Changeling

“Papers?” I said. “But this was my mother’s room.”

“He keeps some papers here … rather special papers. He wanted me to find them and take them to him.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling deflated.

Mrs. Emery looked very relieved.

“You look really scared,” he said. “Did you think I was a ghost?”

Mrs. Emery said: “Mr. Lansdon always wanted the room locked. He was the only one who went in … bar me to clear. I wonder he didn’t say.”

“Oh, he didn’t think it was important. He knew my coming would not excite much curiosity. As a matter of fact I have nearly finished.”

“Did you bring any luggage, Mr. Gerson?” asked Mrs. Emery. “I’ll see about a room …”

“No … please. It is just a day visit … to get the papers and get back with them. They are wanted urgently.”

“Well, I expect you’ll want something to eat before you go back to London.”

“I dropped in at an inn for some ale and a sandwich. I was in rather a hurry.”

“How did you get into the house?”

“The back door was open and as everyone seemed to be out of the way I got on with the business. I knew where to find everything.”

“Well, you’d like something, I daresay. A cup of tea … or that sort of thing?”

“How very good of you, Mrs. Emery; always so thoughtful for our creature comforts. I was saying to Mr. Lansdon what a treasure you are. But I can’t stop. I’m in rather a hurry. I have to get back to London.”

He was putting some papers into a case.

“You found what you wanted?” I asked.

“Oh yes. Everything.”

“So you will be leaving immediately?”

“I regret that I must. Mr. Lansdon can be a very impatient man.”

“Belinda will be disappointed.”

He put his fingers to his lips. “Sh. Not a word to her or I shall be severely castigated when I next see her which I hope will be soon.”

He smiled at me warmly. “Well, much as I regret it, I must be off. Sorry I gave you a bit of a scare.”

“It wouldn’t take me long to brew a cup of tea,” said Mrs. Emery. “The kettle’s on the hob in my room.”

“Mrs. Emery; you are an angel of mercy as well as a treasure, but duty calls.”

He closed the case and we went out of the room. He locked the door and put the key back into his pocket.

“Au revoir,” he said and was gone.

Mrs. Emery said: “Well, I could certainly do with a nice cup of tea after that. You really had me scared, Miss Rebecca.”

“It was a bit hair-raising to hear someone there.”

“I’d say. It was a good thing it wasn’t one of those girls. They would have had hysterics … you can bet your life.”

“I’m glad we found the explanation.”

We went to her room. “What a nice young man he is,” said Mrs. Emery, looking intently at me. “Always a smile and a cheery word. He’s as friendly to the tweeny as he is to the rest of us. And the children just love him.”

“Yes,” I agreed, “particularly Belinda.”

“Poor mite. She looked really seedy when she came back.” She looked at me intently and added: “I think he’s sweet on you.”

There was a little smirk about her lips. I guessed she was thinking he might provide the solution to my troubles.

It was about a week after that incident that Benedict came to Manorleigh. Oliver Gerson came with him.

They had not been in the house more than twenty minutes when the trouble started.

Benedict was in his study and the children at their lessons in the schoolroom. Belinda was very excited because Oliver Gerson was in the house and she guessed that we should all go riding together as we did when he was here.

I was mounting the stairs when I heard angry voices coming from the study. I paused. Then I heard Benedict saying: “Go. Go at once. Get out of this house.”

I stood still, horror creeping over me. For the moment I thought he must be talking to Celeste.

Then I heard Oliver Gerson: “Don’t imagine you can talk like that to me. I know too much.”

“I don’t care what you know. You are finished here. Do you understand? Get out.”

“Look here,” said Oliver Gerson. “You can’t do this, I tell you. Don’t imagine that I shall just go meekly. You can’t afford that, Mr. Benedict Lansdon. I repeat … I know too much.”

“I don’t care what you know. I won’t have you here. You must be mad if you think you can blackmail me.”

“You can’t afford to be so high and mighty. All I ask is what would be expected: after the marriage … partnership. It would be good for you, too. Enable you to be free of the whole unsavory business. It’s not good for your political image, you know. You won’t want certain things known. The Devil’s Crown, eh? What goes on … Mr. Benedict Lansdon, the owner of the most disreputable club in Town. Come, come, be reasonable.”

“I would not allow my stepdaughter to marry you, no matter what you threatened to do.”

I could not have moved then if I had wanted to. They were talking about me. I tried to calm myself. It was vital that I understand what this was all about.

“And …” went on my stepfather, “if Rebecca knew what you are you wouldn’t have the ghost of a chance with her.”

“She knows me well enough.”

“But you admit you have spoken to her.”