Emerald

by Emerald (retail) (epub)

  Carefully I made my way up the darkened staircase and fumbled for the door of my room. Luckily, the fire was still glowing, and I quickly lit the candles, breathing a sigh of relief as the darkness was dispelled.

  I didn’t know what to do. I could hardly march into Greyson’s room; and yet I couldn’t think of sleeping while I was still not certain if he had returned or not.

  I sat on the bed and kicked off my shoes, leaning wearily against the pillows. I felt uneasy somehow, as if day had turned into night while I wasn’t looking.

  I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I’d caught a cold in them; they seemed to be burning and irritated in a most uncomfortable way. Come to think of it, there was a peculiar smell in the room, too, almost as if something were burning.

  I started to cough and then got to my feet, making my way to the mantelpiece where I’d stood the candlesticks. I remember reaching out toward them to extinguish the strange flame, and then I was dropping down into a pool of darkness that seemed to have no bottom…

  It might have been only minutes later that I opened my eyes, but it could have been longer. I was lying stretched across the carpet, with an empty holder clutched in my hand.

  I tried to sit up, and then I became suffocatingly aware of someone breathing beside me in the darkness. Cautiously I looked around, my eyes trying to penetrate the darkness; but the fire was almost out and the shadows were too deep for me to be able to distinguish anything.

  I edged my way toward the door, expecting at any minute to be attacked. The sound of breathing was still there, pounding in my ears. My hand touched the doorknob, and with a tiny scream, I pulled at it with all my strength.

  It wouldn’t move!

  I sank back down onto the floor, knowing full well I was trapped. The door must be locked from the outside.

  After a few minutes spent just sitting in the dark, trying desperately to pull myself together and think of something constructive, I remembered that I had candles in the bottom drawer of the chest. They were ones I’d brought from Aunt Grace’s house – special candles that were meant for a celebration; but I needed them now.

  Slowly I made my way over to the wall, and with one hand pulled at the drawer, trying to see if anyone was moving toward me. I stopped for a moment; the breathing was still close, and a sob rose to my throat.

  ‘Who are you!’ I said. ‘What are you sitting there in the dark for?’

  With a shudder of fear, I thought of Wenna’s calm assertion that my mother was coming back to visit me, and chills of horror crept over me. Then I fumbled among my clothes and at last came into contact with one of the candles.

  I drew it out of the drawer as noiselessly as possible and crept toward the low fire. If only I could breathe enough life into the embers to get the candle alight!

  I thought for a moment I was going to fail, but then the flame shot up and steadied into a good light. I stood up quickly, with my back to the wall, and strained my eyes to accustom them to the flickering light. I couldn’t see anyone!

  I was calmer now and walked carefully around the room. There was no one, except that there in the middle of my bed was a treasure trove of jewels, pearls, rubies, diamonds, all in a heap like glass beads.

  Reaching out, I touched them to make sure they were real. A piece of paper crackled under my fingers, and as I held it nearer to the candle, I saw that it had writing on it. But as it was in Welsh, I had no hope of understanding it. However, I understood the signature all right. It was the Welsh word for ‘Mother.’

  * * *

  I’m not quite clear what I did after that. I think I must have sat there on the bed until morning, just staring at the note and the heap of precious stones and wondering if I was still in my right mind.

  At any rate, when there was a loud knocking on the door, I had the presence of mind to pull a cover over the gleaming baubles; and when Greyson came in, smiling and looking refreshed, I tried my best to act normally.

  ‘You might have told me that the tide comes in and fills up those passages,’ he said. ‘I only got wet feet, but had there been a high tide, it could have been very nasty for me.’ He sat down beside me and sniffed the air. ‘What an odd smell in here. It’s almost like incense.’ He opened a window, then came back and sat beside me. ‘What’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well?’

  I pulled back the cover and watched his eyes widen in surprise.

  ‘Apparently my mother paid me another visit last night.’

  I handed him the note, and suddenly the colour left his face. He quickly tucked it into his pocket, and I saw no point in stopping him. I couldn’t read it anyway.

  ‘What happened?’ he asked calmly, idly picking up a strand of flawless pearls.

