by Dilys Xavier
*
It was quite some time before Catherine felt well enough to give an interview. When she finally agreed to meet the press, Josie was at her side to ward off any intrusive questions. She was well aware that they might ask highly personal questions just to embellish their reports on the basis that it made a human interest story. When they had gone, Catherine turned to her friend.
‘I can’t thank you enough for your support,’ she said, clasping the older woman’s hand. ‘I couldn’t have coped without you. You’ve not only made sure the house continued to function normally, but you’ve managed to find someone to look after the rest of the estate. It’s really incredible.’
‘Old friends are good friends,’ Josie said, with an air of satisfaction. ‘I thought of Ruben Lombard as soon as you’d told me what had happened. I knew he’d be only too happy to help, and all his years of experience in Sutherland made him an ideal person to take over the management in the short term.’
‘But how long will he be prepared to stay?’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that at the moment. We’ll discuss it after the funeral. He’ll probably be quite content to stay on until everything is sorted out.’ She fixed an eye on Catherine. ‘Now, if I were you, I’d forget all about that party you’ve been arranging to celebrate your birthday. Just have a couple of close friends over for dinner and leave it at that.’
Cecile rang that evening and apologised for not getting in touch earlier. She had just returned from visiting her mother and only learnt of the tragedy from Richard. Catherine was reluctant say too much because she felt tears welling up every time Peter’s name was mentioned. Rather than be impolite she suggested that they should meet the following day when she hoped she would feel more like talking.
‘Yes, let’s have lunch together,’ Cecile suggested. ‘Somewhere different for a change; some place where nobody knows you.’ Just before they said goodnight, she added, ‘I’ll pick you up, it’s silly taking two cars.’
The quiet country pub that Cecile had chosen was tucked away down a lane and from the normal tourist trail. She parked behind the former seventeen-century coaching inn and led the way through the low doorway into the dimly lit cobblestoned interior. The middle aged publican stopped what he was doing to watch the two attractive women hesitate before selecting a table that looked out onto the courtyard. He straightened his tie and sauntered towards them smiling broadly as if he was hoping to impress them. But when he caught a glimpse of Catherine’s sad expression, he hesitated and politely asked if they wanted to order a drink.
Catherine picked at her meal as she related the events leading up to Peter’s death. She explained how Murphy had surprised her and thrown her to the ground, and finished by saying she was lucky he didn’t try to kill her as well. Then she spoke of Josie’s timely arrival and her help to enlist Ruben Lombard, but she did not enlarge on her own feelings of inadequacy and sense of loss. In an effort to put an end to the subject she asked Cecile about her weekend with Richard. However, she was not prepared for the woman’s glowing testimony of his kindness and generosity.
Her sense of loss rose to the surface again when she learned that they enjoyed a very close relationship. Why do I feel this way, she mused, after all he means nothing to me. Oh, yes she admitted that he had not disguised the fact that he had found her attractive, but then he probably did that from force of habit. Even so, that still did not answer her question.
‘You’ve suddenly gone very quiet.’ Cecile’s voice held a note of concern. ‘Have I said something wrong?’
‘No, it’s not you. It’s just that I’m rather concerned about Richard Carlisle’s intentions,’ Catherine said, slowly. ‘I think he’s going to be the cause of a lot more problems.’
‘Why do you say that?’ Cecile said, watching her closely. ‘He’s said nothing to me that you could construe as a threat to your situation. Surely he’d have let something drop if he thought he had any chance of inheriting Langley Hall. Most men couldn’t resist boasting about something like that, I mean ...’ She stopped and left the sentence unfinished.
‘I hope you’re right.’ Catherine looked down at her hands and then at her friend, ‘but something tells me he knows he has the right to claim the inheritance. Don’t ask me why I feel that way. Maybe, it’s all just getting to me.’
Cecile laid a hand on her friend’s arm.
