‘All right, I will,’ she called back, walking towards the front door, adding sotto voce, ‘I just hope they don’t stay too long.’ She fumbled irritably with the door latch, which had a tendency to stick. She had a faint suspicion Dorothy might be match-making. A divorcée and a lonely widower with daughters the same age, what could be more suitable? Well, she’d catch cold at that. Melissa wasn’t interested in men at the moment, not even Steve, after his latest announcement. Although a part of her still loved him obviously – feelings didn’t evaporate that quickly – he also irritated the hell out of her. Living here at Ashleigh, she was beginning to see him from a new perspective and it made her wonder why she hadn’t noticed his domineering tendencies much before. Perhaps I would have come to resent that with time?
‘Sweeting …’ The voice inside her head goaded her beyond endurance.
‘No, go away, Roger!’ she muttered. ‘You’re annoying me, too.’ She opened the door with more force than was necessary, making the hinges squeak loudly in protest and the guests outside jump.
The fake welcoming smile died on her lips as Amy pushed past her with a quick, ‘Hello, Ms Grantham,’ and she was left staring at the girl’s father.
‘Mr Precy!’
The stunned expression on his face told her he hadn’t been aware of her identity either, which was a relief. At least he’s not in on Dorothy’s plans, then. He recovered first and stretched out his hand. She took it reluctantly, afraid his touch might affect her the way it had at their previous meeting. It did, and the electric jolt reverberated all the way up her arm this time. As before, he appeared not to notice.
‘Jake, please, we’re neighbours. And you’re Ms Grantham, I take it? I forgot to ask your name last time we met. It’s a pleasure to see you again.’
‘Er, Melissa.’
He shook her hand and added with a smile, ‘You’re not about to faint again, are you? Only, I wouldn’t mind a bit more notice this time so that I can catch you properly.’
Melissa managed a stiff smile in return and thought ‘Ha, ha, very funny.’ Aloud she said, ‘No, I’m not going to faint. I’m really sorry about that, it has never happened to me before.’
He handed her a bouquet of yellow flowers and greenery, beautifully wrapped in cellophane with a large matching bow at the bottom. ‘For the hostess, or should that be hostesses?’
‘Thank you. Do come in and make yourself comfortable in the sitting room.’ Melissa pointed him in the right direction, before making her escape to the kitchen to put his offering in water.
‘Dorothy,’ she hissed accusingly, ‘you knew, didn’t you?’
Dorothy smiled blandly. ‘Knew what, dear? That Mr Precy was Amy’s father? Of course. They’re our neighbours and he’s also Russ’s vet. Besides, Amy did say her name the first time she came. I thought you heard her.’
‘Why, you … you know I didn’t. Don’t you think maybe you should have warned me? Or were you hoping I’d swoon into the man’s arms again?’
‘Well, the thought did cross my mind, but …’ Dorothy stopped when she caught sight of the expression on her great-niece’s face. ‘Now, now, Melissa. It was just a harmless joke. Of course I knew you’d do no such thing. And he really is lonely, Amy said so. Just you go back in there and be nice to him. I’ll bring the tea in a minute.’
‘Can’t you do it? I’ll prepare the tea.’
Dorothy shook her head and grinned, making shooing motions with her hands. ‘Away with you.’
There was nothing for it and, with a mutinous glare, Melissa returned to the sitting room with the flowers crammed into a vase.
‘Interesting arrangement,’ Jake muttered in amusement when Melissa entered, but she ignored his comment and pointedly made small talk about the weather until Dorothy and the two girls appeared with the tea tray.
During the ensuing conversation Melissa had the opportunity to study Jake further and she came to the conclusion that she’d been right. He was the spitting image of Roger. Jake’s hair was cut short at the back and sides with a long fringe at the front which had a tendency to flop over his eyes, but apart from that they could have been twins. The resemblance was uncanny, in fact. To her great annoyance she felt herself flush every time Jake looked at her as she remembered the feelings Roger had awoken in her. If this was really what Roger had looked like, she could very well understand why Sibell had succumbed to him, if indeed he was her mysterious lover.
