The Ghost of Glendale

by Kleinman, Natalie

  “So you see we shall glean no more from Agnes’s journal, but this last entry is telling indeed.”

  Phoebe stared at the page in frustration.

  ‘I am to be torn away. They are determined to separate us and I am to go to my father’s sister. My faithful Mildred takes a note to Simon for I must see him one more time to explain…and to say goodbye. I fear the storm but I must go.’

  “Oh poor child; and how brave!”

  “I wonder what happened when they met. I cannot believe Simon would have accepted his fate so readily. More, I would have thought their love so strong he would have run away with her,” Hugh said with a frown.

  “But we know he did not for it was he who found her body. Something must have happened in the storm. I shall have to search further among my mother’s papers. I am inclined to go back to the beginning now that I have some small idea of what I might be looking for.”

  “Do let me know if you discover anything and I shall do the same,” he said as he held the door open for her. She pulled up short, a gasp escaping her lips, for who should be entering the hall from the front door but Duncan. Rupert had received his friend’s letter too late to cancel Hugh and Phoebe’s meeting without seeming to be rude. He couldn’t believe that fortune would arrange for all to be there at the same time.

  Duncan was as taken aback as Phoebe. Nothing for it but to press on.

  “Miss Marcham, it is a delight to see you again. I am, as you will observe, just this moment arrived. With your permission I shall call on you tomorrow to see how your aunt does,” he said, one eyebrow raised.

  Phoebe bit her lip for he had not lost the ability instantly to make her smile and she well knew that the niceties of enquiring of her after her aunt’s health were entirely out of character.

  “I am sure she will be only too happy to give you a detailed account of her progress,” she replied, the bubble of laughter rising up into her throat. “You know Mr Rushmore, I believe.”

  “Of course. We have met many times,” he said, shaking the other’s hand. “How are you, Hugh? And your father?”

  “Both well, thank you. I have it from Rupert that your mother passed away. Please accept my condolences.”

  “As to that, she would only have suffered had she lingered. She is at peace now,” he said, thinking of her demons and hoping they had been laid to rest with her, and thinking too of Simon and knowing his hadn’t. “Please excuse me. My man has taken my things upstairs and I must see all is to rights. The same room as last time, Rupert?” he asked, turning to their host.

  “Yes. Come. I will take you up. Phoebe, I will arrange for someone to escort you home for I know Rushmore would not be welcome.”

  This time she did laugh, a delightful chuckle that Duncan remembered so well. “You may be sure of that. I expect my father would turn me off if I brought the enemy to the door.”

  Rupert and Duncan climbed the stairs together, Rupert apologising and explaining his predicament. Duncan made little of it. He was more concerned about the extremely cordial relations between Phoebe and Hugh. Were they not sworn enemies? What had happened to bring about such a closeness between them? When he had seen them together his heart had sunk and it was still lying somewhere in the pit of his stomach. The following day, wishing to bestow his gift upon Phoebe, Duncan chose not to have Beau saddled up but instead borrowed Rupert’s gig. He could not know she had waited expectantly for him and had kept Jester delayed far longer than she liked before riding out on her own. Duncan didn’t put in an appearance until the afternoon when he was shown onto the terrace, where her aunt gave him just such a comprehensive account of her progress as Phoebe had foreseen. Sophia was not complaining but instead was full of praise for everyone’s aid in her recovery.

  “I use the crutches still for I am not steady on my feet as yet but you will observe I am in fine frame.”

  “My aunt is certainly not so knocked up as when you last saw her, Mr Armstrong.”

  “Indeed, I am hoping she will honour me with a dance at Brendon’s reception in a couple of days.”

  Sophia laughed delightedly and rapped his knuckles with her fan. “Foolish boy, I do not dance, but it is kind of you to flatter an old lady.”

  “There was no flattery intended for I am certain you would not be susceptible to such treatment.”

