Emerald Read online

  Emerald

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Candlelight flickered like ghostly fingers on the polished wood of the table and threw frenzied images against the heavily curtained windows.

  I suppose it was proper that the evening sun should be excluded from a house of mourning, and yet my aunt had loved the windows thrown wide to embrace the last of the summer warmth.

  I sat on the very edge of my chair, nervously crumpling the lace of my handkerchief into a hall and acutely aware of the two tall strangers who were discussing my future in low, discreet voices.

  From under reddened lids I studied them both, miserably certain that, as an unmarried kinswoman, I would be a responsibility and probably not in the least welcome.

  ‘Well, my dear, we’ve come to a decision.’ The silver-haired gentleman, who was apparently my uncle, though we’d never even seen each other until now, sat at my side, a sympathetic smile on his face. A lump came to my throat that was partly caused by fear but mostly by emotion at the unexpected kindness in his voice.

  ‘Greyson will be staying on here, at least for the time being.’

  He smiled reassuringly, waving a hand toward the thin, dark young man who remained standing before the large fireplace as if declaring that he was already the master of Winston.

  ‘Aunt Grace made him her heir. It was her wish that he run the estate as he sees fit.’

  He patted my hand, and I felt a sudden urge to scream out, ‘What’s to become of me?’ With an effort I managed to regain my control and waited for him to continue.

  ‘I know how you must feel – this has always been your home – but you will be happy with me. I’ve a lovely home in Wales. You’ll grow to love it there, I’m sure.’

  The colours in the pattern of the carpet merged into a haze before my eyes. So I was to leave my home, the place that held all the memories of my childhood within its mellowed walls. I looked up in sudden antagonism at my cousin, who stood aloof, not comprehending the anguish inside me.

  ‘Why can’t I stay here?’ The words burst from me in a voice I hardly recognised. ‘I assure you, cousin, I will not intrude upon you in any way at all.’

  ‘Come, come, Charlotte, it would not be correct. You must surely see that. After all, you are a child no longer.’

  Greyson looked down at me, his eyes so dark I could read no expression in them. But his implication was obvious. I was almost twenty-one, and in his eyes, an old maid.

  I felt the colour rise to my cheeks and bit my lip to stop the hot tears from spilling over. On no account would I show him how cruelly his words had stung. I turned to the older man.

  ‘I have no means of my own, then? Didn’t Aunt Grace leave me anything?’

  As soon as the words were spoken, I realised how cold and calculating they must sound. She had hardly been decently buried, and here I was demanding a share of her worldly goods. Only I knew the real meaning behind the question. I wanted freedom, independence even, from the kindness of my uncle.

  He seemed to understand. ‘Don’t you worry your pretty head about any of it, my dear. In a few days we’ll go to Wales, and you will have a change of scenery to take your mind off things here.’

  I sighed and went over to the window, moving the drapes a little and drinking in the beauty of the fields rolling away so peacefully, purpled now by the swiftly falling twilight.

  ‘I think I’ll go up to bed, if you’ll excuse me.’ I could hardly bring the words out, but Uncle nodded his approval.

  ‘That’s a good idea. This has been a very trying time for you, but believe me, things will look much better when you’ve had a good rest.’

  He came with me to the door and opened it for me, stopping me for a moment, his hand on my arm.

  ‘I’ll look after you, Charlotte. I want you to be happy with me, and who knows, in Wales you might meet some charming young man who’ll sweep you off your feet.’ He smiled warmly. ‘You may even end up marrying Greyson. That would solve your problems, wouldn’t it?’

  Somehow I made a polite reply, but the thought of marrying my cousin made me grit my teeth in anger.

  ‘Jess!’ I called more loudly than I’d intended, and she appeared on the landing, a startled look in her eyes.

  ‘Yes, miss, is anything wrong?’ Her round face was filled with compassion, and again, in spite of my anger, tears filled my eyes. Impatiently I dashed them away.

