‘Then may I request that you both do me the honour of dining with me, informally, tomorrow evening, and perhaps then we might see if we can find Sir Robert’s letter?’ He looked at Lady Damerham and then Mary, who had the impression that her mama was not going to be dragged to the library to observe their investigations, and would, in fact, be rather in the way.
‘I do not believe we are otherwise engaged, are we, Mama?’
‘No, indeed, and we would be delighted, Sir Rowland.’
‘Might I suggest that you come rather early. I dine at six, but there is still enough natural light at five, and it might be advantageous to at least commence our search by daylight rather than candlelight.’
‘That sounds very sensible, sir. May we, Mama?’
‘Yes, that is perfect, for it also means Silas is at least driving us there in the light. I know it is a short distance, but there is but a waning moon at present, for I noted it last night as I went to bed, and that does not give a great deal of light.’
‘Then we will come for a quarter hour before five,277Sir Rowland, to be sure of the light.’
‘I look forward to it.’ He rose, aware that it was a natural point at which to make his departure, and also that he wished to have time to think upon what had happened within the last hour, and how it changed his view of the weeks ahead. He bowed to both ladies and left with a feeling of elation.
‘She felt it as I felt it,’ he said, knowing his horse would not reveal secrets. ‘And she did not dislike it when I held her hand. We have closed the chasm, and not gone back to the beginning, but to the point at which it appeared, and I have let her see a little of what I feel.’ He felt that at this moment she might be rather overwhelmed if she was made aware of the full depth of his feelings for her. In truth, it rather overwhelmed him also.
278
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Maintaining a casual air the following afternoon was surprisingly difficult, so Sir Rowland shut himself up in the library, and did a little reconnaissance. He studied the panelling about the chimney breast and concentrated upon the right side. There were small bosses at the intersections, and although he could not see any obvious line about a panel, if the thing had not been opened in years it would have been concealed by dust. He tried several bosses, which were at a height that was reachable without standing upon a chair, and on the third attempt one did twist. He carefully turned it back, heard a click, and, by pressing towards the other end, the panel swung open on a pivot. His first thought was to leave the rest of the discovery for later, secure in279the knowledge that ultimately Miss Lound would not be frustrated. However, he wondered if it contained more than just a family letter. If it did, well …
The ladies from the dower house arrived punctually, well wrapped against the chill, and he met them in the great hall as their cloaks were being taken from them. He was glad to see that Miss Lound had a better colour and her eyes were brighter. This had also been noted by Lady Damerham, who had wondered, dismissed, wondered, and then become totally confused.
‘Do tell us, Sir Rowland, will there be a wide selection of apple dishes upon the dining table this evening?’ asked Miss Lound.
‘Apples?’
‘Yes. Your brother told us that you were positively knee deep in them.’
‘Those were not his exact words, though,’ interjected Lady Damerham.
‘Ah, I see.’ Sir Rowland laughed. ‘I confess they may appear in some form, but I promise that they are not the main component of the meal, and nor did I invite you in order to diminish the glut. It has been a very good year for them, and I hope the barrels sent over to the dower house will last you well into the winter.’
‘Oh yes, Sir Rowland. Very kind it was of you to donate so many,’ gushed Lady Damerham.
‘Or practical. For all we know your storeroom is piled high with the fruit and Mrs Peplow is at her wit’s end wondering what to do with all the other harvested280supplies.’ Miss Lound pursed her lips.
‘Well, I cannot displease Mrs Peplow, now, can I?’ His eyes met hers and the laughter was shared by both of them, though silent. ‘There is a good fire in the drawing room, Lady Damerham, and I thought you might like to sit with a glass of sherry whilst we go treasure hunting?’ He hoped that she would not be too assiduous a chaperone, for, after all, her daughter was scarcely a wide-eyed ingénue of eighteen, and he thought he exuded the air of ‘dependable gentleman’ rather than ‘wolfish seducer’.
‘That sounds very nice, Sir Rowland. Thank you.’
He saw her ladyship comfortably seated and provided with a good sherry, and then, as casually as he could, invited Miss Lound to show him ‘the secret of Tapley End’.
‘Well, after all this, I do hope I can correctly remember the place, or you will think I was telling you faradiddles, sir.’
‘Never, Miss Lound, I assure you. If you will excuse us, Lady Damerham.’ He bowed, and then opened the door for Miss Lound. As he followed her, he could not help thinking of her like this, walking about the house but as its mistress, not a visitor. True, she had been as good as its mistress even six months previously, but … He wondered if he felt so attached to the building already because he was so attached to her. They went into the library, where the light was still sufficient to examine the woodwork closely.281
‘Is your memory restored, looking at the panels?’ he enquired.
‘Only in as much as I know without a doubt that there are bosses that turn, and I recall that I was not able to see inside the cavity, for it was above my head height, but then, I was but ten years old.’
‘At least it means I do not have to grovel upon my hands and knees, and if your grandfather opened it without standing upon a chair, then we have but two likely panels. Do you wish to essay the turning, or shall I?’
‘You do it, Sir Rowland, then if they fail to budge it cannot be put down later to my being a “feeble female”.’
‘I doubt anyone would ever call you that, Miss Lound.’ He reached to a boss, but not the one he knew would turn. Neither it nor its neighbour moved in the slightest. ‘Then it must be that the four bosses above are the ones we need,’ he said, and then paused. ‘When the house and contents were sold, you accept that your brother probably had no idea that this secret hiding place existed?’
