Silent Deception Read Free Page B

laced hem and soft layers. A hint of sadness in those deep blue eyes evoked her sympathy. Was this Henrietta Walker? The lady who had vanished; supposedly pushed over the cliffs by her husband? Minnie stepped closer but found no inscription. No name, not even of the artist. Yet, this vibrant canvas was of a high quality. How unusual.
    Shaking her head, she shrugged off her suspicions. If this was indeed Henrietta, she’d later say a prayer and light a candle for her soul. But first, Minnie had to make this room habitable. Once the whole house was sparkling and as new, she could unravel the past.
    “ The study...”
    “Pardon?” Minnie turned sharply, but the room was empty. “Mr. Drake?” Her whisper went unanswered. Silence but for the wind whooshing through the open windows. A shiver ran down her spine. She shrugged it off. Most likely, her mind was overwrought, tired from the long journey and the excitement.
    With renewed effort, Minnie stripped the bed and, plumping the pillows one by one, laid them onto one window ledge for airing. The blanket went across the other. The fresh breeze would soon take away the smells.
    She dumped the pile of threadbare linens in a corner. Later, once Mr. Drake was gone, she’d drag the lot downstairs. Certainly, a village such as this had laundry women?
    “Talking of Mr. Drake, where is the man?” Voicing her thoughts out loud soothed her nerves. She went to the stairs. The house was quiet. At the bottom, she spotted her portmanteau. “Ahh, wonderful.” Picking up her skirts, she hurried downstairs. In her eagerness to open her trunk, she had to fiddle with the straps, but she finally managed to shove the lid off with a thump.
    “Oh, there you are.”
    Minnie shrieked, and turned quickly. She hadn’t heard him coming in. “You gave me a right fright, Mr. Drake. Oh…” Her gaze met the pile of linens he carried. “You found some. Wonderful.”
    He nodded. “Aye, there are linen cupboards. The blankets at the top are useless, but wrapped beneath them I discovered bed linens, table covers, throws.” He grinned. “Someone was keen to preserve this stuff.”
    Minnie clapped her hands in delight and took several off him. Her hands slid over the soft fabric. “These are wonderful. I hope they fit.”
    “One way to find out.” He winked and strode up the stairs.
    Minnie darted after him, her skirts hitched up. “Wait!” Her breath came in short bursts as she rushed after him.
    But he’d already disappeared into the corridor. Oh, how unseemly. He couldn’t possibly help her make a bed.
    A bed!
    “Mr. Drake, you can’t…” She caught up with him in her bedroom where he’d dumped the linens on the mattress. “I mean, I’ll take over from here, thank you.” Unable to look at the bed, she concentrated on shaking out the pillows.
    “As you wish, Miss Goodridge. It is likely a wise idea.”
    Minnie blushed at his knowing smile. “Thank you,” she said, “although of course I’m most grateful for what you’ve done.”
    “My pleasure.” He raised an eyebrow. “Can you ride?”
    “I’m sorry?” The heat in her cheeks deepened. With great care, she placed the pillow on the chaise longue and linked her hands, lest she betray their shaking.
    Mr. Drake’s grin widened. “A horse.”
    “Ahh,” she said, relieved, her voice not entirely steady. “Yes, I learnt to ride. Why?”
    “Well, how would you like to travel about the countryside? Walk?”
    Oh dear. She’d never given this a thought. How indeed would she make her way to Trekellis? “Erm, no. By horse. Would you know where I could purchase one?”
    “Aye.” He nodded, his lips still quirking. “Why don’t I make some arrangements over night and return with a horse for you in the morning?”
    Relief flooded through her. “That would be very kind, but I don’t want to trouble you too much.”
    “’Tis no trouble at all. I’ll also make some enquiries about help for the house. It’s not wise to live