Bride of Pendorric (35 page)

” Do take the Morris and don’t worry about me.”

She came over to me and, unexpectedly, kissed me. ” Things will soon be all right between you and Roe, I know,” she said. When she had gone I left at once for Polhorgan. There was no sense in sitting about and brooding; I went by way of the coast road and tried to stop thinking of Roe’s duplicity by planning the orphans’ home I might one day have at Polhorgan.

When I arrived, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson came out to greet me, and I could tell by their portentous manner that they had been eagerly looking forward to telling me something.

I was taken to the sitting-room and given coffee, and then it came out.

” We wouldn’t mention this, madam, but for the fact that Mrs.

Penhalligan has been having a word with Mrs. Dawson, and that has somewhat coloured our views in the matter. It is a delicate subject, madam, and Mrs. Dawson and I trust that you will underetand that it is only in our endeavour to serve you . “

I was anxious to cut short the circumlocution so I said: ” Oh yes, of course, I understand, Dawson.”

” Then, madam, I will tell you. I did not care to mention this before because I feared it might reflect on … one whom it was not my place to mention. But since Mrs. Penhalligan has spoken to Mrs. Dawson”

” Please tell me all. about it, Dawson.”

” Well, madam. Dr. Clement was so certain, that his lordship died from natural causes and discouraged us from bringing forward what actually happened. There was no inquest, the cause of death being considered natural. But there is a way of hastening death, madam, and Mrs. Dawson and I have long been of the opinion that his lordship was hurried to the grave.”

” Yes, I know the bell and the box were on the floor, but he might very well have knocked them over when he was reaching for them.”

” So he might, madam; and who is to say he didn’t? One cannot make suppositions in a court of law. But Mrs. Dawson overheard a conversation between his lordship and the nurse on the morning of the night he died.”

“Oh! What conversation?”

” His lordship threatened to dismiss her if she continued to see Mr.

er . ” Dawson coughed apologetically. ” Mr. Pendorric. ” I wanted to protest, but my throat seemed to have closed up and would not let my voice come through. I had had enough. I could not bear any more revelations.

” And it seems, madam, rather coincidental that not many hours later his lordship should be unable to reach his pills. Mrs. Dawson and I do not forget, madam, that a legacy was mentioned in that will for the nurse who was in his lordship’s employ at the time of his death… “

I was scarcely listening to them. I was thinking: How many lies has he told me? He did admit that he was almost engaged to Althea Grey. Then he had heard of my existence. He had married me as his father had married Barbarina. How much was he influenced by the past? It was as though we were actors in some obscure drama, playing the same parts which had been played before.

Barbarina had been married to bring money into Pendorric when her husband had been in love with Louisa Sellick. Had I been married for the same reason when my husband was in love with Althea Grey? Who was the vague shadow sensed by Jesse PleydeU. on that day when Barbarina fell to her death? Was it her husband, Petroc Pendorric? I’m becoming hysterical, I thought. I’m letting my imagination run away with me.

I should never have believed this of Roe before that scene in Bedivere House.

Now my thoughts would not be controlled. Had Althea Grey deliberately removed the pills, hoping to hasten his death? For he had to die, before I could inherit his money; and now . I had to die before it was theirs.

I wondered what gossip was going on all around me. Mrs. Penhalligan had talked to Mrs. Dawson. Did they all know, then, of the trouble between Roe and me? Did they know the reason?

The Dawsons were looking at me with concern and compassion. Were they warning me that Roe and Althea Grey were lovers? Were they suggesting that, since the nurse had had no compunction in hastening my grandfather to his death, she and her accomplice might have none in hastening me to mine?

I said: ” It was very unfortunate that my grandfather should have imagined these things. I think perhaps being such an invalid he was apt to worry over non-existent troubles. I have heard that it is a symptom of the illness he had.”

The Dawsons looked at me sorrowfully. Mrs. Dawson would have continued to speak, but Dawson was too much of a diplomatist to allow it. He lifted a hand and she was silent.

On his face was the expression of a man who can be satisfied that he has done his duty.