Melissa clamped down on her thoughts with determination. This wasn’t Roger and she wasn’t Sibell. Even if the ghost could make her go weak at the knees through some unearthly magic, there was no reason why this modern-day replica should affect her the same way. She wouldn’t fall under a man’s spell as easily as her ancestor had obviously done. She’d had enough of men for a while, especially charming rogues.
Jake looked around with interest. ‘This is a wonderful house, isn’t it? I can’t believe how big it is compared to ours.’ He smiled. ‘I gather Ashleigh Cottage used to be where your servants lived.’
‘Yes, we had a cook, a maid and some grooms when I was young,’ Dorothy said. ‘I believe your house was divided between them.’
‘That sounds right. We knocked through quite a few walls when we bought it, as did the previous owner who must have bought it from you.’
‘They have lots of stables here too, Daddy, while we’ve only got the one,’ Amy interjected. ‘If we lived in a house like this we could have at least a dozen horses.’
Jake laughed and held up his hands in mock horror. ‘Oh, no we couldn’t. One is quite enough in our family. He’s eating us out of house and home as it is. Besides, you wouldn’t have time for your schoolwork if you had to look after any more animals.’
‘Oh, but Daddy …’
‘Anyway, I think our house is quite big enough for the two of us.’
‘Well, I want a horse, too.’ It was Jolie’s turn to enter the conversation. ‘Mum, Auntie Dorothy says that I can use any one of the old stables if I want to.’
‘Does she really?’ Melissa made sure her dry tone indicated clearly what she thought of the fact that this matter had been discussed without her. ‘How about you learn how to ride one first? You’ve only been having lessons for a couple of weeks.’
‘Oh, but I’m getting really good at it, Amy says so. Don’t you?’
‘Yes, she is and …’
‘We’ll discuss it in a few months, okay? I’ll have to earn enough money to buy you a horse first, if we are buying one at all. Besides, I thought it was a dog you wanted. Have you forgotten that already?’
‘No, of course not, but Mum …’
‘End of discussion, Jolie.’ The two girls knew when they were beaten and retreated to Jolie’s room to play loud music. Melissa wondered inconsequentially whether the ghost could hear things like that. If he could, he was probably going deaf at that very moment.
To Melissa’s further irritation, Dorothy disappeared with some flimsy excuse or other, leaving her alone with Jake once more. She squirmed in her chair, trying to think of a safe topic of conversation and cursed Dorothy under her breath. She had no doubt whatsoever that her great-aunt would stay in the kitchen for quite a long time.
‘So what do you do, Melissa?’ Jake enquired politely.
‘I’m a genealogist,’ she replied and told him a bit about her work.
‘That must be fascinating. I’ve always wanted to research my family tree, but I’ve never got around to it. Too much to do at work.’ He shrugged. ‘And then there’s Amy, of course.’
‘Well, if you’re feeling rich I could do it for you. That’s my job,’ she joked, and then regretted her words instantly since they made him smile at her in bone-melting fashion that reminded her strongly of Roger.
‘But of course! That would be wonderful. How much do you charge?’
‘That depends …’ Melissa quoted a figure that should have made the man blanch, but he didn’t bat an eyelid. Damn it all, she thought. I don’t
want to research his family tree. It would mean seeing him again and, although she had to admit she found him attractive, she didn’t feel ready to even think of forming a new relationship. Especially not with Roger’s long-lost twin.
‘When can you start?’ The eagerness in his voice made her feel ashamed for deceiving him.
Melissa felt trapped, but she had been hoist with her own petard and couldn’t see a way out. Stifling a sigh, she replied, ‘I’ll try and fit it in as soon as I can, but I do have a lot on at the moment. It would help me if you could give me as many details as you have of your parents and grandparents and so on. Any old papers you can lay your hands on will also be useful. Birth certificates, marriage lines, wills, anything like that.’
‘I’ll see what I can do,’ he promised. ‘I’ll have a look when I get home, there’s a box of old stuff in a cupboard.’ Melissa resigned herself to her fate. She would just have to steel herself against his – or was it Roger’s? – charm.
