House of Secrets Read online

  ‘And you thought you’d save me?’ She smiled. ‘Thank you.’

  Bandit looked down at the floor. ‘You’ve got changed.’

  Madeleine smiled again. ‘I did. I needed to check on Poppy and Jess. They’re both fast asleep, so I slipped into these and came back down to see you.’

  Madeleine blushed. She’d liked the way he’d protected her and found his new chiselled look appealing. She’d also observed during the past week how he’d supported other members of staff, helped them with their work as well as doing his own. He had an admirable kindness and had even taken over the duty of walking Buddy through the grounds and in the woods, ensuring all her time could be spent not only looking after Poppy, but running a hotel that she knew nothing about.

  ‘Would you like a drink?’ she asked as she walked to the bar. ‘I think we deserve one.’

  Bandit nodded. ‘Why not? I’ve got a morning off tomorrow. Chef doesn’t need any fresh game, you know, with the lack of guests. So I’ll get a lay in, for once.’ He paused, looked towards the inglenook and then shyly continued, ‘Shall I throw another log on the fire? We could sit for a while.’

  ‘I’d like that.’ It had been a long time since anyone had fought for her honour. It had amused her and had made her feel quite special that Bandit had made the assumption that she needed protecting. She looked over to the fire, where he stood. He was currently in the process of lifting away the fireguard and throwing a fresh log on top of the already glowing embers. It was probably a log which he’d cut, from a tree which he’d felled, from the gardens which he tended. It seemed only fitting that, for once, he should sit in front of the fire and enjoy the fruits of his labour.

  ‘Is wine okay?’ she shouted through from the bar. ‘What do you drink? Red or white?’

  ‘Red would be good.’

  ‘Good.’ She smiled. ‘Same as me.’ She picked up a bottle, along with two fresh glasses, and made her way into the parlour to stand beside him.

  ‘Shall we?’ He indicated the settee and sat down with a satisfied thud. Madeleine looked between the two settees before sitting down opposite him. She placed the glasses down on the table between them and listened to the glug, glug, glug as the wine was poured into the glass.

  ‘Do you mind?’ he said touching his beret which he still wore, ‘It’s been a long day.’

  ‘No, of course, please take it off. Even though I must say it does suit you.’

  For a while, they both sat silently, sipping the wine. The candles that surrounded the room flickered and the flames which danced haphazardly in the fireplace glowed with warmth that surrounded the room. There was a peaceful calm to the house, a stillness not often felt in the hub of a busy hotel and it occurred to Madeleine that they were both comfortable enough in each other’s company to sit without trying to make conversation. She reached over and switched off the small table lamp that stood beside her, allowing the tawny ambience of the firelight to take over the room.

  Bandit stood up, walked to the fire and threw another log into the embers. Then he turned back to the table, poured more wine into each of the empty glasses and then consciously sat back down on the settee beside Madeleine.

  ‘Are you okay?’ he asked as he picked up the glass and passed it to her. The ruby red liquid swirled around the crystal, sparkling in the light from the fire.

  ‘I guess I will be,’ she whispered. ‘I still can’t believe he’s gone. That he’d, you know, do that.’

  ‘It seems very out of character for him. I’ve known him for a while and I wouldn’t have thought it would be something he’d do. None of it really makes sense. Will there be an inquest?’

  Madeleine nodded and looked up into his eyes. ‘As you say, it doesn’t make sense. Just a couple of days before he said we had plenty of time to get to know each other. He was making plans and had promised that we’d take a holiday, him, Poppy and I.’ She paused, overcome with the enormity of her loss. ‘We were going to do so many things. But we didn’t get the chance and now I really wish we had.’ Tears sprang to her eyes and she fought to keep them under control.

  ‘Hey, come here.’ His voice was shaking as he held out his arms for a hug, making Madeleine wonder if he needed the hug as much as she did and her mind cast back to the morning he’d held onto Poppy’s hug as though his life had depended upon its existence. After all, he’d known her father for a long time and it was obvious that he must be grieving too.

