Marriage at the Manor

by Amanda Grange

  He strode across the room and stood looking out over the lawns. What Cicely did with her life was up to her. There was nothing between them but an electric physical attraction - and yet in all honesty he had to acknowledge that for him it was more than that. The feelings which had been churning round in him for some time now were becoming clearer . . . but he must get over them. Cicely had made her choice. So all he had to do now was forget her.

  Yes. That was all . . .

  The door opened, breaking in on his thoughts. He looked round, and there was Cicely. Standing in the doorway, with the gas light from the hallway casting a golden halo round her, she looked more lovely than he had ever seen her. Her ash blonde hair was soft and inviting, her slight curves appealing in her fashionably low-cut gown. Her skin was golden, and her eyes were full of beauty.

  ‘You can’t do it,’ he said.

  He shouldn’t have said it, but he couldn’t let her throw herself away on Chuffington.

  Her lips parted in surprise.

  He couldn’t take his eyes away from them. She had the most kissable lips he had ever seen. And how he longed to kiss them again.

  She seemed to know exactly what he was talking about. ‘It will work,’ she said.

  It will work. Could she really believe that? he asked himself.

  ‘But how did you know?’ she queried.

  His voice was tight. He made an effort to make it sound normal. ‘It was Chuffington. He told me.’

  She looked perplexed. ‘But Chuff Chuff doesn’t know. I haven’t told him about my plan.’

  ‘Plan?’ Alex frowned. How could marriage be a plan? Unless they were at cross purposes. ‘What plan?’ he asked cautiously.

  ‘My plan for catching Martin Goss.’

  Her words stunned him. Her plan for catching Martin Goss?

  And then he was out of the strange state that had gripped him when he had seen her enter the room, and back in the real world. He gave a sigh, though whether it was of frustration or relief he didn’t know. He had been about to tell her that she couldn’t marry Chuffington; to sweep her into his arms and prove it to her with hot words and impassioned kisses; but her unexpected words had brought him back down to earth.

  ‘I can’t be sure, of course,’ she said. ‘Perhaps I should have said, I think it will work.’

  ‘Come in,’ he said belatedly. ‘Have a seat. I was surprised to see you,’ he said by way of explanation of his strange behaviour. ‘I thought all the houseguests had gone to bed.’

  ‘They have. But I wanted to speak to you, and I did not want to leave it until tomorrow, so I stayed behind. I have already seen two innocent young women blamed for Martin Goss’s crimes, and I don’t want to see it happen again. I won’t rest until he has been put behind bars.’

  His surprise quickly gave way to understanding. ‘I feel the same. Unfortunately, I don’t see what else I can do,’ he said, sitting down opposite her. ‘Goss will not attend another party given at the Manor, nor, I suspect, any other party given by me. I haven’t given up hope of bringing him to justice, but at the moment I cannot see a way to do it.’

  ‘But I can.’

  He looked at her with interest. ‘Go on.’

  Cicely took a deep breath, and then began. ‘According to Gibson, who hears all the local servants’ gossip, Martin Goss is badly in need of money, and I believe he will soon strike again. He is deeply in debt and needs to get out of it as quickly as possible. It is my belief he will attempt to steal something of significant value when he goes to Marienbad.’

  ‘Marienbad?’ Alex raised his eyebrows. He did not know the name of the town.

  ‘It’s in Austria. It’s a spa town,’ she explained. ‘High society goes there to take the waters. They used to go to Bath, but Bath has fallen out of fashion and now they go abroad, to Marienbad, instead. Marienbad attracts all the best people. King Edward himself is a regular visitor.’

  ‘And you think Goss is likely to go there?’ he asked.

  ‘I know he is. Mrs Capstone was complaining about it only last week. "We are going to Marienbad at the end of August," she said. "As you know, we go every year. I do so enjoy it, and I’m convinced it does Herbert’s bronchitis good. My only regret is that the wretched Martin Goss will be there. His mother is the most charming of women, but Martin is a cad." So you see, I know he is going.’

