I smiled, remembering his words.
If I made him swear not to betray Simon . was it possible?
I must not yet, I told myself. It was not my secret. Simon had told me because it had seemed possible that we might never get off the island and he had felt it necessary to confide in someone. Besides, there was a special relationship between us. I had been aware of that as he had.
Suddenly my eyes were caught by a light in one of the windows opposite. It was faint . from a candle, I imagined. It flickered and then was gone.
I was startled. I was remembering a conversation I had had with Kate some days ago. We had been standing at my window and we had looked out across the courtyard.
“Whose rooms are those over there?” I had asked.
The one next to the top floor, do you mean? Do you see something special there? “
“No. Should I?”
“I wondered if you’d seen Stepper’s father’s ghost.”
“Your preoccupation with ghosts is becoming quite a mania.”
“It’s like that in big houses, especially when there’s been a murder.
That’s Stepper’s father’s bedroom over there. Nobody goes in there much now. “
“Why not?”
“Well, because he died there. My mother says you have to show respect.”
“Respect?”
“Well, he died there.”
“Someone must go in to clean it.”
“I expect so. Anyway, no one goes there … except Stepper’s mother’s up there with Maria. They stay there most of the time.”
“Maria?”
“Her maid. I reckon it’s haunted. Sir Edward died there.”
I thought it was just another instance of Kate’s preoccupation and forgot about it. Yet when I saw the light a faint shiver ran down my spine.
I laughed at myself. Kate was affecting me with her obsession.
As she would have said, it was because there had been a murder connected with the house.
She was right. It was because of that murder that I was here.
Lucas was in The Sailor King waiting for me, and I felt extraordinarily happy to see him.
He stood up and took both my hands in his. We looked searchingly at each other for a few seconds, then he kissed my cheek.
“Governessing suits you,” he said.
“Well, sit down. How is it going?
I’ve ordered cider. It’s too early for tea, don’t you think? “
I agreed.
“So they allow you a horse to ride, do they?”
I nodded.
“They are most gracious.”
“And the pupil?”
“I’m getting her tamed.”
“You do look proud of yourself.”
“Lucas, how are they at the Manor? The children … ?”
“Very hurt by your desertion.”
“Oh, not really.”
“Yes, really. They ask for you twenty times a day. When is she coming back? I’m going to ask the same question.”
“Not just yet, Lucas.”
“What satisfaction do you get out of it?”
“I can’t explain, Lucas. I wish I could.”
I could feel confession trembling on my lips. But it is not your secret, I kept reminding myself.
“A governess! It’s the last thing …”
“I have had letters from home.”
“Aunt Maud?”
I nodded.
“And my father.”
“Good old Aunt Maud!”
“Lucas … please understand.”
“I’m trying to.”
The cider was brought and for a few seconds we were silent. Then he said: “You and I went through an extraordinary experience, Rosetta. It was bound to do something to us. Look at us. It has made you into a governess and me into a cripple.”
“Dear Lucas,” I said and, stretching my hand across the table, touched his. He held mine and smiled at me.
“It does me good to see you,” he said.
“If ever governessing becomes intolerable and you don’t, want to go back to Aunt
Maud . well, there is a haven waiting for you, as you know. “
“I don’t forget it. It’s a comfort. I am so fond of you, Lucas…”
“I am now waiting for the ” but”.”
“I wish …” I began.
“I wish too. But don’t let’s be maudlin about it. Tell me of this place. There seems to be something of a mystery hanging about it.”
“Well, of course. It is because of what happened.”
“There is something about an unsolved murder. It’s so very unsatisfactory. There’s always a question-mark. For all you know, you could be living in the same house as a killer.”
“That could be so.”
“You speak with some conviction. No. It was all so obvious. Didn’t the man run away?”
“He might have had other reasons for doing so.”
“Well, it’s not our affair. It is just that you are in this house. I don’t like your being there. It’s not only because of the murder. Do you see much of them?”
“I’m mostly with Kate.”
“The little horror.”
“Well… I’m finding her interesting. We’re just finishing Treasure Island.”
“What bliss!”
I laughed.
“And we’re going to start on The Count of Monte Cristo.”
“I cannot express my wonder.”
“Don’t mock. If, you knew Kate you’d realize what tremendous strides I’ve made. The child actually likes me, I believe.”
“What’s so extraordinary about that? Others like you.”
“But they are not Kate. It’s fascinating, Lucas. The whole place is fascinating. There seems to be something behind it all.”
“I believe you are harking back to the murder.”
“Well, there was a murder. I suppose when something violent happens it does something to people … to places …”
“Now I see what interests you. Tell me, what have you discovered?”
“Nothing … or very little.”
“Do you see much of the fascinating Mirabel?”
“Occasionally.”
“And is she so fascinating?”
“She is very beautiful. We saw her, you remember, when the sheep held us up. You must admit that she is outstanding.”
“H’m.”
“I only see her in my capacity as governess. She has made it clear that she is very pleased with me. Apparently I am the only governess who has been able to make her daughter behave with some resemblance to a normal girl. It was quite easy really. From the first she knew that I did not have to come and I threatened to go if things became too difficult. It is amazing what strength there is in indifference.”
“I’ve always known that. That’s why I pretend to be indifferent to circumstances.”
I leaned my elbows on the table and studied him.
“Yes, you have done that, Lucas. And all the time you are not as indifferent as you seem.”
“Hardly ever. For one thing, I’m not indifferent about this governessing. I feel very strongly about it. That’s something I can’t pretend about. Tell me more of them. They’ve behaved well to you, have they?”
“Impeccably. I can have time off when I want and, you see, a horse to ride. A special one has been chosen for me a chestnut mare. Her name is Goldie.” I laughed. I felt so happy that he had asked me to meet him.
“Sounds cosy,” he said.
“It is. She wants me to know that they don’t regard me as an ordinary governess. Professor’s daughter and all that. It reminds me of when Felicity came to our house. It’s very like that.”
“Only she had an easier ride.”
“Dear Felicity. We were friends from the start.”
“Have you told her of your foolish exploits?”
“Not yet. I’ve been there such a short time really. I’m going to write to her. I wanted to work myself in first. I was telling you about Mirabel, young Lady Perrivale. There is an older one, you know. I’m inclined to think of her as Mirabel because that was what they called her in the papers. She is gracious and so is Sir Tristan.”