A Stranger's Kiss (6 page)

Just as I went to pick up the pretty little box I heard Tilly’s voice. ‘Miss, Miss!’ she said in a loud whisper, ‘Mr Michael has just come in the front door.’

Swiftly I fled out of the door and fumbled with the key to lock it again. Tilly, Emily and I walked to the main staircase as calmly as we could. I gave Emily the key.

‘Thank you,’ I whispered. The two girls carried on along the corridor and I made my way down the staircase, bumping once more into Michael who was about to ascend.

‘How fortuitous, Miss Sara Osborne,’ he said smiling at me, his dark eyes seeking mine, ‘for I shall sadly have to cancel our outing this afternoon. We shall need to leave it until Monday, forgive me?’ he asked, and how could I resist him.

‘No matter, Mr Tremaine, I can wait,’ I said sweetly. But could I? At his words, disappointment surged through me and as I walked towards the drawing room I idly wondered if he had another assignation.

‘Sara, Sara,’ called an excited voice and before turning around I realised it was Violet. ‘Have you noticed the decorations? Do you like them? I think they are lovely.’ As Violet spoke she clapped her little hands together and I looked to where she pointed.

‘I must confess Violet, I had not seen them,’ I said as I looked around at the green garlands which festooned the walls of the hall.

‘And see,’ said Violet excitedly, ‘the mats have been removed from the floor.’

On looking down I could see they had. ‘And this is where you’ll dance,’ she said, twirling round and round on the polished floor. Fed up with her little game Violet ran across to me and whispered conspiratorially, ‘And who will dance with you, Sara? Will it be Tobias, Michael or Papa?’ Here she clasped her hands together. ‘Oh yes, please let it be Papa.’

And as she ran up the stairs I could hear her saying, ‘Papa,’ over and over again in her shrill childlike voice.

I stood there for some time sickened by the whole incident, half wishing I had left this house as I’d planned to, for I realised it was Violet who put a deep fear in my heart and as yet I couldn’t explain why. I felt I needed to get out of the cloying atmosphere of the house for a while just as Rosalind and Mrs Mallory arrived.

‘You look pale, Sara,’ observed the beautiful Miss Tremaine. ‘Please get some rest before this evening. I have invited a few people over for dinner and as you are to be the honoured guest it would be nice that you look your best.’

‘I promise you I shall, Rosalind. Now what I really need is some fresh air. Is there a conveyance that could take me and Tilly to Moll’s Bay?’ I asked her.

‘Why yes, I shall arrange for Seth to bring the small brougham to the front. Shall we say in half-in-hour?’ she agreed amiably.

‘Rosalind,’ I called as she walked towards the kitchen, ‘may I take Emily? She and Tilly get on so well together.’

‘Of course. I will tell Mrs Mallory that Emily has my permission,’ Rosalind called back and went on her way.

After seeking the two girls out and arranging to meet them at the front of the house I went to my room, washed my face, pinched my cheeks to give them some colour and donned my white lace bonnet, ready for I knew not what. Before leaving the room I glanced at the portrait and said out loud, ‘And what secrets did you take to the grave?’

The three of us, duly settled in the brougham made our way down the winding lanes I’d travelled with Tobias yesterday. The thought of him brought a smile to my face and then I thought of Michael and almost laughed out loud. I really was between the devil and the deep blue sea. But which one was the devil?

Tilly and Emily giggled and chatted, the sun shone down out of a cloudless blue sky and Seth whistled as we went along. My thoughts turned to Amelia. Had the face at the tower window this morning been hers? And what significance did the small music box have to her birthright?

Arriving at Moll’s Bay we stopped outside the teashop. A nice cup of tea would be most welcome was my thought as Seth helped the three of us to the ground.

‘What a nice village isn’t it, Miss Sara,’ said Tilly looking longingly around her. ‘I don’t ever want to go back to Bath now,’ she said linking her arm through Emily’s.

Another problem I thought, and imagined myself going back home without Tilly. My hand on the door-knob ready to turn it, the two girls close at my heels, I stopped frozen to the spot. Inside, sat at a table talking earnestly while drinking tea, were three people. Two of them I could understand being there, Michael and his nurse, Miss Sutton, but the third!

