Voices in a Haunted Room

Millicent was smiling, well pleased. Glad to be rid of us, I was sure; and the rest of us dismounted and went into the house.

Evalina Trent came into the hall to greet us.

“Well, this is a nice surprise.”

I introduced Harry and Mrs. Trent almost fawned upon him.

“Oh yes ... what a nice surprise,” she repeated. “Come along in. We’ll all wish each other a merry Christmas.”

So we sat in the little intimate parlour which led from the hall and we drank the wine while we chatted amiably about nothing. Harry had seated himself next to Evie and was talking animatedly to her. Mrs. Trent’s eyes scarcely left them. She was very impressed by Harry.

“I know of Farringdon Hall,” she said. “A fine old place. I said to myself when I rode by in the carriage ... that was when my son Richard was alive ... I said, ‘Richard, that’s a fine place, that is, and one of the best estates roundabouts.’ “

Harry said he thought so too but perhaps he was prejudiced.

“Oh, you don’t have to be. You’ve got it all.... You and your father before you, and his father before him have made the place what it is. We do our best here at Grasslands, but my husband died ...” She sighed. “That was my second.... My first ... Andrew ... God bless him ... passed away years ago.”

I glanced at David, suggesting with my look that we curtail this visit as quickly as we could. I was faintly irritated with Harry for forcing it on us, and I was wondering all the time what Jonathan was saying to Millicent on their way back.

Harry was still talking attentively to Evie. I heard him say: “Shall you be at Eversleigh tomorrow?”

“Oh yes, we’re invited.”

”I’m glad,” said Harry. “So glad.”

At last we were able to escape. I gasped with relief as we came out to the road.

Mrs. Trent, with a grand-daughter on either side of her, had waved us goodbye, or au revoir as she insisted on saying.

It was Harry who had excited her. His interest in Evie had been blatant.

When I was alone with David in our bedroom, I commented on it. “I think Mrs. Trent is getting ideas. Of course Harry is a very good match. I am sure she is already making plans to bring Evie and him together.”

“You can’t blame her. She’s got those two girls and I should imagine there is not a great deal she can do for them at Grasslands.”

“I have an idea that Evalina Trent will always try to get the best of all that comes her way.”

“Well, my love, isn’t that what we all try to do?”

“David,” I said, “you are a very nice man.”

“Oh, have you just discovered it?”

“I’ve always known it, but sometimes it strikes me more forcibly than others. You always see the best in people. I don’t believe you would see evil if it were right under your nose.”

“I expect I’d smell it out,” he said.

I threw myself at him and held him tightly. I was saying to myself: I must never hurt him. I must never again be alone with Jonathan ... David must never know ...

It would hurt him too much.

I prayed then-a strange thing to do with all my sins upon me. I prayed for the strength I should need to live with this evil I had created.

When I returned to the house I found my mother busy in her private sanctum. She called to me.

“The carol singers will be round in the evening,” she said. “We shall have to bring them in and give them hot punch and cakes. That will be enough for tonight and we’ll hope to retire early in readiness for tomorrow. We shall eat in the hall tomorrow of course and while things are being cleared away for the dancing, I thought we’d have a treasure hunt. That always goes down well and the house lends itself to it so admirably. Another thing, there’ll be a moon and therefore enough light for them to see where they are going when they prowl about the house. I never liked lighted candles all over the place.”

I said: “That’s a good idea, Maman. Do you want me to help you with the clues?”

”No, Dickon and I will do them. If you help you won’t be able to join in.”

I said: “We went to Grasslands.”

“Oh, did you?”

“We couldn’t get out of it. It was Harry Farringdon’s fault He wanted to go after he had seen Evie.”

My mother laughed. “So he took a fancy to her.”

“It was rather obvious. Mrs. Trent was very pleased.”

“Oh dear, I hope she wasn’t too obvious.”

“She always is ... rather.”

“Poor old Evalina Trent! My mother disliked her intensely. I think something happened in the past. I have a feeling that she could be rather a dangerous woman.”

“I feel that too. However, she does care for those grand-daughters.”

“It’s poor little Dolly I’m sorry for.”

“Evie seems fond of her, and of course the poor girl dotes on Evie.”

“It’s sad to be born like that. Let’s hope something comes of Harry’s interest.”

“What would John and Gwen Farringdon think of the Grasslands family? Dickon said Harry was a very good match.”

“They’d look higher than Mrs. Trent’s grand-daughter, but if Harry wanted it ...

Well, I reckon he’s a young man who would have his way. But aren’t we being a little premature?”

We laughed. “It’s a good thing no one can hear us,” I said. “Anyway,, I hope things work out well for Evie.”