  Alex’s eyes became alert. He pushed himself out of his chair and strode over to the fireplace. ‘It has possibilities,’ he said, turning the idea over in his mind. ‘Distinct possibilities. Once out of England, Goss might well grow careless. It’s worth a try.’ He drummed his fingers on the marble mantelpiece. ‘But I don’t see how we are to know where and when he will strike.’

  ‘I have already thought about that. We will have to lay another trap.’

  Alex looked at her searchingly. ‘I don’t see how we can do it. He won’t come to another of my parties, and I doubt if he will come to one of yours. We were both present when Eugenie’s necklace was taken, and it will be too risky for him to carry out another theft if we are there. ’

  ‘That is not what I was thinking of.’

  He looked at her enquiringly.

  Taking a deep breath, Cicely began to outline her idea.

  Alex’s eyes grew admiring as her plan unfolded. ‘It might work,’ he said. ‘Yes, it just might.’ Then his eyes became penetrating. ‘But are you sure your cousin will help us?’

  ‘Positive. Sophie is an accomplished actress. If her mother would let her, she would go on the stage! She will relish the opportunity of playing a part.’

  ‘Then we’ll give it a try. But we will have to be careful. We must make sure Goss does not see us in Marienbad. If he does, he might not take the bait. Which means we will have to stay elsewhere.’

  ‘I will be staying with my Aunt Hilda in her villa on the outskirts of Marienbad, as I have already explained to you, and I suggest you stay at the neighbouring town of Karlsbad. The Hotel Savoy has a good reputation, and you should be comfortable there. That way, we will be able to escape Goss’s notice and he will not see us until it is too late - if indeed he sees us at all, which, if all goes to plan, he won’t.’

  ‘And when is he going to Marienbad?’ asked Alex. ‘Do you know?’

  ‘Yes. He will be going within the next few weeks.’

  Alex nodded. ‘Then I suggest we get there as soon as possible, so that we can lay our plans.’

  Cicely agreed. ‘I will write to my aunt straight away, so that she will be expecting me.’ She stood up. ‘But now, it is late.’

  He stood as well.

  ‘I will bid you goodnight,’ she said.

  He fought down an urge to stop her, and she walked out of the room.

  * * * *

  The house party broke up amongst cries of thanks the following day, and Cicely, taking her leave of Alex with Alice and Mrs Babbage at her elbow, added her own to the general clamour.

  ‘Yes, indeed, thank you so much for having us, Mr Evington,’ said Mrs Babbage. ‘We have had a wonderful time.’

  ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it,’ said Alex.

  He was all that was polite and urbane, but Cicely couldn’t help missing the intimacy of the previous day. There was nothing left of it now, however.

  She remembered the closeness of Alex and Eugenie; the shared glances, the touches on the arm; and using the memories to bolster her defences, she took her leave with a befitting coolness.

  ‘Well, that was most enjoyable,’ said Mrs Babbage, recalling Cicely to the present. The three ladies began to walk down the road to the Lodge. ‘And how kind it was of Mr Evington to send our luggage home for us by motor car. He really is a most agreeable man.’

  This talk of Alex’s virtues did nothing to help Cicely put Alex out of her mind, and she was grateful therefore when they reached the door of the Lodge.

  ‘You are sure you will not come and stay with us for a few days?’ asked Mrs Babbage.

  ‘No, thank you, it
really isn’t necessary,’ said Cicely. ‘The repairs have gone well, and the Lodge is habitable again.’

  ‘Then in that case, I will bid you farewell.’

  Cicely and Alice took an affectionate leave of each other, and then Cicely went into the Lodge. After the turmoil of the previous week she was looking forward to a little peace and quiet before leaving the Lodge again, this time for Marienbad.

  But before then she had plenty to do. Peace and quiet did not mean inactivity, and she set about checking the kitchen thoroughly to make sure that it had been properly repaired; for although she had paid one or two visits to the Lodge during the week, it was only now that she was home again that could she give it the scrutiny it really needed.

  To her relief she saw that, apart from the fact that the kitchen now lacked a range, the room was as good as new. The hole in the wall had been closed up, and only a slight difference in the colour of the paintwork showed that a repair had taken place. Which left her with only one problem: the lack of a range.

