A Stranger's Kiss (3 page)

I wondered momentarily what other surprises Ravensmount would hold as Michael Tremaine led me to a stone seat set on a small grass lawn from where I could see a small wooden bridge which spanned the tiniest of streams.

‘So you like our garden?’ my companion asked as I seated myself on the stone seat decorously arranging my green skirts.

‘Yes, it is beautiful,’ I said honestly as Michael sat beside me.

‘I feel, Miss Osborne, that we have started on the wrong footing,’ he said softly reminding me of Rosalind.

‘I fear so, Mr Tremaine, but there isn’t anything that can’t be mended,’ I assured him smiling and thinking how like his brother he was.

‘You don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say that.’ As he spoke Michael laid a hand gently across mine. ‘Now tell me,’ he continued, ‘what you know of Amelia. And did you really think it was her crossing this very garden?’

‘I’m convinced of it,’ I said adamantly, ‘if you hadn’t prevented me from doing so I would have ascertained the fact.’

‘But I can assure you that no-one has seen Amelia since she disappeared. Lord knows I’ve looked for her high and low. I believe it was a figment of your imagination, Miss Osborne. Maybe you wanted to see her.’

His implication that I was prone to fanciful thoughts marred the kind thoughts I had started to have of this brother of Tobias and I snatched my hand away from his somewhat rudely, an action I regretted almost as soon as I’d done it and I reached my hand out to him.

‘Forgive me, Mr Tremaine, but it has been a long day and one full of surprises, most of which were not pleasant.’ As I spoke I noticed the light was starting to fade, but it was still warm and the combination of the scent of honeysuckle and dog roses suddenly felt overpowering. I rose to my feet, closely followed by Michael.

‘Tell me, what has been the most unpleasant surprise for you today?’ he murmured.

‘Apart from Amelia disappearing, I think the fact that she lied to me about marrying your brother,’ I said quietly with resignation. ‘Do you know why she didn’t marry Tobias, Mr Tremaine?’

There was a silent pause before his answer drifted across to me. ‘Because, Miss Osborne, Amelia fell in love with me.’

This admission beat any other revelation told to me today. I stepped back from him.

‘So my friend married you, Mr Tremaine.’ This was a statement rather than a question, my voice was harsh and I wondered why I felt a sense of betrayal.

Michael Tremaine’s reaction to this statement was to throw back his head and laugh. I felt like pounding on his chest with anger, but I’d already behaved in an unladylike manner towards this man in the space of little more than an hour already.

‘Why are you laughing at me?’ I almost shouted at him.

‘Because you have reached your own conclusion, totally the wrong one in the space of seconds, Sara,’ he said, merriment in his voice.

‘So tell me then, what happened between you and Amelia?’ I challenged him, sitting back on the seat.

‘Nothing, absolutely nothing. Her love for me was not reciprocated I assure you. I am surrounded by dark-haired women, I certainly wouldn’t want to marry one.’

As he spoke, the merriment in his eyes and voice suddenly died. ‘I much prefer fair-haired women and a very beautiful one has stumbled headlong into my path today.’

At his words I didn’t know what to do or say. I felt foolish and confused at the same time and didn’t wish to discuss the matter further.

‘I must return to my room, Mr Tremaine, but I cannot walk back through that dark passageway,’ I said with a calm I didn’t feel.

‘Then I’ll show you round to the front,’ he said, kindly offering me his hand.

3

The ravens flew noisily overhead as I ascended the steps to the front door for the second time that day. As I stepped into the hall I saw Rosalind standing at the bottom of the staircase. Was she waiting for me? I wondered.

‘So you’ve met our brother, Michael,’ she commented, and I realised she must have watched us from the window alongside the great door.

‘Yes,’ I replied, not wishing to tell her the circumstances in which we had bumped into each other.

‘Your maid, Tilly, tells me it is your birthday today,’ said Rosalind dismissing the subject of Michael for which I was grateful.

‘Indeed, I am twenty-one today and haven’t yet opened Father and Mother’s present to me,’ I told her.

‘You must join us for dinner this evening, so we can at least toast your special day.’ She spoke with enthusiasm and I realised that her life may in some way be dull and her days repetitious.

‘It is kind of you, Miss Tremaine, but I feel weary and would not be sparkling company,’ I admitted.

‘Then stay for a few more days,’ she pleaded, ‘and we shall have a party for you.’

‘Why thank you, I would like that and it would give me time to try and trace Amelia’s whereabouts,’ I said, having no intention for some reason in telling this young woman I had seen my friend not long since walking in the garden. Or had I seen her?

At the mention of Amelia the lovely face changed, and she was about to speak just as another young woman joined us in the hall. I’d thought Rosalind to be beautiful, but the young woman who now stood at her side, dressed in a day dress the colour of a beautiful mauve, matching the wearer’s expressionless eyes surpassed even Rosalind’s beauty.

‘Did I hear mention of a party?’ the newcomer said in a tinkling melodic voice, but still her eyes were void of any emotion.

‘This is our sister, Violet,’ said Miss Tremaine, ‘and this young lady,’ she said, speaking to her sister as if she were a child, ‘is Sara, a friend of Amelia’s.’ At these words Violet ran over to me, her dark ringlets bobbing up and down, and she caught my arm.

