The Inheritors of Moonlyght Tower: War-time secrets linger on... (J. C. Briggs Gothic Mysteries) by J. C. Briggs

Author:J. C. Briggs [Briggs, J. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2024-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

22

The funeral was in London. Caroline went off in her fur coat and her black skirt and jacket, with her smart black dress carefully packed in tissue paper by Jessie. At least she looked the part. Jessie thought how pale she looked, as if she really was the grieving friend. She hadn’t laughed again, but there were no tears, either. Jessie didn’t believe that Caroline felt the grief she professed in the letters she wrote to Mr and Mrs Herd, and to Harry Mountjoy’s brother, Arthur, whom she said was a charming man who had returned on leave for the wedding.

‘Ghastly for him,’ she said. ‘I think he was rather a devoted younger brother. He’ll be the heir now, Sir Arthur Mountjoy, one day. Lucky for him.’

Nurse was still in pain and her breathing wasn’t good, but she did get up to sit with her mistress on some afternoons. When she went to rest, Jessie had the duty of keeping an eye on Lady Emmeline.

‘You’re Lavender,’ she said one afternoon, smiling at Jessie, who had helped her to her chair. ‘I remember you now. Caroline was here, I think. Where is she?’

‘She’s away with friends, my lady.’

‘Everyone goes away. Will you stay?’

‘Oh, yes, my lady.’

‘Lavender is a pretty name.’

Jessie didn’t correct her. At least she was speaking, even smiling. ‘Yes, my lady. Could you manage more tea, or a sandwich, perhaps?’

‘Cucumber, we used to have. I don’t know why. Is this egg? Eggs for breakfast — Jonathan never — who fell?’

Jessie froze. The two faded blue eyes stared at her, wide with puzzlement and fear. Was she remembering? Jessie thought for a second, then she said quickly, ‘Nurse, my lady. Nurse sprained her ankle, but it’s better now.’

‘Caroline said — she said — Jonathan —’ and two tears rolled down the sunken cheeks.

‘No, no, my lady, Nurse fell. I promise you she is better.’

‘Oh, of course. Nurse fell, and she came in earlier.’

‘Yes, she is resting now.’

‘Good, it’s good to rest. I’m tired — so tired… The tower…’

Jessie settled her in bed and waited until she was asleep, but she was shaken. She remembered Caroline saying that Lady Emmeline needed to be shocked out of her trance. Surely Caroline hadn’t told her about Jonathan? She couldn’t have been so cruel. Jessie thought about that laughter and the glitter in Caroline’s eyes when she’d said she’d be going to the funeral. She could be cruel.

Jessie never knew the truth. Of course, she never asked if Caroline had mentioned Jonathan or the tower to Lady Emmeline. She didn’t tell Mrs Cobb or Nurse that the last words she had heard Lady Emmeline whisper were “the tower”.

Nurse had shouted for Mrs Cobb from the top of the stairs.

‘What the devil’s wrong now?’ Mrs Cobb said as she hurried into the screens passage, followed by Jessie. Lady Emmeline was not in her bed.

They searched all the rooms, including Jonathan’s. Jessie was sent up to the attics and back down to the kitchen and into the hall.

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