It was Greyson who answered. ‘I don’t think she’s feeling very well,’ he said almost protectively.
‘Nonsense!’ Uncle beamed at me jovially. ‘Go and bring her in, Charlotte. She must eat with us tonight. I insist.’
I rose, but Greyson was at the door before me. ‘I’ll see how she is. Don’t worry. You enjoy your supper.’
Something niggled in the back of my mind, but I couldn’t think what it was that made me so uneasy. I returned to my seat and accepted the wine that Uncle offered me.
‘Well, Charlotte, have you made up your mind about marriage yet?’ Uncle smiled mischievously at me and then at Edmund, and suddenly I was angry.
‘No, I have not. And I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business, quite honestly!’
I could have bitten out my tongue as soon as the words were out, because Uncle looked so crestfallen. Silently he poured himself another drink.
‘I’m sorry, Uncle,’ I said quickly. ‘I must be tired, that’s all.’
‘Yes, of course, my dear. And quite right, too. I’m an interfering old man.’ He paused. ‘It’s just that I want to see you settled – just in case anything happens to me.’
I hurried to his side and put my arms around him. ‘Oh, Uncle, don’t talk like that. Nothing is going to happen to you.’ I felt tears fill my eyes as I kissed his round cheek. ‘And you needn’t worry about me. I promise I’ll make up my mind quite soon.’
Greyson returned and closed the door quietly behind him. If he was surprised to see me clinging to his father, my eyes damp, he didn’t say anything.
Feeling a little foolish, I sat down again, and Uncle Tom managed a smile. ‘All right now, Charlotte, don’t forget your promise. I’ll hold you to it.’
Greyson’s eyes were on my face, and carefully I looked down at my plate.
‘Isn’t Wenna going to join us after all?’ I said, anxious to change the subject.
‘She really isn’t well,’ Greyson said, and I could tell he was concerned. ‘I think she’s caught some sort of chill. Her temperature is certainly up.’
‘Oh, can I take her something, do you think?’ I asked eagerly, but he shook his head.
‘No, it’s all been taken care of. She needs to be kept warm and to have plenty of rest. She’s been working too hard.’
‘Poor Wenna. I’ll drop in to see her before I go to bed,’ Uncle Tom said softly. ‘I take her so much for granted. She’s been part of the Plas for so long. I couldn’t imagine it without her.’
‘I’d leave it until the morning if I were you, Father.’ Greyson spoke quietly, but there was almost a command in his voice.
‘Perhaps you are right. You usually are.’
He smiled at his son, and I wondered why there was no answering smile from Greyson. Was it possible that he resented continually pouring money into his father’s property?
‘I think I’ll go up to bed, if everyone will excuse me.’ I smiled at Uncle and moved away, and Edmund jumped up to open the door for me.
‘Good night, Charlotte, my dear,’ he said, and bent over my hand in such a proprietary way that I felt angry with him. Abruptly I said good night and marched out into the hall.
I didn’t go straight upstairs, however. I flung on my cloak and went outside into the cool night air. The stars were brilliant in the clear sky, and the gentle slap-slap of the water had a soothing quality about it.
Picking my way carefully, I went down the steps and sat for a moment in the dimness of the dovecote; but I felt shut in, and once more I walked along the damp grass, drawn in some strange way toward the sea.
‘Restless, too, I see.’ I jumped as Greyson came up behind me suddenly and put his arms around my shoulders. ‘Do you think it is safe for you to be alone like this?’ he asked teasingly.
‘I don’t really think my mother means me any harm,’ I said, trying to be flippant.
He drew me close to him and tipped back my head so that I was forced to look at him.
‘Charlotte, are you really seeing these things, or is it just an excuse to cover up something you’ve found?’
I was already tired and harassed, and his questions were just too much. Fingers of anger crept up inside me, and I pulled away from him so suddenly that he had no alternative but to let me go.
‘Sometimes I think I hate you!’ I said fiercely, and started to run as fast as I could down the lawn toward the sea.
‘Charlotte, come back. Don’t be a fool!’
