prospect of congenial company was too tempting. The three ladies went off together, the sisters setting a brisk pace, which suited Lucy very well.
‘This is a favourite walk of ours,’ said Caroline as they headed for the wicket gate on the far side of the lawn.
‘Really? Even after the accident?’
‘Well, that was very sad, of course,’ said Margaret. ‘We always spare a thought for Helene when we go this way, but we enjoy the walk, and the views from Druids Rock are spectacular.’
‘Besides,’ said Caroline, ‘I am sure many dreadful things have happened there in the past. The Druids, you see.’ She lowered her voice and said with relish, ‘Dark deeds, sacrifices and satanic rituals!’
‘Hush, Caro, you know that is all nonsense. Pay no heed to my sister, Lucy. She has a penchant for horrid mysteries and Gothic tales.’
‘But you must admit it does add a touch of excitement,’ said Caroline. ‘Oh! What has happened here?’
They were approaching the gate into the old ride, and Lucy looked up with some surprise. The trees had been cut back, allowing the sunlight to pour onto the path.
‘It has been opened up,’ cried Caroline. ‘And about time, too. Now we shall be able to ride this way again. This must be for you, Lucy. Ralph told us you are a bruising rider.’
Lucy blushed and shook her head, wishing he did indeed care enough to do such a thing for her.
‘And the undergrowth has been cut back so we can walk three abreast,’ declared Margaret, linking arms with her companions. ‘It is quite shocking how overgrown it had become in the past couple of years. Since Helene did not ride much this path was rarely used, but after the accident Ralph closed the gate and never came this way any more.’
‘Accident!’ Caroline gave a snort. ‘Everyone knows she killed herself.’ When Margaret protested she waved her hand. ‘It is best that Lucy knows the truth, Meg, if she is going to live here. It was recorded as an accident, of course, but Helene must have been very distressed to go out without changing her gown.’
‘You think she was distraught?’ asked Lucy, curiosity overcoming her reluctance to discuss the matter.
Margaret looked at Caroline.
‘We think she and Ralph had quarrelled that day,’ she said. ‘Or rather, that he had upbraided her, for she was such a soft little thing she never argued with anyone. There was a brittle quality to her at the play that evening, and Ralph was looking decidedly grim. At the end of the night we all thought Helene had gone to bed. Of course with so many people in the house it was all noise and confusion, and it wasn’t until the following morning we discovered she had gone out.’
‘It was quite dreadful when her body was brought back to the house,’ added Caroline. She gave a shudder. ‘I have never seen Ralph so pale. And later, after dinner, he had the most terrible row with Adam.’
‘Adam Cottingham,’ queried Lucy. ‘His heir?’
‘Yes. We were all gathered in the drawing room, and Adam had clearly been imbibing far too freely, for suddenly he burst out, “You are to blame. You pushed her to this, you cold devil. If she had not married you she would still be alive!” And Ralph never said a word. He just stood there, that closed look on his face—you know the one, Sis—until Adam stormed out of the room.’
‘That is right,’ nodded Margaret. ‘And Ralph said, in the quiet way he has, “He is right.” And then not another word upon it.’
‘So he blames himself for her death,’ muttered Lucy.
‘Yes, but he should not,’ declared Caroline. ‘No one could have been more kind or forbearing, and you will know by now that that is not Ralph’s nature. He went out of his way to look after his wife. Helene was very mild-mannered and kind to a fault, but she had no spirit. She crumbled at the first hint of disapprobation.’
‘Caro—’
‘It’s the truth, Meg. Oh, everyone loved Helene and I believe she was determined to be a good wife, but she was unhappy. Ralph did his best, as soon as he realised what a nervous little thing she was he did everything in his power to set her at her ease. We never heard him raise his voice to her, did we, Meg?’
‘No, he was most forbearing.’
‘It’s my belief she was unstable,’ remarked Caroline, considering the matter. ‘She would burst into tears at the slightest provocation. I found her extremely tiresome, and I only saw her occasionally. How Ralph kept his temper with her I do not know!’
‘Caroline!’
‘Well, Meg, it is most unfair that Ralph should be blamed because she jumped off the rock.’
‘No one blames him,’ said her sister. ‘But he blames himself and has been punishing himself quite dreadfully. He even declared that he would never marry again, and I am thankful that he has thought better of that decision! We are so glad that he has brought you to Adversane, Lucy, and that he is hosting another house party. It is a sign that he is getting over it at last!’
‘Is he?’ Lucy tried to smile, but all she could think of was the portrait of Helene in the scarlet gown, and all those dresses he had insisted she should wear.
* * *
They walked on in silence, over the pretty bridge and onto the moors. The sun was climbing and by the time they reached Druids Rock it had burned off any remaining mist from the valley. They scrambled up onto the rock and the two sisters pointed out various landmarks to Lucy: the paddock where Greg had taught them to ride, the old ruin on the hill where they had played hide and seek and the neat property on the edge of Ingleston where Ralph’s steward lived.
‘Harry Colne is Ralph’s oldest friend,’ said Margaret. ‘They used to go everywhere together as boys, fishing, hunting, riding—and here, of course. This was always one of their favourite places.’
‘And ours, too,’ said Caroline. ‘This was our castle, or a pirate ship, or whatever we wanted it to be.’ She laughed. ‘Do you remember, Meg, when the boys were climbing the south face and Ralph fell and broke his collarbone?’
‘Lord, yes. Papa was so angry. Said it served him right for being careless. Oh, it was not that he didn’t love us,’ she added, catching sight of Lucy’s startled face. ‘As soon as Ralph was well enough he brought him here and taught him the correct way to scale the rock.’
‘That was Papa’s way,’ explained Caroline. ‘He was kind, but not a great one for displays of affection. Ralph is very like him—even more so, in fact, because once he inherited the title he had such responsibilities on his shoulders that he became quite serious and lost his sense of fun...which perhaps explains why Helene found him so difficult to live with.’
Silence followed her words, broken only by the sighing of the wind, until Margaret jumped to her feet.
‘Breakfast!’ she declared, making her way off the rock. ‘Then we must prepare for the arrival of the Prestons, and Adam and his wife.’ When they were on the track again she took Lucy’s arm, saying cheerfully, ‘We are so very glad you are here, Lucy. We really could not like the thought of our cousin
