t interested in me.” She glanced at her food. “Now, for heaven’s sake, can we ignore them and just eat?”

  “You’re right.” Amanda’s tone was repentant. “We let our speculations get away from us.”

  “Well, not me.” Letice tilted her head and gave her a smirk. “I still think he’s interested in you, and that he’s no more infatuated with Vita than a cat would be in chasing an elephant.”

  Susannah burst out laughing. “That’s quite the mental picture.”

  Letice scoffed. “I’m serious. The
y do not belong together, and I don’t think Colin is at all taken with her.” She lifted her chin a notch. “She has him here under some false pretense you can be certain.”

  Amanda shot a sideways glance at Letice. “You sound pretty sure of yourself. Got any ideas what that could be?”

  Before Letice could answer, Susannah butted in. “May we please change the subject? I’m growing weary of the topic. And this delicious food is getting cold.”

  “Oh, all right.” Letice gave in. “But you haven’t heard the last of it. I’m good at summing people up, and I tell you, Colin is interested in you. There.” She was emphatic as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll say no more—for now.”

  Their meal commenced with cheerful conversation, Effie checking on them from time to time, before delivering dessert, almost dropping a plate in Letice’s lap. When Effie left, they exchanged plates until they each had what they’d ordered.

  Letice leaned in. “She’s a sweet girl, but having a tough time getting the hang of this job.”

  “Let’s be sure and leave her a nice tip to encourage her,” Susannah said between bites.

  “Tipping in the U.K. is generally not customary,” Letice said.

  “So, I’ve heard, but in this case, I think we should. It certainly isn’t more ridiculous than a cat chasing an elephant,” Susannah said with a sly smile as Letice nearly choked on her next bite. The laughter that followed offered a welcome distraction to the pair that sat not far behind her. She’d almost convinced herself that what Colin Heard did wasn’t affecting her at all. She’d vowed that there’d be no more men in her life—ever.

  Chapter 14

  Neville, North Yorkshire, England

  2019

  For the first time in longer than he could remember, Ryan didn’t hit the snooze on his alarm. He slipped from his bed and ambled to the window to check the weather. The sky was gray with dots of blue peeping through, struggling to make an appearance. The brochure he’d found in the lobby was on the nightstand, so he gave the first paragraph a brief once-over.

  For more than seven hundred years, the stone keep castle sat perched on the hill overlooking the verdant valleys and forests near the village of Neville. Horden Castle and its grounds now encompass three hundred acres, including a five-acre lake and extensive, well-kept gardens.

  “Oh. A day of touring in the rain.” Ryan groaned as he headed for the shower, and half an hour later, with umbrella in hand, he met April at the entrance to the castle’s grounds. The crenelated castle stood on the hill like a guard awaiting its next attack from unseen forces. The clouds had started to break, and bits of blue sky shone through, sunlight shooting beams in the gaps. Maybe, he wouldn’t need his umbrella after all.

  April smiled and glanced appreciatively at the castle ahead. “Shall we?”

  Ryan nodded and followed her up the road leading to the castle bridge. The stream of water rushed over rocks that had smoothed through the centuries. “I’m glad Polly happily agreed to watch the shop for you.”

  April smiled. “Yes, she’s in a generous mood today.”

  Ryan shielded the sun from his eyes as he looked ahead. “How old is this castle?”

  “The original section was built about the middle of the thirteenth century. Each owner made additions.” April brought her camera out and snapped a quick shot of Ryan.

  “It’s an impressive sight—like a fortress and palace all in one.” He turned to her and said, “Let me know how the picture turns out.”

  April gave a sheepish grin. “Sorry.” She cleared her throat. “I think it began as a fortress and was gradually added onto until it became a residence more than a defensive structure. Although I’m sure defense was a major factor in its location, and the fact that it was built on a hill overseeing the surrounding area. Being able to see your enemy coming was a prime reason for a hilltop location in those days.”

  Ryan gave her a muffled laugh. “You could be the Horden Castle tour guide.”

  “I’ve been here a lot.” April shrugged. “And, I love local history.”

  “It shows.” He rubbed the back of his neck and they walked on, stepping through the only entrance to the castle via the bridge and a fortified gate.

  April resumed tour guide mode. “This would’ve been built of wood during the time it was used for fortification.”

  The wide expanse of lawn lay in front of the castle, open for the gathering of people, events, or livestock. April stood to the side of the entrance, staring trance-like at the castle. Ryan watched her instead, noticing the awe in her eyes. She turned to him.

