It was some days after Robert’s funeral that she had unexpected visitors. She was in the garden standing over a bonfire. The leaves, twigs and dried-up flowers of late autumn had not yet produced a suitable flame for her purpose. She was prodding it with a stick when Polly came trotting over to tell her that Mr Birkett and Mr Armitage had arrived.
‘So I see,’ she said, noting that the two men were only a few steps behind her elderly servant.
‘Forgive our intrusion,’ said Seth Armitage, one snowy brow raised above a discerning eye, his other eye half closed as if guarding some secret. ‘We bring good tidings. Is it a bad time?’
Her smile was wider than it had been in a long time. ‘No. On the contrary, it’s a very good time.’
Judging by their reaction, neither man thought her insensitive for appearing so affable so soon after her husband’s death. Few people had liked Robert – especially men. As for women – she thought of the way he’d deluded her. Robert was a charmer. She’d fallen. But never again, she promised herself. Never again.
James Birkett, who looked at her more directly now she’d attained a very youthful widowhood, began unravelling the ribbon from a bunch of legal documents. ‘Shellard Enterprises have agreed to a beneficial merger with Wolverine Investments. All it needs is your signature. I’ve gone through it with a fine toothcomb. So has Seth. It’s a good deal.’
Catherine returned her attention to the fire, poking the, heaped leaves to help circulate the air. A small flame burst into existence. It wasn’t much, but enough to get things going.
‘Only a small flame, but enough to start a fire,’ she said absent-mindedly.
Seth Armitage, a kindly figure of a man, placed his hand on her shoulder. He’d come to much admire this young lady and showed it quite openly – though not in the same way as James, who was smitten beyond control.
‘Indeed you have started a small flame,’ he said. ‘I think you have it in you to start a fire. I’d like to help you do that, if I may. If you wish.’
Catherine smiled at him. ‘That’s very kind of you.’ She switched her gaze to James and saw him blush in response to her smile. ‘How about you, James? Would you like to help me start a fire?’
His blush deepened. ‘Very much, Catherine. Very much indeed.’
She nodded thoughtfully. In her short life she had finally found men she could count on.
‘This is a very fine house,’ said Seth, casting his eye over the rear façade. There was a gap in the crumbling cornice at various points on the second floor and cracks half hidden behind a virulent creeper. ‘Or could be,’ he added. ‘But never mind. You should be able to afford better than this in time – with my assistance, of course.’
She nodded. ‘I have just the place in mind.’
The Douro Valley, the walls of Castile Villanova and its tinkling fountains were like a vision among the dead leaves and spurting flames.
‘If you’d like to go back into the house, gentlemen, I’ll be with you shortly. There’s something I have to do first.’
Immensely pleased with her response, they did as she suggested.
The smoke from the fire blew into her face and stung her eyes. It failed to distract her from her mission. As the small flames grew into larger ones, she picked up the cotton nightdress lying at her feet. Holding it between finger and thumb she let it fall into the fire. She was no longer the unwanted child locked away in a Portuguese palace. She was a woman and a Shellard and her star was rising.
First published in the United Kingdom in 2008 by SEVERN HOUSE PUBLISHERS LTD
This edition published in the United Kingdom in 2019 by
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
57 Shepherds Lane
Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 2DU
United Kingdom
Copyright © Erica Brown, 2008
The moral right of Erica Brown to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 9781788634526
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Look for more great books at www.canelo.co
House in the Hills Page 31