A Stranger's Kiss

by Rosemary Smith

  ‘And then?’ I prompted him.

  ‘Nothing, Miss Osborne,’ he said urging the pony forward, ‘I feel I have said too much already. Let us forget Amelia and enjoy our outing.’

  ‘But Amelia is the reason I came to Ravensmount,’ I replied.

  As I spoke I noticed we were coming into a small village which had rows of thatched cottages either side of the dusty track, with a small general store, a blacksmiths and a delightful looking teashop.

  ‘How lovely!’ I enthused, pointing to the small pink cob stone building which boasted the name Teashoppe on a plaque above the door.

  ‘Yes, it is a pretty little place isn’t it,’ agreed Tobias. ‘It is the only place like it for miles,’ he informed me.

  ‘If I stay I shall make a point of partaking tea there one day,’ I said gaily, for my mood had suddenly changed and I realised it was the thought of Amelia which plunged me into moments of gloom.

  As we reached the far side of the small village I observed a very small cottage set apart from the rest. There was a border of brightly coloured pansies, their tiny heads turned towards the sunshine, and sat alongside in a rocking chair was a slight elderly woman with wispy white hair drawn back of her kindly face. Tobias slowed down as we passed and she raised her hand in greeting, smiling pleasantly.

  ‘Who is that?’ I asked innocently.

  ‘She was our nurse until a couple of years ago. Her age meant she had to leave Ravensmount. We are all very sad about it, for life is not the same without our dear Millie Sutton to turn to.’ Tobias’ voice held a sad note.

  ‘I’m sure she is still there for you and always will be,’ I soothed.

  ‘Oh yes, Miss Osborne, you are right. My brother, Michael, visits her frequently,’ he said, his voice sounded stronger for which I was thankful. ‘And here we are.’ He continued reining in the pony once more.

  ‘Why it’s beautiful here,’ I whispered, overawed by the scenery before me.

  Cliffs rose some two hundred feet above the sparkling water, broken here and there by small rocky coves for as far as the eye could see, to the tip of the Lizard. ‘What is that green rock I can see?’ I asked excitedly.

  ‘It is Serpentine, quite unique and very fashionable for ornaments to be made from it to grace the houses of our present society.’ As Tobias spoke he jumped down from his seat and assisted me to the rocky ground.

  ‘I wish I’d thought to bring my parasol,’ I laughed nervously, not daring to look at him as his strong hand still grasped my smaller one.

  ‘Are you too hot?’ he enquired with concern in his voice.

  ‘I’m fine, really, Mr Tremaine.’ We stood closely to one another in companionable silence, looking out over the sea.

  ‘The dreaded reefs of the Manacles lie off shore a little further along the coast, many a seafaring man has been drowned there,’ Tobias said sombrely.

  ‘That is hard to believe when the sea is as calm as it is today,’ I commented.

  ‘The sea has many moods, Miss Osborne, always be aware of it. Today it quietly slumbers in the warm May sunshine, but it can awaken suddenly and be a menace to ships and sailors alike.’

  As he spoke Tobias turned to me still holding my hand and taking the other one also in his strong grasp. ‘Please stay, Miss Osborne, if only for a short while. Rosalind has planned a party for tomorrow evening in honour of your twenty-first birthday. I wish to see you in your most beautiful gown, your face flushed with pleasure, your green eyes sparkling,’ he said seriously. ‘And above all I wish to dance with you.’

  For some moments I looked at him before I answered. ‘Your earnest request is not in vain, Sir,’ I said. ‘I will stay for a little while longer. Not just because of your entreaty, but also because I feel some loyalty to Amelia.’

  On our way back in the pony trap I thought of my decision to stay. Tobias’ words had been most persuasive and I had felt drawn to him. But what of Michael, and I recalled the cruel way he had only yesterday secured my wrist akin to holding me prisoner.

  I truly believed Tobias wanted me to stay and my earnest hope was that we would form a bond between us, one that couldn’t be broken. And then there was Violet, what other horrors would she show me? And had Amelia really loved her studio full of ravens?