  “But which you would no doubt engage in if you thought she would,” Phoebe said with what could only be described as a grin.

  “Naturally. I may be many things but not, I hope, a fool. I wonder, would you mind joining me for a moment in the yard. I have brought something with me about which I would value your opinion.”

  “Of course,” she said, rising and leading the way. “I had no expectation of seeing you again in Somerset.” She paused, allowing him time to draw level with her. “I am glad you were able to reach your mother in time,” she said warmly. “No matter the differences between you I am convinced it will have been a comfort to you both.”

  “You are right, as ever. I must return to Kirkleas before long for my circumstances have changed.” He paused, unsure how to continue. The perceived closeness between Phoebe and Hugh had altered everything in his mind. Overnight he’d had time to consider what he had seen and had ascribed it with far greater significance than was there. Forgetting that Phoebe’s manner with all was open and friendly he had attributed her ease with the other man to an intimacy which he had hoped was exclusive to him. He had been about to tell her that one of his reasons for coming south was a wish to see her again. Now, somehow, it seemed inappropriate. “I have some business here that I first need to attend to.” She was too polite to ask what. “Ah, here we are,” he said, lifting the statue from the gig. He placed it on a small table which he had asked Will to bring into the stable yard. “There! What do you think?”

  “He is beautiful,” she said, enraptured. “May I touch him?”

  “Of course.”

  She ran her hands over the shoulders and the back.

  “Look how the sculptor has captured every muscle and sinew. And the mane! The tail! He is exquisite.”

  “I am glad you like him for he is for you.”

  “What! No, I couldn’t possibly accept.”

  “Well now I’m in a quandary. What is left for me to do then but to carry him all the way back to Scotland?” he said, eyes once more alight with laughter.

  “But I couldn’t,” she said, more hesitantly now. “Could I?”

  “I can think of no reason why not. In fact, in my mind’s eye I have already allocated what I believe will be the perfect place in the Long Gallery.”

  “Oh no, I would have him in my dressing room,” she said, blushing even as she spoke. “Then I shall see him every day, for I do not go to the gallery every day.”

  “Then you accept. I am delighted.”

  “I shouldn’t, I know, but yes, and thank you.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “What a slow top you are, old boy. I felt sure you would have fixed your interest with Miss Talbot by now. What are you waiting for?”

  Sitting on the terrace at Cranford in the fading light Rupert blew a cloud into the air and watched it dissolve into the shadows. “I feared to put my luck to the test in case she might refuse me.”

  “Well you won’t know unless you try.”

  “No, don’t you see. While she is confined in Somerset just think how uncomfortable should she not return my affections, when we are obliged to meet nearly every day.”

  “Whereas you will wait until she leaves and the opportunity will be gone. And from what I saw of Baroness Talbot today that time will not be long in coming.”

  “I don’t know. Sometimes I think she will look kindly upon my suit. At others I see her with the likes of young Wainwright and believe she treats me no differently from him.”

  “What, that sapling! Lydia will always be kind and polite, whether her affections are engaged or not. Go to it before she leaves the district.”

  “You a
re right. I shall declare myself immediately.”

  “I doubt you will be welcome at this time of night,” Duncan said, for it seemed Rupert was indeed ready to call for his horse at that moment.

  Both laughed and went later to bed, the one in the hope his offer would be accepted, the other despairing that he was regarded only as a friend by the woman he loved.

  Phoebe was nervous the next morning, not sure if Duncan would ride over as before. She needn’t have worried. He arrived in good time and they trotted towards the wood before Phoebe called to him and reined in, a question on her face.

  “I was wondering now the weather is kinder if you would choose to ride about the estate.”

  Duncan was in two minds. Was she trying to avoid the easy conversation they were used to having in the clearing? He could not know but was certainly interested in seeing more than just the land which immediately surrounded the house, and said so. They set off at a walk, Phoebe telling him they would soon have the opportunity for a good gallop. The vista presented to him was of rolling hills, the scenery quite breath-taking.