  “It’s a lovely castle. Don’t you think?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “I try to put myself in this place as it was in the early years—during the lifeblood of the times. The clothes, atmosphere, lifestyle, and the way people behaved then. I’ve read a lot of books on its history. It’s quite fascinating, and sometimes frightening.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I’d love to go back in time—but only for a short while. Considering the medical and political practices of the time, I wouldn’t want to stay long.” She raised her eyebrows. “I mean bloodletting, right?”

  Ryan laughed. “You make it sound so realistic—almost like you’ve experienced it.”

  “Oh, it’s just my love of reading. I get so engrossed in whatever book I’m involved in. There are some medieval writings that offer a clear picture of what went on. Like dying from the common cold and how less than half of all children saw their fifth birthday.” He saw her eyes mist before she turned away toward the castle again.

  “Guess we need to be glad for the time we live in, even if it has its own troubles.”

  “Yes, we need to be thankful, don’t we?”

  Ryan changed the subject. “Where do we start?”

  “We buy tickets at the gift shop for the tour. We can stop by the shop again if you want to buy a memento of the castle unless you want to buy something now.”

  “No, I’m good. Let’s do the tour.”

  They bought tickets and made their way to the entrance of the main hall where the tour would begin. The massive wood doors were embellished with iron strips and stud. Ryan ran his hand over the thick wood and wondered at the weight of such a door. They stepped inside, and the tour guide waved to them from across the room. It became apparent that it was a slow day since they were the only participants.

  “Good morning. My name is Eleanor, and I’ll be your guide this morning. Looks like the clouds have kept some people at bay—if only they would have come ahead as the day is going to play out to be a smashing one.” The peppy girl turned on her heel. “Right this way, please.”

  Eleanor led them from the main hall after explaining its historic value to the castle and the events held there. To their right, they walked a lengthy passageway toward the banquet hall. Eleanor told them about some of the royal celebrations held during the numerous reigns. Each king, or queen, had their own, sometimes odd, personal preferences as to how they celebrated a given occasion, which Eleanor explained usually centered on their fondness of meat—roasted lamb, capons, chicken, venison, rabbit, and even swan.

  Ryan’s mouth slackened. “You’ve got to be joking … eating a swan?”

  “Yes, and that’s the usual response I get … along with roasted lark.” Eleanor made a face, and Ryan shook his head.

  “I must admit, history has never been one of my favorite subjects, but the royal lifestyle in that time was rather enthralling. I’m sure if you weren’t royalty, you must have had a pretty rough life.” Ryan surprised himself at his interest, remembering some of his mother’s comments on history.

  “Royalty had all the conveniences—for their time. Yet, they did have a middle class of sorts. The majority of the population was living in poverty. The monasteries did look after the poor until Henry VIII took all the wealth from them. He allowed the poor to beg—once they bought a license from the state. But that’s a long story. Let’s continue our tour.”

  Wal
king toward an arched doorway, she added, “Here’s a small, and I do mean small, enclosed courtyard. As you can see, there’s a very narrow opening in the marble patio in the center. During excavations, coins from different eras were found. We believe this was once a fountain or coy pond, and people would toss their coins in to make a wish.”

  The courtyard was no larger than a fifteen-foot square yet held a certain quality. Situated in the center of the castle on the lowest floor the only light came from above. Now mid-morning, the courtyard was in partial shadow radiating an eerie appearance.

  Eleanor stood paused inside the door, silent. Ryan and April let their eyes roam over the square enclosure. The entire floor was covered in squares of marble with petite flower beds in each corner and one surrounding the now missing fountain, which had been replaced with a stone birdbath. The sparse plantings included lavender, poppies, and daisies. The scent of the profusely blooming lavender surrounding the birdbath enveloped Ryan, reminding him instantly of his mother as if she were at his shoulder.

  “If you’re ready, we’ll head to the chapel.” Eleanor stepped into the corridor.

  They followed, and Ryan walked beside April. “This is an amazing place. It’s hard to believe I actually had ancestors who walked these halls so many years ago. It’s kind of a strange sensation.” Embarrassment crept into his voice as if he’d revealed something of himself that he hadn’t meant to share.

  April didn’t appear to notice. “Yes, but it’s also very fascinating—knowing of that connection from the past. Someday, when I have time, I want to research my own genealogy. It’s such a time-consuming task. I hear it can be addictive once you get started.”

  “Yeah, my mother said my aunt was into it for more than thirty years. That’s how she was able to learn so much—and she started long before the invention of the Internet.”

  “Amazing. She must’ve been enamored with it since that would’ve taken a lot of phone calls, writing letters, and taking trips.”