‘You must come to my studio and see my ravens,’ she said excitedly, ‘Amelia loved them, but she hasn’t been to see me for a long time.’ At which words she stamped her foot and tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘No-one likes me,’ she wailed and I realised this lovely young girl was still a child inside a woman’s body.

‘Come, Violet,’ coaxed her sister, ‘we will go to your room and prepare for dinner.’

Before they walked together up the wide staircase, Violet looked at me. ‘You will come tomorrow?’ she pleaded, and I knew I would, but only for her sake as I felt compassion for her. As I made my way to my room I wondered if there was anyone in this household that I hadn’t yet met. I didn’t realise then that there was someone else I would meet on the morrow and that the whole day would be fraught with minor incidents drawing me further into the lives of the family at Ravensmount.

As I stepped into my room, the first thing I noticed was a cheery fire burning in the hearth for which I was thankful as now the sun had gone and the large room felt chilly. Tilly, with Emily’s assistance, was arranging my clothes in the large rosewood wardrobe which stood in an alcove on one side of my bed. I could see my open trunk standing at the foot of the bed.

‘Your tea’s gone cold, Miss Sara,’ grumbled Tilly indicating a tray which stood on a small table next to the armchair which had been pulled up by the fire, ‘and the bread will be curling at the corners no doubt,’ she continued to chide me.

‘I’m sorry, Tilly,’ I said, realising how hungry I suddenly felt and Rosalind’s invitation to dinner crossed my mind. Picking up one of the sandwiches, I could see that the bread had indeed dried out a little, but I ate it nonetheless, a thought coming to me. ‘Tilly, have you come across my birthday present?’ I asked.

‘Yes, Miss, it’s on the dressing table.’

Swiftly I retrieved the tissue wrapped gift which had been tied with an emerald green ribbon. I sat on the armchair and carefully unwrapped it. The paper contained an oblong green velvet box and opening it I could see a necklace of creamy pearls with diamonds set into the clasp. They were beautiful and I suddenly felt homesick. Tilly came over to look, Emily hovering in the background.

‘They are lovely, Miss Sara,’ Tilly whispered. ‘Oh Miss, don’t feel sad,’ she said suddenly as she caught sight of a large tear which trickled down my cheek. ‘We’ll be back home before you know it. Shall we leave the rest of your things in the trunk, Miss? Seems silly getting everything unpacked.’

‘No, empty it please, Tilly, for we are here for a few more days,’ I replied.

As I snuggled between the crisp white sheets later that evening, the candle beside my bed cast eerie shadows on the walls and ceiling. I wondered just how long we would stay at Ravensmount and whether my search for Amelia would prove to be fruitful. Before I fell asleep I recalled Tamsin’s words, ‘Do not spend a night there.’ I dismissed the thought, certain no harm could befall me.

*

The squawking of the ravens awoke me with a start the next morning. Surprisingly I’d slept well. Early daylight filtered into the room tinged with a rosy glow from the curtains. I slipped quickly out of bed and donned my pale blue dressing gown, recalling Mrs Mallory’s words on my arrival.

I was eager to know who the visitor was at this time of the morning, causing the birds to swoop to the tower, for I could see by the small marble clock at my bedside it was six-thirty. Pulling the curtains back I caught sight of a young woman in a royal blue cloak, the hood of which covered her head, but I recognised the cloak and knew it to be Amelia’s.

‘Amelia!’ I called her name in vain for she disappeared round the corner in the direction of the garden with an older woman who was her companion. Quickly I ran to my door, running along the corridor with bare feet, totally oblivious of my attire or the fact that my long blonde wavy hair flowed behind me.

I sped down the staircase one hand on the polished banister to be met at the bottom by a startled Mrs Mallory who was crossing the hall. She caught my arm, preventing me from my intention of opening the front door, which even as I looked I could see was chained and bolted top and bottom.

‘Miss Osborne,’ the housekeeper admonished me, ‘have you any idea how unseemly the sight of you in your night attire, your hair loose and your bare feet would appear to a gentleman.’

‘No, I hadn’t thought of it,’ I replied, snatching my arm away from her. People in this house seemed intent on catching hold of the same arm, I thought.

‘From where I’m standing it’s a pretty sight I assure you!’

I whirled around to see Michael Tremaine smiling at me from the open doorway of the drawing room.

My face was scarlet and as Mrs Mallory ushered me up the staircase, my hair and night attire flowing behind me, I looked back to see him lounging against the doorframe an amused expression on his handsome face.

As I thought of his handsome face, glittering black eyes and dark curling hair I realised I wished to make a good impression on him and I could easily understand how Amelia had fallen in love with him.

Looking out of the window once more, I could see the ravens were silent now and back in the tree. The sea looked grey, ever tumbling towards the steep cliff and I thought for an instant that I had imagined seeing Amelia, but dismissed the thought just as quickly.

But why would the Tremaine family dismiss her being here? I came to the conclusion that one or all of them were lying. But who? And also why?