  ‘I wondered if you could bring me a hot drink,’ I said more quietly. ‘I’ve decided to have an early night.’

  ‘You go on in, miss.’ Jess suffered from a thwarted maternal instinct. She was not much older than I, but she insisted upon treating me like a child to be cosseted. ‘I’ll bring you something that will soothe you nicely and help you to get off to sleep.’

  Alone in my room, I sank down disconsolately on the bed, missing Aunt Grace so badly it was like a physical pain. She had been a mother to me and a very dear friend, and it wasn’t until I’d seen her eyes closed in death that I’d realised how old she was. Her sparkling eyes and crisp clear wit had given her such an air of eternal youth that I had never even considered a time when I would be without her.

  ‘Here, miss, let’s get you tucked into bed.’ Jess, crackling in her starched apron, put a steaming cup on the bedside table. ‘You’re looking pale, too pale for my liking. Come on; off with your shoes.’

  Gratefully I submitted to her ministrations. Maybe everything would look better in the morning, though how that could be was a mystery to me. My aunt was dead, and my home now belonged to an arrogant stranger. Sometime in the next few days, I would be taken from everything I loved to go and live in surroundings as foreign to me as unchartered seas. I put my head down on the pillow and wept.

  * * *

  Summer seemed to fade quickly into a dismal autumn, as if my own misery had somehow affected the weather. Uncle Tom had just about finished his business at Winston, and preparations were in full swing for the movement of my belongings down to the house in Wales. It was decided that Jess would come with me, for that I was profoundly grateful, though I don’t think she relished the idea over-much.

  My cousin had kept well out of my way, though I would sometimes catch a glimpse of his tall frame as he strode briskly to the stables before breakfast. Resentment grew in me, along with the thought that if I’d been born a male, Winston would now belong to me.

  Strangely enough, it was when I was watching Greyson leading out one of the large stallions and almost wishing that I could accompany him for the sheer exhilaration of the ride that I saw Edmund Turner wheel his horse around and gallop off from the estate as if he were in a fine fury. His yellow hair shone even through the dullness of the morning drizzle, lifting in the breeze as he pounded away through the large gates.

  Rather hurt at his neglect of me, I hurried downstairs to question my uncle about the visit. Edmund and I had grown up together, and I’d been the first one to congratulate him when he had made such a success of his law studies. In fact, I’d secretly believed it was only his prolonged studies that had prevented him from asking me to marry him up until now.

  ‘Jess, was that Mr Edmund?’ I asked, catching her as she was bringing down yet another of my boxes.

  She nodded and fumbled in her pocket. ‘He asked me to give you this, miss.
In a temper he was, because he wasn’t allowed to see you himself.’

  I took the envelope and put it inside my bodice. I would open it later, when I was alone.

  ‘What do you mean, Jess? Why wasn’t he allowed to see me?’

  Before she could answer, Uncle Tom appeared in the doorway, his face concerned as he took my arm.

  ‘Charlotte, that young man was acting in a very excitable way. I didn’t think it wise to allow him to see you just now. I don’t want you upset at this time.’

  I was bewildered. ‘But Uncle, he’s one of my closest friends. I’ve known Edmund for years. Aunt Grace approved of him, I assure you.’ Anger flickered through me. ‘In any case, I’d like the opportunity to make up my own mind about the people I wish to see!’

  Uncle Tom frowned, his round face almost babyish in its consternation.

  ‘I’m sorry, Charlotte; I meant well. I was only thinking of you, but it seems I’ve done the wrong thing.’ He smiled suddenly. ‘You are so like your father, did you know that?’ His hand fondled my hair. ‘Those red curls, and a temper to match! He was just the same.’ He grimaced wryly. ‘I never did understand him, either!’

  Suddenly my anger melted. Uncle Tom couldn’t know about Edmund being a special friend; it was I who was being unreasonable.

  ‘Come on, Uncle, let’s have breakfast. Perhaps I’ll be in a better humour then.’