Greyson’s voice was urgent, but I took no notice. I couldn’t think of anything but the bitterness inside me. I’d been believing in him, even starting to trust him, and all the time he still had had his doubts about my integrity.
I could hear him running behind him.
‘Charlotte, come here!’ he shouted, but his anger only spurred me on.
I could see that he was gaining on me, and there didn’t seem anywhere to go. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, I was more frightened than I’d ever been. From the sea came a strange scent, like something rotting. I screamed, and then my foot caught in a root, and I pitched forward just as a shot rang out behind me.
There was a burning agony in my shoulder, and I was thrust forward as if by a mighty hand; and the waves reached up like black arms and drew me down into their cool darkness.
Chapter Twelve
Sunlight was streaming into the room, teasing my eyelids and making me sneeze. ‘Oh!’ I exclaimed, as the pain in my shoulder brought me to full consciousness.
Uncle Tom was smiling down at me, and his hand was warm over mine.
‘My dear child, thank God you are all right.’
He leaned over and kissed my cheek, and I realised I was stretched flat on the bed with no pillows under my head.
‘What’s wrong with me?’ I asked, bewildered. As I tried to sit up, Uncle Tom gently pushed me back, forcing me to lie down.
‘Don’t exert yourself, Charlotte. You have been very ill. Don’t you remember anything?’
It all came back to me then in a picture as clear as if I’d just awakened from a nightmare: the dark sea, Greyson behind me, and the shot that sent me pitching forward into darkness. I stared at my uncle, a question in my eyes. He looked away in distress and forced himself to speak.
‘There has been no sign of Greyson since the night he shot you.’ He brushed a shaking hand over his eyes. ‘I can’t believe it of my own son.’
‘But Greyson wouldn’t do a thing like that!’ I exclaimed. ‘What would be his motive?’
‘I really don’t know, Charlotte. I can’t understand it. I thought he wanted to marry you.’
‘It must have been someone else, Uncle. It just doesn’t make any sense.’
He shook his head gravely. ‘I’m afraid there is no doubt about it. Edmund saw it all. That’s how we got to you so quickly; otherwise you would have drowned.’
Tears spilled over my cheeks. There was an intolerable ache inside me. I loved Greyson, and I couldn’t believe he would harm me.
‘But why? Just answer me that. Why would he want me dead?’
Uncle Tom moved away and looked through the window. ‘In the beginning, he tried to prove that you were an impostor. Do you know why he did that?’
Uncle Tom didn’t look at me, and it seemed as if he spoke against his will.
‘He thought there was some property that belonged to me,’ I said, ‘and he wanted to make sure I was really his cousin before he allowed me to have it.’
‘Do you know what that property was?’ Uncle Tom turned to look at me, his face drawn. ‘It was Plas Melyn itself and all inside the grounds. That meant the treasure, if it exists; and there has been some proof of that since you came here.’
It took me a moment to digest this information, but I still couldn’t see why Greyson should try to kill me.
‘But he had Winston, which was all I ever wanted; and the Plas is yours, Uncle. Everyone knows that.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s mine to live in until my de
ath, but the deeds are in your name, child. It was your father’s wish.’
I was beginning to see now. ‘And if I died, Greyson would naturally benefit?’
He nodded. ‘Yes; he would have been next in line after you. He was the only other heir. There were only the two of you.’
My voice shook. ‘Where can he be now?’ I looked across the blue expanse of sky outside the window, and it was as if life had lost all its meaning.
‘I suppose he’s gone back to Winston. There’s nothing anyone can do. We could never prove he tried to murder you.’
I shuddered. ‘I wouldn’t want to do that, Uncle. I’d much rather let him go. I still can’t believe he meant to hurt me.’
He shook his head. ‘Greed is a very strong emotion, Charlotte. I’m only sorry you’ve had to learn that the hard way.’
There was a knock on the door, and Edmund looked in. He smiled in delight as he saw I was conscious.
‘Charlotte, are you feeling better now?’ He came and knelt at the bedside and kissed my cheek, holding my hand tightly in his. ‘I’m sorry everything has turned out like this, Charlie, but once you are strong again, we’ll be married, and I’ll be able to look after you always.’
