Secrets of Hallstead House

by Amy M. Reade

  “But none of these accomplishments and achievements was as important to him as was his wife, Louise. And the story of Boldt Castle is the story of his love for her.” Emery concluded his introduction of Boldt Castle just as we approached the sweeping stone veranda and climbed its wide, semicircular steps. At the top of the steps, Emery paused and looked back toward the property we had just traversed. Here and there across the lawn were small patches of rich green, undoubtedly the summertime color of the grass on the island. Statuary dotted the gardens, inviting wanderers to enjoy the view that the statues gazed upon always. It was a breathtaking scene, but I was eager to see the inside of the castle.

  And I wasn’t disappointed. We walked through the large wooden doors inlaid with leaded glass and into a gilded and marble space, which could only be called a great hall, rather than simply a foyer. Portraits hung on the walls in heavy scrollwork frames, and the space was lit by a magnificent glittering chandelier. On each side of us were rooms with exquisite furniture and grand fireplaces, and in front of us was a gorgeous staircase that separated at a landing and led upstairs to the left and the right. I could picture barons and baronesses descending the staircase in their coattails and ball gowns.

  Emery preceded us into a large dining room with the biggest table I had ever seen, set with china and crystal and bowls of flowers as though a banquet were to begin at any moment. Wandering over to the large window at one end of the room, I was treated to a sweeping view of the grounds and the river. I returned to Pete and Emery as Emery continued his story.

  “As I mentioned before, George Boldt was an immigrant from Prussia. He was born of poor parents and he had little when he came to this country. He started working in a hotel kitchen when he was thirteen and that’s how he got started in the hotel industry. He worked his way up. He eventually made lots of money, enough to purchase this island and begin construction on the castle.

  “When George bought Hart Island, his idea was to build a Rhineland castle right here on the St. Lawrence River, reminiscent of the castles of his youth. He wanted to build the castle as a testament to the love he felt for his wife, Louise. It was going to be a Valentine’s Day gift.”

  A sigh escaped my lips.

  “Construction began on the castle around 1900. It was to have six stories rising from the foundation level, an indoor swimming pool, one hundred and twenty rooms, an elevator, tunnels for the servants, a power house and clock tower, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, a dovecote, and a playhouse for the children and their guests, among other things. It took countless man-hours and unnumbered tons of materials to build the castle of Boldt’s imagination. During construction, the Boldt family stayed on the island when they were on vacation from the city. They stayed in Alster Tower, which was to become the playhouse after the castle was completed.

  “But in January of 1904, just when construction was nearing completion, Louise Boldt died suddenly. It is generally accepted that she died of heart trouble. George Boldt had lost the love of his life. He couldn’t imagine Louise’s castle without her mistress, so he sent a telegram to Heart Island with just three words on it: ‘Stop all construction. ’

  “The three hundred men who had been working put down their tools and left the castle behind. George Boldt never set foot on Heart Island again. In fact, he was so brokenhearted that he made his children promise that they, too, would never again set foot on the island, and they kept that promise. Over the decades following the death of Louise Boldt, the castle and grounds fell into a very sad state of disrepair from weather and vandals. It was only after seventy-three years that the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the island and its castle and decided to restore it to its former intended glory.

  “And that,” concluded Emery, “is the story of the castle and its beginnings. Quite a tale, isn’t it? Of course, the restoration has taken years, and as you’ll see when you head upstairs, it will take many more before it’s complete. But the first floor is done, and it’s beautiful, isn’t it? You’ll find displays down here of the Boldts and the Thousand Islands area. Why don’t you two spend some time wandering around? Feel free to go upstairs and to look around at the other buildings, too. I’ve got some paperwork to do back in the office, but I’ll find you later.”

  Emery left us then, and we headed upstairs to see the rest of the castle. I tried to imagine as we walked around what the rooms would have looked like if Louise Boldt had ever had the chance to furnish them. They would have been magnificent! I wondered aloud to Pete if he would be around to see the completed castle.