‘What’s the matter Miss?’ asked Tilly.

‘I’m sorry both of you, but we cannot go in there today, I suddenly feel unwell,’ I lied, my hand releasing the door handle. As I hustled them back to the waiting brougham, I wondered what on earth Michael and his nurse were doing taking tea with Tamsin our travelling companion! It was another mystery to assail me, but in some ways the most curious mystery of them all!

6

I was pondering over this small mystery while preparing myself for the coming evening. What part did Tamsin play in the lives of the occupants of Ravensmount? And whatever role it was, did it have anything to do with that day at the inn when she had tried to prevent me from staying here? I turned it over and over in my mind and could as yet reach no conclusion.

‘Shall I help you into your gown, Miss Sara?’ Tilly’s voice interrupted my thoughts. The pale peach gown slipped easily over my head, encasing my body with a luxurious feeling of softness and coolness. While Tilly fastened the hooks and eyes at the back of the bodice, I looked again at the portrait over the mantel.

A small ray of fading sunlight fell across the lovely face depicted so cleverly on the canvas, so much so that I sensed the eyes were watching me and I had a sudden desire to know the name of Abraham’s wife.

‘There Miss, all done. I’ve adjusted the frills and will now arrange your hair,’ said Tilly, stepping around to the front of me and obscuring my view of the portrait.

‘Thank you,’ I said, walking across to the dressing table and sitting on the chair, my thoughts no longer with this afternoon’s scene at the tea shop, but with Michael and Tobias.

Tilly piled my blonde curls on the top of my head, securing them with a gilt comb, leaving soft ringlets either side of my face and the nape of my neck.

‘Now the necklace, please,’ I said to her, reaching for a string of creamy pearls. Tilly secured the jewelled clasp with some difficulty.

‘There Miss,’ she said, her administrations complete. ‘Come and look in the full length mirror for you look fit for the Queen’s court,’ she complimented me.

‘My gloves first,’ I reminded her. We both giggled as we struggled with the tight fitting gloves which practically met the edge of my short sleeves of my gown. Then, picking up my fan, I walked over to the mirror. The sun’s ray had moved from the portrait and now shone off the wardrobe by my bed, bathing me in a golden glow with minute particles of silver dust surrounding my reflection.

‘What do you think?’ Tilly asked excitedly. ‘You’ll be loved by all who see you, Miss and that’s the honest truth.’

‘Thank you, Tilly. You’ve done a wonderful job, now you run along and do whatever pleases you this evening,’ I urged her.

‘Me and Emily are going to stand at the minstrels’ gallery later so we can see who you dance with,’ she informed me.

‘Then I hope you both enjoy the spectacle,’ I said hesitantly and with some annoyance.

With Tilly gone I gathered myself together. Moving out of the door I walked along the corridor, my sumptuous skirts swishing on the carpet beneath my feet. As I reached the top of the wide staircase I could hear snippets of conversation coming up to meet me and I could see Rosalind and a couple of strangers talking, a glass in each of their hands.

Taking a deep breath I started to descend the staircase, my skirts pulled up a trifle with one hand lest I fall, the other hand delicately fanning myself for I felt suddenly hot. As I reached the third step from the bottom all conversation ceased and I could see both Michael and Tobias watching my progress down the stairs.

Tobias, dark and mysterious and Michael at his side, dark and gentle. Then I blushed for I realised I had come to a halt on the stairs and I smiled to cover my confusion, stepping lightly onto the polished floor below.

‘Fetch Sara a glass of sherry,’ instructed Rosalind bustling over to me and kissing me enthusiastically on both cheeks. Over her shoulder I could see Tobias walking to the drinks trolley situated in the far corner by the window while Michael watched me, his eyes steady and intent as he sipped at his drink. I smiled at him and he slowly raised his glass in salutation and my heart started racing.

Rosalind, looking lovely in a beige-coloured gown decorated with small pink rosebuds, steered me towards the middle-aged couple she had been in conversation with. I turned sideways to look again at Michael who was still watching me just as Tobias thrust a glass of amber liquid in my hand. I immediately thought of potions and poisons, wondering ludicrously if Tobias was the poisoner, when my wicked idea was interrupted by Rosalind’s voice.

