“I like my dresses as they are,” she said in a quiet voice and avoided his gaze.
Lady Belle was up to current fashion in a short white cloak over an emerald riding dress that came above her ankles and showed off her calf boots to advantage. While he spoke to Susie, she had mounted her horse and sat as if the two of them were made for each other.
Beside him, Susie’s shoulders had slumped. Her gaze swung toward the house, as if she debated forgoing the ride and returning to the manor.
Lady Belle called to the groom to assist Susie to mount. She then drew abreast of his sister and, bending, whispered something in her ear. Immediately, Susie’s back straightened, and his shy, dowdy sister looked every bit a lady. A few moments later, the two women cantered away.
Rufus returned to the house deep in thought. He might have misjudged their new guest. It appeared she could have a good influence on Susie. Lady Belle would have had at least two London Seasons, so she might be able to assist Susie prepare for her first.
He would watch his guest’s actions over the next few days to see if she had outgrown her hoydenish ways. If she had, he would speak to his mother about Lady Belle joining them next spring in Town, as Susie’s companion. Having someone closer to her age whose guidance she trusted might help bring his reclusive sister out of her shell. And might assist Lady Belle to see that there were more enjoyable aspects to life than make-believe ghosts and goblins.
With more optimism in his heart than had been there all morning, Rufus dashed up the steps and entered his home. Suddenly, he was hopeful that he would succeed in clearing his name so he could proudly present Susie at her first ball. And then he imagined leading the enticing Lady Belle onto the dance floor. For now, he had the house relatively to himself and a great opportunity to search for clues. He would begin in the library, another of his father’s favorite haunts while at his country home.
EARNEST RAN ahead to scout out the terrain, rouse birds into flight, and chase rabbits into warrens. The peaceful snow-draped countryside gave Belle time to calm her agitated emotions. Lord Terrance’s touch on her hair and his breath on her skin had sped her heart rate and heated her cheeks. She had wanted to run her fingers across his face to see if he was as strong and tender as he looked.
Thankfully, she had broken away from his hypnotic gaze before she made a fool of herself. He would have laughed at her ardent response and said it was proof that she had come to Clearview Manor to seduce him. The arrogant earl was too aware of his effect on her. Belle had never been this attracted to any man before, not even her betrothed. She had known Jeffrey for over a year, and he had only kissed her on her cheek. Lord Terrance had attempted to kiss her on her lips on both their first and second meetings.
Fool that she was, she had been disappointed when Mendal interrupted them both times. Today, if Susie had been even a little late, Lord Terrance might have succeeded on his third attempt, and Belle worried she would have been complicit in the crime. What if he found a fourth opportunity and there was no rescue?
A delicious shiver spun through her.
“Are you cold, Lady Belle?” Susie asked. “Do you wish to return?”
The quietly spoken question startled her. They had ridden for a half hour without saying a word. Susie had been upset and Belle distracted, but it was bad manners to ignore her. “I am perfectly fine. Sorry to be so quiet.”
Susie shook her head. “I like quiet.”
The girl had lost the joy she had displayed when she first came outside. Lord Terrance’s fierce glowers and sharp comments had completely dampened the young lady’s enjoyment.
“Your brother can be foreboding,” she said with sympathy.
Lady Susie looked off into the distance. “He means well.”
“I am sure he does.”
The day was bright and inviting. Having spent most of her life in gray, crowded London, Belle fell in love with the open countryside. Lady Susie, on the other hand, probably took this wide rolling landscape for granted.
“Thank you for this tour of your land,” Belle said. “I am enjoying the ride.”
As if recalling her role as guide, Susie launched into a list of all they rode past. In a monotone, she described whom each farm belonged to and the names of every hill and mere.
When Susie pointed to a stately home whose dilapidated appearance suggested a more interesting history than Lady Susie’s clipped “Windhaven,” conveyed, Belle had to break in. “You must love this village and everyone in it.”
“I have never given the subject much thought.”
“If you do not care to live here, surely you would spend more time in London?”
No response.
Belle’s extra senses tingled, giving her an impression of light suppressed by a cloak of darkness. The image suggested that lurking beneath Susie’s deceptively placid façade was a vibrant personality waiting for an opportunity to shine.
On this bright cold morning, Belle wanted to break into this lady’s solitary world, one with apparently more bars and locks than the Tower of London. “I met a group of locals at the Briar Inn yesterday,” she told the young woman. “They apparently breakfast together every Sunday to speak of local news and events.”
“I rarely socialize,” Susie said. “It is too tiresome.”
“Not even dinner parties?”
Susie remained silent so long that Belle gave up hope of ever receiving a response. When her companion finally spoke, her voice was such a whisper that Belle had to lean in to hear.
“Papa did not encourage Mama and me to socialize without his supervision. He feared we would embarrass him. I obeyed his strictures.”
“That sounds lonely.”
“My rooms and plants are all the companionship I require.”
If that were true, then Belle was honored to have Susie’s company.