  Abraham would loathe the fact that I was to stop at Ravensmount longer, he had the authority to turn me out. I had not forgotten Rosalind, but as beautiful as she was, Rosalind was a quiet, silent figure in the household who would step back into the shadows out of the spotlight and keep the peace. She said that she had wanted us to be friends, and I made the resolve to do just that for I was sure she needed female companionship.

  ‘What is the village called?’ I asked Tobias as we passed through it. Millie Sutton was not sat in her chair on our return, in fact both her and the chair had disappeared. It took some time for Tobias to reply.

  ‘Moll’s Bay.’ The words drifted across me. I noticed we had turned into a side lane. It was a dead end and I marvelled at the beautiful view which lay in front of us.

  ‘Why Moll?’ I asked him as I looked out to sea.

  ‘Two hundred years ago, Moll stepped into the water with no intention of returning,’ he said quietly.

  ‘And why was that?’ I asked him curiously.

  ‘Because her lover forsook her. I would never do that to you, Miss Osborne,’ he said quite unexpectedly, and as we looked at each other I knew not what to say.

  On reaching Ravensmount the ravens swooped noisily overhead to the tower and I marvelled at the fact that I had arrived here only yesterday. On entering the beautiful hall I encountered Abraham Tremaine.

  He was standing at the foot of the staircase as if to bar my way and my heart started pounding.

  ‘Did you enjoy your outing, Miss Osborne,’ he asked with some sarcasm in his voice.

  ‘I’ve had a lovely afternoon,’ I replied sweetly, for indeed I had.

  There was a pregnant pause before he said quietly, ‘Beware my son, Tobias, young woman, for he is fickle.’

  These few words quite spoiled the whole day and as I made my way to my room I wondered if they were true and prayed not or I would die.

  5

  I didn’t go back downstairs that evening. Tilly brought me some supper and I retired early to bed and spent the night sleeping and waking. Thoughts of Tobias and Michael were racing around in my head. I woke with a start at one point, candlelight still flickering on the walls and ceiling and me imagining I was wet from top to toe after walking into the sea, and who would it be to cause me to do such a thing? Michael or Tobias?

  And so my thoughts ran on until I awoke at daybreak, the light filtering through the curtains. Putting on my robe I walked across to the window and drew back the drapes. There was a pink glow lying across the water and the sea was tranquil and still. Then I thought of the winter with an angry sea and a wind howling around the house and through the ravens’ tree, with dark clouds bearing down on the landscape and rain lashing at the windows.

  I was studying the portrait of the young woman which hung over the mantel when there was a tap at the door, which opened slowly to reveal Rosalind looking calm and serene in a dove grey morning dress.

  ‘I’m sorry to disturb you so early, Sara, but I was anxious to know if you are truly staying for a while longer, for Tobias mentioned it at dinner last evening.’ As she spoke Rosalind looked at me enquiringly.

  ‘Yes, I would like to stay if this is agreeable to all,’ I said, standing up and indicating for Rosalind to sit in the chair which I had vacated.

  ‘Oh, that is splendid!’ said Rosalind with glee, clapping her hands together and walking to the window. ‘I have much to do for this evening we shall have a small party in your honour,’ she enthused.

  ‘And what of your father?’ I asked, not wishing to put a damper on her high spirits, but the question had to be asked.

  ‘Leave me to deal with Father. His bark is worse than his bite you know.’ As she spoke the smile v
anished from her face, but returned as quickly.

  ‘Before you go, Rosalind, may I ask who the lady is in the portrait?’ I queried.

  ‘It is my mother,’ she replied, looking at the young woman in the picture with a vacant expression on her lovely face.

  ‘I take it she is no longer with us?’ I asked tentatively.

  ‘No, indeed not,’ Rosalind replied quietly and not taking her eyes off the portrait. ‘She died of a broken heart.’

  After Rosalind departed I sat for some time in the armchair, mulling over what she had said and looking at the lady in the picture who had been Rosalind’s mother. And Tobias’, and Michael’s and Violet’s? I asked myself. I also asked why she had died of a broken heart.

  Getting up from the chair and pulling my robe tightly around me I walked to the door. Opening it slowly I looked stealthily into the corridor. There was no-one around and I walked swiftly over to Amelia’s room trying the door once more, but it wouldn’t budge. I stamped my foot in frustration.

