The Midnight Rose

by Lucinda Riley

  Standing at the top of the main staircase were Mrs Trevathan and Ari. They were chatting together in low voices, and both turned at the sight of her.

  ‘Morning, sleepyhead,’ said Ari. ‘It’s past noon.’

  ‘Oh my God! I’m due on set this afternoon and I have to pack my stuff and move out of here and—’

  ‘Rebecca, please calm down, my love,’ said Mrs Trevathan, with Ari following behind her. ‘Ari has told me who you saw last night and, I promise, there’s a very simple explanation. Come on now, let’s go back to your room.’

  ‘Really, Rebecca,’ said Ari comfortingly, ‘there is.’

  ‘Well, I for one would like to hear it. I know what I saw and I’m not crazy,’ she added defensively as they stepped back inside her bedroom. She sat on the end of the bed, her arms folded. ‘Okay, who was that woman? And why has she been in my room sometimes at night when I’ve been sleeping? Because she has, Mrs Trevathan, I know she has!’

  ‘Yes, dear, I believe you,’ said Mrs Trevathan. ‘The woman you saw last night is my mother, Mabel. She worked here as His Lordship’s nanny, taking care of him from the time he was a newborn baby.’

  ‘Your mother? But why is she here?’

  ‘Please, Rebecca, let me explain. My father died twenty years ago and after Mum retired from the Hall, she lived quite happily on her own in the village. But a couple of years ago, she started to take a few falls, and her mind began to wander. She is ninety-one, after all.’

  ‘Of course,’ Rebecca said.

  ‘So I told His Lordship I felt I had no choice but to leave his employment and go back to the village to take care of her. Well, he came up with a solution. He offered to turn two of the attic rooms into a comfortable flat for her. At first, it worked well, and I could take care of her as well as His Lordship, but in the past year, my mum’s health has deteriorated. His Lordship then had the kindness to employ a full-time live-in nurse for her. I think you may have seen her in the kitchen on the day you arrived, dear.’

  ‘Yes,’ acknowledged Rebecca, ‘I did, and outside once, too. She was pushing an old lady in a wheelchair. I thought they were extras on the film, to be honest.’

  ‘Well, that was my mum. The problem is, Rebecca, sometimes her mind wanders, and so does she. Especially at night, when her nurse is sleeping. The room you saw her in last night was the room she used to occupy when it was His Lordship’s nursery. It’s not the first time I’ve found her in there. So, dear, does that make you feel any better?’

  ‘But I’m sure the woman I saw last night wasn’t an old lady.’ Rebecca frowned. ‘I didn’t see her from the front, but she had long, blonde hair and she was singing to herself whilst she brushed it,’ she said.

  ‘My mother certainly has long hair,’ said Mrs Trevathan, ‘but I’d call it more white than blonde. I’m so sorry you’ve had some frights over the past few weeks, but I swear there are no ghosts in this house, nor anyone trying to harm you. Just an innocent old lady who sometimes gets confused about where she is.’

  ‘I guess I just got upset reading the story about Violet Astbury that Ari gave me,’ Rebecca admitted. ‘She had bad headaches, just like I’ve had, and after she died, they thought she’d been poisoned.’

  ‘Rebecca was very overwrought last night,’ said Ari. ‘She doesn’t think anyone is trying to poison her, do you, Rebecca?’

  ‘No, of course not,’ she said hastily, understanding his expression.

  ‘I see,’ said Mrs Trevathan. ‘Well, why don’t you stay here and keep Rebecca company whilst I go and sort out a breakfast tray for her? I suggest scrambled eggs on toast. And I’m sure you can ask Mr Malik to taste it first, dear, just in case you’re worried,’ Mrs Trevathan retorted as she left the room.

  ‘Oh dear,’ Rebecca said. ‘I’ve really upset her.’

  ‘I’m sure she’ll get over it,’ said Ari, unable to prevent a grin. ‘Now, the next question is, given that Mrs Trevathan has given you a very plausible explanation, are you happy to stay on here, or do you want me to ask Steve to find you a hotel?’

  ‘I don’t know. I suppose I did overreact a little last night.’

  ‘Okay, well, let me know as soon as possible. If need be, I’ll do what some of my ancestors used to when they were in service to the Brits and lie flat out on the floor outside your bedroom door guarding you.’

