The shocked expression on May-Jewel’s face made Katherine feel foolish. What was she thinking? She shook her head. “Of course not. I’m sorry.” She took her sister’s hand in apology and felt better as May-Jewel smiled at her.
Suddenly, in the distance, Katherine saw a rider racing along the lower road which ran past Wistmere. The rider sat forward in the saddle, his hands held the reins high as the horse moved with urgency. She watched until he became lost in the trees. For a moment, she thought it was Garth and wondered where he might be going. Then she quickly caught herself and, in her anger, knew that she shouldn’t care.
* * *
The women moved into the garden. The patterned walk was made narrow by avaricious hedges leaning unchallenged over the stones. Wild shafts of pale green, intermingling with dried stems and blighted blossoms, struggled to reach the fading sun. The two sisters made their way to the garden’s hub where the wind-blasted gazebo stood.
May-Jewel’s face brightened momentarily. “Could it have been Selina that closed the door to the crypt?”
An instinctive grimace captured Katherine’s thin face. “That’s very possible. There are so many things that need answering and until we find those answers, let’s not mention anything to Alex about Garth or what happened in the cemetery. Agreed?”
May-Jewel agreed and sat on the shaded side of the structure. “There may be a few answers yet to be had from that old servant. We didn’t ask him about the wine cellar, and he was most evasive when you mentioned Selina’s name.”
The buzzing of an airborne insect drew Katherine’s attention to the gazebo’s under-roof. Sun-waves shimmered over the blue stained boards until they looked like moving water. She relaxed in the warmth of the moment before she replied.
“Why do you always think Charles knows what’s going on? He’s just an old man. He told us everything that he remembered.” But she knew her defense of Charles was weak at best, and she was perturbed by her own disloyal doubts. She, too, felt he knew more than what he was telling. “Still, I suppose you’re right,” she admitted. “There would be no harm in questioning him again.”
“Questioning whom about what?”
The women turned at the sound of Alex’s voice coming from behind the gazebo. How long has he been there, Katherine wondered, and how could he have drawn so close without us hearing him?
“Good afternoon, ladies.” His eyes focused on May-Jewel. “What brings you two to this weed filled oasis?”
May-Jewel couldn’t stop her heartbeat that quickened and the quiver that came over her upon Alex’s sudden presence. She stood blushing under his intensive stare and was at a loss for words.
Irritated by her sister’s school-girl reaction, Katherine replied, “We’re just talking.”
Alex raised his eyebrows in question. “Oh, about what?” He moved around and entered the gazebo.
Katherine couldn’t bare Alex knowing anything that they did or thought and, for that reason alone, she blurted, “Nothing important. May-Jewel lost her brooch, and we’re just searching for it.”
“Oh, so this isn’t the first time you’ve been out back here?”
The look in his eyes was a direct challenge. One that Katherine couldn’t fail to notice. “Not at all,” she calmly replied. “We were strolling about earlier this morning. The brooch came unclasped then. It has to be here somewhere.” She looked at his chiseled smile. Had Alex come upon them innocently or had he been spying on them, she wondered.
“The brooch was a gift from my mother,” May-Jewel added quickly, giving Katherine’s lie validity.
“Ah, yes,” Alex replied, “your mother. A charming woman…” He stopped mid-sentence and then nervously turned from the women as if to gaze at the garden.
Perplexed, May-Jewel and Katherine exchanged glances. “How would you…” May-Jewel started.
“Charming indeed,” Alex hastily continued, turning back to her, “to have given her daughter a gift she would treasure, something she was afraid to lose.” He took her hand in his. “And to have given the world such a beautiful jewel!”
A weak smile brushed May-Jewel’s lips. “Yes, she was charming,” she said softly, but noting her sister’s disgusted expression, she slid her hand free from his. She was unable to figure out just how she felt about Alex at that moment. His speaking of her mother with such familiarity seemed an invasion of the privacy she held in her heart. He sounded as if he had known her. For a moment, an uncomfortable silence fell over the three.
Alex finally broke the quiet by addressing Katherine. “Well, little governess, how did you sleep after your adventure?”
Katherine, turning her face into the fading rays of the sun, coolly replied, “I’m not your ‘little governess’ and I slept very well, thank you just the same.”
Ignoring her coldness, he sought to trifle with her again and asked, “And have you witnessed any more mysterious apparitions or fires?”
In light of what had taken place in the vault, May-Jewel instantly rebuked him. “Alex! How can you be so insensitive?”
Katherine sternly faced him. “Where have you been for the last two hours?”
Taken back by both their reactions, Alex’s smile disappeared, and he became defensive. “Where have I been? Why do you want to know?”
Katherine took an unwavering stance. “It’s a civil enough question, one which you should have no qualms about answering.”
“Well… why not,” he relented. “If you must know, I was in Aberfrome, looking into buying some cattle. There were some Aberdeen Angus’ for sale. If we purchased some, they would eventually increase the estate’s finances.” Turning his gaze to May-Jewel, he grinned, adding, “Servants cost money, you know.” He hoped she would understand his intentions.
Not wanting to talk to Alex any more, Katherine rose to leave the gazebo. She whispered to her sister, “Keep our agreement in mind.” Approaching the manor, she knew Alex’s
