Lost Roses of Ganymede House by Constance Walker

Author:Constance Walker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Constance Walker
Published: 2016-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

I stayed awake nearly all night thinking about the extraordinary events of the evening—puzzling out the pieces and yet coming to no firm conclusions. Why Rosamunda had chosen to come to me and not to someone else in the household, I knew not, but throughout my midnight and early morning contemplations I did not retract the promise that I made to her: Virgil and Antonia would be safe within my care.

I was curious now as to whether anyone else at the estate had ever smelled the scent of roses or had ever suspected that Rosamunda still lingered in Ganymede House. It was not a subject I wanted to speak about openly—already I had been made to feel foolish since the balcony episode and this would only allow those here to continue that opinion of me. If I were to question I would have to do it carefully so that I did not arouse anyone’s suspicion.

My easy acceptance of the phenomenon of an apparition amazed even me. I had often heard of people who spoke of such things, but when I was in London with my friends we scoffed at the daft interpretations of the unexplained: I cannot help but wonder what those same friends would think of me if they had knowledge that I not only accepted, but spoke to, an unseen presence. It was not something I probably would ever discuss with them if, by chance, I was to ever meet with them again.

After breakfast and before the schoolday began I returned to my room and saw that Tillie was already about her chores. I instantly decided that I would query her yet speak in such a gentle fashion so as not to upset her.

I paused as I watched the maid straighten the bed linen and fortuitously it was she who opened the conversation.

“Mistress seems a bit more settled this morning, Ma’am.” She plumped the pillows. “Not that she knows anything about Josephine, the way it was found and all…” She looked up—acknowledging my silent question. “Don’t you be aworrying, Miss. None of the servants will say anything, Ma’am. It’s just natural that we all know things. It don’t mean anything, Miss Scott. What’s below stairs…well, it stays there. No need to worry about the young Mistress learning about the doll. But whoever done it…that’s cruel.” She put her hands on her slim hips for a moment. “I don’t know, though. Mrs. Keanne says that Euripides did it in a game.” She continued at her task. “Still, it seems such a shame. Maybe Mr. Moore will bring her another.”

I waited while the domestic spoke her piece—neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her—and then when the break came I spoke.

“It most surely was sad. And as you said Miss Antonia did so love the doll.” I shook my head for effect. “There seem to be many things that are strange here at Ganymede House.” I paused, waiting to see if she was listening.

“What kind of things would that be, Ma’am?”

I was careful not to hurry my voice.

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