Ashes of Roses Read online

  “How far does Lady Carlisle take her obsession with the past?” I questioned. “Have any modern conveniences been added, or taken away? Such as running water, electricity, heat…”

  “She’s not gone as native as all that,” Marge replied. “Not just yet, at any rate! Mercy, just imagine carting water from the spring, and cleaning carpets with nothing but a dust broom. I don’t fancy relying on a bucket toilet, nor emptying privy pots. She’d be left with no help at all, at that rate. Turning to stare at a wall is inconvenient, for certain, but that would break the camel’s back, and no mistake. I do hope you brought you some layers, though. It can get right chilly, in spite of the radiators. It’s those tall ceilings, I suppose, the number of floors, and rooms. A good many of them are closed off most times, it does make a difference, but the whole house is liable to be opened up, on account of the guests. You may find yourself having to control your own climate as best you can, as the temperature’s likely to vary a good bit from floor to floor.”

  “That’s a good point you make,” Miles said. “We’ll keep that in mind.”

  “You might pick up a space heater or two from Asda, there’s a superstore midway through Camden,” Marge considered. “That’d be on your way, though there’s one in Duncreek, as well. I can’t say as how the wiring will respond, some wings being more recently installed than others. If the lights begin to flicker, or go off entirely, you’d do best to give up on it, and add on some blankets, instead. It wouldn’t hurt to have a flashlight on hand, or perhaps a lantern, there’s some very nice LEDs, so long as you’re able to stand the cold long enough to charge one up beforehand. It’s often warmer out than in, you might try opening a window, weather permitting, so long as you’re in a room with windows that open. They don’t all, you know. The butler will be happy to assist as well he can, though you’ll never know it by his expression. He was born for the role, I do believe, and takes it right serious. Stately, he is. My friend Amelia, she’s seen him at the grocery, just as solemn as if he was answering the door, or attending a funeral. She asked him, what did he think of the asparagus, and thought he never would get round to telling her. He’s measured, I do believe he counts to ten before answering, so best to be prepared for it. There’ll be no chumming with that one, no matter if Lady Carlisle is off to the mainland for the day. He’s stately, as I said. If his own wife ever caught him in a smile, I’d be much surprised.”

  “The rest of the staff are more relaxed, though?” I asked. “Or willing to be, when she’s not around.”

  “That’s the way of it, so long as the butler’s not in evidence, either,” Marge replied. “They’re two peas, not sharing the same pod of course, wouldn’t that be a shock, and the rest of us play the part as best we can, when they’re around.”

  “Alright, thank you for all of this,” I said. “We’ve got a whole lot better idea what to expect, than we did.”

  “I’m right glad if I could be of any assistance,” Marge smiled, and looked pleased.

  “More than you realize,” Miles replied, and she looked even more pleased.

  The loudspeaker announced it was time for those of us driving to return to our cars, and we all began gathering our belongings.

  “There’s plenty of room in our vehicle,” Miles told Marge. “If you need a ride to the manor, you’re welcome to join us.”

  “Well now, wouldn’t that be lovely!” she said, and her eyes were bright with enthusiasm. “Tempted as I am to leave my car behind, I will be wanting it again, so I best not. I do look forward to telling Rita who my traveling companions were on the ferry, and that you offered me a lift, at that. It was lovely meeting you both. I do hope you enjoy your stay.”

  “It was great meeting you,” I said, as we walked along with the rest of the passengers. “I hope we see you again, while we’re here.”

  “Well aren’t you the nicest thing,” Marge declared, even more pleased than before, though I wouldn’t have thought it possible if I didn’t see it myself.

  “Well, thank you,” I replied, as we paused by a little car, which I assumed must be hers. “You’re awfully nice, yourself.”

  Marge laughed, and gave me a grandmotherly hug, which I didn’t mind at all.

  “That’s sweet of you to say,” she said, then unlocked her car with a chirp of the key fob in her hand.

  “It was wonderful meeting you, Mrs. Allenby,” Miles smiled. He opened her door, and assisted her in climbing in. “Have a safe trip.”

  “And you do the same,” she beamed.

  Miles closed the door for her, then we continued on to our own conveyance.

  “Oh my goodness, I could listen to her all day!” I declared, and Miles laughed.

  “So could I, though I might have to increase my caffeine intake, to keep up.”

  “I didn’t have any trouble at all,” I said, with tilt of my chin.

  “Your latte addiction has its advantages after all,” Miles smiled.

  “I’m so glad you noticed,” I smiled back. “That’s not the only advantage, of course. Besides the joy I derive from consuming the scrumptious beverage, it gives you something to tease me about.”

  “Yes, it does,” Miles smiled. “I’m glad you see that as a positive.”

  We reached the vehicle. Reg was already there, and opened the door for us. Thanks to the privacy shield, there was a good chance we could speak without being overheard. Thanks to Miles’ soundproof forcefield, we knew we could.

  “I notice you no longer call me Fidget,” I remarked. “Is that because now there really is a Fidget?”

  “That, and Trix said she named her Fidget, so I’d quit. Either it really bothered you, or Trix only thought so. Whatever the case, she believed it did, and that was her solution.”

  “Oh my goodness,” I said in surprise. “I had no idea!”