I tried to smile. ‘Dear Edmund, you are always there when I need you.’ My eyes were growing heavy so that I could barely keep them open. ‘I’m so tired,’ I murmured. And then there was nothing but the sound of soft soothing waves overwhelming me in darkness.
* * *
It was warm on the terrace, and the fact that my arm was in a sling didn’t prevent me from arranging the charming posy of flowers that Edmund had brought me from Graig Melyn.
‘I must take you for a drive one of these days,’ he said, smiling down at me. ‘Your shoulder is almost completely healed now. Wenna swears it’s the effect of the salt water that’s made you heal so quickly. In a few weeks you will be fit enough to ride in the coach.’
I nodded absently. I had not the slightest wish to go into town. All I wanted to do was sit in the peaceful gardens and avoid thinking about anything.
‘Charlotte, are you listening? You seem to be so far away these days. There’s no reaching you.’
‘Yes, I’m listening,’ I said, without raising my eyes from the bright flowers.
He sighed and took a seat near me. ‘Look at me, Charlotte,’ he said firmly. ‘You can leave those for a minute or two. I want to talk to you.’
I felt a twinge of irritation at his tone, but I was too weary to argue with him. Obediently I left the flowers and sat back in my chair attentively.
‘That’s better,’ he said more gently. ‘Now you know how much I love you. I don’t have to keep telling you. I’ve been asking you to marry me for a long time now – far too long – and I’m tired of being put off.’
He took my hand in his and looked down at me, his blue eyes bright and full of warmth.
‘Remember, I saved your life, Charlotte. Doesn’t that prove how much I love you?’
‘Yes, Edmund, of course it does.’ I tried my best to sound grateful, but I really was too weary to care one way or the other.
‘Why not marry me, then? Let me take care of you always?’
I stared at him listlessly for a moment, and somehow it seemed easier to give in than to listen to his arguments.
‘All right, Edmund, if it will make you happy. I will marry you, if Uncle Tom will give his permission, of course.’
Edmund beamed and kissed me on the cheek. ‘He’ll he only too delighted to see you settled. Don’t worry about that, Charlotte. I’ll go and tell him. After all, he should be the first to know.’
When he’d gone, I got up and walked down to the dovecote and sat inside, cocooned from the world, hidden from view, isolated. All I wanted was to be left in peace. Why would no one leave me to myself?
I was still there some time later when Wenna came to call me for tea. She stood looking down at me, her eyes unfathomable.
‘Is it true you are going to marry Mr Edmund?’ she said softly.
‘What did he say?’ With difficulty I concentrated on what she was saying. ‘Oh, that. Yes, I suppose so.’
I sat motionless until she caught my arm and led me up the garden steps and onto the terrace. The shadows were long on the lawn, and the cool air made me shiver.
‘Come inside,’ she said kindly. ‘I’ll serve tea in front of the fire today.’ She saw me comfortably settled and put more fuel on the flames. ‘You are doing the wrong thing, Miss Charlotte,’ she said calmly. ‘You shouldn’t marry him; he’s wrong for you. I know it.’
I sat staring into the fire; there didn’t seem to be anything I could say.
She clucked her tongue in exasperation and went out to the kitchen. Uncle Tom spoke a few words to her as he came in, though I couldn’t catch what he said.
‘My dear Charlotte—’ he came up to me and put his arm around my shoulder ‘—Edmund has told me the good news. I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you will be looked after when I’m gone.’
I tried to smile. ‘But you will stay with us, Uncle,’ I said slowly, ‘won’t you?’
He patted my hand. ‘You misunderstand me, Charlotte. I meant that I won’t always be on this earth to look after you.’ He sat down. ‘Well, never mind that. When will the great day be?’
‘I don’t mind, Uncle. I’ll leave everything to you and Edmund. I don’t think I’ve quite gotten over the shock, but I’ll be all right soon.’
‘That’s the spirit. I’m sure you and Edmund will be very happy.’
‘What about Greyson?’ I asked, and my voice broke suddenly.