I sat in the armchair and nodded off to sleep to be woken by Tilly carrying a breakfast tray which she deposited on the small table at my side. My feet were freezing and I wished the fire was lit, but the ashes still lay forlornly in the cold grate.

‘It’s a grey day today, Miss,’ said Tilly, stating the obvious as I turned to look at the grey clouds scudding across the sky. ‘What will you wear, Miss?’ she asked, opening the wardrobe.

I suddenly felt I’d lived here for a very long time and had a feeling of déjà vu, and my eyes were drawn to the young woman in the portrait. No matter where I was in the room her eyes surveyed me and I felt quite unsettled by it, making a mental note to ask someone who she was.

‘Miss Sara, are you with me or not?’ Tilly’s’ exasperated voice cut into my thoughts. She was still standing by the open wardrobe, waiting patiently for an answer. I picked a rose-pink day dress, the bodice v-necked and buttoned to the waist.

I had no notion as to what I intended to do today, but my main aim was to avoid Violet. Don’t be uncharitable, I chided myself at the thought. Stepping into the corridor I looked to see if anyone was around. On seeing the coast was clear I once again tried the door of Amelia’s room. It was shut fast against me.

I knocked gently on the door with some thought that she may be in there, but all was silent within and I made my way towards the main staircase with a sinking heart, realising that I knew little of the layout of the house and thinking that because of this I had no hope of looking for my friend.

I stopped by the wooden staircase, an idea occurring to me. Without the intention of doing so I made my way downward, lifting my skirts as I walked along the threadbare carpets to the metal door I had discovered yesterday. I lifted the large latch and had expected the door to be firmly closed, but it swung back easily with little noise and I could see the hinges were well oiled, which led me to believe the door was used frequently.

Stepping inside I could see why; the stone walled room was full of racks of wine and my heart sank, disappointment flowing through me just as I felt something move under my skirts. Looking down I could see it was a mouse and I screamed. The mouse scuttled off.

‘You are surely not afraid of mice, young lady.’ A deep masculine voice arrested my attention as the sound of it reverberated around the walls. A voice I didn’t recognise and I knew instinctively it was an older man. I turned round to face him.

‘I am afraid I am, Sir,’ I said sheepishly.

‘Then you should not be poking and prying around in wine cellars which don’t belong to you.’ As he spoke I met his gaze. The voice was harsh and I knew the words weren’t meant in a light-hearted way.

‘I’m sorry, I thought ...’ I commenced, but thought better of it as I was sure this man, whoever he was, wouldn’t understand that I had imagined my friend may be here. My wish was to escape, but his solid frame blocked the doorway and he stood firm, intent on ensuring I would not poke my nose anywhere it wasn’t meant to again.

He was a striking looking man with thick silver-coloured hair, a firm jaw and the dark glittering eyes of the Tremaine family. But whereas until now I had seen softness and mirth looking at me, his eyes showed anger and hostility.

‘I take it you are Sara Osborne from Bath,’ he said, taking a small jewelled snuffbox from his pocket and then proceeding to sniff at the powdered tobacco.

‘Yes, I am,’ I said demurely, all the while looking at him praying that I could soon escape, not just from this cellar but from Ravensmount itself. Maybe Tilly should have left half my belongings in the trunk after all.

‘My family are foolish, every one of them,’ he said with a derisory tone, placing the snuffbox back in his pocket. ‘Not one of them married, and why? I’ll tell you why, because they fall in love with the wrong people and I will not have any one of them marrying without my approval. Let my words be a warning to you.’

‘But Tobias is the master here,’ I said bravely, thinking that I would marry whoever I liked.

‘What gave you that notion, Sara Osborne, I cannot imagine, for I, Abraham Tremaine am master of Ravensmount and will be until I take my last breath.’ As he spoke the words, he stepped to one side, the doorway open to me. I took this as a sign of dismissal and scuttled past him without a sideways glance, hoping never to incur his wrath again.

Before I looked for Tilly to ask her to help me pack our things in readiness for our departure, I made my way to the arch of honeysuckle and the tranquillity of the garden. Sitting on the stone seat where only hours ago I had sat with Michael, I recalled my short encounter with the true master of this house. My knees were still trembling at the thought of Abraham Tremaine’s overbearing presence. Thankfully his personality had not been passed on to his children Tobias, Michael, Rosalind and Violet.

The thought of Michael made me smile and I recalled this morning’s incident when I had stood vulnerably at the foot of the staircase. I would be sad not to see Michael again, and what of Amelia? Would I be letting her down if I left so soon? Was I making the right decision? The thought of the incident in the wine cellar brought me to answer. Making my way once more through the hall I encountered Rosalind again.

It was like a re-enactment of the previous evening. ‘Lunch will be served in the small dining room,’ she said, indicating a room behind the staircase next to the drawing room. ‘From twelve noon until two. You are most welcome to join us and I have spoken to Tobias about a small party in your honour tomorrow.’ She talked with little chance of me to interrupt.

‘It’s kind of you, Miss Tremaine, but I shall be leaving in the morning if it can be arranged,’ I said quietly, noting that today she wore a cream-coloured gown which gave her the look of the young woman in the portrait in my room.