When I left Polhorgan I was afraid I should not be able to keep up my facade of serenity. I was too restless. There were so many things I wanted to find out and I had to go into action; one thing I could not endure was inactivity.

I wanted to talk to someone and I believed if Morwenna had not gone to Plymouth I should have sought her out and confided everything in her.

There was Deborah. I could talk to her.

I hurried back to the house and went to Deborah’s room. She was not in. Uncertainly I came down to the hall again, telling myself that it would be easier to think out of doors, when the hall telephone began to ring.

When I answered it there was a low chuckle at the other end of the line.

” Ah, I was hoping I’d catch you. This is Althea Grey.” I was startled because she was so much in my thoughts and I was growing more and more certain that she was playing a big part in the tangle.

” I was wondering if you’d come and see me before I go.”

” Before you go?”

” Yes, I’m leaving very soon. Tomorrow.”

“You mean leaving altogether?”

” Come along and I’ll tell you all about it. I’ve been wanting to have a talk with you for some time. When can you?”

” Why … now.”

” Suits me.” Again there was that low laugh and she rang off. I hurried out of the house, out along the coast road; and in due course came to Cormorant Cottage.

It was aptly named; even now the gulls were swooping and soaring about the little cove which lay below, and I saw some cormorants. The cottage itself was perched on a rock which jutted out over the sea; it was small and painted blue and white, and there was a steep path which led up to it. It was the ideal summer cottage.

” Hallo!” One of the windows was thrown up. ” I’ve been watching for you. Ill come down.”

I started up the path which was almost overgrown with St. John’s Wort, and by the time I reached the door Althea was standing there. ” I’m just packing.”

“You’re leaving?”

” M’m. Do come in and sit down.”

I stepped straight into a room with casement windows which looked on to the sea. It had clearly been furnished for renting with only the essentials, and everything in drab colours which wouldn’t show the dirt.

” Rather a change from Polhorgan,” she commented, and held out a cigarette case while she looked at me with what seemed like amusement.

” Nice of you to come and see me.”

” I might say it was nice of you to ask me.”

” I was lucky to catch you in.”

” I’d only just come in. Roe’s away for a few days.”

” Yes, I know.”

I raised my eyebrows, and again that flicker of amusement crossed her face. ” Grape-vine,” she said. ” You can scarcely move in this place without everyone knowing all about it. Did anyone see you come in here?”

” No. Why … I don’t think so.”

” Because if someone did there’d be speculation, you bet.”

” I had no idea you were leaving Cornwall so soon.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“The season’s over. It’s lonely. You walk for miles along the cliffs without meeting anyone.

You see, you didn’t meet anyone coming here from Pendorric. Not my cup of tea. By the way, would you like one? “

” No, thanks.”

“Coffee?”

” No, thank you. I can’t stay long.”

” A pity. We’ve never had a real cosy chat, have we? And it’s so peaceful here. I’ve often thought you were rather suspicious of me.

I’d like to put that right. “

” Suspicious? What do you mean?”

” Now you’re playing innocent.”

” I should like to know why you asked me here. I thought you had something to tell me.”

” I have. And this is the time to tell. You see, I’ve got another job and I like to tidy everything up before I go.” She stretched out her long slim legs and regarded them with satisfaction. ” Rich old gentleman going on a world tour needs a nurse in constant attendance.

Rich old gentlemen seem to be my speciality. “

“Don’t rich young ones ever come your way?”

“The trouble with the young is that they don’t need nurses.” She burst into laughter. ” Mrs. Pendorric, you are uneasy.”

” Uneasy?”

” Well, this is a lonely spot and I don’t believe you have a very high opinion of my character. You’re beginning to regret coming and are wondering how you can quietly slip away. Yet you came of your own free will, remember. In fact, you jumped at it when I asked you. It wasn’t really very wise, was it? You’re here and nobody knows you’ve come.

You’re rather rash, Mrs. Pendorric. You act on the spur of the moment.

Do come and look at my view. “

She took my hand and pulled me to my feet. She was strong and I remembered in that moment that Mabell Clement had said she only looked as though she were made of Dresden china.