Uncle Tom went white, his eyebrows drew together in a frown, and I knew I shouldn’t have spoken.
‘Please, Charlotte, if you want to spare me pain, don’t mention that name to me again.’
‘But he is your son and my cousin. We can’t just write him off like that! Have you made any inquiries about his whereabouts?’
‘Excuse me; I’ll go and bring in the tea.’
He rose and left the room without another word, and I wondered where my sudden spurt of energy had come from. I got to my feet and looked out at the darkening lawn. The island seemed to be beckoning to me, even though there was no one in sight. The water lapped softly around it, isolating it so well.
Had I really agreed to marry Edmund? It all seemed far away and hazy, and I felt a qualm of fear as I realised how big a step I was taking.
As if conjured up by my thoughts, he came into the room, a roll of silk under his arm.
‘How would you like a dress made of this, Charlotte?’ His eyes shone as he spread the thick, creamy material before me.
Indifferently I looked down at it. ‘Yes, it would be very charming.’
‘Very well; that’s what you shall wear at the wedding. It’s decided.’
Briskly he folded the roll of silk again. Just then, before I could frame a reply, there was a tap on the door, and Wenna brought in the tea.
My throat was dry. I longed to tell Edmund that I’d made a mistake. I couldn’t go through with it after all. Nervously I watched him come and sit beside me and hand me a cup. I almost flinched away as he leaned forward and patted my cheek.
‘We’ll be so happy together. I’ll take you away from here. Everything will be fine, you’ll see.’
He handed me a cup, and I took it, grateful for something to occupy my hands. I wanted to tell him, but with his face shining and full of enthusiasm, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
‘Where’s Uncle Tom?’ I asked quietly. ‘Perhaps I could tell him how I felt, and then he would help me to extricate myself from a difficult position.
‘He’s resting. Something seems to have upset him. But don’t worry; Wenna will look after him. You just stay with me and concentrate on our plans for the future.’ He smiled. ‘You’ve never liked it here, have you, Charlotte? I don’t blame you one little bit, after all that’s happened.’
He settled back in his chair and stretc
hed his feet out, resting them on a stool.
‘I don’t really know what to say, Edmund. I’ve always loved Winston, of course, but to go and live near there now, with my cousin in residence – I don’t think I could bear it.’
He looked at me blankly for a moment, and then seemed to realise what I was talking about.
‘Yes, I see it could be difficult. I didn’t think, I’m afraid.’ His speech seemed to be slightly slurred, and suddenly he put his hand over his mouth to smother a yawn. ‘Oh, excuse me. It’s unpardonably rude of me to yawn. I just seem to be suddenly tired.’
His eyelids drooped, and soon I could tell by his regular breathing that he was asleep.
Carefully I leaned forward and tasted the dregs of his tea, grimacing at the bitterness that lingered in my mouth. It was drugged, there was no doubt about it! And I became certain in that moment that I had been given large doses of the stuff myself. How otherwise could I explain the apathy that had held me in its grip and made me agree to marry Edmund rather than argue with him?
I thought back to the time when I was slowly being poisoned, when I had been ill. I had lost weight and felt a revulsion against any sort of food. This drug was something else; it sapped the will and left its victim so tired that everything seemed too much trouble.
But why Edmund? And who could be administering the drug? I brushed my hair back from my eyes and went quietly into the kitchen. Perhaps I would be able to find something incriminating there, so that I could confront Wenna with it.
The creak of the doors as I opened them echoed so loudly it seemed as if the whole house must know what I was doing. It would be dangerous to get caught. I had no illusions about that. There was someone at the Plas who was very dangerous, and I could expect no help from Edmund. He would sleep for hours before the effect of the drug wore off.
After about an hour, I still had found nothing at all suspicious. I dipped my hands in flour bags and salt barrels, and everything was as it should be. I suppose it was foolish of me to think that such things would be left out in the open where anyone could use them accidentally.
Edmund was still sleeping. I draped a rug over him and went up to my room. There was nothing I could do for him at the moment. He would wake up when the drug had worn off, and then I could tell him what had happened.
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