‘I’m sure everything will turn out all right. Peter’s death has been a great shock to everyone and it’s completely turned your world upside down. It’s a natural reaction to look on the dark side, but you’ll perceive things differently when you’re feeling better.’
‘You could be right, but I think I’d die if lost my home, too.’
While she dabbed her eyes dry, Cecile went to the bar and paid the bill. When they stopped outside the manor, half an hour later, Catherine gave a deep sigh.
‘I don’t think I’ll bother about the Lotus Elan now,’ she said. ‘There’s a long waiting list and I just don’t feel that enthusiastic about it at the moment. I’ll just hang on to the Mazda until I see something else I fancy.’
When Cecile looked at her in amazement, she realised that the comment must have seemed most inappropriate under the circumstances and she wondered why the thought had suddenly popped into her mind. Catherine slipped out of the Alfa Romeo and promised to phone when the burial arrangements had been completed.
*
Louise Finnigan rang that evening to say she wouldn’t be able to attend the funeral, because her eldest daughter, who was living in Northern Ireland, was due to have her first baby and she wanted to be there at the birth. Before hanging up she suggested that Catherine should visit her after Peter was laid to rest.
‘It might be good to get away from the place for a while,’ she said. ‘A couple of weeks’ break will do your soul good.’
‘Yes, you could be right, Louise. I’ll think about it.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The day of the funeral was in direct contrast to the weather forecast. The threatened rain did not cross the Irish Sea and move inland as predicted, much to the relief of the mourners. Peter’s remains were laid to rest in the same small cemetery where they had buried John Sinclair only weeks before.
Up until this morning Catherine felt that she was beginning to come to terms with Peter’s death, but as the small church filled to overflowing, the feeling of loss returned with renewed intensity. And now, as the minister uttered the last prayer over the coffin, she released Josie’s hand to throw a handful of earth onto the wooden box. A slight shudder passed through her body as she considered the possibility of facing the future without Peter’s cheerful presence.
She glanced at Richard Carlisle and Cecile standing on the outskirts of the mourners and wondered if he would accept the open invitation to Langley Hall afterwards. He had looked long and hard at her as they walked towards the open grave and she wondered what he was thinking. Did he feel any affinity with Peter Hamblyn? Possibly not, but he probably felt obligated to attend.
Richard tugged gently at Cecile’s hand as they moved away from the graveside.
‘Catherine looks absolutely shattered. It must have hit her very hard.’
‘Oh, there’s more to it than meets the eye,’ Cecile said. ‘I’ll explain later.’
When they reached their cars he stopped. He wondered whether or not he should accompany Cecile back to the reception. It might be kinder to Catherine to stay away. As if reading his mind, she grabbed his hand.
‘I think it will look rather odd if you don’t make an appearance.’ When he hesitated over his reply, she added, ‘You can leave early if you like.’
The grounds of the manor appeared to be even more attractive than the day he had visited the house on the occasion of John Sinclair’s funeral. The gardens were a mass of colour. It was as if nature was compensating for all the darkness that had enveloped the property over the years; as if trying to prove there was no shadow over Langley Hall.<
br />
And what role am I to play in its future, he wondered. Will I be part of that darkness, or will I be able to help remove it from the place?
He parked next to Cecile’s Alfa Romeo and walked slowly towards the house. They had agreed to drive their own cars to the funeral rather than share one, because Richard had been undecided whether to go back to the house afterwards. Cecile had already indicated that she intended to spend some time with Catherine when everyone else left anyway. She climbed out of her car as he approached, clasped his hand and drew him towards the manor.
They had barely taken a dozen steps when Cecile pulled him around to face her.
‘What is it, Richard?’ she asked. ‘You seem rather introspective today. It’s not like you at all. You barely knew Peter, and Catherine’s loss couldn’t have affected you that much. So it must be something else.’
‘Yes, there is something, but I can’t tell you now. I’ll come and see you tonight, if I can get away from the office early enough.’
‘Are things that busy?’
