Death Is in the Air

“I know you didn’t.” She rose, bringing him to his feet as well. “I’m sorry, Major Monroe. I’m a little tired, I suppose.”

He gave her one of his piercing stares. “You’re not involved in this murder business again?”

“Not really.” She shivered and rubbed her upper arms with her hands. “Though murder in a village the size of Sitting Marsh is thoroughly unsettling to everyone. Somehow I can’t help feeling a little sorry for that young German, hunted down by soldiers and the police, alone in a strange, hostile country where he doesn’t even know the language.”

“He’d shoot you as soon as look at you, and from what I’ve heard, seems he hacked a young girl to death with an axe.”

“I know.” She did her best to summon a smile. “I’m being far too sentimental, I admit. It’s just as well I’m not a policewoman. I would take it all far too personally.”

He returned her smile. “I reckon they could do a lot worse.”

“Thank you.” Flustered, she moved to the door. “Goodnight, Major. I’ve enjoyed talking to you. Please, let me know if there’s anything else my staff or I can do for you.”

He hesitated, opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. “Goodnight, Lady Elizabeth.”

Her curiosity would not let it go. “You were going to say something?”

He shrugged, looking embarrassed. “Well, it’s kind of weird, I guess, and I’m sure there’s some simple explanation…”

His voice trailed off, and she waited, intrigued by his hesitancy. When he didn’t immediately continue, she said impatiently, “Major Monroe, if something is not acceptable in the east wing, I trust you would tell me.”

“There’s probably nothing to it.”

“Nothing to what?”

“Well, this is going to sound real crazy, but some of my men have talked about seeing something in the grand hallway. I was just wondering if you had some kind of explanation I could give them.”

Remembering Martin’s muttering about her father’s ethereal return to the Manor House, she felt a chill of apprehension. “You mean the great hall? What did they see?”

“The great hall. Yes, ma’am. Well, a couple of the men swear they saw… a ghost.”

She felt as if all her breath had been cut off. “That’s ridiculous,” she said faintly.

“That’s what I told them, ma’am.”

“It must have been a shadow or something. These old houses can play dreadful tricks on the eyes.”

He nodded, his gaze grave on her face. “I couldn’t agree more.”

She allowed a few seconds to slip by then said briskly, “Well, I’m glad we got that settled.”

“So am I. Thank you for a swell evening. Please give my regards to the chef. The meal was excellent.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, Major.” She watched him leave with the feeling that they hadn’t really settled anything at all. A ghost. Was it possible Martin hadn’t been entirely imagining things after all? Wonderful. That’s all she needed now, on top of everything else.

It was several minutes later before she remembered that they hadn’t settled the matter of Polly’s lift home. She rang the bell to the kitchen and waited for what seemed an eternity for someone to answer. When the door finally opened, it was Martin who poked his head into the room.

“You rang, madam?”

“It’s late, Martin. Why aren’t you in bed?”

“I have no idea, madam. Why aren’t I in bed?”

“Are you helping Violet with something?”

“No, madam. Violet has retired for the evening.”

“What about Polly? Has she left?”

“Yes, madam. I believe she was in the company of an American.”

Relieved that Polly had been taken care of, Elizabeth nodded. “Martin, do try to remove that tone of disgust from your voice when you mention the Americans.”

“Yes, madam.”

“And I suggest you also retire for the evening.”

“Very well, madam.”

He’d sounded a little distant, and Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “Do I sense a note of disapproval?”

Martin raised his chin. “It is not for me to pass judgement on your social activities, madam.”

“Indeed not, Martin. I should hope the thought never crossed your mind.”

“I should merely like to point out that the master is displeased.”

“Really. Well, tell the master that I’m in charge here now, and what I do is my own business.”

“He won’t like that, madam.”

“Quite possibly, but nevertheless, it happens to be the truth. And I fail to see what he can do about it now.” Great heavens! she thought. She was talking as if her father were still alive. She really needed to get some sleep. As for all this talk about ghosts, there had to be a simple explanation. She would investigate the great hall herself tomorrow and put all these silly rumors to rest.

Polly bounced down hard on the seat as the Jeep lurched across a bump in the lane. She made the most of the opportunity and swayed hard against Sam’s arm.

“Sorry,” he said, looking not in the least sorry about it.“Didn’t see that one coming.”

“It’s all right.” She tried to think of something clever to say, but her mind had gone completely blank. “I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you down the pub tonight. I had to work late. Thank you for taking me home, anyhow.”

“It’s my pleasure, believe me.” He jammed his foot on the brake as they approached the crossroads then swept around the corner, ending up on the wrong side of the road.

“You’re on the wrong side again,” Polly reminded him. “You Yanks will never get the hang of driving on the right side of the road.”

“I thought we were supposed to drive on the left side of the road.”

She nudged him. “Go on, you know what I mean.”

He pulled over to the left, bringing them up close to the edge of the woods. “I’m sure glad you’re not out here riding your bike at this time of night. How come you’re so late, anyhow? Do all secretaries work this late in England?”

Guiltily she crossed her fingers. “Nah, it’s just that this was a special night for Lady Elizabeth, and Violet asked me to help out.”

“Yeah, what goes on with the major and her ladyship? They got something going?”

Polly laughed. “’Course not. The major’s married, anyhow. Violet told me. Lady Elizabeth would never have anything to do with a married man. Nor would I.” She looked up at Sam’s handsome face, stricken by the thought that just crossed her mind. “You’re not married, are you?”

Sam snorted. “Me? Not on your pretty little life, sweetheart. I’m too fond of my freedom to get hitched.”

Well satisfied, Polly leaned back in her seat. She’d change all that, she promised herself. It would just take a little time, that was all. From the first moment she’d set eyes on Captain Sam Cutter, she’d made up her mind that she was going to marry him and go back to America with him, and nothing was going to stop her.

“Makes me nervous, knowing there’s a Nazi hiding in those woods,” Sam muttered as the Jeep roared down the lane.

Polly sniffed the night air. She loved the smell of the woods at night, especially now that autumn was here turning the trees to red and gold and ripening scarlet berries all over the holly boughs. Even the thought of a murderer lurking among the silent trees couldn’t dampen her spirits. She was alone with the man of her dreams, and in a few moments he’d be kissing her goodnight outside her house.

She’d make it last as long as possible, she silently vowed, because the sooner Sam fell in love with her, the sooner she could tell him the truth about her age. In a few months she’d be sixteen and old enough to work in the factory. Then she could buy lots of fancy clothes and shoes and perfume and makeup, and she wouldn’t have to worry about skulking around the Manor House, frightened someone would see her cleaning the loo.

“There was a big fight in the pub tonight,” Sam said as they pulled out onto the coast road. “The British army were there and got into a brawl with our boys.”

Polly gasped. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”

“Nope. We got out as soon as it started, but judging from the noise going on in there, I bet there were a few