Something Old by Rebecca Connolly (autobiographies to read txt) 📕

she came into view from the rear of the house. She clasped her hands before her, smiling at the Grangers. “Mrs. Granger, Mr. Granger. Welcome to Pendrizzick. I am Mrs. Penrose, the housekeeper. I trust your stay at the Coach and Four in Breathreath was comfortable?”

“Very,” Lily assured her. “I don’t think I’ve ever found a more spacious or warm establishment for travelers. Quite a pleasant surprise.”

Mrs. Penrose nodded in pleasure. “My nephew is the owner, madam. With your blessing, I shall pass on your praise to him.”

“Of course.” Lily beamed at the connection, her delicate earbobs waving as though pushed by the smile. “Might we trouble you for a tour of the house?”

“No trouble at all, Mrs. Granger.” She spread her hands out to indicate their current position. “We are presently in the main corridor of the south-east face of the house. Given its unique shape, they have never been referred to as wings. This is the main entrance, and, if you noticed, the entrance hall extends up to the second story. When the Tremellion children were young, they used to greet family from the terrace of the second story overlooking the first story entrance.”

Thomas chuckled at the image of children doing so, tempted to go back to the entrance hall for a second look. “How many children are there?”

“All grown now,” Mrs. Penrose informed him, smiling fondly. “But there were six, all told. Very sensible, warm, caring children, if I might be so familiar.”

“I think you might, given your history with them.” Thomas smiled and gestured down the short corridor behind them. “I take it the south-east face ends there?”

Mrs. Penrose nodded. “Yes, sir. The corridor to the kitchens is to the side of the grand window, with the breakfast room just there. The kitchens and servants’ quarters take up the short south-west face. The dining room is down here, sir.” She indicated just ahead of them and started toward it. “There is a billiards room behind us, as well as a formal receiving room Mrs. Tremellion admired greatly.”

Lily smiled up at Thomas with an almost childlike enthusiasm, nearly skipping after the housekeeper. He grinned in return, though her form retreated as she followed Mrs. Penrose. If that smile remained throughout their tour, he’d write to the elder Mr. Tremellion today and inquire as to purchasing Pendrizzick rather than only letting the place.

They only briefly paused in the dining room, which was expansive but surprisingly without the gilded details Thomas had expected to see. Instead, the walls had been papered in a rich cream color, the faintest intimation of vines etched into the surfaces. Another set of grand windows sat in this room along the eastern wall, the light of the morning streaming through and adding an almost ethereal glow to the room. The table lacked setting, which was understandable, as the family had left the house some months prior, but the carefully polished sconces on the walls and elegant pair of chandeliers in the room were pristine in their appearance.

On down the corridor they went, passing a large, richly stocked library that possessed several seating arrangements adequate for a family gathering rather than only a seat or two for individuals. At the easternmost corner of the house, an expansive ballroom sat, marble floors with walls of pale pink and gilded accents wrapping around the room. The ceiling bore exquisite murals of the heavens, extending high above even the floor above them, evidenced by balconies at the housebound corners of the room.

Doors at the far end of the ballroom extended out to a wide terrace to the rear of the house, where carefully crafted gardens lay near as far as the eye could see.

“Have we arrived in Eden?” Lily breathed as she moved toward them. “What a marvelous prospect.”

“The gardens are the envy of Pendrizzick, there is no question,” Mrs. Penrose informed them proudly. “There are three tiers to them, and the third and final tier boasts the most spectacular view of Dandrea Beach, which is on the estate.”

Thomas shook his head in disbelief, the perfect beds of florals, walls of hedges, and gravel paths the very picture of the ideal estate garden. Another, smaller aspect of the gardens caught his eye.

“What is that walled section, Mrs. Penrose?” he inquired, indicating it with a nod.

“Ah,” Mrs. Penrose nodded, smiling for them both. “That is the private garden for the lady of the house. Where the stewardship of the main gardens belongs to the head gardener, under the direction of the master, those particular gardens are under the direct care of the lady of the house, with intervention of the gardening staff only as indicated. Mrs. Tremellion preferred to do all tasks herself in them while she could, and in her absence, Mr. Allyn has been seeing to the upkeep.”

Had he designed a private garden for his wife himself, Thomas could not have imagined anything more perfect. Without even seeing them, he considered the walled garden his favorite part of the house, and it would take a great deal indeed to alter his opinion.

“Perhaps I might show you the rest of the house before you enter the gardens?” Mrs. Penrose suggested. “I fear that I will lose your attention for any other aspect of Pendrizzick once you are swallowed up adoring them.”

Thomas chuckled and heard Lily do the same. They looked at each other, both smiling, and Thomas had the sense that their thoughts were in perfect alignment.

They were enamored with Pendrizzick, and this was the place in which they wished to spend their time in Cornwall, however long it might be.

“Very well, Mrs. Penrose,” Thomas told her with a laugh. “Onward, and we will return to this glorious Eden once we’ve seen the rest of the house.”

“Much obliged, Mr. Granger.” She smiled and turned to exit the ballroom through the other set of doors leading into the house. “We have a pair of sitting rooms here, both open to each other, and connecting into a very fine music