I had been so astounded by the suggestion that it was difficult for me to take in its implications at first. I was trying to be calm. I should go into a strange household as a sort of higher servant. What would my father think? Or Aunt Maud? They would never allow it.
Moreover, what would my position be with a child who had a reputation for making life intolerable for past holders of the post?
And yet. only a few hours before I had been praying for a chance. I had seen clearly that unless I could get a footing in that house, unless I could learn something about its inhabitants, I should never discover the truth behind the murder of Cosmo Perrivale.
Even while I hesitated I knew I had to seize this God-given opportunity with both hands.
Nanny Crockett was watching me intently; a slow smile spread across her face.
She knew that I would go to Perrivale Court.
It was soon quite clear that I should be very welcome at Perrivale Court. Lady Perrivale must have despaired of ever getting a governess for her daughter and the suggestion that I might take the post was received with enthusiasm.
Lady Perrivale sent the carriage over to Trecorn Manor to take me to Perrivale Court so that we could discuss the matter without delay.
I was relieved that Lucas was not there when I left, my trepidation overcome by the elation I felt at the prospect of making headway in my self-appointed task.
I had sworn Nanny Crockett to secrecy about the project, for I was anxious that Lucas should not know anything about it until it was definitely settled. I knew he would be astonished and would ask awkward questions and of course attempt to dissuade me, for, not knowing my reasons, he would naturally find it difficult to understand why I should take on such a post.
I had ceased to marvel at the amazing turn of fate which had brought me this opportunity. So many strange things had happened to me in the recent past that I was prepared for anything. I suppose that when one steps out of the conventional life one must be prepared for the unexpected and unusual. And there I was, speeding along the road in a splendid carriage drawn by two noble horses, one black, one white, and driven by a coachman in the smart Perrivale livery.
We arrived at Perrivale Court. In the distance I could see the sea. It was a light blue today, in a gentle mood, smooth and benign. Whenever I came face to face with the sea-whatever its mood-I would visualize that raging angry torrent which had played such havoc with my life and that of many others. I would never trust the sea again.
And if I lived at Perrivale I should see it every day. I should be reminded.
If I lived at Perrivale? I must. I was becoming more and more certain how imperative it was that I should secure this post.
There was an air of timelessness about the place. The grey stone walls, battered by the winds of centuries, gave it the impression of a fortress, and the machicolations the look of a castle. Lucas had said it had been restored so often that it had lost its original identity.
That might be so, and I found it difficult to analyse my feelings as I passed under the gatehouse into a courtyard where the carriage drew up.
A door was immediately opened and a woman appeared. She was middleaged, verging on the elderly, and instinct told me that this was Mrs. Ford.
She had come to welcome her protegee personally and she showed clearly that she was very pleased that I had come.
“Come along in. Miss Cranleigh,” she said.
“I am Mrs. Ford. Lady Perrivale would like to see you at once. I am so glad you could come.”
It was an effusive greeting, hardly the sort that a governess would expect; but when I reminded myself of the reason for it I was less euphoric.
“Nanny Crockett has told me all about you,” said Mrs. Ford.
Not all, I thought. I could imagine Nanny Crockett’s glowing terms, and I was sure she credited me with qualities I did not possess.
“I’ll take you to her ladyship right away,” she said.
“Will you follow me?”
We were in a hall long and lofty, the walls of which were adorned with weapons and there was a huge fireplace with ingle nooks and seats on either side; the floor was tiled and our footsteps rang out as we walked across to the stairs. It was typical of many such halls except for the stained glass windows at one end with their beautiful shades of ruby red and sapphire blue which were reflected on the tiled floor.
Placed strategically at the side of the staircase like a sentinel was a suit of armour. It seemed lifelike and I could not help glancing uneasily at it as I followed Mrs. Ford up the stairs.
We went along the corridor until we came to a door at which Mrs. Ford knocked.
“Come in,” said a voice.
Mrs. Ford threw open the door and stood aside for me to go in.
She called: “Miss Cranleigh, my lady.”
And there she was, seated in a rather throne-like chair which was covered in dark velvet. She wore a gown of emerald green which was very becoming to her red-haired beauty. I noticed a gold necklace in the form of a snake about her neck. Her glorious hair was piled on top of her head and her green eyes glittered with pleasure.
“Miss Cranleigh,” she cried.
“Do come in. Thank you, Mrs. Ford. Sit here. Miss Cranleigh, and we can have our little talk.”
She was immensely affable. Clearly she was very eager that I should accept the post. She must be desperate, I thought, and I shuddered to think what the child might be like.
“Mrs. Ford tells me that you want to come here to teach my daughter.”
“It was suggested to me that you were in need of a governess,” I replied.
“Kate’s last governess had to leave in rather a hurry and naturally I do not want her studies to be interrupted too long.”
“No, of course not. I must tell you that I have never taught before.”
“Well, we all have to start somewhere.”
“Your daughter is eight years old, I believe … or is it nine?”
“She is just nine.”
“She will be in need of advanced education soon. Do you propose to send her to school in the near future?”
I saw a look of dismay in the green eyes. Was she imagining this daughter of hers being expelled from school after school ?
“We had no plans for a school yet.”
We? That would be Tristan, the girl’s stepfather. Images flashed into my mind. I saw him, coming into the farmhouse . finding his brother dead and Simon standing there with the gun in his hand. I must stop my mind from wandering on. This house would be full of such reminders.
But this was what I had wanted. Those people who had been nothing but names to me were now going to take on flesh and blood, and I had to assess their part in the drama if I were to find out the truth.
She was saying: “Mrs. Ford tells me you are very good with children.”
“She would be referring to the two at Trecorn Manor. They are only four years old.”
“Oh yes … Trecorn Manor. You are visiting there. We met, didn’t we? Those sheep. What a terrible time Mr. Lorimer had. That ghastly shipwreck.”
“Yes,” I said.
“I was shipwrecked too.”
“What a dreadful experience! I heard about it from Mrs. Ford. But you have emerged, fortunately, in better shape than poor Mr. Lorimer.”
“Yes, indeed I was more fortunate.”
She was silent for a few seconds denoting sympathy. Then she said brightly: “We should be so happy if you came. It would be good for Kate to have a … lady … to teach her. Mrs. Ford tells me that you have had an excellent education.”
“There was nothing outstanding about it.”
This was becoming a most unusual interview. I seemed all the time to be stressing why she should not employ me and she seemed determined at all cost that she should.