  ‘Good morning, Miss.’ Tilly’s voice startled me and I whirled around, putting my hand to my chest to still my fast beating heart.

  ‘Oh Tilly! Don’t frighten me so again,’ I admonished her.

  ‘I’m sorry, Miss,’ Tilly replied. ‘Emily can get the key for that room, Miss, if you’d like her to, shall I ask?’

  Quickly I snatched hold of Tilly’s hand, for some reason afraid that Mrs Mallory might hear us. I dragged Tilly back to my room, but before opening the door I stopped in my tracks, a thought suddenly occurring to me.

  ‘What’s the matter now?’ wailed Tilly. I suddenly realised that this was the end of the corridor, so where was the door to the north tower?

  ‘I need to get dressed,’ I told Tilly as I ushered her into my room.

  ‘But Miss, you haven’t had your breakfast,’ replied Tilly.

  Taking no heed of Tilly’s protestations I swiftly dressed in a pale green day dress with a white cotton collar and cuffs. Leaving Tilly to tidy up, I made my way along the corridor to the main staircase, saying to Tilly as I was leaving the room that I wished her to remain until I returned so she could help me choose a suitable gown for the evening.

  Reaching the hall I looked to the right and left and was pleased to see there was no-one around and thankfully the great front door was unlocked. Raising the huge door latch I stepped out onto the steps. The air was quite chilled, but it was, after all, early morning. The sky was blue promising another glorious day.

  The ravens watched me with their bright eyes fully alert and as I stepped onto the gravel and took a couple of steps towards the north tower they flew towards it squawking noisily.

  I uttered a silent oath for now all the inhabitants of Ravensmount would know that someone was out and about. As I neared the square tower I looked up to ascertain which was my room. As I looked at the long leaded window next to the tower I could see it was indeed mine, as Tilly stood at the window and raised her hand.

  As I looked I was surprised to see a white face pressed against the window pane looking down at me. The face was definitely that of a woman, but I could not say who it belonged to. As I went to shout the name Amelia, the face disappeared abruptly as though someone had pulled the person back from the window.

  Frustration filled my whole being. Lifting up my skirts I ran around to the side of the building only to run headlong into Michael.

  ‘Steady, Miss Osborne,’ he said with amusement as he held my arms, ‘have you the Devil behind you?’ As he spoke he looked past my shoulder as if to ascertain whether this statement was true or not.

  ‘No I haven’t,’ I said with exasperation, all the while wriggling free from his grasp. ‘I saw a face at the window of the tower and wished to find a doorway to gain entry.’

  ‘Well, well.’ Michael studied me as he spoke. ‘So you still have thoughts that Amelia is here. Well the door to the tower is beside you so we can take a look together.’

  At his words I looked to my left and to be sure there was a low door set in the wall which could so easily be missed as the wood was light in colour, obviously weathered by the sea winds. Ivy grew around it almost as if to protect it from prying eyes. I looked back at Michael and he stepped toward the door lifting the latch but the door would not budge. Two doors locked against me was my thought.

  ‘You knew it would be locked,’ I berated him.

  At these words Michael raised a dark eyebrow. ‘My dear, Miss Osborne, no Sara,’ he started to say.

  ‘How dare you call me by my Christian name,’ I interrupted him.

  ‘All right, Miss Osborne, then,’ he said, placing an arm around my shoulder, which I have to admit didn’t feel unpleasant as he continued, ‘I very much fear we have started off on the wrong footing on both occasions.’

  ‘That is an understatement,’ I replied softly savouring the touch of his strong hand on my shoulder. Had it really been only two days ago we had bumped into each other for the first time?

  ‘Then let us start again, Miss Osborne.’ As he spoke he turned me to face him. ‘We have a very pleasant tea shop at Moll’s Bay, please let me take you there for some refreshment this afternoon. It will relax you in readiness for this evening.’

  For some seconds I mulled over this invitation, thinking of Tobias and our outing yesterday. It would seem I was to be pursued by the two brothers, but which one did I feel more drawn to? And above all which one could I trust?

  With this thought in mind I said with my usual strong steady voice, ‘Yes, Mr Tremaine, I would be most pleased to accompany you, thank you.’ For an outing with Michael would hopefully ascertain the answer to my questions.

