Page 22 of Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #3)

FIFTEEN YEARS EARLIER

It was two days later when there was a knock on the door, and I opened it to find an elderly man standing on the step.

‘Good day to you,’ he said, smiling pleasantly as he held out his hand for me to shake. ‘Sir Lawrence Davenport, owner of the Harling Estate. It’s very good to meet you, Miss, er…’

I stared at him in amazement. Did the owner of the estate introduce himself to every visitor to the village? Then alarm bells started ringing. He was the owner . I had to be doubly careful around him.

Tentatively I shook his hand and told him it was nice to meet him, too.

‘I’m afraid Jack’s at work,’ I said shakily. ‘And his parents have gone back to the island, so if you wanted?—’

‘Actually,’ he said, ‘it’s you I’ve come to see. Would you mind if I came in?’

I could hardly say no, could I? This man owned Honeywell House, for one thing, and the last thing I wanted to do was be impolite to Jack’s landlord. Besides, he was getting on. It would be rude not to offer him a seat or a drink of some sort, especially if he’d walked all the way from Harling Hall.

Even so, I could hardly control my anxiety as I led him into the living room and invited him to make himself comfortable.

‘Would you like something to drink?’ I enquired politely.

He shook his head. ‘Nothing for me, dear girl,’ he said. ‘Would you sit down please? I really think you and I need to talk.’

I almost fell into the armchair and gulped as I stared at him in dread.

‘Well,’ he said. ‘ I’ve introduced myself. Perhaps you’d like to tell me who you are?’

I’d been so scared I’d quite forgotten to give him my name.

‘Clara,’ I said, hoping I sounded casual. ‘Clara Walker.’

‘Walker, eh?’ He considered the information. ‘And I gather you’re here as a guest of Jack.’

‘That’s right,’ I said. ‘That’s allowed, isn’t it? I mean, I know you own the house, but he’s allowed to have visitors stay over, isn’t he?’

Sir Lawrence laughed. ‘Of course. And Jack is such a good young man. I’m very fond of him. His family have lived in this village for generations, you know.’

‘I know,’ I managed. ‘He showed me the model village that his great-grandfather built back in the 1930s. It’s amazing.’

‘It certainly is,’ he agreed. ‘So much history in this village. So many stories that could be told, if only we could listen.’

‘Mm.’ I was sweating now; I was sure of it. I fidgeted restlessly in my chair, half-hoping he’d get to the point and half-dreading it.

‘So, Clara Walker, I’ve been hearing some interesting things about you.’

‘Me?’ I squeaked. ‘Nothing interesting about me at all.’

‘I believe you’re from Lancashire,’ he said pleasantly. ‘Beautiful part of the country. And you met Jack in Scotland, I understand. A painting holiday, wasn’t it? How delightful.’

I gaped at him. Wow, he was well informed!

‘That’s right,’ I said, glancing at the clock and wondering how long he intended to stay.

He followed my gaze. ‘I shan’t keep you long,’ he assured me. ‘I just wanted to introduce myself. It seems we have a mutual acquaintance.’

‘We do?’ I frowned. ‘Well, yes, Jack.’

‘No, not Jack,’ he said, still smiling. ‘I was referring to Aubrey Wyndham. The former owner of this estate, back in the mid-nineteenth century.’

I stared at him in horror, while a part of me was thinking, so it was Aubrey, not his father, Thomas . That brought him one generation closer to me at any rate, but given the choice I’d have picked Thomas.

‘I d-don’t know what you mean,’ I stammered.

‘I’m afraid you were spotted following him the other day. It was quite clear that you could see him. No mistake.’

‘Spotted by whom?’ I said indignantly. I’d been very careful, and I hadn’t seen anyone around who’d been taking any notice of me.

‘Aubrey wasn’t alone,’ he explained kindly. ‘He was walking with his, er, companion, and she was watching you. She said you couldn’t take your eyes off him.’

I groaned inwardly. How could I have been so stupid? It was obvious that Aubrey was walking with someone, yet I’d given no thought to the fact that his unseen companion could be watching me.

‘I’m so sorry,’ I said miserably.

‘No need to look so glum, but I am interested. Am I to take it that you are a descendant or a relative of Aubrey?’

I nodded. ‘He’s my great-great-great-great-grandfather,’ I explained.

‘I rather suspected as much,’ he said, leaning back on the sofa and surveying me with interest. ‘How fascinating. I expect you know that James Wyndham was the last of the family to own the estate but had to sell it on some time after his father, Aubrey’s, death.

After James left here there is no record of what happened to him.

That’s the way it is in Rowan Vale, you see.

When the previous owners of the estate leave, there is no contact, and they are never heard of again.

Mainly, it must be said, because the new owners never try to find them.

I suspect it might prove more difficult in the future, now we have the internet. ’

‘I know,’ I said dully. ‘My dad told me. And I know I’m not supposed to be here. I’m sorry.’

‘Yet you still came here, even knowing the rules?’

‘It wasn’t intentional,’ I burst out. ‘Meeting Jack was a total coincidence. When I found out where he was from, I couldn’t believe it.

I’ve put off coming here for a whole year now, but he wanted me to meet his parents, and I just couldn’t resist the opportunity.

I wanted to see where my family once lived. Is that so hard to understand?’

‘Not at all,’ Sir Lawrence said, shaking his head. ‘Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it right, does it? Rules are in place for a reason. As a Wyndham, you should never have come near the village.’

‘But I wanted to be with Jack,’ I whispered.

‘Does Jack know?’

I shook my head. ‘No. I haven’t said a word.’

‘So you’ve lied to him already? That doesn’t bode well for the future of your relationship, does it?’

