Виктория Холт - The Captive

“Oh yes, I am really. It just happens that I have found a way of getting on with Kate better than most could.”

“Well, don’t be rash.”

“I promise.”

“Now we’d better get some sleep, I suppose.”

“Felicity, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your help.”

“Oh really … it was fun. I like a mystery as well as anyone.”

“One of the nicest things that ever happened to me was when you came to teach me.”

“Well, on that happy note, we’ll say good night.”

When I arrived in Cornwall, Kate greeted me sullenly.

“You’ve been away a long time,” she said.

“It wasn’t really so long. I met a friend who used to be my governess.”

I told her about Felicity’s coming to the house and how I had been imagining she would be an ogre, how they had all liked her in the kitchen and she used to join us for meals.

Her mood changed. She was really very pleased to see me back.

“Did Mr. Dolland do The Bells?”

“Yes.”

“I wish you’d take me up there.”

“I might… one day.”

“One day, one day,” she mocked.

“I don’t want one day. I want now. You ought to have taken me with you.”

I was glad when I was able to retire to my room. I wanted to brood on all that had happened. I was sure we were right in our theories. I could picture it all so clearly. Sir Edward, on the point of death, had made his startling revelations. If Tristan could kill Cosmo and have Simon hanged for murder, no one need ever know of the previous marriage. It would be between Tristan and his mother. He would certainly trust her to keep quiet. She would not want it to be known that, though she had lived with Sir Edward and borne him two sons, she had not been his wife.

How could the truth be brought out? How could Simon be exonerated?

There was the marriage certificate in the hands of Miss Ada Ferrers.

There would be the records in

St. Botolph’s Church. But even though Simon was proved to be the true heir to the Perrivale estate, that would not clear him of the charge.

Even if the will-if there was one-were found, that would not be enough.

I felt we had come to an impasse. We had uncovered dark secrets, reasons for murder . but we had not found the identity of the murderer.

Still, if I could find that document. Sir Edward could move only with difficulty, I imagined. It would be in his room. Where would he be likely to hide a document?

I was becoming more and more certain that it was a will for which Lady Perrivale was searching, and I was going to try to find it. That would be my next venture. There could be an opportunity of slipping into that room . perhaps if Lady Perrivale were asleep . and Maria did not happen to be there. If I could produce the will I could at least prove a motive.

The next afternoon I went up to see Lady Perrivale. She was asleep but Maria was there.

“It’s nice to see you back,” she said.

“Her ladyship’s been sleeping most of the day. That’s how it is nowadays. The Major came in to see her pretty often while you were away. She cheers up for his visits.”

She gave me a wink.

“Well, she always had a soft spot for him.”

“Even though he married her best friend.”

“Ah yes. She might have had him herself but old Joe Arkwright was a hard man when it came to the brass. She was heartbroken when her father put an end to it. Then of course she married Sir Edward. It was what Joe Arkwright wanted. Stands to reason … Sir Edward and the title and Jessie brought the brass. What people will do for brass!”

I went away with those words ringing in my ears.

It was indeed revealing . what people would do for money!

It was two days later when my opportunity came. I went up to see Lady Perrivale. Maria was not there and Lady Perrivale was in her chair snoring slightly.

My heart was beating fast as I slipped out of the room and into that which I knew to have been Sir Edward’s.

I saw the big four-poster bed with a table beside it on which lay a very large Bible with leather covers and brass clasps.

I looked round the room. Where would he be likely to put something he wanted to hide? Why should it be necessary to hide it? Because he did not trust the woman who for years had thought she was his wife.

There was a cupboard near the window. I went to and opened it. There were some clothes in it and a tin box. I picked up the box. It was locked.

I wondered what was in it, but it was impossible for me to open it; and in any case whoever was searching for a will would immediately look in such a place. I could be sure someone had opened that box and inspected the contents since Sir Edward’s death.

For a moment I paused by the window and glanced across to my own room, and just at that moment the Major came into the courtyard. He looked up and immediately I dodged back. I was not sure whether he had seen me. I did not think he had. But it was a warning. I must get out of this room. He would clearly be coming to pay one of his frequent visits to Lady Perrivale.

When I emerged, Maria was still not there and Lady Perrivale remained asleep. I hurried downstairs and was in the hall when Major Durrell came in.

“Good afternoon. Miss Cranleigh,” he said.

“And what a pleasant afternoon it is.”

I agreed.

“I trust you had a good trip to London.”

“Oh yes, thank you. It seemed a long time since I had seen my family.”

“And I hear Mr. Lorimer is progressing favourably.”

“Yes, that’s so.”

“Then all’s well with the world.”

He smiled benignly on me as he started up the stairs.

It was the next day. Kate and I had been at lessons all morning, which had passed pleasantly enough. I was still brooding on my discoveries and felt frustrated because I did not know which way to go next. I had attached great importance to discovering the will but if I did, what would that tell usr which we did not know already?

I wanted to be alone to think. As soon as possible I must see Lucas.

He would be home very soon. I expected he would be rather exhausted immediately after his return, but I was very eager to tell him what Felicity and I had found out.

However, the need to get away was imperative. I wanted to be by myself to think. I took an opportunity of slipping out of the house, unseen by Kate, who would have wanted to come with me, and I walked briskly away from the house. I was near the Dower House when I saw the Major.

“Oh hello. Miss Cranleigh,” he called.

“How nice to see you. You’re looking well.”

“Thank you.”

“The trip to London was obviously a great success.”

“Yes, I think it was.”

“How’s Kate getting on now?”

“Very well.”

“I get rather worried about that girl. I’ve been wanting a little chat with you about her for a long time.”

“What is worrying you?”

“Look, why don’t you come in? It’s not easy to talk out here.”

He led me up the path to the front door, which was ajar. I said the garden was looking beautiful.

“I take a great pride in it. I have to have something to occupy me now I’m free of the Army.”

“It must be difficult to adjust to a civilian’s life. But it is some time since you retired now, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but one never really gets used to it.”

“I can well imagine that.”

The drawing-room was quite large with oak beams, latticed windows and a big fireplace.

“It’s a lovely house,” I said.

“Yes, the Tudors may not have been so elegant as their successors, but they did seem to create a certain atmosphere. Do sit down.”

I sat on the settle near the window.

“Are you comfortable there?” he asked solicitously.