  “You are lucky indeed to live in such a place. Where I come from the terrain is more rugged. It’s beautiful in its own way but very different from Somerset.”

  “I should love to see it. I have never been to Scotland.”

  “I will take you one day,” he said in his straightforward manner, but she laughed and told him he was being foolish in the extreme. Duncan felt rejected. Phoebe pointed and said the land in that direction belonged to the Rushmores.

  “One can see how close this part of our neighbours’ domain is to our own home wood. I have been discussing Simon and Agnes’s story with Hugh Rushmore. It’s what we were doing when you arrived this time at Cranford.”

  “Agnes?”

  “Simon’s sweetheart. We have discovered much in your absence.”

  Duncan, while delighted at the outcome, was not best pleased at the way it had come about.

  “But of course! We have not talked about the mystery since your return. I have so much to tell you. Would you care to remain for a while after our ride and I will show you all?”

  This was sounding better. Duncan gave himself over to the enjoyment of the ride and the anticipation of what was to come.

  Paying his final visit to make sure all was now healed, the doctor arrived at Glendale to see Baroness Talbot at exactly the time Rupert rode over from Cranford. By sheer good fortune Rupert found himself alone with Lydia on the terrace. He wasted no time in declaring himself.

  “Lydia, my darling. Your mother is now well and I fear you are about to be taken back to London.” He threw himself onto one knee and grasped her hand. “You must know of my sentiments. I would make you my wife. Please, Lydia, say you will marry me.”

  This rather dramatic proposal did nothing to diminish Rupert in Lydia’s opinion. He was her knight in shining armour. She drew him to his feet and looked up into eyes that were filled with hope.

  “It is my dearest wish to be your wife, Rupert. Of course I will marry you.”

  He clasped her in his arms, she covered in confusion, but oh so willing, before they strolled about the terrace, both in a state of heightened tension. Wanting so badly to share their joy they had to wait for the doctor to leave. Fortunately they did not have to wait for long. Sophia joined them outside, exclaiming that the doctor had declared all was well and she might now resume life as before.

  “But what is this?” she exclaimed, observing Lydia’s hand clasped tightly in Rupert’s. They sprung apart immediately but only so that Rupert could address the older woman.

  “Your daughter has done me the honour of accepting my offer, Baroness Talbot. We are hopeful you will give us your blessing.” Rupert was a little nervous but dogged nonetheless.

  “Give you my blessing! Of course you have it, dear boy. And you, Lydia. I could not be happier for you. Come now, give me a hug.” This last startling Rupert for it was addressed to him. Into this happy scene walked Phoebe and Duncan who had just returned from their ride. Phoebe was delighted for her cousin and the immediate celebrations overtook their intended pursuit. Agnes and Simon would have to wait for another day.

  The family dined alone at Glendale that evening. Lydia was at first uncomfortable at finding herself to be the centre of attention. Discussion of her forthcoming marriage soon led her to relax and even Sir Edward, who usually did not take a deal of note about these things, was delighted.

  “I have become very fond of you, my dear, and it will be a comfort to Phoebe, I know, to have you living so close.”

  His words were meant well but there was a slight pause after he spoke, for with her daughters married in close succession it might be anticipated that Sophia would be lonely in London without the two of them. Talk fell quite naturally into plans for the future and Sophia expressed a need to return home, “for there is much to do. Well, I daresay I shall be as exhausted as I was by your sister’s wedding, Lydia. Do you not recall how many visits we paid to this shop and that, the purchase of silks and muslins? And then the fittings necessary to make all perfect.”

  “How could I not, Mama,” Lydia said with a smile. “And the milliners. Such delightful confections. The bonnet I had from Miss Starke in Conduit Street is still my favourite.”

  It was at this point that Sir Edward lost interest so the ladies left him to his port and continued the discussion in the drawing room.

  “I envy you. I had little opportunity for shopping when I came to visit before, though I must say I am delighted with my riding habit.”