  ‘Ari, don’t tease me! But my God, the tragedy I read about last night,’ she sighed. ‘What a dreadful woman that Maud Astbury was. And she was the one who brought up poor Daisy, Anthony’s mother. No wonder Anthony’s kind of weird.’

  ‘Well, I was thinking that for a great family and an estate to survive for four hundred years, I’m sure those at the head had to be ruthless. Maud Astbury could see the end of the line and was prepared to do whatever was necessary to save it.’

  ‘But she didn’t, did she? Unless Anthony has kids, the line stops with him anyway.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right, it does. I read Donald’s diary last night, by the way, which was how I was still awake so late and heard you creeping around in the corridor outside. I was in the bathroom when you knocked on my bedroom door,’ he explained. ‘The diary filled in some blanks for me too, so thank you.’

  ‘Do you think we should give the diary to Anthony?’

  ‘To be honest, I had dinner with him last night and if anything, I feel he’s shut himself off even further. I’m not sure what good it would do. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to know. And I understand that.’

  ‘So do I,’ she said with feeling.

  ‘Rebecca, can I ask you something? Now that you’ve read the story, do you think Moh did die that day by drowning in the brook?’

  Rebecca took a deep breath before answering. ‘I’m not sure how to answer that. I mean, there’s no proof either way, is there?’

  ‘No, but after all my lack of faith in Anahita’s story, my instinct now tells me he didn’t,’ Ari said quietly. ‘I’m desperate to find out the truth before I leave.’

  ‘Well, you do realise, don’t you, that Tilly, Anahita’s friend from the village, was Mrs Trevathan’s grandmother? Which means her ninety-year-old mother, who apparently gave me such a fright last night, played with Moh when she was a baby.’

  ‘Yes, of course, you’re right! She’d almost certainly have been too young to remember anything, but you never know. Maybe I’ll pay her a visit later on.’

  ‘I’m sure Mrs Trevathan knows more than she lets on, too,’ said Rebecca.

  ‘Perhaps, but she’s far too loyal to Lord Anthony and the Astburys to ever say a word. Still, I do think you’re safe here, Rebecca. I’d hate you to leave here believing in ghosts, or that you’re the reincarnated spirit of Violet Astbury.’

  ‘Okay, lecture over.’ She gave him a short smile of resignation. ‘It does all seem rather crazy in the bright light of day.’

  ‘Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few things to do, unless you want me to stay and taste your food?’

  ‘Ari!’

  ‘Only joking. See you later.’

  Rebecca dutifully ate up every mouthful of the food Mrs Trevathan served her even though she wasn’t at all hungry, or much of a fan of scrambled eggs. When Steve came to visit her after lunch, she pronounced herself well enough to shoot her scene later that afternoon, even though she was still suffering from the headache.

  When she appeared on set, she received many hugs of welcome from the cast and crew. She wasn’t sure whether the warmth of their greeting was because they all knew her relationship with Jack was over or because she’d been unwell.

  Robert came over to speak to her privately before the cameras rolled.

  ‘Darling, you’re a trouper, and we thank you. I’ll try and get this scene done as quickly as possible and then I want you straight back upstairs to rest. You’ve got a heavy schedule tomorrow.’

  James gave her the biggest hug of all as they waited to begin their scene. ‘Sorry to hear about Jack,’ he said. ‘Is it really
curtains?’

  ‘Unless he sorts himself out, definitely.’

  ‘I’m feeling rather guilty about my role in his fall from your favour. I was hardly an unwilling victim during our nights out on the tiles in Ashburton together.’

  ‘How was the waitress?’ Rebecca asked acerbically.

  James blushed and she knew she’d scored a bullseye.

  At that moment, Robert shouted, ‘Action!’

  ‘As a matter of fact, I can’t remember her terribly well,’ James replied after Robert had professed himself satisfied with the take. ‘I’m not trying to put the blame on Jack, because I was easily led, but that boy certainly knows how to party.’ Rebecca was saved from having to reply by Robert calling ‘Action!’ again.

  After about half an hour of stop-and-start filming, Robert indicated they had a take and Rebecca fled to Wardrobe. As she exited ten minutes later, Mrs Trevathan called to her. ‘Rebecca, I’m glad I caught you. His Lordship wondered if you were up to having dinner with him tonight. He said he hasn’t seen you for a few days.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ she said, feeling guilty for having neglected her host.