‘Sara, Sara,’ she repeated, ‘may I introduce you to Nicholas and Hester Northcliffe.’

‘Why, how do you do I’m sorry, but I was distracted. Please forgive me for being rude,’ I pleaded.

‘Not at all, young woman,’ Nicholas’ voice boomed out. He was a rotund man with a red face, while his wife was as thin as a scarecrow with bright red hair and a white unsmiling face.

‘I can see the object of your distraction,’ he said coarsely, nodding in Michael’s direction and winking at me.

I disliked the man immediately and was grateful to Tobias who steered me away to the drawing room, much to his brother’s obvious alarm.

‘You look very alluring this evening, Miss Osborne,’ Tobias observed, looking me up and down.

‘I second that,’ spoke a voice from the corner of the room. It was the master, Abraham, who we had not noticed. He walked towards us, the snuff box in his hand. I thought how distinguished he looked, dressed in a black jacket, his silver-grey hair shining in the evening light.

‘Tell me, Miss Osborne,’ the master continued, ‘whatever possessed you to travel from Bath to Cornwall on your birthday of all days?’ The question was a fair one, but unexpected and brought to mind Amelia.

‘I wished to travel to see my friend at the earliest possible moment,’ I answered him frankly.

‘Your loyalty to your friend does you justice, young woman,’ said Abraham, the first sign of friendliness towards me in his manner. ‘And do you believe Amelia is still here at Ravensmount?’

‘Yes I do,’ I said honestly without hesitation.

‘And why do you think this?’ he queried not unkindly.

‘I think I have seen my friend, Sir,’ I answered my voice strong. ‘Not only in these grounds here, but in the window of the tower.’

‘Interesting, Miss Osborne. Now let us join our guests in the hall.’ At his words I could hardly believe Mr Tremaine had dismissed the subject, but at the same time he had not argued with me.

For the first time I saw the large dining room at Ravensmount, whose steps led from the hall into the spacious room which boasted a huge stone fireplace, filled with brightly coloured daisies.

We seated ourselves around the table, the master at the head, the awful Nicholas Northcliffe opposite me who every now and then tried to touch my foot with his, so that I sat throughout the meal with my feet tucked under the chair. Michael sitting further up the table watched me while I ate, causing me to wonder what exactly his thoughts were.

During the meal, Abraham Tremaine stood up raising his glass. ‘To our guest, the beautiful Miss Sara Osborne, her birthday and many more to come.’ He toasted me and I thought what a good start to the evening, but could things get better or worse? I was soon to find out.

As we stepped back into the hall afterwards I could see that chairs and small tables had been placed around, and after a nod from Rosalind to the minstrels’ gallery above, beautiful music floated down to us. To my dismay it was the master who approached me first.

‘Shall we dance, Miss Osborne?’ he asked, bowing over my hand which he had taken in his. His hand was strong and dependable and I idly wondered what had changed his manner towards me.

As we danced to the strains for a Viennese waltz and as Abraham whirled me expertly around the hall I could see Rosalind, Tobias and Michael watching us, also the other six guests which included the terrible Northcliffes.

‘This is one of Johann Strauss’ waltzes isn’t it?’ I observed as we glided across the floor.

‘Yes indeed, it is the Reunion Waltz.’ Abraham looked down at me for he was tall.

‘It is a beautiful piece of music,’ I said, listening intently to the violin.

‘Yes, how right you are, Miss Osborne. Chopin himself said that Strauss and his waltzes obscure everything else,’ my partner told me.

‘Is that so,’ I replied with great interest.

‘You seem very interested in him, Miss Osborne,’ he observed.

‘Yes indeed I am, Sir. Tell me more about Mr Strauss,’ I urged him.

‘I saw him with his orchestra some sixteen years ago in Austria, such fire and poignant rhythm,’ he paused then continued, ‘I was also fortunate enough to see him in London in 1838 on Michael’s birthday.’

‘Which is when?’ I asked with interest.

‘April the 17th.’ He paused and smiled down at me, a playful glint in his eye. ‘Mr Strauss has led a colourful life, Miss Osborne, for I believe he has thirteen children.’