At last, Dorothy returned to the sitting room and interrupted their tête-à-tête. Melissa heaved a silent sigh of relief.
‘Have you been doing the spring cleaning?’ she asked mildly, but she should have known that sarcasm would have no effect on her great-aunt.
‘I’m sorry, but at my age everything takes so long.’ Dorothy made a great show of levering herself into a chair, as if every bone ached. Melissa raised an eyebrow in disbelief. From what she’d seen so far, Dorothy could do the dishes at least three times faster than she herself could and there was nothing wrong with her at all. She conceded defeat. Soon her ordeal would be over.
Her relief was destined to be short-lived, however, as the older woman somehow managed to persuade them to go for a walk around the fields.
‘Didn’t you say you were going this afternoon, dear? I’m sure Jake would love to show you the area. He’s lived here so much longer than you, after all.’ Dorothy’s expression of innocence didn’t fool Melissa for an instant and she gritted her teeth in frustration. When Jake protested half-heartedly that he hadn’t brought his boots, Dorothy conjured up an old pair that had belonged to her late husband. Melissa only had time to change quickly into a pair of old jeans and a sweater before being shooed out of the door. The pair set off down the lane in strained silence, with Russ running ahead of them, nose to the ground and tail wagging. Well, at least he’s happy, Melissa thought rather grumpily.
‘I’m sorry about my great-aunt.’ She turned to Jake as soon as they were out of earshot of the house. ‘I’m afraid she’s a bit bossy.’
‘Don’t worry, I like her. And she’s not the first in this town to try her hand at match-making.’ Jake grinned. ‘All the ladies seem to feel that because I’m a widower with a young daughter I must need a wife. I have learned to ignore it.’
Melissa felt her cheeks heat up and turned away. She should have realised that he would see through her aunt, too. Dorothy had been rather obvious, after all.
‘Perhaps we could be friends, though?’ he suggested. ‘Since our daughters seem to be practically glued together at the moment, we might as well grin and bear it. I promise not to hit on you, as Amy would say, if you promise not to hit on me.’
Melissa had to laugh at that absurd statement and the conversation became decidedly more friendly. They found they had a lot in common and once the barriers were down, they enjoyed each other’s company. As they continued their walk, Melissa began to relax at last.
They crossed a stile into the open fields, while the little dog found his own way through a hedge. When Melissa jumped over first, Jake discovered he quite liked the view. Her old jeans clung to her behind in a way that made him feel decidedly hot under the collar. He swallowed hard and determined to be the first one over the next stile. This won’t do, he told himself. He’d offered her friendship, and friendship he would give her until they were both ready for something else. He took a firm grip on his wayward thoughts and led the way along a well-trodden bridle path.
It was the beginning of April and the countryside was definitely waking from its long slumber. The footpaths meandered along the perimeters of fields which had been ploughed and were ready for spring sowing. A few groups of daffodils still remained in the shadier locations, and some primroses were to be found hiding under the occasional hedge. Both types of flowers provided a welcome splash of colour. The smell of wet sods and burgeoning greenery combined to tease their nostrils.
‘Mmm, I can’t get enough of this earthy scent,’ Melissa said, closing her eyes and drawing in deep breaths. ‘And the air is so pure, too.’ She laughed. ‘I never knew I’m a country girl at heart.’
‘Yes, spring is wonderful here,’ Jake agreed.
‘It’s so unbelievably green,’ she enthused. ‘Fresh and minty, it’s beautiful.’ She shook her head, sending her hair flying out behind her. Jake couldn’t help but admire the red highlights brought out by the sunshine and the way her eyes sparkled with enjoyment of the day. He wondered if she, herself, realised how beautiful she was. She didn’t seem vain though, so he thought not.
‘I can’t believe I lived in London for so long,’ Melissa continued. ‘Now that I’m used to this, I don’t think I could ever go back,’ she added. ‘I do hope Jolie doesn’t change her mind.’
‘I know what you mean. My wife and I lived in Fulham for a while when we were first married, and I absolutely hated it. I had a temporary job there for six months and was so relieved when I was offered work here, instead. Unfortunately, Karen didn’t feel the same.’