  ‘Good, I’m sure it will cheer him up. He’s not been himself recently.’ Mrs Trevathan frowned anxiously.

  ‘Is he sick?’

  ‘No, dear, not really. What with the film crew here, then all this talk of his grandparents with the arrival of Mr Malik, it’s all been a bit much for him. Oh, by the way, Dr Trefusis telephoned to say he’d be round with the results of your tests tomorrow.’

  ‘Thanks, Mrs Trevathan, I’ll see you later.’

  As she made her way upstairs, the name ‘Trefusis’ jangled in her brain, until she made the connection with the doctor from Anahita’s manuscript. There seemed to be no end to the blurring of past and present in this place . . .

  Having rested for an hour, she awoke feeling a little better and took a bath. At seven o’clock, as she was deciding what to wear for dinner, there was a knock on her door. She opened it and saw Ari.

  ‘Hi, come in.’

  ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m okay. I’m having dinner with Anthony tonight.’ Rebecca raised an eyebrow. ‘To be honest, I could do without it.’

  ‘The good news is that he never makes it beyond nine-thirty, so at least you won’t be on for a late night.’

  ‘I feel bad about the uproar with Jack, so it’ll give me a chance to explain and apologise. Are you joining us?’ Rebecca looked hopeful.

  ‘No, I wasn’t asked, actually,’ said Ari.

  ‘Oh, by the way,’ remembered Rebecca, ‘I realised today that the doctor who came to see me the other day must be related to the one who was in league with Maud Astbury. They share the same surname, anyway – Dr Trefusis.’

  ‘Really?’ said Ari. ‘That’s another possible line of enquiry for me – so, thanks. Right, I’ll leave you to it. Have a good evening with Anthony and if by any chance you need me, my room is just down there on the right.’

  ‘I’m sure I’ll be fine. Steve told me the film crew are shooting out in the park until at least midnight tonight. They’ve fallen behind, due to a difficult horse forgetting his lines. At least it wasn’t me causing the problem today,’ Rebecca replied, with the ghost of a smile.

  ‘Okay, see you later.’ As Ari left the room, Rebecca looked at her watch and saw that it was time to get ready for dinner with Anthony.

  Twenty minutes later, she entered the dining room and was surprised to see Anthony wearing what looked like a new tweed jacket. His hair was washed and combed neatly and he was freshly shaved.

  ‘Good evening, Rebecca.’ He offered her one of his rare smiles. ‘Do come and sit down.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Mrs Trevathan tells me you’re still not feeling yourself, so I’ve taken her recommendation and we’re having fish. Nothing too heavy for a delicate stomach.’

  ‘That’s kind of you, Anthony,’ she said as she sat down.

  ‘And may I say, you look absolutely charming tonight.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Rebecca, a little puzzled by Anthony’s none-too-subtle efforts to please.

  ‘So, are you fully recovered from the drama of having to send your young man packing?’

  ‘I’m feeling better about it, yes. It wasn’t something I wanted to do, but, sadly, he left me with little choice.’

  ‘Well, if one has fallen out of love, then one must do the right thing.’

  ‘Well, it wasn’t quite as straightforward as that, but, yes, I’m feeling okay about it.’

  ‘Let’s raise a glass to calmer waters and a return to normality,’ Anthony interjected, proffering the wine bottle.

  ‘Really, I’ll stick to water tonight,’ Rebecca insisted as she covered her glass.

  Mrs Trevathan entered and began to serve the fish.

  ‘This looks very healthy,’ Anthony commented. ‘You Americans love fish, don’t you? I know Violet had it sent in fresh from Lynmouth when she was here. We British tend to be more carnivorous.’

  ‘Most Americans enjoy a good steak too,’ Rebecca replied.

  ‘So,’ said Anthony, picking up his knife and fork, ‘only one more week, and I presume you’ll be on your way back to the Big Apple?’

  ‘More or less, yes, although there are a couple days of post-production stuff in London. I guess it’s going to be strange being back in New York. I’ll miss the peace and quiet of Astbury Hall.’

  ‘Will you?’