  I linked my arm with his, and he flushed with pleasure so that I felt even more ashamed of my outburst.

  ‘Don’t worry, Uncle,’ I said reassuringly. ‘Edmund will be back, there’s no doubt about that. He can be very persistent.’

  Uncle Tom smiled and patted my hand.

  ‘I’m not surprised at that. My niece is a very attractive lady, after all.’

  He chuckled, and my heart warmed to him. For the first time since Aunt Grace’s death, I felt a lightening of my spirits.

  * * *

  Edmund’s note was very cryptic. ‘Come to my office; I must see you!’ His untidy signature was scrawled underneath.

  ‘Uncle Tom, I’m thinking of going out today.’ I strode into the drawing room, not expecting to see my cousin sitting at the writing desk.

  ‘Sorry; he’s not here.’ Greyson lifted his eyebrows in amusement. ‘It seems you both had the same idea. What a pity you didn’t decide earlier; then you could have gone together. As it is, I’m far too busy to come with you. I’m afraid you’ll have to go another time.’

  I stared at him, trying hard to appear icy when inside I was seething with fury.

  ‘I am quite capable of riding a horse alone, cousin,’ I said, and looked at him defiantly.

  Deliberately he put down his pen and, to my discomfort, stood up, towering over me.

  ‘Charlotte, have you no sense of what is fitting, particularly in these circumstances? How would it look, a young woman so recently bereaved riding around the countryside alone?’

  He was quite right, of course. I strode over to the windows and stared out at the soft rain that hung like a mist over the green of the lawns. Suddenly I turned and smiled warmly at him.

  ‘Well, then, Greyson, I’m sure you could put off your letter writing for an hour or two, couldn’t you?’

  ‘Charlotte, I had no idea you could be so charming.’

  He took my reluctant fingers in his large hand and smiled down at me. I found myself staring into his dark eyes, trying to read something of his thoughts. He raised my hand to his lips in a charming gesture, and then, still with a smile on his face, refused to help me.

  ‘I’m very sorry to say no, but as I’ve told you, I’m far too busy to take a trip into town.’

  Anger grew and blossomed like a flower in the sun, so that for one moment I almost slapped him. Instead, I jerked my hand away.

  ‘I am never going to ask your help again!’ I said coldly, and he made a mock bow.

  ‘I’m not sure if that is meant as a threat or a promise!’ He smiled and returned to sit at the desk, taking up his pen in a gesture of dismissal.

  I flounced out of the room and banged the door behind me, shaking with anger and well aware that my actions were childish, but quite unable to alter them. Suddenly the desire to see Edmund was overwhelming and, however unfitting it might be, I decided to ride into town on my own.

  * * *

  ‘Miss, what on earth’s the matter with you? I’ve never known you to fidget so much.’

  Jess was trying to button me into my riding habit, and it was quite true – I couldn’t keep still!

  ‘My cousin is the most uncooperative person I’ve ever met!’ My voice shook with anger. ‘He doesn’t think it fitting that I should ride into town, and yet he refuses point-blank to accompany me.’

  Jess completed her task with a sigh of relief. ‘Anyone who can refuse you so abruptly must have plenty of courage, I’d say.’

  She smiled in affectionate amusement, and I realised I was standing, hands on hips, my lips clamped together and my hair an untidy frame for my white face. I relaxed and sat on the bed, rubbing my hands wearily over my face.

  ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me,’ I said shakily. ‘I’m not usually so nervous.’

  ‘You must remember, miss, you’ve had a great loss in your life.’ Jess began to clear up my discarded clothes. ‘I think your cousin is right. You should be resting, not going into town.’

  I stood up quickly. ‘I’ll go mad if I stay here with him!’

  Jess shrugged, and I could see she would say no more on the subject, though her disapproval was apparent.

  It was good to be outside, even though the mist was creeping more thickly across the fields by now. I went to the stables, and William looked at me in surprise.

  ‘The coach isn’t here, miss.’ His sleeves were rolled above his elbows, and I could see he was extremely busy.

