The Amber Keeper (33 page)

Anxious though I was to protect Stefan, I answered with care. ‘I admit I find it hard to understand why she would believe him to be guilty.’

‘My wife’s motivation has always been difficult to fathom, save for her need for attention and money.’ He paused a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face. ‘And revenge. If Stefan has offended her in some way, that could be the reason.’

If the Count guessed that his wife had attempted to seduce her gardener-handyman and he had rejected her, so be it, but I wasn’t about to confirm his suspicions. Silence fell as we watched a boat chug by, stirring up the icy water. Despite the bright sunshine, temperatures had not risen a great deal. The sound of a wall collapsing brought our attention back to the apartment. Staring at the devastation and the cloud of dust surrounding it, our thoughts naturally returned to Irina. The Count quietly remarked, ‘She was my life.’

‘I know.’

‘I shall never stop loving her.’

Emotion choked my throat as I struggled to find the right words, if only it were possible. ‘She adored you too, and enjoyed a good life, if sadly far too short. Always remember that. And you still have a son.’ I had no intention of mentioning the Countess’s claim that she’d been pregnant with Serge by another man when she
married
the Count. Some secrets were best kept.

‘Serge is a fine young man, thanks to your efforts in dealing with those silly rebellions. Both my children have benefited from your service, as did I when you encouraged me to take more of an interest in him. I am most grateful, as it seems to have paid off. Our relationship is much improved and I shall continue to do my utmost to be a good father to the boy.’

‘I’m glad. That is exactly what he needs.’

As I listened to the Count continue to sing my praises, an uncomfortable feeling began to grow inside me, for it sounded very much as if he was saying goodbye. Was he about to hand me my notice? It seemed highly likely now that Irina was lost to us and Serge was a boy of fourteen, nearly fifteen, hardly in need of a governess any longer. His next words seemed to confirm my worst fears.

‘I intend to tell my wife that she may have her divorce and a settlement, if a far more modest one than she would like. Our
marriage
is over, has been for a long while, but now it is time to call it a day. I intend to return to my country estate. Even though it is more of a communal project now, it is where I am happiest.’

‘Where will the Countess reside?’ We again glanced across at the builders who were carefully stacking stone that could be reused and loading the rest of the rubble onto carts to take away.

‘There are other cottages on the estate. She could have one of those. If she chooses to stay in Petrograd the apartment will eventually be restored and refurbished, and she’s welcome to remain there until such time as she finds a place of her own. I hope to take Serge with me to the country, if he’ll come. He seems to love it there. His inheritance will not be what it once was, but I’ll find a way to make a good life for him.’

‘I’m sure you will.’ I paused a moment before asking the
question
beating in my brain. ‘And what would you advise me to do, milord?’

He gave me one of his kindest smiles. ‘I do know the truth about this little one,’ he said, stroking Katya’s head. ‘I read between the lines when we last talked about her. The birth of this child is part of the reason I’ve called an end to our marriage. Olga is now quite beyond the pale. I’m sure she would claim she had every right to take a lover, but in my opinion none at all to give the child away. You may not be aware of this Millie, but Irina was not Olga’s
daughter
. She was the child of my mistress Mavra, the lady I told you of.’

‘I rather guessed that,’ I said, making no mention of the gossip that was rife among the servants.

‘I returned to her when it became abundantly clear my marriage wasn’t going to work. Mavra and I were very happy together, despite the difficult circumstances, but then she died in a horrific accident.’

‘What happened exactly?’

‘She drowned while swimming with a group of friends in the River Neva.’

A chill rippled down my spine as I recalled a similar accident almost happening to Irina, on that lovely autumn day all those years ago at Carreckwater. ‘How tragic. Did she go out too far? Who was with her at the time? Was the Countess present?’

‘Oh, yes, there was a large party of us enjoying a bright day of sunshine in early spring. What went wrong is difficult to say.
Perhaps
the coldness of the water gave her cramp but she unexpectedly got into difficulties. No one noticed until it was too late. My wife was in a boat nearby and did what she could to help, and brought Mavra ashore. How could I not take her child, since darling Irina had been so tragically orphaned? She was my daughter too, and I’d loved her from the moment she was born, if not before.’

I could find no response to this sorry tale as thoughts and suspicions raced through my head.