  “I’m not sure how long the restoration is supposed to take,” he answered. “But I’d love to see the finished product someday.”

  We continued walking up the large staircases to visit the rooms on the ascending floors. At the top was a beautiful stained-glass dome skylight comprised of hundreds of pieces of colored glass in a huge oval shape. It was a spectacular, dazzling piece of architecture that suited the castle perfectly.

  In one room at the top of the castle was a door leading to a large veranda outside. We stepped out onto the balcony for a bird’s-eye view of the island and this part of the castle. What an amazing sight! We could see miles of the majestic river. Close by, we saw a few boats traveling on the chilly water and the islands surrounding Heart Island. Eventually, the wind at this height became so strong that we reluctantly went back indoors.

  “I’m starving! Are you ready for lunch?” Pete asked as we descended the stairs to the first floor.

  I waited in one of the gardens while Pete headed down to the boat to get the basket with our lunch. When he returned, we ate in the garden on a lovely stone bench that faced several small trees and topiaries. Although there was still a chill in the air, we were both dressed warmly. The lunch was delicious and it was nice to sit outdoors admiring the scenery surrounding the castle. It was almost enough to allow me to forget for a while the troubles that I had left behind at Summerplace. But not quite. I sat thinking in silence.

  “Anything wrong, or are you just imagining yourself as Louise Boldt?” Pete teased.

  I smiled at him. “As amazing as this castle is, I don’t think I could live here. It’s almost too grand. I guess my tastes run to the simpler things. It’s fun to just come here and imagine what it could have been like if the castle had ever been finished and given to Louise. I think that to feel comfortable in opulence like this a person has to be used to it. And I’m certainly not used to it!”

  “I know what you mean,” Pete agreed. “And as nice as Summerplace is, it’s a far cry from being a castle.”

  “This has been a very memorable morning. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “It was Alex’s idea, but I’ll be happy to take the credit.” Pete grinned. He paused, then put his hand lightly on mine. “I’m glad you were able to get away from Hallstead Island for a little while at least. I know how oppressive that place can seem after a while. Everyone needs a break from it now and then.”

  I nodded, wondering whether I should discuss Alex’s fears with him. She had declined to discuss her problems with Pete, but I needed someone to talk to, someone who could look at this problem with fresh eyes and tell me either that I was crazy to take Alex seriously or that I should take careful note of the things she had told me about Forrest. Pete might be able to give me some much-needed advice and perspective. Taking a deep breath, I decided to tell him everything. I hoped Alex wouldn’t be upset.

  “Pete, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you, if you don’t mind.”

  “What is it?”

  “I couldn’t sleep last night and I went in search of a new book to read. It was after midnight, and Alex was in the library, acting strangely.”

  Pete’s brow furrowed, and I continued. “She was afraid of something.” I related to him the story she had told me during the night. He listened, not interrupting, and sat in silence after I finished speaking.

  “What do you make of her story?” he finally asked m
e.

  “I don’t know what to make of it. I was hoping that you could provide me with some insight.”

  Pete thought for a long time, looking out over the water. Finally he spoke. “She was absolutely lost when Forrest died. He was a great man; those two were made for each other. It took her a long time to start living again. I do remember that she mentioned once that she had heard voices shortly before Forrest died, but like everyone else I suppose I chalked it up to her state of mind at the time and didn’t take her claim too seriously. Maybe I should have.”

  “Did she ever mention it again?”

  “Not to me. And I think if she mentioned it to someone else, I would have heard about it. It concerns me that she still feels this way after four years. And I hate to think of her sitting in her rooms like a prisoner, afraid for her own life.”

  “So you think there’s something to what she says?”

  “I honestly don’t know, but maybe it’s something you should discuss further with her. I would talk to her about it, but she went to you with her concerns, not me. I’m not sure she would even want you discussing this with me. But I’m glad you did,” he added.