‘It’s unbelievable,’ Richard replied. ‘The response to that tiny piece of equipment has exceeded my wildest expectations. Poor Nicole is barely coping with the work, but at least I’ve been able to find someone to help her. I’m going to have to move into bigger premises almost immediately. In fact I’m having a look at a place this morning, so it’ll give me an excuse to leave early.’
After he had paid his respects to Catherine, he followed some other mourners into the main hall. He had already decided that it might be best to keep as far away from her as possible in order to save any embarrassment. A couple who had attended the dinner party, thrown for his benefit, reintroduced themselves. They had known Peter quite well and were shocked at his sudden death. When they drifted away, he looked around for Anna, but she was nowhere to be seen. Peter’s parents seemed to be keeping themselves apart from everyone else and he was reluctant to approach them because he did not feel he should intrude on their grief. Besides it would be difficult to explain his association with their son.
Not wishing to be too conspicuous wandering around on his own he walked outside and found himself drawn towards the stable area. As he turned the corner he saw Anna standing by a horse occupying one of the boxes. She had laid her cheek against the animal’s neck and was gently stroking its velvety muzzle while she talked to it in a low monotone. He was about to turn away when the horse nickered, drawing her attention to him. Anna looked at him through tearstained eyes and then ran into his arms and buried her head on his shoulder sobbing uncontrollably. It was a long time before she regained her composure.
‘Thank you Richard,’ she breathed softly. ‘You always seem to be there when I need you.’ She tugged a wet tissue out of her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. ‘Saracen was Peter’s favourite.’ She sniffed again. ‘He’s going to miss him, too.’
Once again, Richard was torn between the need to extricate himself from this attractive young woman and the desire to stay and comfort her. She stirred up feelings in him that were totally unacceptable. Gently easing her away, he steered her towards the house.
‘It might be good to be with your folks; they seem pretty upset.’
He accompanied the girl back to the manor and looked for Catherine, but she was nowhere to be seen. So he asked Cecile to explain that he had a business appointment that could not be cancelled.
‘Here’s hoping you find the right premises,’ Cecile said, and promised to ring him later. He was nearly twenty minutes late for the meeting, but the agent nodded his head sympathetically when Richard explained the reason for his tardiness. The man pointed out all the salient features of the property and answered most of Richard’s questions candidly.
Nicole looked up as he walked through the door and uttered just one word.
‘Well?’
‘It’s not bad. At least two to three times bigger than this place.’ He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘Yes, it could be all right. You could have your own private office and there’s a lovely corner that’ll make a nice reception area.’
‘So everything is coming up roses for Mr Richard Carlisle,’ she said, with a laugh. ‘Business is booming, the cash flow is good, and your love life seems to be on the up and up as well. You’ll note I didn’t say you appear to be in love.’ She paused, as he looked sideways at her. ‘You’re not in love, are you?’
Richard hesitated before answering.
‘I’m pretty hard-headed, Nicole. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I weren’t, so I haven’t allowed emotions to overrule my basic common sense up to now. Yes, I’d be the first to admit that I’ve played the field, but I suppose there are things that are more important than succeeding in business.’
‘So has Ms Katsoulis staked a claim to your heart?’
‘I don’t know to be perfectly honest,’ Richard replied. ‘I haven’t thought much about love. It’s a word that has been misused and denigrated to sell meaningless products in the market place. TV commercials would have you believe that a man will fall in love with a woman just because she uses a particular brand of perfume.’ He rubbed his chin again. ‘I don’t know if she’s just a passing fancy or whether it’ll turn into something more lasting.’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘I don’t really know.’
‘Well, thanks for sharing your thoughts with me,’ Nicole said, sincerely. ‘I appreciate your confidence. I’d also like to say that I enjoy working for you. You’re a good boss.’ She coughed self-consciously. ‘Now you’d better get behind your desk and get to work. Oh, and by the way the girl from the agency is picking things up very quickly.’