‘Sadly, my wife never cared for the child, which was only to be expected, I suppose. She was most neglectful, so it was a blessing when you came to work for us. Irina loved you dearly,
worshipped
you to such an extent that she sought to
be
like you, as young girls do.’

Tears were filling my eyes, blocking my voice. ‘I loved her too. She was a sweetie.’

‘A mother’s love had been largely lacking in her life until you came along, but thanks to your care all that changed, and she grew in confidence daily. I know now how important it is for a child to feel loved and safe. Having lost Irina, I would hate to see this little one suffer as she did. The Countess may have given birth to her, but she is now
your
child, and you will make an excellent mother.’

‘Thank you for your faith in me, milord.’ A huge sense of relief swept over me, the very real fear that I might lose Katya beginning at last to dissipate.

‘However, to help you cope with the inevitable expenses of raising a child, and because she is my wife’s offspring, however much she might deny it, I have created a trust fund in her name to secure her future.’

‘Oh, milord, I don’t know what to say, or how to thank you.’ I was regarding him in awe, his generosity leaving me quite
speechless
.

‘By rights I dare say we should seek legal confirmation, adoption and so on. But in the current climate that could take years. It would be far better if you took her far away from here, somewhere safe, and I know the very place. You will recall Carreck Place, once occupied by my late cousin . . .’

‘. . . late? You mean Lord Rumsley is dead?’ I interrupted.

‘I’m afraid so. A heart attack, I believe. His wife, son and daughter have moved to America, where they are happily residing in Boston.’

‘They’ve left their home in the Lake District?’ I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Perhaps I had assumed that nothing bad could ever happen back in England, as we seemed to be the ones suffering, caught up in a revolution. His next words took me completely by surprise.

‘Lord Rumsley never actually owned Carreck Place: I did. Or rather, I provided the funds for my cousin Charles to buy it. The man was an idiot, but family, you understand? Now I wish to give it to you, or at least to the child of my foolish wife.’ Kissing Katya’s cheek, he smiled down at the baby. ‘She deserves some recompense for being so abandoned. The house will be hers for life, and yours too, with a trust fund in her name to maintain it. What happens after that can be decided upon later, depending on which of us is still around by then.’

I was shaking my head in disbelief. ‘I couldn’t possibly accept it.’

‘Yes, you can, for little Katya’s sake.’

There were tears in my eyes now as I looked down at the baby sleeping contentedly in my arms. ‘I shall do my best to be a good mother to her. I love her already more than life itself.’

‘Of course you do. The house is standing empty. Go and revive it and turn it once more into a loving home. Find Stefan and take him with you.’

The Count smiled at my blushes, giving my hand a gentle pat. ‘I assume you and he will get together in the end. Find him, Millie, and leave together. Don’t stay in Petrograd a day longer than you need to. It isn’t safe. I ask just one favour: do not tell my wife any of this, not until you are safely established in Carreckwater. Perhaps not even then. There is safety in silence.’

There was a warning note in his voice and I found myself nodding, understanding completely what he was telling me.

‘Now I shall go and break the news to my wife that she is about to become a free woman.’

THIRTY-ONE

L
eaving her grandmother in peace, Abbie went in search of Aimée, panicking slightly when she couldn’t immediately find her.

‘No sweat,’ Fay said. ‘She’s out on the lake with your father.’

‘Wow, really?’

‘I suggested he make some effort to get to know his new grandchild, give her a little more attention. He looked quite surprised by my suggestion, and a little bit thoughtful, but it seems to be
working
. He’s taken her and Jonathon out in the boat to teach them how to fish.’

‘Oh, my goodness, that’s wonderful!’ Her thoughts at once turned to the Count and Serge doing exactly the same thing, remembering how their relationship had developed as a result, and her heart warmed with affection for her father and for her sister-in-law. ‘You really are brilliant!’

Fay gave a wicked grin. ‘Still not quite there with Robert, but making progress.’

‘Then I suggest you give me some advice, too, on how to handle my brother. Perhaps over a glass of wine?’

The two women were happily sitting chatting, baby Carrie playing at their feet, when the fishing party returned. It was very plain to Abbie, by the way Aimée giggled as her grandfather lifted her out of the boat, then happily took his hand to come over to them, that progress was most certainly being made there. Her daughter had clearly captured his heart.

Abbie’s mind was whirling. She understood now how the family came to be living in Carreck Place, and thought this might be the moment to reveal her own little secret.