  Curling up under his arm, she felt his arms entwine around her. His hold was warm, welcoming and for the first time since her father’s death she felt content, safe and protected.

  ‘I can’t believe that he left everything to me but his solicitor told me that he had changed his will to make me the sole beneficiary after Josie died. I don’t know why but I never expected that. I have so many questions to ask him, about his life and running the hotel. So much I need to know, and now it’s too late.’

  ‘It’s never too late. There are always ways for you to get the answers. Jack’s been his right hand man for years, I’m sure he’d be happy to guide you.’

  ‘Actually, that’s what Liam thought he’d do, guide me. He really believed that he could walk in here, take over the running of the hotel and I’d automatically fall into his arms.’

  ‘Would you?’

  ‘Not a chance. I hate him so much. He was horrid and cruel. He changed the moment that Poppy and I moved in, like Jekyll and Hyde. One minute he’d be lovely, the nicest person ever and then he’d turn and become the nastiest man in the world. He shouted at Poppy when she needed me, wouldn’t allow her to play with his old Lego and I had to be careful with every single thing she touched in the house. It was as though he hated anyone being close to me, except for him. But then he cheated on me,’ she paused and choked back the tears. ‘I couldn’t believe it and it was the final straw. I actually caught him, you know, in the act with a woman in the hallway of our house. I couldn’t forgive him, not after that.’

  She looked up; her eyes locked onto his for just a moment before looking back down at the table where her wine now stood.

  He pulled her close. His eyes, black and shining had locked firmly upon hers, his lips pursed as a rush of excitement ran through her body. His hand gently lifted to stroke her cheek, then hesitated and dropped back down to his knee.

  Simultaneously, they both sat forward and picked up their wine.

  ‘I’d better check on Poppy,’ she finally said, draining the last of the wine from her glass before heading towards the stairs.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  April 1st, 1942

  I have the most exciting news. I cannot tell anyone, not yet. This morning Eddie declared his love for me. It was the most perfect day. The summer is almost with us, the sun was shining, leaves were forming on the trees and a hundred birds were singing the most delightful tunes. We were strolling down by the lake, watching a squirrel that scurried around collecting nuts and burying them in the ground. We’d laughed at his antics, knowing that he’ll most probably come back in the winter and dig them back up, when, out of nowhere, Eddie dropped down on one knee. He looked almost childlike with nerves as he held out a ring box and proposed. He said the most beautifully practised words; words that I’ll never forget and words that he must have thought about for weeks. This is what he said:

  ‘My darling, Emily. If I counted every grain of sand on the beach and multiplied them by every fish that swims in the sea, you’d have some idea of how very much I love you. It would be impossible to count, which only goes to show that there would be no number on earth that could quantify my love.’

  He then opened a ring box, which held his grandmother’s antique engagement ring, which he took out and placed on my finger. I’m not sure that it’s gold, but it is so very pretty with a dark blue stone. I’m in so much shock that I look at it almost once every minute, to make sure I didn’t dream the proposal.

  Eddie then stood up and kissed me so very gently. I felt warm inside and
felt a trembling that began in my stomach, before it travelled up through my body. It was a feeling that I’ve never felt so intensely before and I’m positive that it’s a feeling I’d like to have again.

  I wish I could tell Mary what happened, but she hates men and since she’s stopped seeing Benjamin she refuses to believe that anyone else can be happy. I’m sure it makes her happy to be miserable, to moan all day and to be cruel to the male servants.

  I’ve now gone to hide in my room while Eddie asks my father’s permission.

  I hear the dinner bell ring. We always have pheasant on a Wednesday and I normally look forward to it. But, until I know if Eddie has spoken to Father, I doubt I will be able to eat. My stomach is turning with nerves. In fact, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do anything until Father indicates his decision.

  ‘Why the hell is Liam O’Grady eating breakfast in the dining room?’ Madeleine shrieked as she bounced into reception where Jack was organising the staff rota for the next week as guests were due to start arriving at the hall later that day.