  “I’m glad I did, too. I didn’t know where to turn. But there’s something else I’ve been thinking about.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I received a letter recently from my nursing agency. They have another position for me—a woman in New York who needs a private nurse. They are wondering if I’d like the job and they need an answer soon.”

  He nodded and looked again at the water. Without looking at me, he asked, “And are you thinking about it?”

  “Yes,” I answered truthfully.

  “What about your job here?”

  I sighed, exasperated. “I feel like I was tricked into coming here! I feel like my job is secondary to the real reason I was asked. I don’t know anything anymore! Alex has overwhelmed me these last couple of days, and I think it might be best for me to take that job.”

  “Well, if that’s how you feel . . .” His voice trailed off. He stood up abruptly. “It sounds like you have a decision to make before you start worrying about Alex’s problems. Do you want to look around the island anymore?”

  I was startled by his sudden change in demeanor. “Uh, yes,” I stammered. “Do we have time?”

  “I guess so.”

  “What should we see first?”

  “I’ve seen everything. Why don’t you start in that building over there while I take the basket back to the boat?” he suggested, pointing to a building that seemed to rise right out of the water and was joined to the island by a small bridge.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “The Power House and Clock Tower,” he answered. “There are a lot of exhibits on the walls in there. It should be pretty self-explanatory.”

  Perplexed by his mood swing, I wandered off toward the Power House while he walked away in the opposite direction. I was intrigued by the building’s interior. It was indeed self-explanatory, and I learned that, as its name suggested, its intended use had been to provide electricity for the castle. As I walked back over the small bridge to the main island, I saw Pete striding toward me. I waited for him before making my way to another small building nearby. When he joined me, his attitude seemed to have softened a bit.

  “What did you think of the Power House?” he asked.

  “It was interesting,” I told him lightly.

  “Do you want to see Alster Tower next?”

  “Alster Tower was the playhouse, right?”

  “That’s right.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  Pete nodded and continued walking. He didn’t say anything else until we reached the front of the playhouse, a magnificent structure that any child would be thrilled to have. Then he turned to me suddenly and asked, “What about me?”

  “Huh?” I asked, utterly confused. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean . . . ,” he began, then stopped. More quietly, he began again. “I mean that I don’t want you to leave Hallstead Island to take the job in New York.”

  I was at a loss for words. I opened my mouth to speak several times before shaking my head and laughing. “Is this why you’ve been such a jerk since we finished lunch?”

  He threw his head back and started laughing too. “Yes,” he admitted, “I’m sorry. Your announcement took me by surprise.”

  “Apology accepted,” I said with a smile. But I didn’t know what to say next. It made me happy that Pete didn’t want me to leave, but that didn’t solve any of my other problems. I still needed time to come to grips with being part of Alex’s family, and I needed time to decide what to do about her plea to help find the person who supposedly killed Forrest.

  I tried to put my confusion into words. “I don’t know what to say,” I told Pete. “It’s not that I want to go back to New York, but I feel confused here. I don’t know what to think about being Alex’s granddaughter and I certainly don’t think I’m in a position to help her find out who killed Forrest. If anyone really did kill him.”

  Pete sighed and took my hands in his. “I’m sure Alex knows that it will take time for you to accept her as a family member. And as for her request that you help find out who may have killed Forrest, all I can say is that you have my support and her support, and that’s something.

  “But I can’t stop thinking about you.” And with that, he pulled me to him and kissed me. He must have known I’d be willing. I got a feeling in my stomach like butter melting as I kissed him back. It had been a long time since I had felt this way, at least since the beginning of my relationship with Alan, and I hadn’t felt close to anyone in a long time. Some of my fears about staying on Hallstead Island, wisely or not, began to fall away in Pete’s embrace. I looked at him earnestly. “You’ll help me if I decide to stay?” I asked.

  “You know I will.” He grinned.

  “Then I’ll postpone sending that letter to my nursing agency,” I told him. “But I haven’t decided for sure. I have to let my head clear a little,” I warned.

  He reached for my hand and we walked up the steps into Alster Tower together. We were exploring the playhouse when Emery came in.