  “Come with us! Oh do come, Phoebe, if Mama should not object,” she said, looking at her parent in case she had been presumptuous.

  “Mama most definitely does not object.” She smiled serenely upon them.

  “So, Phoebe, will you come?”

  Phoebe looked from daughter to mother and back again. It would be fun, wouldn’t it? It would do her no harm either to buy some slippers and a reticule or two for herself. She made up her mind.

  “I shall be delighted. When do you plan to go?”

  “So although Mr Rushmore retains the journal, I have copied out the entries I consider to be relevant. Here they are,” Phoebe said, laying the paper on her mother’s desk for Duncan to see. Both were still in their riding clothes, Phoebe having invited him into the house the next day following their morning ride which they seemed to have resumed as a matter of course.

  ‘My family have forbidden me to meet my true love. I shall not heed them. I shall not!’

  ‘This wretched war is driving people apart. They shall not come between me and Simon.’

  ‘Mama has told me I am too young to understand what love is but she was married to my father when she was but sixteen, as I am now.’

  ‘I don’t know how I shall sleep tonight. Simon has asked me to meet him tomorrow in Glendale’s home wood. Dare I go?’

  ‘Our love is true. We carved our names upon a tree. It will forever be our special place.’

  “And this last one is the final entry.”

  ‘I am to be torn away. They are determined to separate us and I am to go to my father’s sister. My faithful Mildred takes a note to Simon for I must see him one more time to explain…and to say goodbye. I fear the storm but I must go.’

  “And no-one saw her again alive?”

  “No. It is understood that Simon found her body. But why was he not there to meet her, Mr Armstrong? Tell me that if you can.”

  He couldn’t, of course.

  “It is my intention to search my mother’s box more keenly now I have more idea what I’m looking for. I said as much to Mr Rushmore.”

  Rushmore again. Duncan, who had liked the chap before, was beginning to hate the sound of his name. He berated himself for being a fool and again offered to help Phoebe with her search, “for two heads are better than one.”

  “Well I should appreciate your assistance for there is much to go through. I will have little time as well in the forese
eable future as I am to go to London with my aunt and cousin.”

  This came as a shock to Duncan. Had he come all the way from Scotland only for Phoebe to remove herself from the area?

  “I had observed of course that your relationship with your aunt has improved beyond recognition. Do you plan to make a long stay?”

  “As to that I cannot tell you. Lydia asks me to go with them to aid in the purchase of her trousseau. I am hoping also to enjoy a trip to the theatre and one or two other things I was unable to do on my last visit.”

  Duncan asked when they would be going.

  “Within two or three days, I believe. Lydia and Rupert are anxious to wed as soon as possible. I know not whether he will join her in town or if they are to be married at Cranford.”

  Conversation ceased as they set aside Phoebe’s notes and concentrated on their search. They began with the lowermost document in the box, laying it face down and examining the next, and so on. Duncan found it hard to focus for his mind was on other things.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Things will seem a little flat without the Glendale party don’t you think, Rupert?” Duncan asked his friend at breakfast the next morning.

  “No such thing, for I plan to go to London myself. I have been meaning to go for a while and this will be as good a time as any.”

  “Nothing to do with the fact that you cannot bear to be parted from the fair Miss Talbot?” Duncan teased.

  “And so what if it is! You could do worse than to find yourself a nice girl to settle down with. It would do you no harm to put down some roots.”

  That there was nothing he desired more Duncan did not confide in his friend. With Phoebe going to town his dream seemed further away than ever. “Stay as long as you like. Max will be glad of the company, but I know you’ll understand why I wish to go.”

  “I remember the last time I was there. Do you recall? It was near the end of term and we were sent down for some childish misdemeanour, both of us. You were terrified that Max would be displeased and withdraw your allowance so we bolted to the city instead. Lord, what a time we had. I have a fancy to see how it has changed.”