  ‘He’s a paying guest, miss. He’s entitled to breakfast, isn’t he?’ He looked confused and began straightening his tie.

  Madeleine closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and mentally punched the air.

  ‘I’m sorry. Do you know him? Is he a problem?’ Jack asked as he picked up a stapler from the desk and clipped two pieces of paper together.

  Madeleine raised her eyebrows. ‘He’s the man I left when I came to live here.’

  ‘Ah, I see. I didn’t know.’ Jack put the paper down, walked over to the computer and tapped on the keyboard.

  ‘It says here that he asked for a room at the back of the house, specifically asked for room nineteen, above the kitchen?’ He shrugged as Madeleine walked over to the computer and looked over his shoulder. ‘Maybe he likes to hear Nomsa sing.’

  ‘He’s up to something. The hotel’s practically empty. Why on earth would he specially request that room?’ Madeleine sighed. ‘When did he check in?’

  Jack once again referred to the computer. ‘It must have been between nine and half past last night. Hannah would have been on a break, and it looks like one of the bar staff checked him in. He’s paid for two nights.’

  Between nine and half past would have been the time when she and Bandit had been sitting in the great hall. He’d have walked straight past them on his way up the main staircase, heard what they’d said or maybe witnessed the hug. She mentally kicked herself for not having heard his voice, for not realising that he was there, listening, snooping and watching.

  Madeleine hadn’t yet told Jess about the hug with Bandit. She didn’t want to think of it as something that it wasn’t. They’d both had an emotional day and who knows what Bandit would think today.

  The night before, Madeleine had crept up the stairs, one step at a time, choosing the right part of the step to stand on to make minimal noise and it reminded her of the many late nights she’d sneaked in as a teenager, risking the wrath of Mother, who would lecture her for hours if she thought Maddie had been out late with Michael. But the night before had been different and the last thing she needed after one hug was getting the third degree from Jess. She’d have pummelled her for information to the very last detail which after the day she’d had would have been the last thing she needed.

  She looked up at the wood panelling that surrounded the entrance, wishing her father was here to ask his advice. He’d have known what to do about Liam, how to manage the situation without causing a scene. But, in his absence, she needed to think quickly. Jack had said that he’d paid up front and what’s more he didn’t appear to be doing anything wrong. She could hardly throw him out for sitting nicely and eating his breakfast and she was sure that Liam would know that.

  Picking up the phone, she buzzed her room. ‘Jess, when you come down to breakfast, avoid the public rooms for me, will you? In fact, why don’t you take Poppy out for the day?’

  ‘Sure will, Maddie. Anything wrong?’

  ‘It’s Liam, he’s checked in as a guest. He’s staying here, Jess, room nineteen and I really don’t want Poppy running into him.’

  ‘Yeah, sure. But look, Maddie, I could do with going home.’

  Madeleine panicked. ‘Jess, you can’t leave. Please, I need you here.’

  ‘Hey, let me finish. I’m not leaving. I could do with going home to get some things, that’s all. I did kind of drop everything when you called and I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but most everything I’ve worn for the past week has come from your wardrobe. All I was thinking was that Poppy and I might go and camp at my flat for the night. It’d be fun. We could take Buddy with us.’

  Sighing with relief, Maddie agreed. ‘Okay, okay, don’t have too much fun without me, and Jess, launder my clothes.’ She laughed as she placed the phone back in its cradle and walked through the back of reception and into the kitchen.

  ‘Now then, young lady, what can I be getting you for breakfast?’ Nomsa’s voice rang out as Jack appeared in the kitchen and washed his hands.

  Madeleine shook her head. ‘I’m not hungry, Nomsa, but thank you. Can I just have a mug of tea?’

  Madeleine made her way to the door that separated the kitchen and the dining room. She peeped between the two. There were only two tables occupied at the moment. She recognised a woman who’d been at the funeral: tall, thin and blonde. She definitely didn’t look like she came from the Pocklington side of the family and Madeleine felt embarrassed for not knowing if or how she was related.

