The Shadow at Greystone Chase (An Angela Marchmont Mystery Book 10)
Page 21
‘You’re quite impossible,’ she said, but absently, for her mind was busy marvelling at a most unaccustomed feeling of happiness which the strictest part of her conscience told her she did not deserve. She wavered for a moment then quashed the guilty feeling firmly. She would be good from now on, she thought.
They stopped in a sunny spot and watched idly as another ship passed by in the distance. After a moment he took her hand and examined her wedding-ring.
‘Is this valuable?’ he said.
‘No,’ she said in surprise. For a moment she thought he must have forgotten his resolution already, but instead he pulled the ring off and threw it into the sea.
‘I don’t like it,’ he said. ‘There—now you’re free. Unless you’d like me to get you a new one, of course. What do you think?’
He was looking at her speculatively. Angela stared for a moment, then bridled.
‘Mr. Valencourt,’ she said severely, ‘fate has seen fit to relieve me of the burden of a most troublesome husband. Why on earth should I immediately saddle myself with another and prove you right about my taste?’
‘Oh, but look how much we have in common,’ he said. ‘Our complexions are perfect gallows both. Why, we were made for one another!’
‘Don’t joke about it,’ she said. ‘And it’s a ridiculous idea. Why, you haven’t even a real name to give me—not if you want to avoid being arrested, anyhow.’
‘As a matter of fact, I was thinking of taking a nice, respectable American name so as not to stand out when I get there,’ he said. ‘What do you say to Hieronymus B. Winkelmeyer? It has a certain ring to it, don’t you think?’
‘Don’t you dare!’ exclaimed Angela, outraged. ‘If you do, I shall never speak to you again, let alone marry you.’
‘All right then,’ he said. ‘I shall be plain Edgar, just as before, and give myself a suitably English surname. You may as well give it up at once, though,’ he added. ‘You know I always get what I want.’
‘Not this time,’ she said. ‘On this point I stand firm.’
‘We’ll see about that,’ he said.
Angela changed the subject. It was an absurd notion indeed. What, marry a man with such a past? Yes, he was in little danger from the police now, and had promised to turn over a new leaf, but could he be relied upon to do it? Despite his words, she was not so complacent as to believe that her influence was enough to reform him. She had no doubt he meant what he said now, but who could tell what he would do if temptation came in his way? She would do her best to keep him on the straight and narrow path, as she had promised, but there was only so much one woman could do. It was useless to deny she was in love with him, but she was certainly not about to throw away her new-found freedom as easily as that.
They stood in the sunlight, caught up in one another, oblivious to everything around them. Finally all her walls had come down and she had given up resisting him. When all was said and done, whatever his past misdeeds he was no worse than she; and in one way at least he had proved himself the better man with that absurdly quixotic gesture of his all those months ago in court. She could not say whether they had any future together—and she certainly had no intention of binding herself to him in any way—but for now she was content to drink her fill of the happiness he brought, for who knew how long it would last? Perhaps it would end as soon as they arrived in New York, but that would not be for a few days yet, and even a few days were better than nothing. Between the misery of the past and the uncertainty of the future, she would cling to the present and try to preserve it as long as possible. In the end it was all she could do.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
WHEN I FIRST set out, some years ago, to write a book, the thought that was foremost in my mind was that I should write the kind of book I like to read. I have been a rabid devotee of traditional (or ‘Golden Age’) mystery fiction for as long as I can remember; I spent my formative years devouring the entire works of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, Josephine Tey, Patricia Wentworth et al, and what I really wanted was more of the same. It wasn’t just the mysteries I loved; I was also fascinated by the tantalising glimpses they gave of life and society in the 1920s and 1930s—and glimpses they were, nothing more, because the authors were writing for their contemporaries and had no need to explain their surroundings, which would already be well understood by readers.