She drew me to the window, holding my arm in a firm grip, while with her free hand she threw open the casement window. I looked down at the sheer drop to the sea. A long way below, the waves were breaking on the jagged rocks.

” Imagine,” she said, her voice close to my ear, ” someone falling from this window! Not a chance. It wouldn’t do to let this cottage to anyone with sleep-walking tendencies or to someone who was planning a little homicide.”

For a few seconds I really believed that she had lured me here to kill me. I thought: She has planned this . so that the way will be free to Roe and my grandfather’s fortune.

That she read my thoughts was obvious ; but what I saw in her face was amusement as she released my arm.

” I think,” she said slowly, ” that you would be more comfortable sitting down.”

” What was your object in asking me here?” I demanded. ” That’s what I’m going to tell you.” She almost pushed me on to the dingy settee and sat in the armchair opposite me. ” Mrs. Pendorric,” she said, ” you can stop being scared. I only intend to talk. You really shouldn’t worry about me, you know. In a few days I shall have gone right away from this place.”

” Are you sorry to be going?”

” It’s a mistake to be sorry. Once a thing’s over it’s done with. You were always a little jealous of me, weren’t you? There’s no need to be. After all, you married him, didn’t you? It’s true he did think of marrying me once.”

“What about you?”

” Certainly. It would have been a good marriage. I don’t know whether it would have suited me; though I like adventure. But it’s true I’m just past thirty now, so perhaps it is time I began to think about settling down.”

” You seem to find life … amusing.”

“Don’t you? You should. It’s the only way to live it. I’ve made a decision, Mrs. Pendorric; I’m going to tell you all you came to hear.”

She was laughing at me, and strangely enough I was ready to believe whatever she told me: for although she seemed tough and extremely worldly, experienced and capable of almost anything, she did seem truthful—largely because she would find it more amusing to tell the truth than lies.

” What were you doing before you came to Polhorgan?” I asked. ” Nursing, of course.”

“As Nurse Stoner Grey?”

She shook her head. ” In my last case I was Grey. Stoner Grey before that.”

” Why did you drop Stoner?”

” Unpleasant publicity. Not that I minded, but it might not have been easy to get the kind of job I wanted. People have long memories. So you knew about the Stoner Grey incident. Those Dawsons told you, I bet.”

” They were a bit vague about it. It was … someone else.” She nodded. ” If all had gone well I might never have had to take up nursing again. There was nothing wrong with it The old gentleman made a will in my favour; but they found he was non compos mentis , .. and his wife won the case.”

” I suppose you persuaded him to make that will.”

” Well, what do you think?” She leaned forward. ” You’re a nice woman, Mrs. Pendorric, and I’m … not so nice. You see I didn’t have your advantages. No nice millionaire for a grandfather. I wasn’t really the sort of girl to marry into Pendorric. I’m an adventuress because I like adventure. It adds a spice to life. I lived the early part of my life in a back street and I didn’t like that much. I was determined to break away…. I was like your grandfather in my way. I hadn’t got the business flair, though. I didn’t know how to set about earning millions. But it wasn’t long before I found out that I was beautiful, and that’s one of the best assets a girl can have. I took up nursing, and I intended to go into private nursing, which was a way of getting what I wanted. And I saw that I got the right jobs, too. That’s why I came to look after your grandfather.”

” You hoped that he would leave you his money?”

” One can always hope. Then there was Roe. Adventuresses always weigh up all the possibilities, you know.”

” Roe must have seemed the more hopeful of the two, surely … when you got to know my grandfather.”

She laughed again.

“He did. But then he’s too shrewd. He saw through me. He liked me, yes. And I liked him. I’d have liked him if he’d been one of the fishermen here. But he always held back; he seemed to be aware of something in me which … well, how shall we say? … wasn’t quite what a gentleman looks for in his wife—not Roe’s kind anyway. So we were good friends and then he went away and when he came back he’d married you. He’s got a kind heart. He wanted to be friends still, and didn’t want me to feel snubbed. That was why he was extra nice to me. But I saw you were getting a little jealous.” She laughed.

” All clear now?”

” Not quite,” I said. ” How did my grandfather die?”