At the village, several people stopped to wish them good day. Susie avoided eye contact and, with head tilted away, spurred her horse forward. Belle thrived on the conversation, and Earnest loved the pets. But both had to abandon their socializing early in order to catch up with their guide.
They rode by a lane that led to a church and then followed a path through snowy fields. Earnest romped through the snow, barking. Soon they would be back at the stables, and Belle still had a sensitive topic to broach.
“May I confess something?” she asked.
Susie nodded. “I am good with secrets. Better than Mama.”
Belle smiled as she visualized the countess’s crossed toes and fingers. “Your mother is a dear, sweet woman and incorrigible. She expects me to disobey Lord Terrance’s orders about—” she paused.
“Ghosts,” Lady Susie whispered.
Belle nodded, knowing they treaded on forbidden ground. “Do you believe in them?”
“Mama does. She is afraid to sleep.”
That was troubling. Did her son know?
“Once, late at night, I went to the library for a book,” Susie said. “My mother’s room was lit. Since then I have checked on several nights, and each time, the candles burn in her room. Occasionally, I hear her voice.”
Where earlier, Susie’s words had trickled out, now the floodgates had opened as she continued with, “Her maid tells me that Mama does not fall asleep till the sun comes up. That she has not slept through the night once since Rufus brought back Papa’s remains and buried him behind the manor.”
“I was afraid that might be the case,” Belle said. “She requested my help to settle a restless spirit.”
“Can you do so?” Susie gave her an inquiring look. Unlike her brother, Susie seemed more curious than scoffing.
“Perhaps. Although your mother expects me to disobey your brother’s wishes, I intend to keep my word.”
“You will not help Mama, then?” Concern framed h
er face.
Belle shook her head. “I did not say that. I simply do not intend to involve the countess in my activities. This news of her restlessness is worrisome, however. Ghosts are notorious for venturing out after midnight, which is when I must track it. If your mother is awake then, we must distract her from my activities.”
Silence settled once more as Susie considered the matter. They rode into the stables, signaling an imminent end to their private conversation.
“Rufus will be displeased if he finds out you cling to your quest,” Susie said and reined in.
“I will not to speak of ghosts to anyone, including you, from this point forward.” Belle also drew her horse to a halt. “I will act as if I am merely paying a visit to Lady Terrance to appease my grandfather, who is worried about her.”
“I met Lord Alford once, about ten years ago,” Lady Susie said. “He was a kind man. He spoke about you at great length, especially to my father. Mama suspected that he wanted to set a match between the two of you, once you reached your majority.”
Belle arched a brow in surprise at this comment. Susie was full of intriguing information. Belle wondered if her grandpapa still nursed a hope for a match between her and Lord Terrance, and if that was why he had encouraged her to come. If so, then Lord Terrance’s fear about her presence in his home might be closer to the truth than Belle cared to admit.
She accepted a groom’s help to dismount.
The stable hands moved away, and she and Susie walked toward the house. Despite being far from anyone’s earshot, Susie still whispered, “We did not know about your special abilities then.”
“At that time, neither did I. My ability only manifested after I came of age. I suspect your father would not approve of me now, any more than your brother does.”
“Rufus believes nothing odd is going on in our home.”
Belle stopped and faced her companion. “And you?”
Lady Susie absently petted Earnest’s head as the dog sat between them. “Most of my time is spent in my chambers, and nothing odd ever happens there.” She sounded as if she regretted her peaceful existence. “I know something troubles Mama, though, and if you can alleviate her concerns, it would ease my mind greatly. I do not need to see a specter or hear strange sounds to believe something is wrong with Clearview. The house feels wrong. It has been so since my father died. My brother would say it is a manifestation of our grief. But then he does not believe in anything he cannot see, touch, smell, hear, or taste.”
“He has a point,” Belle said. “Much of what I do seems illusory to most people.”
Keeping Lord Terrance’s strictures in mind, she did not add that while she had waited for Susie earlier, she had sensed that someone watched her from a third floor window. And the icicle that fell on the exact spot where Mr. Winfield and she had stood had been real enough.
All indications were that a spirit did haunt Clearview Manor, and Belle intended to contact that spirit. When she succeeded, she would try to discover what kept it earthbound. Susie might be able to help with that discovery.
“It has been my experience,” Belle said, “that if something monumental worries a person while they are alive, that worry can linger in a place they consider their home. Do you know of anything that your father was concerned about before his death?”
Susie shook her head. “My father never confided in me. Rufus might know.”
Belle sighed. “Unfortunately, he is the one person I cannot ask. Nor your mother. And you and I shall speak no more of what your brother calls my ‘silly imaginings.’ Now, shall we go in for breakfast?”
“Yes, I am famished. As for my brother, I know how to behave around him. The same way I did with Papa. While in his presence, I behave as he expects me to, and I avoid him the remainder of the time. Then he does not bother me.”
Belle gave the young girl a startled look. “Is that what you want? For people to not bother you?”
“Of course. It is best not to be bothered by those who cannot accept me as I am.”
“That is a rather lonely life.”
