Lord of the Far Island by Victoria Holt (free e novels .TXT) 📕

so a groom appeared as though he had been stationed there to await our arrival.

"Take our horses, Albert. This is Miss Kellaway, who has come to stay with us."

Albert touched his forelock to me and I said: "Good day."

He took the horses and William Tregardier led the way towards a heavy iron-studded door.

"I daresay you will wish to wash and perhaps change before meeting Jago," he said. "I think the best thing is to get one of the maids to show you to your room."

I was bemused. I had made up my mind that there might be something primitive about a house on an island three miles from the mainland. I had certainly been unprepared for such a castle. This was as grand as—no, grander in its way than Hydrock Manor House and clearly of an earlier period. We had entered by the side door and passed along a passage into what seemed like a reception room; sparsely furnished with a table and three chairs. There was a suit of armor in one corner and shields and weapons on the walls. I imagined it had once been part of an armory or a guardroom.

It seemed as though everyone in the house was awaiting my coming, for no sooner had we stepped into this room than a maid came in from another door.

"Ah Janet," said William Tregardier, "here is Miss Kellaway."

Janet bobbed a curtsy.

"Take her to her room and see that she has everything she needs."

"Oh yes, sir," said Janet.

"Then in about. . ." He looked at me. "Say, half an hour?"

"Yes," I said, "that will do very well."

"In half an hour bring Miss Kellaway down."

"Thank you," I said.

"It's our pleasure to look after you well," he answered.

Janet said: "If you'd be pleased to follow me, Miss Kellaway."

I followed her, marveling. We went through several stone-floored passages and mounted a spiral stone staircase. Then we came to a gallery and were clearly in the more residential part of the castle, for the medieval aspect gave way to a somewhat more modern air of comfort.

"This way, Miss Kellaway."

She threw open a door and we entered a room on the walls of which were hung ancient tapestries in shades of red and gray. There was red carpet on the floor and curtains of red velvet trimmed with gold fringe. The four-poster bed had red velvet curtains about it, and the effect was luxurious.

The window—semicircular and cut out of an amazingly thick wall—had a window seat of stone around it. There were three stone steps to a window alcove. I mounted them and looked out. Although the castle was a little isolated standing on its incline, I could see that the Island was well populated. The little houses were picturesque and the orange roofs gave them a foreign look. There appeared to be a street in which were shops and what might be an inn. It was like a miniature town. I made out what must have been farmhouses surrounded by fields which had the neat patchwork effect of cultivated land. There were orchards and even a small forest and more houses. It appeared to be a pleasant, prosperous community. I could catch a glimpse of that other island, Blue Rock, which looked even nearer than the half mile distant that I had been told it was. Just a small channel of sea separated us. Then I gazed at the mainland and wondered what Michael Hydrock was doing now and whether he had given me another thought.

"It's magnificent," I said, turning from the window and surveying the room.

"Mr. Jago said as this was to be prepared for 'ee, Miss. 'Tis one of the best rooms in the whole of the castle."

"It is very kind of him."

She gave a little giggle. "Oh we've all been warned, Miss. We got to take very special care of 'ee."

It was indeed a warm welcome.

"If there's anything you do want, Miss . . ." She walked to the bell rope of red and gold. "You just pull this and I'll be with 'ee in next to no time. We did think everything be here but you can't ever be sure, can 'ee?"

At that moment a boy arrived with my baggage.

"Would 'ee like me to help 'ee unpack, Miss?" asked Janet.

"Thank you," I said. It was not so much that I wanted her to do that as to keep her with me that I might ask her a few questions. "There is not a great deal," I added. "It won't take long."

"I'll bring 'ee hot water first, Miss."

When she had left, I looked round the room at the oak settle, the big cupboard, the fireplace and the mantelpiece on which stood large candlesticks. The ceiling was lofty and ornately carved.

I opened one of my bags and took out a dress. It was one of those which had been made for my honeymoon and was in sapphire blue silk, which was particularly becoming. I remembered Philip's going with me for the last fitting. He had peeped round the door. "Why, Ellen," he had said, "I do believe I am marrying a beauty."

I felt suddenly wretched, and I could not stop myself thinking of the plans we had made for the honeymoon. "Venice," he had said. "Gondoliers. Serenades and the Grand Canal. Very romantic."

While I was standing there holding the dress Janet came in with the hot water.

"It's a beautiful dress, Miss," she said.

I nodded and laid it on the bed.

"Mr. Jago has just come in, Miss. He'll be wanting to see 'ee. I reckon you won't want to keep him waiting. He's just come in to the stables."

I said: "I will wash then."

Janet drew aside a curtain. Behind this was an alcove in which was a basin and ewer. She poured out the hot water for me and I washed while she hung up my dresses in the cupboard.

The blue dress was still lying on the bed.

I picked it up.

"You'll be wearing that one for dinner, Miss, will you?"

Before I could