Return to Rhonan Read Free

his dotage. He leaves the running of the estates to me. Maximillian does not stir from his bed until noon, and would gamble the whole estate away if he could.’
    ‘D’you think you can persuade the Earl to spare the farmers? Tis a dreadful business Duncan. Already the sea folk are beginning to starve. Droves of people are being driven to the coast from the other estates.  Now the seas are over fished and the seaweed scarce.’
    ‘I will damn well try. There is a meeting with the other estate owners tomorrow night . Maybe we can find a way to stop the evictions.’
    ‘So who will be present at the meeting?’
    ‘So far, tis the Duke of Glennard, the Marquis de Mendane and Viscount Fletcher.’
    Surely, they can do something to stop this treachery, this misery?’
    ‘ The Duke yes, but the others don’t have the tenants’ rights at heart. Like Max, all they care about are horses, cards, and mistresses. ’  
    ‘I just wish I could attend the meeting – it’s so unjust Duncan.  Women are treated like pets to be fondled and fed.’
    ‘Not you my love, you have claws.’

 
     
     
    CHAPTER 3

AUGUST – 2010
RHONAN NORTH-WEST SCOTLAND
     
     
    Douglas felt his stomach tighten as they neared Rhonan Town.  Six million pounds was serious money but would it cover the cost of renovation?
    Nathan broke through his thoughts.  ‘Cheer up.  You’re Lord of all you survey and a multi-millionaire.’ 
    ‘Yeah, but the Manor’s in a hell of a state.  Pevensey said the surveyors estimate it’s going to cost at least two million to renovate it. Make a good hotel. We’ll have to live in a caravan though.’    
    ‘We?’
    Douglas looked over smiling. ‘Yeah – you and me.  Partners – we share everything. I’m going to draw up papers so that your name is on everything.   What about it?’
    Nathan whooped , throwing a fist in the air.  ‘Yeah – I could kiss you Bro.’
    ‘Don’t – don’t even try.’ 
    Rhonan was a Regency town, with broad streets and wide pavements.  The shops huddled together behind mullioned windows and arched wooden doorways.  Jars of brightly coloured sweets beckoned, alongside the tempting smell of freshly baked bread and pastries.  Wooden mannequins stared with painted eyes beside leather saddles, riding hats and whips.
    ‘There’s the sign over there.’  Nathan pointed to a sign indicating Rhonan Manor was the third turning to the right at the roundabout.
    Douglas swallowed , as he looked up at the entrance to the estate, consisting of three Gothic arches, complete with gargoyles.  The ornate wrought iron gates covered in ivy listed to one side. 
    Rhododendrons hung precariously over the drive, whilst hydrangeas flowered in wild abundance.  Douglas strove to avoid the wreckage, stopping to gaze at the purple splendour of copper beech trees contrasting with the bright yellow of larch.
    Nathan whispered, ‘ L ook over there, the castle.’
    Douglas muttered, ‘Well it’s certainly a ruin.  I can’t see us doing that up for a few years.  But, it will be a good draw.’ He slowed down as they caught sight of the M anor sparkling white, rising from a hill before them.
    Nathan pointed to the lake, ‘ Look there’s the island - must be over forty metres wide. ’  
    Douglas muttered, ’Pevensey was right; it is Palladian style, late eighteenth century. It has a lot of history here.  It will draw people in as well as the castle.’
    ***
    On the first floor of the Manor, dust motes spiralled slowly around the translucent form of a young woman, a few clumps of scarlet hair clinging to a putrefying scalp.  Her hand lifted the ragged edge of the curtain, the light shining through flesh hanging in mouldering strips from delicate bones.
    Douglas’s heart sank , as he saw the crumbling pillared front stone porch, the colonnade of columns lining the terraces and portico, chipped and cracked.   He said, ‘Some of the windows are open to the elements. God knows