“Safe,” her new friend replied.
“Tedious.”
“Dependable.”
“Dull as ditch water.”
Susie laughed and held up her hand for peace. “You win. At least in this war of words. But my way works well. I have not had to go for a Season. Every time Papa broached the subject, I had a megrim. So off he would return to London and leave Mama and me in peace.”
“And both of you missed the excitement of balls and musicals.” Belle saw no wisdom in Susie’s course.
“We have books to entertain us. In the last year I have traveled to Paris and China and India in my mind. As for Mama, she did not want for company. Many locals call her friend. The baker, you have met. There was also a Mr. Darby, the local blacksmith. But he died recently.”
Belle already knew about the blacksmith. A Sunday morning breakfaster at the Briar Inn had mentioned his name. Darby had been well-loved by the locals, and they deeply mourned his sudden death.
“It is strange,” Susie said as they climbed the front steps, “but ever since Papa died, Mama has not visited with anyone.” She visibly shuddered. “If Papa had found out about Mama’s friendships, the house would have shook with his temper. I loved him dearly, but . . .”
“It is best not to dwell on the matter,” Belle said.
Earnest, having run ahead, now lay by the front door. The wolfhound, with his gaze trained expectantly on her for some reason, reminded her of Lord Terrance.
“What about your brother?” Belle asked. “While you and your mother were entertaining yourselves, who looked out for him?” Her question surprised her because Lord Terrance had never evoked sympathy in her before.
“Rufus?” Lady Susie said, sounding equally surprised. “Why does he need looking after? He can take care of himself.”
“No need for a mother’s hug or a sister’s embrace, you mean?” The words came forth with more passion than Belle had intended. She took a breath to formulate her thoughts and find a way to explain where her emotion came from. “I lost my parents and my sister to whooping cough when I was five. Though I love my grandpapa, I know how it feels to be lonely.”
“I had heard about your loss,” Lady Susie said. “You have my deepest sympathies.”
Belle nodded acceptance. “It was a terrible time. Even though I was young then, I remember their pain, the horrific whooping sound my sister made as she attempted to take in a simple breath. Mama seemed so weak, and even Papa, whom I always pictured as robust and powerful, was confined to bed for days on end. Grandpapa would not let me near them, so every day I waited and listened to their coughs.”
She paused as a familiar heaviness settled in her chest. “I am sorry to go on so about my past.”
“Pray, do not be embarrassed. I would like to hear the rest. Finish the tale. It will help.”
Oddly, Belle felt that Susie spoke the truth, and she nodded. “The worst day of my life was when I could no longer hear my sister’s whoop. Grandpapa came to tell me Ellen had died. Then Mama passed away. A day later, Papa was gone. Life was never the same.”
Susie touched Belle’s arm, and Belle treasured that slight contact. She had never spoken of that terrible time to anyone before, and now that she had, she did feel better for it.
“When your mother embraced me at Clearview’s doorstep, I had never felt so welcomed or wanted since I was a child. My grandfather loves me dearly, but he does not show his emotions with physical gestures. Although your brother has a mother and a sister, if you do not share such gestures with him, he must feel as alone as I do.”
“I hope during your stay you will consider me your sister.” Compassion shone from Susie’s gaze. “But you are mistaken in one thing. Rufus is much like Papa. He does not need co
mfort.”
Help him. That was the phrase she heard on the staircase yesterday. Could this be what Lord Terrance needed help with? “Everyone needs comfort,” she said thoughtfully.
Susie did not respond to her comment, but said instead, “We shall seal this new relationship by calling each other by our first names. I hope you feel at ease to call me Susie.”
Belle nodded. “Please call me Belle.”
Susie reached for the front door handle, and inspiration suddenly struck Belle. “Wait.”
This lonely existence of mother and daughter, one separated from friends while the other was cut off from normal human contact, was unhealthy. Sad thoughts and depressed emotions encouraged trouble spirits to linger, made them unwilling to leave those who loved and still grieved them. Also, spirits tended to make an appearance between midnight and three in the morning. So she could both discourage the nightly hauntings and improve the occupants’ moods if they found a way to effectively distract the countess after midnight.
“I have an idea of how to help your mother,” she told her new friend.
Susie gave her a questioning look. “What would that be?
“I noticed this morning that you have a billiard table. Do you and your mother play?”
“Yes.”
“Then I suggest we hold some nightly games. But let us keep this between us. I promised your brother no more talk of ghosts, so we cannot tell him the reason for the timing of these particular games.”
The feasibility of secret midnight games and possible repercussions played across Susie’s face as her emotions fought a battle between protecting her privacy and helping her mother. The moment her decision was made, Belle sensed Susie’s response had swung in her direction.
Belle’s excitement built, and her cheeks heated with her excitement. If this worked, it would certainly be fun, and that was something she had not enjoyed in many months. More importantly, raising Lady Terrance’s spirits by engaging her interest would aid in ridding the darker spirit haunting the woman. They just had to find a way to do so without Lord Terrance finding out.
A Beastly Scandal Page 5