This is where historical fiction generally differs from the ‘real thing.’ However skilfully done, there will always be something slightly self-conscious about a historical novel, since to please the reader the author must weave large amounts of research into the story. Thus, you will always find far more period detail in a modern-day historical novel than you will in a story written at the time—far more description of the cars, the fashions, the hairstyles, etc, to satisfy readers who want to be transported back to the era in question. Just to give a simple and obvious example: a reader in 1926 would know automatically that whenever a character went outside, he would be wearing a hat. This would be so obvious to everyone that an author of the time would be unlikely to mention it. By contrast, since hardly anyone wears hats these days, a present-day writer of historical novels will tend to dwell on the hat.
In writing the Angela Marchmont novels, my aim was not to produce a work of historical fiction, but rather to reproduce as faithfully as I could the tone and style of those original Golden Age works, since I was sure there must be many mystery fans who wished for more ‘genuine’ Golden Age novels, just as I did. In an attempt to make the experience more immersive for readers (and also, I admit, because, like many writers, I am uncomfortable with public attention), I decided to write ‘in character’ as Clara Benson, an author of the 1920s. It was a sort of challenge to myself, to see whether I could do it convincingly. I had no idea whether my little conceit would pass muster, but since I was certain nobody would buy the book anyway, I didn’t think too hard about it.
The result of my efforts was The Murder at Sissingham Hall. I published it online in March 2013, complete with fictitious back story, and forgot about it for a few days. When I next looked I found it had sold about ten copies. By the middle of April it had sold a thousand and I began to think I had better dust off its sequel, The Mystery at Underwood House, which I had begun and half-abandoned. By the time I published the second book I was enjoying writing Angela’s adventures so much that I could not stop. I had planned to write three or four and then abandon the Clara Benson pen name without ever admitting to it, but events overtook me somewhat, and I found myself keeping the series going for far longer than I had originally intended. We are now at Book 10, The Shadow at Greystone Chase, and I’m sure I need not say that I have been absolutely astonished and overwhelmed at the response from readers. It has given me the greatest pleasure to discover that people seem to love Angela and her friends as much as I do. I might have kept the series going longer, but I hate to see a character outstay her welcome, and so I decided to give Angela an adventure of her own and then send her off happily into the sunset. (Concerned readers who have been paying attention may have noticed that she returns to America in the summer of 1929. As a stockbroker she is going to be far too busy in the next few months to investigate any mysteries, even if she wanted to—although she has been astute enough to sell the company for cash, and so with any luck will ride out the crisis without too many losses.)
But if the series has ended, why, then, have I decided to admit to my little fiction now? There are a number of reasons. The first is that I was never entirely comfortable with it to start with—which is part of the reason I gave so little information about the mythical Clara Benson, since I was reluctant to compound the deception. The second is that many people guessed anyway. The third—and perhaps the most important—is the fact that I am unable to abandon this pen name owing to a certain Mr. Frederick Pilkington-Soames, who is a young man with a great sense of his own importance, and who wants to know why, if Angela has had one, he can’t have his own series too?
Since Freddy is well versed in the art of persuasion, I find myself unable to refuse him, and since it would be a little too much to believe that the long-dead Clara Benson left yet another series in a trunk in the attic, I have decided to come clean. Freddy will have his series and I will stop pretending to be dead. It wasn’t much fun anyway.
Not wishing to outstay my own welcome either, I’ll stop now, but before I go I would just like to say a heartfelt thank-you to all my readers. Your support has meant everything to me, and if I have managed to help you pass a pleasant hour or two with my stories, then it has all been worth while. Thank you.
Clara Benson
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Also by Clara Benson
THE MURDER AT SISSINGHAM HALL
On his return from South Africa, Charles Knox is invited to spend the weekend at the country home of Sir Neville Strickland, whose beautiful wife Rosamund was once Knox’s fiancée. But in the dead of night Sir Neville is murdered. Who did it? As suspicion falls on each of the house guests in turn, Knox finds himself faced with deception and betrayal on all sides, and only the enigmatic Angela Marchmont seems to offer a solution to the mystery.
This 1920s whodunit will delight all fans of traditional country house murder stories.