At this piece of information we both laughed and I now saw a different side to the master of Ravensmount. He could on the one hand be manipulative and harsh, and on the other he had a sense of humour and was knowledgeable about the arts.

‘Why has your manner towards me changed?’ I asked my dancing partner on a more serious note.

‘Because you are honest, my dear, and I have much respect for honesty,’ he replied looking down at me. ‘Others have not been so forthright.’ His words obviously had some meaning, but for the present the meaning eluded me. We were joined on the floor by Tobias and Rosalind and as I glanced up at the minstrels’ gallery I caught a glimpse of Violet looking through the railings at the scene below, and I mused as to why she had not joined us for dinner, but to be truthful I was thankful that she had not. Refreshing drinks were served as eleven of us sat talking or dancing and then Tobias loomed over me and my heart pounded.

‘May I request the pleasure of this dance with you?’ he asked seriously, no glint of humour in his eyes or voice.

‘You may,’ I said, rising to my feet. Tobias took my hand and led me onto the floor and so we danced and talked.

‘You are beautiful,’ were Tobias’ first words.

‘And so was Amelia,’ I said without thinking.

‘But your friend does not possess the fragile beauty you do, Miss Osborne.’

As he spoke I latched on to the word ‘does’ for Tobias spoke it with clarity.

‘So you believe Amelia is alive then?’ I asked him.

‘What causes you to say that?’ he answered sharply, stopping momentarily in mid step.

‘Because, you spoke the word “does”.’

At my words he laughed. ‘You read too much into things my dear, in fact, if you have a fault that is it.’

‘Is it indeed. Well let me tell you Mr Tobias Tremaine, that I am curious by nature and you ... you,’ I searched for the right words, ‘you are far too serious and pick holes in people as you did with my friend, Amelia.’

‘Please calm yourself, Miss Osborne,’ he soothed. ‘I told you Amelia fell for my brother.’

‘No you didn’t!’ I shouted back at him. ‘Michael himself told me that Amelia fell in love with him, and if this is true I can see why.’ I stamped my foot and fled from the dance floor, the strains of the violin in my ears. Everyone was looking at me as I ran through the dining room, past the long table scattered with unwashed glasses and dishes.

I heard Nicholas Northcliffe’s voice, ‘How I like a girl with spirit,’ he guffawed.

Pulling back the heavy pale orange tapestry curtains which were now drawn against the darkness, I fumbled with the latch of the French windows which I had noticed earlier led out onto the garden.

A strong hand fell gently over mine. ‘Allow me,’ a voice said softly.

Before I turned around I knew it was Michael. Over his shoulder I could see Abraham Tremaine standing in the doorway with a glass in his hand. As I caught his eye he raised the glass and smiled at me and then turned back to the hall.

‘Thank you,’ I muttered to Michael, allowing him to open the door which led out into the garden. Hot tears sprang to my eyes threatening to fall down my cheeks. We stepped into the beautiful garden, the moon shone brightly down casting everything with a silver glow, the air was warm and the glorious scent of flowers wafted around us.

It was a perfect evening for romantic thoughts and as Michael steered me gently toward the stone seat, I knew the answer to my question and that in my heart this was the one for me.

‘You are trembling, dear heart,’ Michael said with concern in his voice. ‘Take my handkerchief and dry your eyes,’ he commanded.

I did as he bid and looked at him.

‘Oh Michael, I have made such a fool of myself this evening and spoiled everyone’s enjoyment,’ I said, almost sobbing into his white handkerchief.

‘And deprived me of the last dance,’ he said, a smile on his lips.

‘Trust you to make light of the situation.’ My words were true and how I loved him for it.

‘Far better to be happy than sad, Miss Osborne,’ he said quietly.

‘You are so right,’ I said, my mood lightening. ‘Please call me Sara,’ were my next words, and for some moments he looked into my eyes before answering.

‘It would be an honour, now let us have that dance.’ As he spoke he took hold of my hand pulling me to my feet, his arm encircled my waist as he gathered me closely to him. We could still faintly hear the music from the hall. The moon shone down on us as we danced together around the garden in companionable silence. How could I ever have thought my outing to Lizard with Tobias could outweigh my time in the garden with Michael. What foolish creatures we can be, I admonished myself.