The Silent Touch of Shadows (5 page)

‘Well, then, it seems to me I have the perfect solution,’ Dorothy announced. ‘Why don’t you move in with me?’

Melissa and Jolie stared at the old lady in stunned silence, before exclaiming inelegantly in unison, ‘What?’

‘Are you serious?’ Melissa’s hands were suddenly shaking and she had to put her teacup down before the contents spilled out onto her lap.

‘Yes, of course I’m perfectly serious. I have to admit it is why I invited you down here. Well, that and because I wanted to get to know you, of course.’ Dorothy smiled, but wouldn’t quite meet Melissa’s eyes.

‘But surely you wouldn’t want us cluttering up your home? And we’ve only just met.’ There was something going on here that Melissa didn’t understand. She was also rather embarrassed by this kind offer. Although she’d told Dorothy about her difficulties following her recent divorce, she didn’t want to be seen as a poor relation needing assistance. She was doing just fine by herself. Well, more or less.
If only Dad hadn’t gambled away all his and Mum’s savings on the wretched horses, leaving Mum with a house mortgaged to the hilt, then I might have had at least a small inheritance now
 
…
But there was no use crying over spilt milk.

‘Nonsense,’ Dorothy was saying. ‘It’s not much fun living here all alone. It’s been very quiet since dear Charles died. I would welcome the noise and someone to talk to occasionally. And there is plenty of space; this house is really too big for just one person. If you want to bring your own furniture, I’m sure we could come to some arrangement. There’s a lot of old stuff here that could be got rid of.’

‘No, I really don’t think
 
…’

‘Oh please, Mum, it would be brilliant and I could see Russ every day,’ Jolie pleaded, her face taking on an expression Melissa knew only too well. ‘We could even buy a puppy, couldn’t we, Aunt Dorothy?’

‘Why not? I’m sure Russ would like a friend. Seriously, you would be doing me a favour, Melissa,’ Dorothy added. ‘I would feel much safer knowing there was someone I could call on for help if I needed it. I’m not getting any younger, I’m seventy-two you know. Unfortunately, Charles and I were never blessed with children.’

Melissa hadn’t thought of that aspect. Of course Dorothy must be lonely and in need of assistance with the big house. Despite having a cleaning lady once a week, it was probably too much work for her.

‘You don’t have any other relatives? On your husband’s side, I mean.’ Melissa knew perfectly well there was no one left in her own family.

‘No, there is no one. Charles was an only child.’

‘But, no, really we couldn’t impose on you, Dorothy. It wouldn’t be right.’

‘Oh, Mu-um
 
…’ Melissa cut short Jolie’s protest with a stern look. She would prefer them to discuss the matter in private later on. They hardly knew Dorothy. The idea of moving in with someone who was almost a complete stranger seemed like madness. And yet, she couldn’t deny it was tempting.

‘When exactly does your lease expire?’ Dorothy asked.

‘At the end of this month.’ Melissa was uncomfortably aware that time was running out. It was only the second of February, but that still left only four weeks, as it was such a short month.

‘And have you seen any flats you like?’

‘No, that’s the problem. There are very few available in our area at the moment. At least of the kind I’d consider suitable and at a reasonable price.’

‘Well then?’

Melissa hesitated, then shook her head. ‘If you don’t mind, I’d like to think about this before rushing into anything.’

‘Of course, I’m sure it is all a bit sudden, but please do consider it. Honestly, I’d love to have you both.’

The old lady tactfully dropped the subject, but Melissa couldn’t stop thinking about it.
I’m coming back.
The thought popped into her head involuntarily, and she wondered where it had come from. This was all happening too fast. She was sure there must be a thousand reasons why she should object. A part of her was deliriously happy at the possibility of living here and urged her to accept, whereas another part of her insisted on caution. She didn’t understand why this should be so. It was as if the house attracted her and repelled her at the same time. She was like a fly lured by an irresistible sparkling spider’s web. It shimmered and beckoned, but if she came any closer, would she be unable to turn back?

Chapter Four

‘There you are at last, my dear. I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.’

Lady Maude Presseille came bustling towards Sibell and her escort, wearing a rose-pink houppelande and matching cloak. She tugged the edges of the latter together against the cold. Several strands of strawberry blonde hair were refusing to be confined by her simple headdress, but the lady ignored them. In her pale blue eyes was a look of relief and Sibell found herself clasped to Maude’s soft bosom in a lavender-scented embrace. She tried not to flinch as Maude’s hand inadvertently touched the sore part of her back, but drew in a hissing breath and gritted her teeth. When she glanced at Sir Roger, she saw him frown as if he’d noticed, but he made no comment.

‘Lady Maude. It’s so good to see you again.’ Sibell had to bite her lip to prevent herself from bursting into tears. Maude had been a friend of Sibell’s mother and when the latter died, Maude had insisted Sibell must come and live at Idenhurst. Saddled with a ten-year-old girl he didn’t really want, her father had agreed readily enough. He’d been even more pleased when at the age of sixteen Sibell married Maude’s only son, Roland. During the years she spent in the Presseille household the two women had become very close. Sibell wished for at least the hundredth time that she could have stayed at Idenhurst forever, but now Roland was dead she was once again her father’s pawn.

Maude de Presseille was not noted for her beauty, but her intelligent gaze missed nothing. Sibell saw that the lady’s eyes immediately went to the tall knight who had escorted her. Maude stepped around Sibell to greet Sir Roger, craning her neck to obtain a better view of him.

‘I am Lady Presseille. Welcome to Idenhurst, sir.’

‘Sir Roger of Langford at your service, my lady.’ He executed a perfect bow to Lady Maude.

