The Stanforth Secrets by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online

to mine,” said Chloe, her mood lightened by having released some of her annoyance. “But there have been strange noises in the night. Disturbances to furniture and particularly to the cellars. As the chimney of my room passes down by the storage rooms, I have been awakened sometimes by noises. It isn’t only I who hear them, either. I usually find Grandmama, who is a light sleeper, there ahead of me. Twice the pantries were found in disarray and,” she said forcefully, “I assure you we do not have rats.”
    He looked sharply at her, but his voice was casual as he said, “I didn’t know ghosts were interested in turnips and potatoes.”
    “Nor did I. This one seems mainly interested in apples. Shades of Adam and Eve?”
    “I think I would be more likely to look for a dishonest servant than a spirit,” he suggested. “Are any of the servants new?”
    “No,” said Chloe. Then added, “Well, Matthew, the footman, has not been with us long. Delamere had been without a footman for a while, since Stephen was so rarely in residence and never entertained here. Uncle George hired him. I think Matthew was recommended by George’s old friend, Humphrey Macy. Macy spent a lot of time at Delamere after George inherited. I was very grateful for it. For one thing he has a normal share of sense, and George would listen to him.”
    The road had swung away from the coast, and ran now between hedges. Soon it would pass the driveway to the Hall.
    “And what sort is this Matthew?” said Justin. “Honest?”
    “I think so, or I would have dismissed him. He seems to have settled in here very well, and I have no reason to think he sneaks around the pantries stealing fruit. For one thing, the staff are well fed at Delamere. Now, however,” Chloe added with satisfaction, “it is entirely your problem, thank goodness, and you will do as you think best.”
    She saw his lips twitch with amusement.
    Chloe felt a surprising spurt of satisfaction to have made him smile. He was too solemn for a Dashing Delamere and there were shadows in those warm brown eyes. She remembered the Justin of six years before, bubbling with lighthearted enthusiasm for life, just like Stephen. In the short time before she left to make a new life for herself, it wouldn’t hurt to brighten his spirits.
    Justin swung the curricle between the gates of Delamere Hall and sighed.
    “It must be strange for you,” Chloe said softly, “coming here like this.”
    “Yes it is. I can’t accept yet that Stephen is dead. He was always so full of life. But then I sometimes feel a hundred years old. At least I’ve had this year to accustom myself, though it must have been an awkward time here. Was George’s wife distressed to give birth to a girl?”
    “Belinda is not given to drama but she was disappointed, I think. As mother of the viscount, she could have ruled at Delamere. She thinks little Dorinda gives her a right to live at the Hall, and I suppose she may be correct—Oh dear.”
    The last two words were caused by a figure that had just stepped out from the rhododendrons into the middle of the drive—an elderly lady in the flowing skirts of the last century. Justin reined in his horse and glanced at Chloe.
    “That’s your Aunt Sophronia,” she said quietly. “It must be one of her bad days. Wherever is her companion?”
    Justin looked at the Dowager Lady Stanforth with astonishment, and she glowered at them.
    “What are you doing that is evil?” she asked fiercely.
    “My God,” muttered Justin.
    Chloe leapt down from the carriage. “Oh dear. Why don’t you drive her up to the house?”
    “While you walk?” he said in consternation, and then shrugged. “If you can persuade her up here.”
    The elderly lady greeted Chloe with a sharp, “Hussy!” and made as if to pull away from her hands. Then she recognized her daughter-in-law and her mood changed. She happily allowed herself to be hoisted up into the curricle. Justin looked over her head at