  ‘Yes, it’s been wonderful here, Anthony. I can’t thank you enough for your generous hospitality and kindness towards me.’

  ‘No need for thanks, it’s been a delight having you.’

  They ate in silence for a while.

  ‘Well, that was extremely good,’ Anthony said as he finished and wiped his lips on a napkin.

  ‘It was,’ Rebecca agreed.

  ‘My dear Rebecca, are you absolutely positive that you’re not related to my grandmother Violet?’ Anthony asked suddenly. ‘Because I really do feel that you were somehow sent here to Astbury for a reason.’

  ‘As sure as I can be. I guess it’s just coincidence.’ She smiled at him, trying to ease the sudden tension she felt as he put his knife and fork together and stared at her intently.

  ‘Well, I don’t believe it is.’

  Rebecca watched Anthony’s hands as they drew together, the long fingers interlocking as they clenched and unclenched. ‘The thing is, Rebecca, I . . .’

  ‘Anthony, what is it?’ she asked, knowing he was desperate to say something.

  ‘Forgive me if the timing may not be appropriate, but I thought I must speak to you before you begin to think about leaving. I . . . well, from the first moment I saw you, I knew you’d been sent to me. You, the living, breathing image of my American grandmother, Violet. Rebecca, do you believe in reincarnation?’

  ‘I’ve never really thought about it, to be truthful,’ she replied nervously, dreading where this conversation appeared to be heading.

  ‘Well, I do,’ Anthony said. ‘My mother always said I was like Violet when I was a young boy, and indeed, I did look very like her. But you, coming here from America, so young and so beautiful, just like she was.’ Anthony reached for Rebecca’s hand suddenly and grasped it tightly. ‘Don’t you see it was meant to be?’

  ‘What was meant to be?’ Rebecca asked, confused, and uncomfortable with the grip on her hand.

  ‘You and I, of course! Donald and Violet, who both died so tragically young and were unable to take the Astbury Estate into the future. But now, together, I’m sure that we can.’

  ‘I—’

  ‘I know that this is a shock to you,’ Anthony continued urgently, tripping over his words, ‘but of course, as a gentleman, whilst you were engaged to another man, I couldn’t make my feelings towards you clear. But now he’s gone, it’s as if fate has decreed it. Our path lies clear before us. Don’t you see, Rebecca?’ he urged her.

  ‘Anthony, I �
�� I really don’t know what to say.’ Rebecca looked to the door for the normally ubiquitous Mrs Trevathan to arrive to clear the dishes and break the tension.

  ‘I’ve told Mrs Trevathan that we’re to be left alone to talk until I call for her,’ said Anthony, following her eye-line and reading her thoughts. ‘So don’t be afraid that we’ll be interrupted. The reason I’ve told you this tonight is because I knew you’d need a few days to think about it.’ Anthony reached into his pocket and brought out a worn leather box. ‘Rebecca Bradley, I would like to ask you to do me the honour of becoming my wife.’

  Rebecca watched as he opened it to reveal a magnificent sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

  ‘This was the ring Donald gave to Violet when he proposed. It sat on her finger from that moment until the day she died. It’s only right that it should now sit on yours. Give me your hand, Rebecca, and let us see if it fits.’

  He reached for her hand and, in a daze, she watched as Anthony slid the ring onto her finger. It fitted perfectly.

  ‘There!’ Anthony smiled in pleasure. ‘It’s back where it was always meant to be.’

  Rebecca gazed down at the ring, which glinted as it caught the light from the overhead chandelier.

  ‘So, what do you say, Rebecca?’ Anthony asked her eagerly. ‘Will you think about it?’

  Rebecca knew she must choose her words carefully. ‘Forgive me, Anthony. I’m very flattered by your offer, but as you said, up until yesterday I was engaged to another man. I don’t think I’m able to move on from that just yet. And besides, I hardly know you – nor you me.’

  ‘I understand you might need time to think but, Rebecca, we’ve spent many hours together since you arrived, and I took you into my home when you needed sanctuary. I’m in no doubt that you’re the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life. Just think how we could rebuild Astbury together! Your presence here has lifted the atmosphere, just as Violet’s did in her time. With you by my side as the new Lady Astbury, I’d have the strength and belief to restore this house to its former glory for the future generation we’ll produce together. Violet, please say yes,’ he said, pressing her.