” There’s always a similarity in old ruins,” was the non committal reply.
I wanted to ask more questions. I was certain that there was something which disturbed him, and it was in Kirkland Abbey and the Revels.
I blundered on: ” But, Gabriel, you would rather not have been reminded.”
He put his arm about me and I could see that he was desperately trying to break out of the mood which had fallen on him.
Rapidly I changed the subject.
“It looks as though it might rain,” I said. ” Do you think we should be getting back to the hotel?”
He was relieved that I was not going to ask questions to which he would want to give evasive replies. Soon, I told myself, I should be in my new home. There I might discover the reason for this strangeness in my husband. I would wait until then; and when I had made my discovery I would eliminate whatever it was that troubled him;
I would let nothing stand in the way of his happiness for all the years that were left to us.
Chapter 2
The honeymoon was over. During the last day we had both been a little on edge. Gabriel had been silent and I had been a little exasperated with him. I could not understand why he could be gay one day and moody the next. Perhaps I was-although I would not admit this—a little nervous of facing the Rockwell family. Friday sensed our mood and lost some of his exuberance.
“There are three of us now, that’s what he’s telling us.” I said to Gabriel; and that did seem to cheer him.
The journey across the North Riding was long because we had to change; and the afternoon was over by the time we reached Keighley.
A carriage was waiting for us—rather a grand one; and when the coachman saw me I fancied he was startled. I thought it rather strange that he should not have heard of Gabriel’s wedding and surely he had not, for if he had why should he be surprised when a bridegroom arrived with his bride?
Gabriel helped me into the carriage while the coachman dealt with our luggage, taking covert looks at me as he did so.
I shall never forget that drive from the station. It took about an hour and before we reached our destination dusk had fallen.
So it was in the half light that I first saw my new home.
We had passed over the moors which were wild and eerie in this light; but these moors were very like those which had been close to Glen House, and I felt at home on any moor We had climbed high and, although it was June, there was a sharpness in the air. The peaty smell was in my nostrils and I felt my spirits rise in spite of my growing apprehension I pictured myself riding on these moors—Gabriel and myself together. Now we were descending and the country was less wild although there was still the moorland touch about it. We were coming near to the hamlet of Kirkland Moorside, close by which was my new home, Kirkland Revels.
The grass was more lush; we passed an occasional house; there were fields which were cultivated.
Gabriel leaned towards me. ” If the light were better you might be able to see Kelly Grange from here my cousin’s place. Did I mention him Simon Redvers?”
” Yes,” I said, ” you did.” And I strained my eyes and thought I saw the faint outlines of a house away to the right.
On we went over the bridge; and it was then that I caught. my first glimpse of the Abbey.
I saw the Norman tower, the outer shell of which was pre served ; the walls clustered about it, so that it was impossible to see at this distance that it was a mere shell. It looked grand yet forbidding although I wondered in that moment whether it was really so or whether the moods of my husband had made me imagine there was something to be feared.
We were driving along a road which was bordered on either side by massive oaks, and suddenly we were in the clear and there before me was the house.
I caught my breath, for it was beautiful. The first thing that struck me was its size. It looked like a massive oblong of stone. I discovered later that it was built round a courtyard, and that although it was of Tudor origin it had been restored through the later centuries. The windows were mullioned and about them were fantastic carvings of devils and angels pitchforks and harps, scrolls and Tudor roses. This was indeed a historic baronial hall. I thought then how small Glen House must have seemed to Gabriel when he had visited us About a dozen stone steps, worn away in the centre, led to a great portico of massive stone carved in a way similar to the space round the windows. There was a heavy oak door decorated with finely-wrought iron; and even as I began to mount the steps the door opened and I met the first member of my new family.
She was a woman in her late thirties or early forties and her resemblance to Gabriel told me at once that she was his widowed sister, Ruth Grantly.
She looked at me for a few seconds without speaking, and her glance was cool and appraising before she forced some warmth into it.
” How do you do? You must forgive us if we’re surprised. We only heard this morning. Gabriel, it was perverse of you to be so secretive.”
She took my hands and smiled; although it was a baring of the teeth rather than a smile. I noticed that her eyelashes were so fair that they were almost invisible. She was just that little bit fairer than Gabriel; and what struck me at once was her coldness.
” Come along in,” she. said. ” I’m afraid you’ll find us unprepared.
It was such a surprise. “
I said: ” It must have been.”
I looked at Gabriel questioningly. What could have been the point in not telling?
We stepped into the hall in which a log fire was blazing, and I was immediately struck by the air of antiquity about the place. I could see that this had been preserved and was cherished. The walls were hung with tapestry which doubtless had been worked by members of this family centuries ago. In the centre of the hall was a refectory table and on it were laid utensils of brass and pewter.
I looked round me.
” Well?” said Ruth.
” It’s so … exciting to be here,” I said.
She seemed a little gratified. She turned first to Gabriel ” Gabriel, why all this secrecy?” Then to me as she spread her hands deprecatingly: ” He seems to have no reason for keeping us in the dark until this morning.”
” I wanted to surprise you all,” said Gabriel. ” Catherine, you’ll be tired. You’d like to go to your room.”
“Of course you would,” put in Ruth.
“And meet the family later. I can tell you we’re all very eager to make your acquaintance.”
Her eyes glittered as her somewhat prominent teeth were bared once more. Friday barked suddenly.
” A dog too?” she said. ” So you are fond of animals …
Catherine?”
“Yes, very. I’m sure everyone will be fond of Friday.” I was aware of a movement high in the wall and I looked up quickly to the gallery.
“That’s the minstrels’ gallery,” Gabriel explained.
“We sometimes use it when we have a ball.”
“We adhere to old customs here, Catherine,” said Ruth. ” I hope you’re not going to find us too old-fashioned.”
” I am sure I shall enjoy old customs very much ” ” I hope so. When there are traditions …”
I fancied her voice was a little sardonic and I wondered whether she was suggesting that I could not possibly under stand the traditions which belonged to a family such as theirs.
Ruth’s cool welcome was increasing my apprehension and I wondered afresh what Gabriel’s reason had been for withholding the news of our marriage.
A manservant appeared, to ask about our luggage, and Gabriel said: “
Take it up to my room, William.”
” Aye, master,” was the answer.
He mounted the stairs with my trunk on his shoulder and Gabriel took my arm and we followed him. Ruth came after us and I could feel her eyes on my back, taking in every detail. I was never more pleased with Uncle Dick than at the moment. My smart travelling costume of dark blue gaberdine gave me confidence.