THE MYSTERY AT UNDERWOOD HOUSE
Old Philip Haynes was never happier than when his family were at each other’s throats. Even after his death the terms of his will ensured they would keep on feuding. But now three people are dead and the accusations are flying. Can there really be a murderer in the family? Torn between friendship and duty, Angela Marchmont must find out the truth before the killer can strike again.
The Mystery at Underwood House is the latest exciting 1920s whodunit featuring reluctant ‘lady detective’ Angela Marchmont.
THE TREASURE AT POLDARROW POINT
When Angela Marchmont goes to Cornwall on doctor’s orders she is looking forward to a nice rest and nothing more exciting than a little sea-bathing. But her plans for a quiet holiday are dashed when she is caught up in the hunt for a diamond necklace which, according to legend, has been hidden in the old smugglers’ house at Poldarrow Point for over a century.
Aided by the house’s elderly owner, an irrepressible twelve-year-old, and a handsome Scotland Yard detective, Angela soon finds herself embroiled in the most perplexing of mysteries. Who is the author of the anonymous letters? Why is someone breaking into the house at night? And is it really true that a notorious jewel-thief is after the treasure too? Angela must use all her powers of deduction to solve the case and find the necklace—before someone else does.
THE RIDDLE AT GIPSY’S MILE
Lost in the mists of the Romney Marsh, Angela Marchmont stumbles upon the body of a woman whose face has been disfigured--presumably to prevent recognition. Who is she, and what was she doing out there in the middle of nowhere? The search for answers will take Angela from a grand stately home to London’s most fashionable--and disreputable--night-club, and into a murky world of illegal drinking, jazz music and lost souls.
THE INCIDENT AT FIVES CASTLE
It is Hogmanay, and Angela Marchmont is at Fives Castle, the Scottish seat of the Earl of Strathmerrick, to see in the start of 1928. But when she finds out that the Foreign Secretary, the American Ambassador and the Head of British Intelligence are also among the guests, Angela begins to suspect that something momentous is afoot. Before long, they are all snowed in and a body is discovered, and Angela soon finds suspicion directed against herself...
THE IMBROGLIO AT THE VILLA POZZI
While holidaying in Italy, Angela Marchmont is persuaded to postpone her trip to Venice and go to Stresa instead, to investigate a pair of spiritualists who are suspected of defrauding some of the town’s English residents out of their money. But what starts out as a minor matter swiftly becomes more serious when one of the residents in question is found dead in the beautiful gardens of his home, having apparently committed suicide.
Seduced by the heady sights and scents of the Italian Lakes, and distracted by an unexpected encounter with an old adversary who seems bent on provoking her, Angela sets out to find out the truth of the affair and resume her journey to Venice before she forgets herself and loses her head—and her heart.
THE PROBLEM AT TWO TITHES
On a reluctant visit to her painfully respectable brother and his wife, Angela Marchmont finds herself once again caught up in murder when a local farmer is shot dead, apparently at the hands of his sworn enemy. But the case is not as simple as it seems, for other motives and suspects soon come to light. With reporters hot on the scent and her friend Inspector Jameson battling a conflict of interest, Angela must use all her ingenuity to unravel the case and bring the murderer to justice—or more than one person will suffer the consequences.
THE TROUBLE AT WAKELEY COURT
When the Grand Duke of Morania learns of a plot to assassinate him, he sends his daughter Princess Irina to school in England, out of harm’s way. British Intelligence scent trouble and ask Angela Marchmont to investigate. But dark forces are at work, and when the Princess disappears in mysterious circumstances Angela must race against time to find her, before the throne falls and Morania is plunged into revolution—or war.
THE SCANDAL AT 23 MOUNT STREET
When an unwelcome figure from her past turns up unexpectedly, Angela Marchmont has no idea that she is about to become the most notorious woman in Britain. Forced to reveal secrets she has kept to herself for many years, and which she had thought were safely buried, Angela faces a fight for her very life which she looks almost certain to lose without the help of the man she loves. But what hope does she have when the one man who can save her is the one man who has every reason to abandon her to her fate?
Table of Contents
The Shadow at Greystone Chase
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Also by Clara Benson
Table of Contents
The Shadow at Greystone Chase
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Also by Clara Benson
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