  I shook my head. ‘It sounds absurd, but something was wrong with the candles. My eyes were hurting, and then suddenly everything went black.’ I looked up at him. ‘When I recovered consciousness, I could hear someone breathing. I’m certain I wasn’t alone in here, but there was no light, and by the time I managed to find more candles, whoever it was had gone and these gems were here. I know how silly it must sound, but it’s the truth.’

  Greyson shook his head. ‘I didn’t say it wasn’t. I noticed an odd smell when I came in. Perhaps the candles were not the usual ones.’ He looked around. ‘Strange, there are no bits left in any of the holders. I presume these two here are the ones you used?’

  I nodded excitedly. ‘Then there was someone in here. Ghosts don’t take candles with them, do they?’

  Greyson laughed and pinched my cheek. ‘You are a funny little thing.’ He bent down and kissed me suddenly. ‘Don’t look so glum. I mean to find out what’s going on here, and for a start, I’m moving you out of this room as soon as possible.’

  I smiled with relief. ‘That’s a good idea,’ I said, and felt more cheerful.

  He put his hand to his lips. ‘Don’t mention it to anyone else. It will be our secret.’

  He ruffled my hair. ‘After breakfast, I think you’d better rest for a while. You look quite worn out.’

  I looked at the jewellery with distaste. ‘What am I going to do with these?’ I said.

  ‘The best thing is to put them in your cupboard with the rest of your things.’ He kissed my cheek. ‘Cheer up; Father should be here today. I know you’ll be glad to see him and that friend of yours, Edmund. He’ll be company for you, won’t he?’

  ‘Yes, he will; and it’ll be good to see Uncle Tom again.’

  Chapter Ten

  It was like a summer’s day. The grass had a fresh, rain-washed appearance, and the sky glowed blue through the few puffball clouds that drifted slowly overhead.

  I went down into the garden and walked along the small, neat paths. Birds were singing in the dovecote, making the lawns come alive with their enthusiasm, and I felt good just being alive.

  Suddenly the chapel bell started to ring, and for a moment I wondered if it was Sunday. Then I saw that the tide was high, reaching almost over the top of the island. Fascinated, I went down to the edge of the garden and watched the water, blue now in the sunshine, swirling around the tree trunks. The stretch of water looked wide and imposing – almost frightening – as it greedily licked the edge of the lawns.

  ‘Amazing, isn’t it?’ I spun round, startled; I had heard no one approach.

  ‘Edmund, it’s you!’ From sheer relief, I flung myself into his arms. He looked so handsome, with his bright hair, like gold, and his blue eyes looking down at me.

  ‘How is Uncle Tom?’ I leaned away from him, but his arms held me firmly.

  ‘He’s better than expected. We broke our journey so that he could rest.’

  ‘I see. We were worried by the delay.’ I smiled and made a more determined effort to escape from Edmund’s arms. ‘I must go to him at once, to see for myself that he is better. Are you coming, Edmund?’

  He smiled impishly. ‘Your uncle is resting. He won’t wish to be disturbed just now. But I do.’

  He bent forward and kis
sed me lightly, and, laughing, I tried to pull away once more.

  ‘Don’t be silly, Edmund. Everyone can see us here,’ I said in embarrassment.

  ‘So what? That doesn’t bother me one little bit. I still hope to make you my wife one of these days.’

  Some movement drew my eyes past him toward the top of the garden, and I could see Greyson standing quite still, watching. The colour came to my face, and I pushed Edmund hard.

  ‘I haven’t said yes yet, so please let me go!’

  I felt angry, as if I’d been caught doing something wrong, and Edmund looked at me in surprise. Then he turned and saw Greyson, and an understanding smile broke out around his lips. He tucked my arm deliberately under his and led me hack up the garden.

  ‘Hello, old chap,’ he said to Greyson. ‘Did you want us for anything?’

  The two men stared at each other for a moment, and then Greyson turned to me.

  ‘Father is asking to see you, Charlotte, if you can spare a minute.’

  I bit my lip to stop myself from making an angry retort and, pulling away from Edmund, made my way into the house. To my surprise, Uncle Tom looked much better than I’d expected, and I ran into him and put my arms around him.