  ‘I will meet you at the front of the house with the pony trap at two o’clock.’ With which words he took my hand and kissed it gently, sending my pulses racing. So much so that when he left me, heading for the garden, I suddenly felt lost and alone.

  This won’t do, I chided myself, as I headed back to my room for I had more important matters to deal with this morning and surprised Tilly as I flung open the door.

  ‘If Emily can obtain the key to Amelia’s room then please ask her for me,’ I said, walking quickly to the window.

  ‘Of course, Miss,’ Tilly replied. ‘Would you like me to fetch her, Miss?’

  ‘That would be a good idea, Tilly, thank you, but first please help me select a gown for this evening,’ I asked, suddenly feeling quite apprehensive about the forthcoming party in my honour, and I idly wondered if the master of Ravensmount would be there.

  Tilly and I looked through my small array of dresses. I had not brought many with me, not being sure how long I would be staying here when I had left Bath. It seemed a long time ago since I bade farewell to Papa and Mama and yet it had only been four days. Thinking of the journey to Cornwall brought to mind our travelling companion’s words, ‘You will be drawn into a spider’s web.’

  I shuddered at the thought, for the words Tamsin had spoken were coming true. Tobias and Michael had attracted me into a web and I had not yet struggled to free myself.

  ‘I think peach, Miss,’ Tilly’s voice cut across my thoughts and I could see she had removed my pale peach-coloured gown from the wardrobe. As she held it up for me to look at I thought of the only other time I had worn this particular dress at Amelia’s going-away party at our home in Bath last September.

  ‘Yes Tilly, I think this is a wise choice, please hang it on the outside of the wardrobe so any creases can fall out by this evening.’

  While I spoke I searched in the drawer of the dressing table for my cream lace fan which was decorated with peach-coloured roses. The whole ensemble, I fervently hoped, would look most becoming and admirably suit the occasion.

  Tilly returned with Emily and breakfast some fifteen minutes later. While I sat on the armchair eating toast and a boiled egg I spoke to the shy Emily, ‘I only want you to do this for me if it will not get you into trouble,’ I told her, ‘and be assured if there is any bother over it I shall be t
he one to take the blame.’

  ‘Thank you, Miss Osborne,’ Emily said timidly, and looking at her now I could hardly believe she would be brave enough to secretly obtain the key to Amelia’s room. But I was to be proved wrong, for half-an-hour later Emily was back with Tilly, the key in her hand.

  ‘Where is everyone?’ I asked them both.

  ‘Like who, Miss?’ said Tilly in her usual never may care voice.

  ‘Like Miss Rosalind and especially Mrs Mallory,’ I replied, somewhat harshly for I was feeling nervous.

  ‘They have both taken a trip to the village, Miss.’ As Tilly spoke she was peering at the portrait above the mantel. ‘Who is this?’ she asked, practically falling off the fender she was precariously balanced on.

  ‘I’m told this is the mother of Tobias, Michael, Rosalind and Violet. Now please get away from the grate,’ I admonished her.

  ‘She ain’t Violet’s mother, Miss Osborne,’ said Emily, finding her voice at last.

  I turned quickly to look at her. ‘She isn’t?’ I said, quite dumbstruck by this piece of information. ‘Then who is Violet’s mother?’ I asked with interest, thinking of Violet’s eyes, so different to her siblings.

  ‘I’m not quite sure, Miss, but the head maid said there was quite a do over it and that the nurse knows more about it than she’ll ever let on.’ Emily seemed quite proud to be able to reveal such things about the household.

  ‘Really!’ I exclaimed, ‘we’ll say no more about it then Emily, nor you, Tilly,’ I told my maid who was listening all agog. ‘Now, I’m going to Amelia’s room for ten minutes and I’d like both of you to stand down the corridor and let me know if anyone sets foot on the staircase.’

  With the key in my hand and my heart pounding, I stood outside Amelia’s door and quietly inserted the key in the lock. As I stepped into the room and gently pushed the door I couldn’t make out anything much in the dimness, for the heavy gold brocade curtains had been pulled almost together. Just a narrow ray of sunlight slid across the cream rug in the centre of the floor.