She frowned slightly and studied him, her head to one side. ‘Have we met before?’

He gave her his lazy smile, which made Sibell’s insides flutter even though it wasn’t directed at her. ‘I hardly think so, my lady. I would have remembered you, of that I am certain.’ The implied compliment flustered Maude and she cleared her throat.

‘Well, umm, just so. Thank you for escorting my daughter-in-law. It was most kind of you.’ Turning towards Sibell she chided gently, ‘I cannot think why you didn’t at least bring a groom, my dear. Traipsing around all alone! Why, the very thought of it makes me tremble.’

Sibell knew why Maude looked so worried. There had been rumours of outlaws roaming the forests close by, some reputedly vicious. Anyone alone and on foot would be an easy target. Sibell murmured something about the grooms all being unavailable that morning, then turned to Sir Roger and added her thanks to those of Maude for his assistance. Sir Roger smiled politely.

‘You’re welcome, Mistress Sibell. Any time I can be of assistance, just let me know.’ He looked her in the eyes as he spoke, and Sibell had the feeling he wasn’t just talking about mundane tasks such as escorting her. His gaze told her he’d defend her against anyone, should she wish it. She almost gave way to the threatening tears at the thought that there was someone who could help her.
If only I had the right to call upon his assistance.
She was in sore need of a champion.

‘Come into the hall, you must have some refreshment after your journey.’ Lady Maude ushered her guests towards the main entrance of the manor house. ‘I assume you are here to see my husband, Sir Roger?’

‘Indeed, my lady, if he can spare the time.’

They entered the great hall, a room of splendid proportions designed to impress, yet not overly ostentatious. Maude led the way towards the dais at one end and asked a serving maid to bring wine.

‘Please be seated, Sir Roger, while I send someone to fetch my husband. He shouldn’t be too long.’

Maude issued orders to another servant to this effect, then made small talk until heavy steps heralded the arrival of Sir
 
Gilbert. Sibell looked up as her former father-in-law came striding towards them, tall and loose-limbed, with corn-coloured hair cut just below his ears and covered by a slightly floppy hat which he removed just before he reached the dais.

‘Sibell, my dear, how lovely to see you. I trust you are well?’

‘Very well, thank you, Sir Gilbert.’

‘Good, good. And here is another visitor. Welcome to Idenhurst.’ He greeted his unexpected guest politely, as good manners dictated. ‘Sir Roger, was it? I’m told you wish to speak to me?’ Sir Gilbert frowned slightly as he studied his guest closely, but the young knight appeared to take this perusal in his stride. Indeed, Sibell didn’t think Sir Gilbert would glean anything from his study. The man was dressed without extravagance. His blue cloak and matching tunic were of good-quality cloth, but apart from an embroidered edge to the tunic, there was no decoration, nothing to show whether he was wealthy or not. Even his sword, although undoubtedly of good craftsmanship, was curiously unadorned, with a plain handle. She wondered if this was done on purpose.

‘Yes, Sir Gilbert. Thank you for taking the time to see me.’ Sir Roger’s deep voice washed over Sibell and kept her rooted to the spot, but a nudge from Maude recalled her to the present.

‘We had better be off then. Come, my dear.’ Maude towed Sibell towards a door in the far corner.

Risking a further peek, she saw the two men sit down in the huge carved oak chairs on the dais while a servant poured them wine. They began to speak as soon as they had a cup each and Sibell strained to catch their words. She desperately wanted to know why Sir Roger had come, but Maude pulled the door shut behind them.

‘Stop eavesdropping,’ she admonished with a smile. ‘Gilbert will tell me everything in good time and you know I’ll pass on any interesting gossip to you.’

Despite being consumed with curiosity, Sibell had to be content with that.

‘… to have and to hold, till death do us part, according to God’s holy law, and this is my solemn vow.’

The words reverberated around the old stone church, but as soon as Steve had repeated them after the vicar, Melissa knew they were a lie. A promise he would never keep. She could hear the deceit in his voice, as clearly as if he had spelled it out for her, and she imagined it was almost possible to taste his fear of commitment. It surrounded him like an aura and she’d been a fool to think she could change him.

There would be no happy-ever-after for her.

With panic churning in her gut, she turned to stare at the man she was marrying, the man she loved, hoping he would deny her premonition of doom. But predictably he couldn’t look her in the eye. He just shook his head, taking away the last trace of hope.

‘I’m sorry, I can’t,’ he mouthed, giving her one quick, guilty glance, before fading slowly into a shadowy world where she couldn’t reach him. Huge sobs welled up inside her as she stretched out both hands, trying to pull him back.

‘No, you’re mine, I won’t let you go,’ she cried, but it was no use. He had disappeared from view completely.

A collective gasp of horror went up from the congregation, but in the next instant it changed into a buzz of excitement as another man stepped forward to take Steve’s place.

‘I do,’ he said solemnly, as if answering the vicar’s earlier question, and held out a gauntlet-clad hand in invitation.

Melissa’s breath caught in her throat as she realised who he was – her medieval knight, complete with deadly sword, spurs and a long cloak of finest, deep-blue wool. She stared up at him, confused, afraid and exhilarated at the same time. She felt instinctively his was a voice she could trust. And, although she had no idea how she knew, she was sure he would never lie. His blue gaze penetrated hers with not a shadow of guile in it.

She hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in his. As soon as she did so, however, warning bells began to ring all around her, penetrating every nook and cranny of the little church until the sound became too painful to endure. Filled with panic, she snatched her hand away, lifted up her skirts and ran full tilt towards the door
 
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