Benedict left, she’d uncover some of its clandestine truths.
“Mary, did Helen have any journals or letters that the countess might have kept? If so, may I see them?”
“I do believe the countess had all of Helen’s belongings brought to the attic in the west wing.”
“Do you think you could take me some time?”
“I would be happy to, Miss, but it would be proper if his lordship showed you around. I do believe he had planned on doing so at some point tomorrow afternoon. However, I do not think that part of the house is anything he had in mind. From what I understood of the butler, a tour of the family’s gallery and grounds is being arranged.”
“But I do not wish to wait that long. Dash it.” Estelle scowled, folding her arms across her chest, pondering how she could learn more about their surroundings and the family’s history. Even more, the possibility of how much treachery lurked about this house.
“Do not be put out, Miss. While I cannot take you on a tour to the service and storage wings of the estate, there is, however, this.” The maid went over to the paneled wall next to the hearth, uncovering a bookshelf. She withdrew a journal and returned to the bed with it, placing the leather bound item on Estelle’s lap. “Miss Cuthbert carried herself quite gracefully and I am surprised she did not have men lined up in the courtyard. The silly chit spoke of aspirations beyond the traditional expectations of marriage. The gentleman who fell onto the terrace tonight…they were secretly engaged for a few months.”
Helen never mentioned a secret betrothal. Estelle wondered why she kept it secret all that time and for how long? Unquestionably, her uncle knew something. One could not be so ignorant to the blissful state she would have been in, to be in love with someone.
Estelle opened the diary and skimmed through the pages, when a few letters fell out of the back. There were three letters addressed to Helen from Gabriel Templeton, her deceased fiancé and dead by the hands of whom? Had he been so distraught to take his own life at the same estate where his beloved perished?
The more Estelle pondered the subject, the more she desired to know just who exactly trespassed her room, and how they managed to escape without being caught by the footman outside of the chamber.
“Mary, I desperately want a tour of the home. Can you not simply just let me have a peek?”
The maid’s eyes narrowed, and she turned away. “I am sorry, Miss Humphrey. I cannot and will not jeopardize my employment this night. However, if you find that you miss out on the excursion that his lordship has planned for tomorrow, I will then arrange for a quick tour. Until then, I would advise that you steer clear of the halls at night. There is no telling what kinds of specters haunt them, and with so many guests about, I do not want you to find yourself in any kind of conundrum. Besides, you are still recovering from the incident earlier today and I recommend that you rest. If you would like, I can summon your aunt?”
“Please, do not trouble her. She is up in her years and does require her rest. I will stay here, but if it is not too much trouble, I would like to know more about the family.”
Mary placed her rag down and dragged a chair from the corner to her bedside. She folded her hands in her lap, licked her lips, and quietly whispered, “Where do you want me to begin?”
“From the beginning, or what you know of it.”
“Hmm, I can only go back to what I have been told. The Marquess of Haverford, the earl’s late father, inherited this estate shortly after the chapel burnt to a crisp. That is all I know, Lady Humphrey.”
“How about just a short and quick tour of where Helen’s things are kept, and I will never speak again on the subject?”
“Lord St. John might not be too pleased if you leave your room, but I suppose he won’t be too angry if you are not alone. Let me see if I can arrange for one of the
“Mary, did Helen have any journals or letters that the countess might have kept? If so, may I see them?”
“I do believe the countess had all of Helen’s belongings brought to the attic in the west wing.”
“Do you think you could take me some time?”
“I would be happy to, Miss, but it would be proper if his lordship showed you around. I do believe he had planned on doing so at some point tomorrow afternoon. However, I do not think that part of the house is anything he had in mind. From what I understood of the butler, a tour of the family’s gallery and grounds is being arranged.”
“But I do not wish to wait that long. Dash it.” Estelle scowled, folding her arms across her chest, pondering how she could learn more about their surroundings and the family’s history. Even more, the possibility of how much treachery lurked about this house.
“Do not be put out, Miss. While I cannot take you on a tour to the service and storage wings of the estate, there is, however, this.” The maid went over to the paneled wall next to the hearth, uncovering a bookshelf. She withdrew a journal and returned to the bed with it, placing the leather bound item on Estelle’s lap. “Miss Cuthbert carried herself quite gracefully and I am surprised she did not have men lined up in the courtyard. The silly chit spoke of aspirations beyond the traditional expectations of marriage. The gentleman who fell onto the terrace tonight…they were secretly engaged for a few months.”
Helen never mentioned a secret betrothal. Estelle wondered why she kept it secret all that time and for how long? Unquestionably, her uncle knew something. One could not be so ignorant to the blissful state she would have been in, to be in love with someone.
Estelle opened the diary and skimmed through the pages, when a few letters fell out of the back. There were three letters addressed to Helen from Gabriel Templeton, her deceased fiancé and dead by the hands of whom? Had he been so distraught to take his own life at the same estate where his beloved perished?
The more Estelle pondered the subject, the more she desired to know just who exactly trespassed her room, and how they managed to escape without being caught by the footman outside of the chamber.
“Mary, I desperately want a tour of the home. Can you not simply just let me have a peek?”
The maid’s eyes narrowed, and she turned away. “I am sorry, Miss Humphrey. I cannot and will not jeopardize my employment this night. However, if you find that you miss out on the excursion that his lordship has planned for tomorrow, I will then arrange for a quick tour. Until then, I would advise that you steer clear of the halls at night. There is no telling what kinds of specters haunt them, and with so many guests about, I do not want you to find yourself in any kind of conundrum. Besides, you are still recovering from the incident earlier today and I recommend that you rest. If you would like, I can summon your aunt?”
“Please, do not trouble her. She is up in her years and does require her rest. I will stay here, but if it is not too much trouble, I would like to know more about the family.”
Mary placed her rag down and dragged a chair from the corner to her bedside. She folded her hands in her lap, licked her lips, and quietly whispered, “Where do you want me to begin?”
“From the beginning, or what you know of it.”
“Hmm, I can only go back to what I have been told. The Marquess of Haverford, the earl’s late father, inherited this estate shortly after the chapel burnt to a crisp. That is all I know, Lady Humphrey.”
“How about just a short and quick tour of where Helen’s things are kept, and I will never speak again on the subject?”
“Lord St. John might not be too pleased if you leave your room, but I suppose he won’t be too angry if you are not alone. Let me see if I can arrange for one of the
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