  The woman looked down at the boiled egg and toast that had been placed on the table in front of her.

  ‘Waiter, excuse me.’ She called out while clicking her fingers in the air. ‘Could you take the top off my egg for me? There’s a dear.’

  Jack politely walked across to her table, his clean white serviette hung over his arm. ‘Of course, Mrs Stone,’ he said politely, picking up a knife from her table and removing the top from the boiled egg. ‘Is there anything else I can do for you, madam?’

  She shook her head and smirked, before cutting her toast and dipping it into the yolk that much to her disgust overflowed onto the plate.

  In the other corner of the room, next to the window, sat Liam O’Grady. He was reading a newspaper, sipping at his tea and occasionally glancing out at the gardens through the huge bay window, which stood to his side. Jack walked over to his table and removed his empty plate and toast rack.

  ‘Can I get you anything else, sir?’ Jack asked.

  ‘Another pot of tea would be good and I’ll have some more toast, if it isn’t too much trouble for ya, son?’

  Madeleine could hear his dull Irish accent as she stood hiding. She needed to speak to him, find out what he was up to and, if at all possible, force him to leave.

  She stood and waited patiently, until, after what seemed an eternity, the woman with the soft boiled egg managed to slurp the last of her tea, stood up and left the room.

  Madeleine took in a deep breath and walked over to the table where Liam sat, still reading his newspaper with a twisted smirk on his face. She knew this conversation was going to be awkward, knew he wouldn’t go quietly, and knew she had to be assertive, but the last thing she needed in the middle of the dining room was a first class showdown. She sat down opposite him.

  ‘What the hell are you up to?’ she whispered as she pulled the paper down from in front of his face. ‘You were asked to leave.’

  He looked amused, folded his newspaper and placed it carefully on the table. ‘Up to? I’m not up to anything, Maddie, darlin’,’ he said, with a genuine look of hurt at the suggestion.

  ‘So why the hell are you here?’

  He seemed to think for a moment. ‘Well, last night your guard dog put me in a taxi and I asked the driver to take me to a hotel. He brought me here, and, as far as I’m aware, he was absolutely right. This is a hotel.’

  ‘Don’t be bloody smart, Liam. You could have gone to any of a hundred hotels in Scarborou
gh, so why here?’

  ‘Well, I kind of like the place, especially after the amazing hospitality I received here yesterday.’

  ‘Don’t be clever, Liam. It really doesn’t suit you.’

  ‘Then don’t ask stupid questions, Maddie darlin’.’

  ‘I’ve told you before, don’t call me darling. You have no right.’

  A couple walked into the dining room and waited to be seated, and Jack discreetly steered them across to a table in the opposite corner of the room. He looked over at Madeleine who nodded in approval before turning back to where Liam sat.

  Liam was aware that the dining room wasn’t so big that the couple wouldn’t hear their exchange and leaned closer to Madeleine as he spoke. ‘Look, Maddie. We need to call a truce.’

  ‘And why the hell would I want to do that?’ Her nose was almost touching his as she stared into his eyes. She broke away, glanced back towards the couple and then back to Liam who had grabbed her hand and pulled it down onto his knee, making her lean closer to him as he spoke.

  ‘Because you really don’t want to know what I’m capable of if you don’t.’

  ‘Get off me,’ she growled under her breath. The last thing she wanted was for the other guests to be disturbed and again she checked over her shoulder to ensure they hadn’t heard.

  ‘Maddie, face it. You need me. A hotel like this needs me, it needs a master who will care about it and nurture it. You need to be cared for. You need someone to look after you.’

  ‘And you’d be applying for that job, would you, Liam?’ Madeleine threw her head back and laughed.

  ‘Unless you have someone else in mind?’ he said with a sneer. ‘After all, you know it makes sense, Maddie.’

  ‘It makes sense, over my dead body.’

  ‘Maybe that could be arranged. So many things can go wrong in a house of this size. Electrics, water, God forbid there could be a fire with all those guests sleeping in their beds. Just think of the tragedy.’