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Authors: Rosemary Smith
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asked.
‘Tea sounds wonderful.’ As I spoke he pulled a cord by the fireplace and in no time at all Maggie appeared, her expression agog as to what was going on.
‘Miss Sinclair,’ the master began, ‘please think carefully about leaving for I would like you to stay. I know Emily has taken to you and please at least remain for her birthday party, for she has told me of her invitation to you.’
‘Mr Kershaw, I have something to discuss with you concerning Emily’s party.’ I spoke realising that this was my chance to mention Clara. ‘I did a very foolish thing the other day and invited Clara White to the party. It was something I did on impulse and I know it was wrong, but I feel it would be good for Emily to have another child to talk to.’
I said the words without taking a breath and waited for his reply. There was a long pause before he spoke.
‘Then let her come, Miss Sinclair. That is if Clara’s parents will agree to it.’
‘Thank you, Mr Kershaw, I shall call and see Mr and Mrs White on Monday,’ I said, relieved that the subject had been received so well.
‘You do know, don’t you, that Clara’s sister was found in our lake?’ he asked me.
‘I do indeed. Are the police any nearer to solving the mystery?’ I bravely said for really it was none of my business.
‘Unfortunately not, but they do think someone held her underwater as bruises have been discovered on her neck,’ he told me quite candidly, placing his cup and saucer back on the tray.
This piece of news alarmed me but I wouldn’t let it show.
‘Would you like to be moved to another room?’ he said suddenly changing the conversation.
I was tempted to agree to this in view of the nocturnal occurrences, but quite surprised myself when I replied, ‘No thank you, it is very kind of you, but I have settled in and am quite happy.’
‘As long as you are sure,’ he replied, ‘for I wish you to be happy here, Miss Sinclair. I value your presence in the house and as for my cousin Thomas, he won’t be here much longer to cause you distraction.’
‘I feel very foolish regarding my association with your cousin,’ I admitted.
‘Let it not trouble you, Miss Sinclair, for he has many strings to his bow and is indeed charming to all the women folk he meets. I’m only sorry that he cast his spell on you, but please think no more of it. Look upon it as another lesson learned in the pursuit of love.’
His words were kind and understanding, but he had more to say. ‘You no doubt know what happened to my wife, Phoebe, for it is difficult to keep anything secret in this household.’
‘Yes, I did hear of her tragic accident in the lake for which I am truly sorry.’ I assured him.
‘And it was an accident, although the residents of Beckmoor would have it that I killed her. To what gain I cannot imagine for all I have is a motherless child, a sad heart and this huge lonely house. Plus my mother who is not the easiest of people to please.’
He rambled on and I had half a mind to tell him of the incidents I’d experienced in the tower but no, I’d leave it until I got to know him better for it may only add to his distress. He continued, ‘And there again I think the villagers confuse me for my cousin who cannot keep away from any pretty lass, young, old, rich or poor but I am not a philanderer, Miss Sinclair, no matter what accusations you may hear about me they are most probably untrue, I trust you believe me?’
‘I do indeed,’ I said honestly for I truly believed he was a good man.
‘Then away to your bed young woman, you must be tired and accept my assurance that the unfortunate incident of this evening will not be repeated,’ he said with sincerity.
‘Thank you, Mr Kershaw,’ I said rising from the comfortable chair, ‘I’ll bid you goodnight.’
As I reached the door his voice stopped me in my tracks. ‘You look quite lovely when you are angry. Sleep well, Miss Sinclair.’ I looked back at him and we
‘Tea sounds wonderful.’ As I spoke he pulled a cord by the fireplace and in no time at all Maggie appeared, her expression agog as to what was going on.
‘Miss Sinclair,’ the master began, ‘please think carefully about leaving for I would like you to stay. I know Emily has taken to you and please at least remain for her birthday party, for she has told me of her invitation to you.’
‘Mr Kershaw, I have something to discuss with you concerning Emily’s party.’ I spoke realising that this was my chance to mention Clara. ‘I did a very foolish thing the other day and invited Clara White to the party. It was something I did on impulse and I know it was wrong, but I feel it would be good for Emily to have another child to talk to.’
I said the words without taking a breath and waited for his reply. There was a long pause before he spoke.
‘Then let her come, Miss Sinclair. That is if Clara’s parents will agree to it.’
‘Thank you, Mr Kershaw, I shall call and see Mr and Mrs White on Monday,’ I said, relieved that the subject had been received so well.
‘You do know, don’t you, that Clara’s sister was found in our lake?’ he asked me.
‘I do indeed. Are the police any nearer to solving the mystery?’ I bravely said for really it was none of my business.
‘Unfortunately not, but they do think someone held her underwater as bruises have been discovered on her neck,’ he told me quite candidly, placing his cup and saucer back on the tray.
This piece of news alarmed me but I wouldn’t let it show.
‘Would you like to be moved to another room?’ he said suddenly changing the conversation.
I was tempted to agree to this in view of the nocturnal occurrences, but quite surprised myself when I replied, ‘No thank you, it is very kind of you, but I have settled in and am quite happy.’
‘As long as you are sure,’ he replied, ‘for I wish you to be happy here, Miss Sinclair. I value your presence in the house and as for my cousin Thomas, he won’t be here much longer to cause you distraction.’
‘I feel very foolish regarding my association with your cousin,’ I admitted.
‘Let it not trouble you, Miss Sinclair, for he has many strings to his bow and is indeed charming to all the women folk he meets. I’m only sorry that he cast his spell on you, but please think no more of it. Look upon it as another lesson learned in the pursuit of love.’
His words were kind and understanding, but he had more to say. ‘You no doubt know what happened to my wife, Phoebe, for it is difficult to keep anything secret in this household.’
‘Yes, I did hear of her tragic accident in the lake for which I am truly sorry.’ I assured him.
‘And it was an accident, although the residents of Beckmoor would have it that I killed her. To what gain I cannot imagine for all I have is a motherless child, a sad heart and this huge lonely house. Plus my mother who is not the easiest of people to please.’
He rambled on and I had half a mind to tell him of the incidents I’d experienced in the tower but no, I’d leave it until I got to know him better for it may only add to his distress. He continued, ‘And there again I think the villagers confuse me for my cousin who cannot keep away from any pretty lass, young, old, rich or poor but I am not a philanderer, Miss Sinclair, no matter what accusations you may hear about me they are most probably untrue, I trust you believe me?’
‘I do indeed,’ I said honestly for I truly believed he was a good man.
‘Then away to your bed young woman, you must be tired and accept my assurance that the unfortunate incident of this evening will not be repeated,’ he said with sincerity.
‘Thank you, Mr Kershaw,’ I said rising from the comfortable chair, ‘I’ll bid you goodnight.’
As I reached the door his voice stopped me in my tracks. ‘You look quite lovely when you are angry. Sleep well, Miss Sinclair.’ I looked back at him and we
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