  ‘I’m sorry to make work for you, Will, but do you think you could get Puzzle saddled up for me? I have to go into town.’

  He stared at me in bewilderment.

  ‘But the new boss – you know, Mr Greyson – he’s just been here and told me that no horses are to go out today. I’m sorry, miss.’

  I marched past him into the stable. ‘I’ll do it myself, then. Mr Greyson takes too much upon himself!’

  I felt certain that my aunt would at least have given Puzzle to me. He had been mine ever since I was a child.

  Will was like a cat on hot coals, not knowing what to do, and it was with profound relief that he informed me that my uncle was just turning into the gate. Will hurried forward to help unfasten the horses, and Uncle, smiling cheerfully, stepped out of the coach and came toward me.

  ‘Why are you dressed like that, my dear? I hope you are not thinking of riding today? The mist is growing very thick.’

  He took my hand in his, and I found myself relaxing a little.

  ‘I did want to go into town, Uncle. I have someone I wish to see there.’

  ‘Please don’t think of riding in alone, Charlotte. I’ll take you myself when I’ve had just a little rest and perhaps a glass or two of wine.’

  Feeling all sorts of a fool, I linked my arm with his and went back to the house with him.

  ‘Go on; change into something nice, and we’ll buy you a few hobs and bits to cheer you up.’ He smiled and brushed back my hair. ‘Humour an old man, my dear, and allow me to get some pretty green ribbons for those red curls.’

  He put his hand to his head and for a moment seemed a little unsteady on his feet.

  ‘What is it, Uncle? Are you ill?’

  Concerned, I helped him to a chair and quickly poured him some brandy. He leaned back and closed his eyes.

  ‘Don’t worry; I’ll be all right in a few minutes. It’s just the long journey from Wales and the strain of the funeral arrangements. It’s all beginning to tell.’ He opened his eyes, and I could see that he was making an effort to smile. ‘I’m not so young as I was.’

  I suddenly felt quite ashamed of myself. What did it ma
tter if I went to town today or next week? Probably Edmund had nothing of startling importance to tell me, anyway.

  ‘You must rest this afternoon, Uncle,’ I said decisively, ‘and when you feel better, we’ll take that trip into town, and you can buy me as many green ribbons as you like!’

  * * *

  I avoided Greyson as much as I could; it wasn’t difficult. He was very much occupied with affairs of the estate and often ate his meals alone. Uncle Tom continued to feel the strain of the past days, and eventually he reluctantly agreed that I should go into town.

  ‘Don’t worry, Uncle,’ I told him. ‘Will knows the animals better than anyone in the stables. He even knows every pothole in the road, so you see I’ll be fine.’

  To my embarrassment, he insisted that I take a purse full of money to spend, though I really had no intention of shopping at all.

  ‘Thank you, Uncle; you are very kind.’

  Impulsively I bent to kiss his cheek and then hurried out into the sharp autumn air.

  Will grinned cheerfully at me, and I smiled back.

  ‘Nice crisp afternoon, Will,’ I said. ‘Let’s put some speed into it once we’re away from the gate.’

  He winked like a conspirator, and I knew he was as happy to be out for the afternoon as I was. We rode down the drive at a steady gait, but once on the road, Will gave the horses their head, and we bounced along at a cracking pace. I leaned out of the window, my teeth chattering together as we rode the bumps, enjoying every minute of it.

  Suddenly the coach gave a tremendous lurch, there was an awful crunching sound, and I was flung to the floor. It seemed for a moment as if the coach would turn right over, but miraculously, the movement stopped, and I lay senseless for a moment, coming back to awareness with Will shaking me frantically.

  ‘Oh, thank God you’re alive, miss.’ He was white and very shaken, and for a moment we sat in silence, looking at the disaster.

  ‘One of the horses is dead, miss; broken neck, I think. It’s a wonder we are not dead, too. One of the wheels has sheered right off.’