‘She didn’t like it here?’
‘Well, she enjoyed having the cottage decorated and all that, but once it was finished she found country life boring. She was a bit of a social butterfly and, as you’ve probably noticed, there isn’t much going on around here.’
Melissa laughed. ‘Actually, I haven’t had time to notice things like that yet, but I’m more of a stay-at-home kind of person anyway. A good book and some chocolate is my idea of fun, although the occasional party can be great, too.’
‘My feelings precisely.’
They smiled at each other.
Their walk eventually brought them to a small river. ‘This is the river Idun,’ Jake said. ‘Come, I want to show you something really pretty.’
‘Ok, but we’d better keep an eye on Russ so he doesn’t fall in. Here, boy, heel.’ Russ was very obedient and trotted just behind her, still looking excited to be outdoors.
Jake led them along the riverbank for quite a long way until they came to a bend. Just behind a clump of trees an old bridge came into sight and Melissa drew in a sharp breath.
‘Oh Jake, it’s lovely! It must be ancient.’
‘Yes, I’m not sure how old exactly, but I do know it’s a listed monument. I often come here when I want to be alone. It’s a lovely spot, don’t you think?’
Pointed in the middle, like the gable end of a house, the little bridge was charming. A rounded brick arch underneath let the torrent of spring water through, and the rest was constructed of stones of different shapes and sizes. One end jutted out into the river more than the other, making it appear slightly lopsided. Some of the lichen-covered stones were coming loose where the mortar was missing. In the middle of the bridge a rusty old gate hung precariously, separating the property of Ashleigh manor from that of its neighbour.
Melissa went to have a closer look, but as she came nearer her limbs suddenly became numb with fear and refused to move. She vaguely heard Russ growling at something, then alarm bells went off inside her head, causing her heart to beat faster in a rhythm of pure, abject terror. She began to shake and put her hands out for support. The only thing they encountered was the solid form of Jake, who looked at her in surprised concern.
‘What’s wrong? Are you feeling faint again?’ He took her arm and led her over to an old tree-trunk nearby. Her knees buckled and she sank down gratefully.
‘I’m okay,’ she lied. ‘Sorry, but I’ve been ill recently, bad bout of flu. I think perhaps the
walk was a bit too much for me.’ She didn’t want to tell him of the fear, since she knew it was completely irrational.
‘Put your head down and breathe deeply,’ Jake instructed, and Melissa did as she was told. His hand on her back, unconsciously stroking her with soothing movements, helped to ease the rigidity of her muscles. At last the panic subsided and she started to breathe normally again.
Melissa looked around. ‘Where’s Russ?’
‘Over there.’ Jake pointed along the path. ‘I think he’s ready to go home. Maybe it’s his dinner time?’
They stayed for a short while longer, before heading back to the manor house and, walking next to Jake, Melissa felt safe. Safe from what, she didn’t know. She only knew that she’d never go near the bridge again if she could help it.
Chapter Fifteen
‘Psst. Sibell, over here.’
The softly hissed words made Sibell jump and look around in a panic. There was no one in sight, but the sound had come from the walled kitchen garden. She made sure no one was watching, then with a few hesitant steps, she went through the gate.
A pair of huge arms enveloped her swiftly and held her in an almost vice-like grip, but she wasn’t frightened. She knew instinctively who her captor was and she didn’t resist but smiled and looked into eyes as blue as the forget-me-nots in the nearby flower beds. A tremor of pleasure coursed through her.
‘Roger.’ She glanced around furtively once more. ‘You are taking a great risk. If my father or brothers should see you, they’d beat you to a pulp.’
‘Do you think so?’ His smile was infectious, but she tried to stay serious.
‘Well, they’d try anyway.’
‘Shhh …’ He put a finger to her soft lips. ‘Don’t worry. Hugone tells me they all rode out a while ago. It’s unlikely they’ll return for some time.’ He grinned and pulled her closer. ‘And Hugone is keeping watch.’ He lowered his mouth to capture hers in a searing kiss.
The Silent Touch of Shadows Page 14