‘I think Mrs Brixton has some fairy cakes and orange juice waiting for you in the kitchen,’ she said. And as the two children ran off, whooping with delight, she cast a sideways glance at her
companion
. Fay instantly picked up the message that she wanted a moment alone with her father and, announcing that Carrie too would enjoy some cake, hurried after them.

Taking a breath, Abbie turned to her father. ‘Dad, I’ve been meaning to say that I’ve been to see the solicitor.’

‘Ah, I rather thought you might.’

‘I needed John Kirby’s advice on extending the overdraft and it all came out.’ Pitching her voice low and carefully non-accusatory, she asked, ‘When were you planning to tell me that Mum had left me the shop and business?’

Letting out a heavy sigh, he came to sit beside her on the bench. ‘It’s hard to say why I put it off. I just couldn’t bear to speak of it for a while. It’s true that Kate had badly neglected the business in recent years and was in debt, with a large overdraft she’d never had before. But we do still have money coming in from land we let out to local farmers, which helps to maintain the house. Things aren’t quite as bad as Robert made out, although I know nothing of his personal financial situation. However, your mother’s decision came as something of a surprise, of which I didn’t entirely approve.’

‘You didn’t think I deserved it, and were trying to find a way out?’ Abbie softly asked.

‘Maybe. I also doubted she would have made such a will had she realised what a sorry state Precious Dreams would fall into. But then I realised it wasn’t my decision to make. The shop belonged to her, not to me, and as you constantly remind me, you are no longer a foolish teenager. I decided I should at least allow you the opportunity to prove yourself and hopefully restore some of the damage you did.’

Abbie inwardly cringed, instantly feeling an urge to defend
herself
, but before she could find the right words, a voice boomed
out.

‘She could never do that!’

Neither of them had heard Robert approach, and with an anxious-looking Fay at his side he stood glowering down upon them both, legs astride, arms folded across his puffed-out chest. ‘Did I hear right? Are you saying that Mother left the property on
Carndale
Road to you?’

Abbie met her brother’s glare with an apologetic little smile. ‘So I’ve been told.’

‘Why on earth would she do such a thing when you let her down so badly? It’s not as if she’d forgiven you for ruining your reputation, along with that of the entire family.’

Abbie was on her feet in a second, trembling slightly as she always did whenever her brother attempted to intimidate her. But she felt her father’s hand upon her arm, gently drawing her back down beside him.

‘That’s enough, Robert. Maybe she had forgiven Abigail, deep down, but just couldn’t bring herself to admit it. The longer an estrangement lasts, the more difficult it is to bring it to a close.
Perhaps
the will represented a step towards that, as far as your mother was concerned. A decision we should respect.’

A small silence fell upon them all, one broken finally by Abbie herself. ‘I promise I will do my utmost to justify her faith in me. But it’s my life, and I have the right to make my own decisions, so I’d appreciate no more elder brother lectures, please.’

Clearing her throat and slipping an arm about her husband, for the first time Fay chose to intervene in the family feud. ‘I think you appreciate that now, don’t you, darling?’

Robert looked into his wife’s eyes, then at his father’s questioning gaze, but there was little softening of the glare he finally directed at Abbie. ‘As long as you appreciate that if you fail, Dad stands to lose everything.’

And as he walked away, taking Fay with him, Abbie was grateful for the small squeeze her father gave to her hand before he rose to follow his son. But, heart pounding, she was left in no doubt that failure was not an option.

The local paper came out the following Thursday, and as expected the piece began by mentioning Kate’s suicide at some length, although it did add that Abbie was still grieving for her. But any sympathy this might have provoked was destroyed by the next sentence. ‘
As an unmarried mother with no sign of a husband to support her, Abigail Myers is making a valiant attempt to restore a business badly neglected in recent years, no doubt due to her mother’s state of depression.
’

‘Was it absolutely necessary to mention my lack of marital
status
, let alone Mum’s suicide?’ Abbie groaned, as she and Linda read the article together. She wished Drew was still around, as she felt a great urge to run to him for comfort and consolation, but then remembered he wouldn’t be the right person to turn to at all.

‘Don’t take these comments too much to heart. You are not alone. There are other single women with children out there.’