  ‘There, there, it’s lovely to see you again, my dear.’ He patted my hair and brushed some loose strands away from my face. ‘You look more beautiful than ever; I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.’

  I tucked the rug more firmly around his knees. Obviously, in spite of the warmth of the weather, he still felt the chill.

  ‘I’m glad to see you looking better, Uncle. I’ll have to look after you very carefully indeed, now that you are here.’

  He pinched my cheek playfully and winked at me.

  ‘And I shall have to look after you, from what I’ve heard,’ he said quietly. ‘You must come to my room later and tell me all about it.’

  I smiled. ‘I can wait until you are feeling stronger, Uncle.’

  ‘Not a bit of it!’ he said, and the determination in his voice could not be ignored. ‘You do as I say, Charlotte. I mean to find out what exactly is happening in my own home.’

  He put his finger over his lips as Greyson and Edmund came into the room, and I squeezed his hand to show that I understood.

  ‘Would you like a glass of wine, Father?’ Greyson held up the bottle, and his father nodded.

  ‘Yes, that would be very nice. Charlotte, how about going into the kitchen and seeing if there is any sweet cake to go with it?’

  ‘Of course, Uncle Tom.’ I smiled at him. ‘I won’t be a minute.’

  I made my way quickly to the kitchen, and as I pushed open the door, I could see that there was something going on down at the far end that was engaging everyone’s attention. It didn’t take me long to discover what it was. Water was seeping in from under the thick flagstones, and most of the younger maids could only try to mop the worst up; their attempts seemed pretty futile.

  ‘What is it?’ I asked, and Wenna turned and told me.

  ‘The estuary is almost in flood and is filling the underground passages. It happens occasionally.’ It seemed as if she suddenly realised it was I. ‘Oh, Charlotte, is there anything you want?’

  She bustled over to the ovens and took out a tray of beautifully baked bread, knocking the crusts with her knuckles to see if the insides were baked enough.

  ‘Uncle Tom would like some sweet cake, if you have any. Can I get it?’

  She smiled. ‘No, don’t worry. I’ll get it for you in just a moment.’

  Deftly she slid the loaves onto a table and covered them with a clean cloth.

  ‘Now what was it? Oh, yes, cake.’ With a smile, she handed me a silver tray with a variety of sweet things already on it. ‘I’ve chosen most of his favourites. Now watch you don’t slip on the wet floor.’

  Puzzled, I left the kitchen and made my way back to the drawing room. How on earth had Wenna known that Uncle Tom would come this morning?

  ‘Here we are.’ I handed the tray to Greyson, and he took it to his father.

  ‘Delicious. Cooked just as I liked them. Fill up my glass again, Charlotte, there’s a dear.’

  Greyson and I exchanged glances; mine meant that I thought he’d lied to me about the state of his father’s health, and his showed only surprise.

  Later, my uncle struggled to his feet, and both Greyson and Edmund offered their assistance.

  ‘No, Charlotte must come with me.’

  Uncle Tom smiled, and I took his arm, placing it around my shoulder so that he could lean on me. Slowly and carefully we made our way up the stairs, and I was aware that the two men were watching our progress from the hall.

  ‘Wouldn’t they both like to be flies on the wall when we have our little talk?’ he said, and I couldn’t help smiling.

  When he was settled in bed, he bade me come and sit beside him, tapping the spread with his hand.

  ‘Sit here, Charlotte; then I won’t have to strain my ears to listen to you,’ he said.

  ‘All right, Uncle. But honestly, there’s not much I can tell you.’

  I twisted my hands in my lap, wondering what to say. He reached over and smoothed my cheek gently.

  ‘Just tell me everything, however unimportant you may think it is, and I’ll know something of what we’re up against.’

  Sadly I looked into his cherubic face. I could never tell him that I was being poisoned and that his son was one of the suspects.

  ‘It’s difficult, really. I don’t know what’s relevant and what is just accident.’

  ‘Tell me everything,’ he insisted again,

  ‘The first thing was Jess’s murder.’ My voice shook in spite of myself. ‘That may have been a coincidence, I don’t know. She was wearing my cloak at the time.’