  “I thought I’d find you in here,” he remarked. “Pretty interesting place, isn’t it? The room we’re standing in is called the Shell Room because of the shape of the roof. It was intended for dancing. Did you see over the railing to the basement level? There was a bowling alley planned for down there. How many kids do you know with a bowling alley in their playhouse?” He laughed.

  “Upstairs, there were plans for a billiard room, a library, bedrooms, a café, a kitchen, and a grill. Amazing, isn’t it?”

  Pete and I agreed, nodding.

  “I hate to mention it, but it is getting late in the day. Maybe we should start heading back to Summerplace,” Pete said.

  I agreed and the three of us walked toward the boat. As we were passing the main entrance to the castle, I turned to Pete and Emery. “Do you mind if I just run and look inside one last time? I took pictures, but I want to see it in person again.”

  They smiled and shook their heads. I ran lightly up to the veranda and let myself in through the great wooden doors. I gazed in awe once again at the chandelier, the beautifully decorated rooms on the main floor, the gleaming wooden railing of the grand staircase, and the fine artwork on the walls. I hated to leave this place and return to the uncertainty and turmoil on Hallstead Island, but at least I was leaving with an ally I could depend on for support and encouragement. I smiled to myself, remembering the feeling of Pete’s arms around me, and left the castle behind.

  When we got to the boat, Pete and I both thanked Emery for his time and his storytelling. Then we were off, Emery waving from the dock.

  “Well, what did you think?” Pete asked, looking at me.

  “I loved it. Thanks for bringing me today,” I answered.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it,” he replied, reaching out to put his hand on my shou
lder.

  I held his hand in mine and we stayed like that for the ride back to Hallstead Island. It felt right; I didn’t dwell on my fear of the water (though I did wear the life jacket), and for once I was not ready for the boat ride to end when we pulled up to the dock.

  I collected the picnic basket and told Pete that I would take it up to the kitchen and put it away. Then I thanked him a second time for taking me to Boldt Castle and he kissed me again, quickly this time, before I left him. I walked to Summerplace with a spring in my step that hadn’t been there earlier in the day, and I found that I was actually looking forward to seeing Alex. Pete had done more for me than he suspected.

  Once inside, I deposited the basket in the kitchen and went in search of Alex. I didn’t have to look for long; I found her in her office, where I supposed she would be.

  She noticed the change in me at once.

  “Whatever happened today did you good,” she said approvingly.

  “I think you’re right,” I agreed. I didn’t tell her what had happened to cause this change in me, but I’m sure she knew it all along. She had probably sent Pete and me to Boldt Castle together intending for us to grow closer. It didn’t matter to me . . . I was glad she’d done it.

  CHAPTER 11

  I enjoyed a restful, dreamless sleep that night and woke up the next day feeling hopeful and brighter than I had the previous morning. I still wanted to postpone sending the letter to my agency, though I knew I would have to make a decision soon about staying. After breakfast I went to see Alex. She declined to go for an early morning walk outside and instead announced that she wanted to spend some time today packing up the things in her rooms that would make the trip to her winter home on Pine Island. She assigned me to packing up her clothes. I spent the entire morning going through her voluminous wardrobe and putting her heavy winter things in boxes. Before I was done with the clothes, Alex requested that Vali bring lunch on a tray for us.

  After lunch, I spent a short time in the library packing the books she had requested, largely works of fiction and books about the Thousand Islands. I found Alex working again and proposed that she take a break to do some exercises, which she consented to do for about an hour. After that, she needed to do some more work in her office and she suggested that I take a couple of hours to do whatever I wanted. I made my way up to the turret room, where the warmth of the day made it quite comfortable. I got out all the supplies I would need to start a watercolor painting. I knew just what I wanted to paint—Boldt Castle. It had so inspired me yesterday that I wanted to try to do it justice on canvas. I didn’t want to paint it up close; I wanted a distant view of it, with other islands and the river surrounding it.