It was several minutes later before she remembered that they hadn’t settled the matter of Polly’s lift home. She rang the bell to the kitchen and waited for what seemed an eternity for someone to answer. When the door finally opened, it was Martin who poked his head into the room.
“You rang, madam?”
“It’s late, Martin. Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I have no idea, madam. Why aren’t I in bed?”
“Are you helping Violet with something?”
“No, madam. Violet has retired for the evening.”
“What about Polly? Has she left?”
“Yes, madam. I believe she was in the company of an American.”
Relieved that Polly had been taken care of, Elizabeth nodded. “Martin, do try to remove that tone of disgust from your voice when you mention the Americans.”
“Yes, madam.”
“And I suggest you also retire for the evening.”
“Very well, madam.”
He’d sounded a little distant, and Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “Do I sense a note of disapproval?”
Martin raised his chin. “It is not for me to pass judgement on your social activities, madam.”
“Indeed not, Martin. I should hope the thought never crossed your mind.”
“I should merely like to point out that the master is displeased.”
“Really. Well, tell the master that I’m in charge here now, and what I do is my own business.”
“He won’t like that, madam.”
“Quite possibly, but nevertheless, it happens to be the truth. And I fail to see what he can do about it now.” Great heavens! she thought. She was talking as if her father were still alive. She really needed to get some sleep. As for all this talk about ghosts, there had to be a simple explanation. She would investigate the great hall herself tomorrow and put all these silly rumors to rest.
Polly bounced down hard on the seat as the Jeep lurched across a bump in the lane. She made the most of the opportunity and swayed hard against Sam’s arm.
“Sorry,” he said, looking not in the least sorry about it.“Didn’t see that one coming.”
“It’s all right.” She tried to think of something clever to say, but her mind had gone completely blank. “I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you down the pub tonight. I had to work late. Thank you for taking me home, anyhow.”
“It’s my pleasure, believe me.” He jammed his foot on the brake as they approached the crossroads then swept around the corner, ending up on the wrong side of the road.
“You’re on the wrong side again,” Polly reminded him. “You Yanks will never get the hang of driving on the right side of the road.”
“I thought we were supposed to drive on the left side of the road.”
She nudged him. “Go on, you know what I mean.”
He pulled over to the left, bringing them up close to the edge of the woods. “I’m sure glad you’re not out here riding your bike at this time of night. How come you’re so late, anyhow? Do all secretaries work this late in England?”
Guiltily she crossed her fingers. “Nah, it’s just that this was a special night for Lady Elizabeth, and Violet asked me to help out.”
“Yeah, what goes on with the major and her ladyship? They got something going?”
Polly laughed. “’Course not. The major’s married, anyhow. Violet told me. Lady Elizabeth would never have anything to do with a married man. Nor would I.” She looked up at Sam’s handsome face, stricken by the thought that just crossed her mind. “You’re not married, are you?”
Sam snorted. “Me? Not on your pretty little life, sweetheart. I’m too fond of my freedom to get hitched.”
Well satisfied, Polly leaned back in her seat. She’d change all that, she promised herself. It would just take a little time, that was all. From the first moment she’d set eyes on Captain Sam Cutter, she’d made up her mind that she was going to marry him and go back to America with him, and nothing was going to stop her.
“Makes me nervous, knowing there’s a Nazi hiding in those woods,” Sam muttered as the Jeep roared down the lane.
Polly sniffed the night air. She loved the smell of the woods at night, especially now that autumn was here turning the trees to red and gold and ripening scarlet berries all over the holly boughs. Even the thought of a murderer lurking among the silent trees couldn’t dampen her spirits. She was alone with the man of her dreams, and in a few moments he’d be kissing her goodnight outside her house.
She’d make it last as long as possible, she silently vowed, because the sooner Sam fell in love with her, the sooner she could tell him the truth about her age. In a few months she’d be sixteen and old enough to work in the factory. Then she could buy lots of fancy clothes and shoes and perfume and makeup, and she wouldn’t have to worry about skulking around the Manor House, frightened someone would see her cleaning the loo.
“There was a big fight in the pub tonight,” Sam said as they pulled out onto the coast road. “The British army were there and got into a brawl with our boys.”
Polly gasped. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”
“Nope. We got out as soon as it started, but judging from the noise going on in there, I bet there were a few bloody noses and black eyes.”
“Oh, my. I bet Ted Wilkins was fit to be tied. He keeps threatening to shut down the pub if they keep having fights in there.”
“Well, I reckon it was worse than usual because of all the army boys in town looking for the murderer.”
“They still haven’t found him yet, then?”
“Doesn’t seem like it.” He sent Polly a sideways glance that thrilled her to bits. “Can’t say I’m sorry if it gives me an excuse to take a gorgeous dame like you home.”
His words made her sigh. He’d called her gorgeous. He made her feel like a real woman. She knew what it was like now, to be really in love. Not like those silly little crushes she’d had on the English boys. They all seemed so childish now. Now that she had a real man to love. Hugging herself, she leaned closer to him, tingling with the anticipation of his goodnight kiss.
Sleep eluded Elizabeth until the early hours of the morning, and when she did finally drift off, her dreams disturbed her with images of a headless woman chasing German soldiers through the woods.
Her lack of sleep made her feel out of sorts as she made her way down to the kitchen that morning, and the news that the British army had spent the entire night combing the woods without finding any trace of the German pilot did nothing to settle her brittle nerves. Violet, who had heard the news from Polly, also informed her that Rita Crumm was rounding up her troops to hunt for the escaped pilot.
“They’re supposed to meet at the village green at ten this morning,” Violet said, putting a steaming plate of porridge in front of Elizabeth. “Polly’s mother’s going with them.”
Elizabeth looked at her in alarm. “Someone could get badly hurt with all those soldiers searching the woods.”
“I’d worry about the soldiers if I were you. Polly said the women will be carrying butcher knives.”
“That’s got to be illegal. Someone has to stop them before things get out of hand.”
“Seems to me things are already getting out of hand. Ooh, that’s something else Polly told me.” Violet went to the door and stuck her head into the hallway. “Martin!” she yelled. “Your porridge is ready!” She came back shaking her head. “That man. I swear he’s going deaf.”
“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t. After all, he’s in his eighties. Something’s bound to wear out at that age.”
“If you ask me, it’s his blinking mind that’s wearing out,” Violet muttered. “He keeps nattering on about the master being back. He’s giving me the willies now.”
Remembering the major’s words, Elizabeth decided it was time to change the subject. “What was it that Polly told you?”