  Uncle nodded. ‘Go on, dear; tell me the rest.’

  ‘There were a number of silly things. I saw lights on the island, and a cross; at least I thought I did.’

  Uncle Tom’s eyebrows rose, but he nodded for me to continue, and he patted my hand once more as if in reassurance.

  ‘Then there was the time I went down under the chapel and someone closed the trap door, so that I was unable to get out again.’

  ‘What did you do?’ My uncle stared at me, his eyes bright with anger at my predicament.

  ‘I just wandered around, and luckily, I came out near the sea.’ Not even to my uncle could I say that a hand had taken mine in the darkness and led me out.

  ‘Edmund told me about the balcony breaking suddenly, too suddenly for comfort.’ Uncle Tom looked at me shrewdly. ‘That must have been very frightening for you, my dear.’

  I looked down at my hands, thinking of Fluffy down on the terrace, his tiny body so still and white against the darkness.

  ‘It wasn’t one of the better moments of my life,’ I admitted ruefully. ‘I had the feeling that it was I who should have been killed – not the kitten!’

  ‘Anything else?’ Uncle Tom asked, staring at me intently.

  I hesitated, wondering if I should say any more. ‘I’ve had presents given me in very mysterious circumstances. Very expensive gifts they were.’

  ‘Come on then, Charlotte!’ he said, smiling. ‘Don’t keep me in suspense. What have you had?’

  ‘Emeralds, pearls, rubies – that sort of thing. And they’ve all appeared in my room under mysterious circumstances.’

  He looked excited. ‘People have spoken of the riches that were once buried here at the Plas,’ he said. ‘It was before your time, when I was a boy and the French were about to invade Wales. It appears that everyone from the surrounding mansions placed their valuables here for safekeeping.’

  ‘Well, if that was the case, why weren’t the things given back later?’

  Uncle Tom shook his head. ‘Your grandfather died just after the invasion, and no one knew where the things were hidden. Your father and I were just boys. We were more interested in the war that never happened than in other people’s fortunes.’<
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  ‘When you grew up, didn’t you look?’ I asked. ‘I’m sure I would have searched high and low.’

  ‘Oh, we looked. Of course we did. Your father was the legal owner then, and he had many searches organised. It kept the local people quiet, too. They could see for themselves we had no knowledge of the hiding place.’

  ‘So why are the valuables turning up now?’ I asked suddenly. ‘It must mean that someone knows where to look.’

  He nodded. ‘I agree with you, Charlotte. And if they can be found, they must be given back to their rightful owners, or their heirs, don’t you agree?’

  ‘Yes, of course, Uncle. But how are we going to find out who they are?’

  He tapped his eyelids. ‘By keeping these open, Charlotte. That’s the only way.’

  ‘Uncle Tom,’ I said suddenly, ‘why on earth would anyone want me dead?’

  His bushy eyebrows drew together in a frown. ‘I can’t tell you that, my dear child. I can’t even believe it’s true. But don’t worry; you’ll be safe with me here.’

  He leaned back against the pillows then, and I rose, seeing that he was tired.

  ‘I’m sorry, Uncle; I shouldn’t have stayed so long.’

  I bent forward and kissed his forehead, and he smiled affectionately at me.

  ‘That’s all right, Charlotte; you just keep me informed of everything that happens. And I’d like to see your gifts when you’ve got a minute to show them to me.’

  Quietly I let myself out of the room and met Wenna, who was just bringing tea.

  ‘Uncle is sleepy. I’d leave it until later if I were you,’ I said with a smile.

  She didn’t even bother to answer. She brushed past me, walked into my uncle’s room without even knocking and closed the door in my surprised face.

  ‘Conference over?’ Edmund was at the foot of the stairs, smiling up at me.

  ‘What do you know about it?’ I said with a sudden unexplained hostility.

  ‘Your uncle confides in me a great deal. I meant no harm.’

  He looked so crestfallen that I had to smile. I took his arm, and together we walked back to the drawing room, where Greyson was sitting in gloomy silence. He looked up at us, his dark eyes unfathomable.