She was one of those women who must have been formidable in her prime.
I could see from her face that she was accustomed to having her own way. I remembered what I had heard of her; how she had restored Perrivale Court when she brought her money into the family, and I imagined she had a certain fondness for the place.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity of a chat, Miss Cranleigh,” she said.
“My daughter-in-law tells me that you are doing very well with Kate. My goodness, that is an achievement. The governesses that child has had! And not one to stay more than a month or two.”
“I haven’t completed a month yet. Lady Perrivale.”
“I do hope you will… and many months. My daughter-in-law is so happy with the outcome. She said Kate is a different child.”
“Kate needs to be understood.”
“I suppose we all do. Miss Cranleigh.”
“Some of us are less predictable than others.”
“I expect you are very predictable, Miss Cranleigh. I am most unpredictable. This is what they call one of my good days. I shouldn’t be down here if it were not. You look to me as if you have a very orderly mind.”
“I try to have.”
Then if you try, you will’. I have given up trying. Though I used to be the same. I could never endure mess and muddle. One grows old. Miss Cranleigh. Things change. How do you like Perrivale Court? “
“I think it is one of the most interesting houses I have ever been in.”
“Then we agree. I was fascinated by it from the moment I saw it. I am so pleased Tristan is married and settled. I hope there will be grandchildren … soon enough for me to see them before I go. I should like several.”
“I hope your wishes will be granted.”
“I want this place to pass to my grandchildren… children of the Arkwright blood mingling with the Perrivale … you know what I mean. Arkwright money made it what it is today … so it is only right. It would be just the right mixture, you see …”
I thought this was an odd conversation. I noticed that her eyes were slightly glazed and I wondered whether she had forgotten to whom she was talking. I saw Mirabel cast an anxious look in her direction.
The Dowager Lady Perrivale noticed Mirabel’s glance. She waved her hand and smiled.
“Don’t you think she is delightful, Miss Cranleigh? My daughter-in-law, I mean. Did you ever see anyone so beautiful?”
“No,” I said.
“I don’t think I have.”
“I knew her mother and her father … the dear Major. It is so nice to have him as a neighbour. Her mother was my best friend. We went to school together. That was why the Major came down here after her death
when he left the Army, of course. I said, ” Come and settle in Cornwall. ” I’m thankful that he did. It brought dear Mirabel into the family.”
“She lost her first husband,” I said tentatively.
“Poor Mirabel. It’s sad to be left a widow with a child to care for. Of course she had her wonderful, wonderful father … and he came out of the Army just at the right time. He has been a tower of strength to us all. Such a delightful man. Have you met him … I mean apart from tonight?”
“Yes.
Kate took me to see him at the Dower House. “
“She would. She adores him. He’s so good with children. Well … he’s good with anyone.
He’s devoted to Mirabel. He was delighted with the marriage . so was I. It was just what I wanted. And it means the Major is here with us a charming neighbour . and a member of the family really. “
“He has a lovely home there at the Dower House.”
“He seems to like it.
I’d like to go along and see him there . but I can’t get out now .”
“What a pity.”
“Yes … indeed. But I have a good woman. She has been my maid for years. She’s my constant companion. I’m in the rooms next to those used by my husband when he was alive. It’s almost a separate part of the house. My husband was a man who liked to be alone. He was very religious, you know. I always said he should have gone into the Church. Well, it has been nice to chat. You must come along and see me. Maria-that’s my maid-will be pleased to see you. In fact she keeps me informed.”
“I don’t think I’ve met Maria.”
“No, you wouldn’t. She’s mostly in my part of the house.”
“I think my room must be opposite yours.”
“You’re up in the nursery.
Yes, that would be about it . across the courtyard. Oh look, the men are coming back. They’ll split us up now. I have enjoyed getting to
know you. And thank you for what you’re doing with Kate. That child did know how to make a nuisance of herself. My daughter-in-law tells me she is greatly relieved. “
“I really don’t deserve all these compliments.”
Mirabel was coming towards us. She smiled at me.
“Miss Cranleigh must come and talk to her friend,” she said to the old lady.
Then she drew me to one side.
“I hope my mother-in-law didn’t confuse you. She rambles on a bit. Since the tragedy she’s been a little strange. It’s rarely that she comes to things like this. But she seemed a great deal better and wanted to meet you. She’s not always lucid … and talks wildly quite often.”
“No, no,” I said.
“She talked normally.”
“Oh, I’m glad. Oh, here’s Mr. Lorimer.”
Lucas was coming towards us. There was someone with him and the evening was almost over before I found myself alone with him.
“Oh, it’s such a shame. I did want to say so much to you.”
“You’re making me very curious.”
“But not here, Lucas.”
“Well then, we’d better meet. What about tomorrow at The Sailor King?”
“I’ll manage to get there.”
“Two-thirty as before?”
“That’s a good time.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” said Lucas.
The evening was over. Kate came to my room as I was getting undressed.
“What was it like?” she asked.
“Interesting. I had a long chat with the Dowager Lady Perrivale.”
“You mean Stepper’s mother. She’s an old witch.”
“Really, Kate!”
“Well, a bit mad anyway-She stays in those rooms where Sir Edward died. She and that old Maria are up there all the time. She’s with the ghost up there. I don’t like her much.”
“She seemed concerned about you.”
“Oh, she doesn’t like me. She likes my mother and Gramps, though. Did you talk to Gramps?”
“Not really … just greetings. It is amazing how little one can talk to people.”
“What about old Lucas?”
“Why is everyone old to you?”
“Because they are.”
“Well, they are certainly not ten years old. Go away now, will you? I want to go to bed.”
“I want to hear all about it in the morning.”
“There’s really nothing to tell.”
“I suppose you think you are going to parties here to find a rich husband.”
“Most of the men seem to have wives already,” I said with a smile.
“All you have to do is …”
“What?” I asked.
“Murder them,” she said.
“Good night. Cranny. See you in the morning.”
And she was gone.
I was disturbed. What was actually in the child’s mind? I wondered.
What did she know? And how much did she make up when she did not know?
I kept thinking about the sailor. I had almost made up my mind to tell Lucas.
When I met Lucas the following day, I was still wavering. But the first thing he said when we were seated was: “Now, out with it. What’s on your mind? Why don’t you tell me? You’ve wanted to for a long time and in any case that’s why you’ve brought me here today.”