A résumé of Abbie’s family history followed which hinted at a tendency of its female members to share a craving for travel. ‘
Grandmother, mother and daughter have all run off to foreign lands in their youth. We can only assume that affairs of the heart were the reason for such adventures. How long Miss Abigail Myers will remain in
Carreckwater
will perhaps depend on what new temptations come her way.
’

‘She seems to be suggesting that I could run off with another man at any time,’ Abbie steamed. The piece did eventually give a brief description of the official shop opening and the members of the community who had attended the party, and concluded by warning of the possibility of a rival shop soon to open next door.

‘It’s so negative. Why does she paint such a bleak picture?’

Giving a sad little sigh, Linda said, ‘Presumably to make a story. She barely even mentions the jewellery, or all that information you gave her about the amber. What a let-down.’ At that moment the shop bell jingled and two women walked in. Linda quickly stuffed the paper out of sight to welcome them with her usual bright smile.

Later, after a surprisingly busy morning, Abbie was feeling much more relaxed. ‘We’ve done well despite that dreadful article. Well, they do say there’s no such thing as bad publicity.’

Linda gave a rueful grin. ‘Attem girl, even if his lordship next door does seem to be working his socks off to open up in competition any day soon.’

‘You’ve changed your tune.’

‘I’m on your side. We’ll fight him every inch of the way, right?’

‘Absolutely!’

Abbie was collecting Aimée from school when Joan Sanderson, the little girl’s teacher, came out to speak to her.

‘Ah Abbie, I’m glad I caught you. I’ve seen that piece in the paper and wanted to say that I thought Clarinda Ratcliffe gave you rather a hard time. Not that it greatly surprises me. I don’t know all the details but she and Kate didn’t get on too well.’

‘That dreadful woman actually knew my mother?’

‘Oh yes.’

‘She never said.’

‘They fell out years ago, over something very silly. Kate was
chosen
to be secretary of the local Soroptimists instead of her. Clarinda isn’t the kind of person who takes to being overlooked or ignored.’

‘Neither was my mother. Oh, but that makes me feel so much better, even though it doesn’t actually change the fact she put the worst possible slant on everything. Surprisingly though, trade has perked up wonderfully today.’

‘Excellent, but then Miss Prickly, as she’s known locally, isn’t particularly well liked.’ Joan Sanderson laughed, drawing Abbie to one side to avoid the crush of children rushing to meet the parents come to collect them, as well as away from anyone who might overhear. ‘Clarinda Ratcliffe is the kind of gossipmonger who loves to root out the worst in people, as well as being a notorious flirt. I believe she tried it on with your father but got nowhere.’

Abbie frowned. ‘I’m not surprised. There was only one woman for my dad.’

‘Exactly, but that rather sealed the deal on any hope of a reconciliation between the two women. If they both happened to be at the same function, their comments to each other would be extremely barbed, almost embarrassing to listen to. Clarinda hated the fact your mother enjoyed a happy marriage, and Kate believed her rival had done her utmost to ruin it.’

Abbie was listening to all of this with great interest. ‘By the sound of it, you must have known my mother rather well.’

‘Oh yes, Kate and I were good friends.’

‘Could we meet up for coffee some time? I’ll love to talk to you and try to find out more about her, since I lost touch with my mother for all those years. For instance, do you know why she went to the Riviera?’

The teacher drew in a breath, released it on a sigh. ‘I do, as a matter of fact, and it’s really rather a sad tale.’

‘I’d love to hear it, sometime soon if at all possible,’ said Abbie and, glancing across at her daughter, happily playing tig with
Jonathon
, added, ‘When I don’t have Aimée with me, of course.’

‘Perhaps tomorrow, then, when your sister-in-law collects the children and I’ve finished work for the week? Could you come to my house around five?’

‘That would be wonderful.’

The next afternoon, leaving Linda in charge, Abbie set out for what she hoped would be a fruitful visit. Taking a detour, she turned left at Benthwaite Cross and up through St Margaret’s Walk rather than face the crowds still milling around the main shopping area of
Carndale
Road, even at almost five o’clock. In the winter
Carreckwater
was a quiet, sleepy place where locals strolled about, nodding and smiling and greeting everyone they met. Now that summer had arrived there was barely room to move let alone recognise a familiar face, so Abbie was not concerned when she first heard footsteps behind her, assuming it to be one of the many tourists wandering about. But when she entered the quieter streets leading to Hazelwood Crescent where Joan lived, she was surprised to still hear the distant click of heels on the cobbles behind her.