  She knew she would have to have one sooner or later, as the range provided all the hot water and all the cooking facilities for the Lodge, but she could not think how she was going to pay for it.

  Ah well! she thought bracingly, she would just have to find a way of solving this problem as she had found a way of solving all her others. Fortunately, as it was summer, she could manage for a little while without one.

  In the meantime she had her visit to Marienbad to occupy her mind, and she settled down to make her arrangements.

  Chapter Eight

  Cicely felt her excitement mount as the steam train pulled into Marienbad station. It was three years since she had last visited the spa town, and she was looking forward to seeing her aunt and cousin again.

  How fortunate she was to have such a generous aunt, she thought, as the puffing and blowing train ground to a halt. Not only had Aunt Hilda made her welcome whenever she had visited, but had always insisted on paying her fares. Without this generosity, Cicely knew she would never have been able to visit.

  And there was Aunt Hilda now!

  Cicely waved at her aunt, who was standing on the platform beside Cousin Sophie. Her aunt, seeing her, raised her hand in greeting, and Sophie waved wildly, full of the exuberance of youth.

  Mrs Lessing was looking exactly the same as the last time she had seen her, thought Cicely as she stepped off the train, being a fine looking woman in her forties. Her mouse-brown hair was pulled back from her face and arranged in a simple knot at the back of her head. Her slim figure - the product of vigorous walks through the surrounding pine forests, which even now were perfuming the air with their fresh, clean scent - was encased in a high-necked blouse, a long skirt and a tailored jacket. Ever practical, she carried an umbrella, which was often needed in Marienbad, whatever the time of year.

  Sophie, in contrast, was looking completely different to the last time Cicely had seen her. The three intervening years had brought about a definite change. Gone was the gawky fifteen-year-old schoolgirl, and in her place was a beautiful young woman with elegantly-coiffured golden curls and the most immaculate clothes. Her dress was definitely Parisian - probably, thought Cicely, a creation of Maison Worth - and had an unmistakeable air of chic. Setting it off was a plumed hat that was perched most becomingly on the back of her pretty young head. But for all her cousin’s new-found maturity, Cicely was pleased to see that she still had a mischievous sparkle in her eye, for without it the plan to catch Goss could not go ahead.

  ‘Cicely.’ Her aunt greeted her affectionately, kissing her on both cheeks. ‘It is lovely to have you here.’

  ‘It’s lovely to be here. I’d forgotten how beautiful Marienbad is,’ she said, looking round at the pine forests which could be seen rising all round the town and stretching off into the distance

  ‘You must have plenty of walks now you are here. You are looking a little peaky,’ said her aunt, surveying her closely. ‘But then, after your father’s death, it is not to be wondered at.’

  ‘Cicely!’ Sophie could not contain herself any longer. ‘It seems like an age since I last saw you. I am so glad you are here. And in such mysterious circumstances. Your letter said everything and nothing. What sort of help do you need? It all sounds very exciting.’

  Cicely laughed at Sophie’s enthusiasm. ‘I will tell you all about it, but not on the station platform.’

  ‘Oh, no, of course not. We have to get a taxi to the villa, as we don’t have a motor car,’ she said, as a porter took Cicely’s luggage and loaded it onto a hand cart. ‘I keep trying to persuade mother to let me learn to drive but she says it isn’t suitable.’ Sophie looked at her mother in exasperation. ‘It seems to me that nothing interesting ever is.’

  ‘You, miss, are becoming fast,’ said Cicely’s aunt reprovingly. ‘Your father would turn in his grave.’

  Cicely’s Uncle Harry had died some years before, in Marienbad, where the family had originally moved for the good of his health. It had been a wise idea, and had worked well for a time, as his health had shown a distinct improvement, but unfortunately he had then succumbed to a bad bout of pneumonia and had sadly died. His wife and daughter, however, had continued to live in Marienbad, where they had made many friends.

  ‘Have I changed since you saw me last?’ asked Sophie, as the three of them went out of the station and hailed a taxi.

  ‘Completely. You were a girl when I saw you last. Now you’re a young woman.’