‘It’s not like that!’ I cried. ‘I genuinely like him. A lot. I bumped into Aubrey accidentally outside the Victorian shops, and when I saw him walk through the closed door, I just couldn’t help myself. I had to follow him. He’s family!’

‘You said your father told you about the rules? I take it then that it’s the paternal line that connects you to the Wyndhams?’

‘Yes. James had a daughter, who had a son, who had a daughter, who had a son. That son was my dad.’

It wasn’t difficult to remember that information. I’d been teased long enough that if I ever had a child, it was bound to be a boy, as ever since James’s day the line had gone boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl.

‘You know, I expect, that Aubrey and James were not close.’

I shrugged. ‘I gathered there was no love lost, but I don’t know the details. My dad always suspected that Aubrey was some stern, authoritarian Victorian father who probably bullied James. I know James adored his mother.’

‘Elspeth.’

‘Yes,’ I said, surprised he knew even her name. ‘That’s right. Elspeth Wyndham. We had a miniature portrait of her with Aubrey. Even though they were young, he looks quite stern and serious. She looks thoroughly miserable.’

‘Indeed?’ Lawrie raised an eyebrow. ‘Interesting interpretation. Well anyway, the point is that I have spoken to Aubrey about you, and he is adamant that he doesn’t want to meet you.’

I hadn’t been expecting that! For one thing, I hadn’t dreamed about meeting him face to face anyway. For another, the fact that he’d been so rude blew my mind. He didn’t even know me.

‘But, why not?’

‘As I said, Aubrey and James were not close. Aubrey has no wish to meet any of James’s descendants. He would appreciate it if you would leave him alone.’

I swallowed. I couldn’t deny, that hurt a bit. Even though I’d always known Aubrey Wyndham was probably a nasty piece of work, I’d still have liked to talk to him, now there was the opportunity right in front of me. It seemed harsh to be dismissed so casually.

‘Well,’ I said with a sad shrug, ‘I guess I’ll be leaving soon anyway.’

‘Really?’ Sir Lawrence sounded suspiciously relieved. ‘Well, it’s been nice to meet you, but perhaps it’s for the best.’

His attitude rankled, and I snapped, ‘Or maybe not. Who knows how things will work out with Jack?’

He lifted his chin and gazed at me steadily.

‘You do, of course, know the rules. No members of the former owners’ families are to return to the Harling Estate. The rule has stood for hundreds of years, yet here you are.’

‘It seems a stupid rule to me,’ I muttered.

‘Nevertheless, I think you’d probably find that Jack would be appalled if he knew who he’d brought to Rowan Vale. I should imagine he’d want you to leave immediately.’

‘You’re not serious?’

‘I’m not saying Jack would break up with you,’ he said hastily.

‘I’m sure he has feelings for you. He’s certainly never had a long-term relationship before.

I’ve known Jack all his life, and I think if he genuinely cares for you, he will leave Rowan Vale for you.

Give up his job on the railway. Give up Honeywell House.

He’s just that type of person, isn’t he? ’

From what I knew of Jack, I had to agree. If Jack wanted our relationship to last, he’d leave Rowan Vale for me. I had a feeling I’d only have to say the word.

‘He loves this place,’ I said angrily. ‘It’s not fair!’

‘And as I said, rules are in place for a reason,’ Sir Lawrence repeated, shaking his head regretfully. He tilted his head, as if trying to work out a compromise.

‘Perhaps,’ he said eventually, ‘there is a way. But it would involve you keeping a big secret from Jack for as long as your relationship lasts. Perhaps forever. Who knows?’

I eyed him suspiciously. ‘You mean, don’t tell him who I am?’

‘Exactly. And you stay away from Harling Hall, and from Aubrey. If you see him in the street, you cross over. You do not approach him. You do not try to speak to him. Any communication from a descendant of James would only distress him, you understand?’

‘Wow,’ I said. ‘He really did hate his son, didn’t he? Some father.’

‘Do we have an agreement?’ Sir Lawrence asked, ignoring my comment.

‘So, if I agree to keep away from Aubrey and Harling Hall, and don’t tell Jack who I am, I can stay here?’

‘Yes,’ Sir Lawrence said. ‘But not just Jack. You mustn’t breathe a word to anyone. It would set a precedent, you see, and that simply won’t do. Your family, for example…’

‘I don’t have any family,’ I said. ‘None that I’m in touch with anyway.

My mum died twenty years ago, and Dad passed away four years later.

Car accident. Dad didn’t have any living relatives.

My mum had some, but I don’t see anything of them these days.

They moved to South Wales after Mum died, and we lost touch.

So you see, it’s just me. No one to tell. ’

‘You’re the last of the Wyndhams?’

‘I am.’

He looked rather sad at that. ‘I know I must seem rather cruel, Clara,’ he said, ‘but as custodian of the Harling Estate, I have a duty. I don’t always like what I’m called upon to do, but my feelings don’t matter.

And – well, even ghosts are entitled to have their wishes respected. You understand?’

‘I understand,’ I said. ‘I know how important this place is, and what it means to be the owner of it. I thought, to be honest, that Dad made most of the stuff up, but I listened anyway because it was so wonderful. Now I realise he was telling me the truth, and it seems even more amazing. I just wish Aubrey would give me a chance.’

‘I’m afraid it’s out of the question,’ Sir Lawrence said. ‘If I allow you to remain here, you must swear you’ll leave him alone.’

I sighed. ‘Okay, Sir Lawrence. I get it. I swear I’ll do as you ask.’

He held out his hand and I shook it.

‘Welcome to Rowan Vale, Clara,’ he said warmly. ‘And please, call me Lawrie.’