Richard walked into his own office with a smile on his face. He felt very pleased that Nicole had expressed her concern for him and that she had paid him such a lovely compliment. Maybe there’s a hope for me yet, he thought. Maybe the shield he had raised following his mother’s death was beginning to slip.
*
As the last person said goodbye, Catherine turned wearily to Cecile.
‘Let’s go up to my drawing room for a while; it’ll be more private.’ She led the way upstairs to her apartment and then pressed her hands to her head. The headache had hardly abated since the day she had been pulled off Misty and struck to the ground. While Cecile made some coffee, she popped another couple of painkillers into her mouth.
‘What are you going to do now, Catherine?’ Cecile said, as she sat down.
‘You mean what am I going to do here on my own?’ Catherine asked, slowly. ‘I don’t know, Cecile, I really don’t know.’ She poured them both a small whiskey. ‘Peter slipped into Cousin John’s role with the minimum of fuss; I felt comfortable about it, and that I could rely on him to continue running the place efficiently. But now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to cope without some extra help.’
‘But, surely Josie will stay on until you’ve sorted something out, won’t she? And according to her, Ruben Lombard is quite capable of managing the place, at least in the short term.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Catherine replied. ‘But I can’t expect him to stay for more than a week or two. He’ll want to get back to his family in the Lake District as soon as he can. And I don’t want to be a burden to Josie, she’s not young anymore.’
Cecile sighed. ‘I wish I knew how to help you, I really do.’
‘You’re a loyal and loving friend, and that’s enough.’ Catherine paused for a moment as if unwilling to ask a point blank question. ‘But what about you? What are your plans? Does Richard Carlisle play any part in your future?’
‘I’m not sure. Although, I must admit that he’s the first man in a long time to have any lasting effect on me.’ She gave a girlish giggle. ‘They usually bore me to tears after a few weeks, or they come so strong it’s unbearable. However, I don’t know if I want to become fully involved with him to the exclusion of everyone else. Mind you, he’s good company, charming, and of course he knows how to push all my buttons.’ She gave a nervous little laugh. ‘Absolute tops in that
department. Add to that the fact that he says he loves me to bits, he’s a potential millionaire, and gives me a good time, but ...’ She didn’t finish and just gazed dreamily into space.
‘But you’re still a bachelor girl at heart.’ It was neither a question nor a statement.
‘I guess so,’ Cecile admitted. ‘The thought of tying myself down with one person frightens the life out of me. Make no mistake, Catherine, I think Richard’s great, and I admit that the way I feel about him right now is that I’d like us to enjoy each other’s company for a long time, but ... but that’s as far as it goes.’
Catherine felt a strange sense of relief as her friend spoke about her reluctance to commit herself to a full relationship. There was no reason why she should feel that way, but it seemed important. She had pondered this subject before and had never come up with a satisfactory answer, and now as Cecile continued to expand on the subject, she sighed inwardly. But she still didn’t know why.
After her friend had gone, Catherine went looking for Josie and found older woman sitting quietly in the kitchen having a cup of coffee. She climbed wearily to her feet, filled another cup and set it on the bench for Catherine.
‘Are you all right, Josie?’ she asked, a note of concern in her voice.
‘Just a bit tired; it’s been a busy day, but then funerals are always hard work.’
‘Yes, let’s hope that’s the last one for a very long time,’ Catherine said quietly. Then she went on to say she might consider Louise’s suggestion to visit Ireland after the inheritance formalities were completed. ‘I think she’s right that I need a break away from this place.’
As she climbed the steps to her apartment Catherine thought about Josie’s parting words concerning Peter. How did she really feel about his death? Was it a mixed blessing? On one hand it relieved her of the obligation to marry him, and yet it had robbed her of his friendship and companionship. And then she thought of his involvement with Murphy. Sooner or later that surely would have caused a lot more problems, and maybe tarnished the good name of Langley Hall.