  Sophie was pleased to hear this, and together the three of them climbed into the taxi. Once Cicely’s luggage had been loaded they drove through the pine forests to the villa, which was on the outskirts of the town. It was a large house, with a long veranda running along the front. Pleasant gardens surrounded it, and beyond them lay the forest.

  ‘You will want to refresh yourself,’ said her aunt, as she showed Cicely up to her room. ‘Come down when you are ready. You know the way.’

  Cicely nodded: the villa was almost as familiar to her as the Manor house or the Lodge.

  Once her aunt had gone she threw open the window of her bedroom and breathed in deeply, savouring the delicious scent of pine. She looked out over the tree-clad slopes and down onto the town in order to reacquaint herself with her surroundings. She could make out the Kirchenplatz, the famous square in which the Hotel Weimar stood, and by standing on tiptoe she could just see the hotel itself. Being late August, she knew the King would be in residence, and she imagined him in his personal suite, reading his newspaper or taking a glass of the health-giving waters for which the town was famous. It was strange to think of being so close to her King. She might even see him, if she was lucky, on one of his frequent strolls.

  Turning away from the window she washed and changed. She put on a long mauve skirt and a lace-trimmed blouse that her aunt’s maid had by now unpacked, then she went downstairs. He aunt and cousin were there, reading the newspaper.

  ‘Good. You’re here. I’ll ring for coffee,’ said Mrs Lessing. She paused before pulling the bell. ‘That is, if you wouldn’t rather have tea? Though I wouldn’t if I were you, it is no better than the last time you were here. The water simply doesn’t seem to make good tea. But it makes delicious coffee.’

  ‘Yes, coffee, thank you,’ said Cicely.

  The servants were efficient, and before long a silver coffee pot was set before Mrs Lessing, complete with sugar and cream. Mrs Lessing poured, and Cicely sipped it thankfully: after her journey, she was in need of something sweet and hot.

  ‘It was good of you to have me, aunt. Especially at such notice,’ she said as she embarked on her second cup of coffee.

  ‘Nonsense. We are delighted to have you. You have livened up our summer. We are very quiet as a rule, and it is good to have a little excitement from time to time.’

  ‘I can’t wait to hear all about it,’ said Sophie. ‘Your letter was very mysterious. Why do you need my help? Though I am very glad you do, it will be so nice to be useful, for a change. L
ife here is very pleasant, but it is very dull. What is it exactly that you want me to do?’

  ‘Let Cicely finish her coffee in peace!’ Mrs Lessing remonstrated with her daughter.

  Sophie pulled a face but said, ‘Very well.’ She turned to Cicely. ‘But as soon as you have finished I want to know all about it.’

  ‘And you will, I promise,’ said Cicely, as she put down her cup.

  ‘But not until you have had a hot meal,’ said Mrs Lessing to Cicely. ‘You have had a long journey and you look tired, my dear.’

  Cicely felt that it was true, she did not have the energy to explain everything just at present.

  ‘But I can tell you something,’ she said to Sophie. ‘There has been a robbery at the Manor.’

  ‘A robbery?’ asked Sophie, alert.

  ‘Nothing of value, I hope?’ asked Mrs Lessing with a frown.

  ‘No. In fact, the robbery was foiled. But it could have been very serious.’ Cicely explained about the attempt to steal Miss Postlethwaite’s necklace.

  ‘That is very unfortunate,’ said Mrs Lessing, ‘but quite frankly, Cicely, I don’t see what it has to do with you.’

  Cicely went on to explain that the attempt had been perpetrated by the Honourable Martin Goss, who had evaded capture by slipping the necklace into Gladys’s apron and thereby framing the girl.

  ‘Not Gladys Vicars?’ asked Mrs Lessing, startled.

  ‘Yes.’

  Mrs Lessing’s brow darkened, for she had visited the Manor on a number of occasions and knew Gladys and her family well.

  ‘Gladys Vicars is a hardworking, good sort of girl, you were right to get involved, Cicely,’ she said. ‘We can’t let men like Martin Goss behave in such a scandalous fashion, or where would it end? There is only one place for him, and that is behind bars.’