“Well, I shall go back with James and Felicity. Felicity hates to leave her children.”
He sighed.
“We must make the most of the days you are here. What an excellent idea it was coming out like this. I only hope it won’t be too long for you.”
“Didn’t you say I’d be a champion rider one day? Well, that day may not be far off.”
“Good. We’ll go across this field. I think it might be a short cut.”
When we had crossed the field, he pulled up. There’s a view for you.
Pleasant bit of coast, isn’t it? “
“Pleasant! It’s spectacular and very rugged. I’d hardly say pleasant. That doesn’t fit somehow.”
“You’re right. Along that coast the wreckers used to ply their evil trade … enticing ships in rough seas on to the rocks out there so that they could steal their cargoes. I’ll bet you anything the locals hear the cries of shipwrecked sailors on rough nights. Winds can make strange noises and if they fall on susceptible ears, there are your ghosts!”
“Were you born a cynic?”
“I expect so. We couldn’t have had two saints in the family.”
“You’re referring to Carleton as a saint. Why are people always slightly patronizing about saints?”
“There’s an easy answer to that. Because we find it so difficult to follow in their footsteps. We sinners have to feel we are slightly superior because we’re having a better time.”
“Do sinners have a better time than saints?”
“Oh yes. At the same time they feel it is unfair that they should do so. That is why they have to take up that patronizing attitude towards sainthood. Carleton is a good sort. He always did the right thing.
Learned the management of the estate, married the right girl, produced Henry the heir and the charming Jennifer; he is adored by the tenants, the estate is more prosperous under him than it has ever been. Oh yes, he has all the virtues. Well, you can’t have too many good people around. They’d overcrowd the market and would lose much of their glory. So you see, sinners have their uses. “
“It is a great advantage that Carleton is such a good squire.”
“Everything about Carleton is good.”
“You have your points … just as he has.”
“Oh, but he has two sound legs to go with his.”
The bitterness was there, always ready to come to the surface. I was sorry that I had allowed the conversation to get to this point.
“Everything goes right for Carleton,” he said.
“It always has done. Oh, don’t mistake me. I know it comes right because of his nature.”
“Lucas,” I said soberly, ‘you’ve had bad luck. But it’s done with.
Nothing can change it now. There is still a lot left. “
“You’re right. I often think of Player and wonder what happened to him. It shows my evil nature that I can get a modicum of comfort out of it. At least I’m free.”
“Yes,” I said.
“You’re free.”
“Oh look. You can see the house over there.”
The house? “
“Perrivale Court. Look straight ahead and turn a little to the right.
That’s it. “
At last I had seen it. It looked grand and imposing, built on a slight incline facing the sea.
“It’s quite impressive,” I said.
“Very ancient. Trecorn is modern in comparison.”
“Could we take a closer look?”
“We could.”
“Let’s go, then.”
“You’ll sacrifice Upbridge if you do, by the way.”
“I’d prefer it.”
“Getting a little tired, I believe.”
“Perhaps,” I admitted. And all the time I was thinking:
This was Simon’s home since he was brought here at the age of five.
We rode on. I could see the house clearly now. It was almost like a castle grey stone with a tower and castellations.
“It looks medieval,” I said.
“Part of it undoubtedly is … but these old places are restored down the ages and sometimes you get something of a mixture.”
“You went there once, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I don’t remember much of it. It had completely slipped my memory until the murder. That brought it back, of course.”
I was hoping that someone would emerge. Perhaps the brother who had survived or the beautiful woman who might have been the cause of it all. I should like to have had a glimpse of her.
Lucas said suddenly: “I am sure the King’s Head is not far off.” And as the winding road took a turn away from the coast he cried: “Ah, there it is. Only it’s not the King’s Head. The right place but the wrong name. It’s The Sailor King. Same monarch but with a different soubriquet. Come on. We’re going to leave the horses in the stables.
They can do with a rest, I dare say. And while they’re refreshing themselves we’ll do the same. If there is time after . though I doubt it . we’ll look in on Upbridge. But you mustn’t be disappointed if we don’t. “
I assured him that I was having a thoroughly enjoyable day and should not be in the least disappointed.
I helped him dismount as unobtrusively as I could, and after seeing that the horses were in good hands we went into the parlour. There was no one else there and it was pleasant to have the room to ourselves.
The host came bustling in.
“Now what shall it be, sir … my lady.
It’s only cold, I’m afraid. But I can promise you some prime beef and ham. And there’s hot lentil soup. “
We said that sounded just what we needed and cider in pewter mugs was brought to us. Then we settled down to the meal.
A maid brought the food, which was excellent, and while we were eating, the host’s wife came over to see that we had all we needed.
She was clearly a garrulous woman who enjoyed chattering to her customers.
She wanted to know how far we had come.
We told her we came from Trecorn Manor.
“Oh, I know it well. A fine old place … not so old as Perrivale, of course.”
“Oh, Perrivale Court,” I said eagerly.
“We passed that. Is it occupied now?”
“Why, bless you, yes. The Perrivales have been there since time was.
Come over with the Conqueror, so they boast, and they liked it so much they’ve stayed ever since. “
“There are a lot like that,” said Lucas.
“They are pleased they got in at the start.”
“Oh, there’s been Perrivales round here forever. There’s only Sir Tristan now, Mr. Cosmo having been …”
“Didn’t I read something in the papers about that?” I said.
“Oh, it was some time ago.”
“That’s right, you did. And at the time people could talk of nothing else. They forget quick, like. People be fickle. You ask ‘em about the Perrivale murder now and some of these young ‘uns … they don’t seem to know anything. I say, it’s history, that’s what it is and people should know it.”
“Some might think you have a morbid mind to absorb and retain such knowledge,” said Lucas.
She looked at him as though she thought he was a little mad and I could see the mischief rising in him so