  “Trix loves you,” Miles replied. “So do I. Did it really upset you, when I did that?”

  “No, I knew you were only teasing. I was sort of teasing back, when I acted like it.”

  “I’m glad to know I didn’t really upset you, and that I know you better than the dog,” Miles said, and I couldn’t help laughing. “I’ll have to forgo teasing you with pet names, in the future. Who knows how many dogs we’d end up with, otherwise.”

  “Oh my goodness! Then again, as adorable as her puppies are, if you forget, I’ll be tempted to act really upset.”

  “Good point,” Miles smiled.

  The Rolls followed the line of vehicles off the ferry, and away from the harbor. We watched with interest as we passed by a variety of buildings and shops. It wasn’t a large town, but as Marge said, it had a superstore.

  “I’m glad Marge spoke to us,” I remarked. “I’m amazed at how much information she imparted.”

  “More than she realized, I’m sure,” Miles replied. “A lot more than we could ever glean from the internet.”

  “I feel better prepared,” I said. “Like now I have an idea what to expect from the people. And how and when not to interact with the staff!”

  “Now we know why they may appear rather antisocial at times,” Miles agreed.

  “I would’ve been really confused if we saw one of the housemaids, and she turned her back on us,” I said. “Is that how things were at the estate, back in the 1800’s?”

  “No,” Miles shook his head. “When passing by any member of the staff—although we did refer to them as servants, at the time—a polite nod was the appropriate acknowledgement on the part of family and guests, and a brief bow or curtsy, on theirs.”

  “I like that much better,” I declared. “But I like it even more, the way we do it now.”

  “I agree, a smile and a friendly greeting is best,” Miles said. “There’ll be no going back, for the House of Bannerman. As for Bannerman Manor… if you look out the window, I believe you’ll soon catch your first glimpse.”

  Chapter 4

  Beyond a natural hedge of low shrubs, a forest of unfamiliar trees grew thick on bo
th sides of the road. I recognized daffodils and hyacinths among the flowers that grew there, but the rest were new to me. The ground rose ahead, but the road did not. It turned to follow the cut in the earth made long ago, judging by the unmarred woods, as it wove to the left, then back to the right. The trees arched overhead, giving the impression of traveling through a live, curving hallway.

  “This would absorb the brunt of the wind from this direction,” Miles commented, as we wended some more. “Significantly.”

  “Do you suppose it was planned this way, for that purpose?” I wondered.

  “That would be my guess,” Miles remarked. “It’s either that, or they encountered a number of boulders that were conveniently offset, and tunneled between them.”

  On our left, the ground continued to rise. On the right, the forest leveled off, then gradually shifted to follow the road’s descent. The vehicle curved to the left again, then right, and suddenly the way ahead opened up before us.

  Our position remained slightly elevated, allowing a broad view of the ancient woods that rose up on all sides, encircling the space that did very much resemble a bowl. Trees, grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants grew with abandon, their only restraint the road down which we traveled. Gradually though, imperceptibly, a metamorphosis began. Order slipped in, taming the undergrowth, adding a meandering path, a bench, stretches of grass, beds of flowers, ornamental trees, fountains, and statues, until at last all that remained, was a gardener’s garden. Not a leaf was out of place, nor a flower missing from its bed. The transformation was so masterfully accomplished, try as I might, I couldn’t locate the point at which it began.

  “How many acres do you suppose it is?” I wondered, as the road continued to spiral toward the broad expanse at the base of the earthen bowl.

  “I’d say six-hundred, maybe seven,” Miles replied.

  “How many gardeners, or landscape guys must they have, to maintain all this?” I wondered. Our own estate entailed no less space, but we cultivated only a small section of it, by comparison.

  “I believe Nate would have to quit Lawncare Extraordinaire’s other clients, and hire the entire town of Cedar Oaks if we were to do the same,” Miles replied. “What’s the population these days, do you remember? Because it’s probably that.”

  As we continued down the road, the garden grew increasingly cultivated. Stone walls, some high and some low, divided the grounds into sections. Grounds, it was, because in the very center rose what could only be Bannerman Manor.

  The afternoon sun warmed the reddish-brown, stone exterior and lit the many windows of the estate. Abundant, sharply pointed gables and many-angled walls lent character and an air of mystery to the large multi-story building, as did the occasional dormer and porthole window. The gargoyles, too…

  “Eew,” I grimaced back. “I can’t say I’m sorry we don’t have any of those!”

  “No kidding,” Miles replied. “I won’t complain if we’re in a room with windows that refuse to open.”

  I laughed, and gave him an indignant glance.

  “If you didn’t have your superpowers, I’d be tempted to take my business to the Camden Inn, after that comment!”

  “I never would’ve said it if I didn’t have my abilities,” he smiled. “Because I know that’s the truth.”

  I laughed again, and felt of his bicep.

  “I’d feel safe even if you didn’t, since I’d be sure and take you with me,” I replied, and Miles laughed as he put his arm around me.

  “Then we’ll keep that in mind, should we discover that accommodations are more primitive than we’re accustomed to.”

  “There are plenty of chimneys,” I noted. “Do you suppose they’re functional?”

  “Marge neglected to say,” Miles replied. “We’ll certainly find out before we try lighting any fires.”

  “Who built it, do you know?” I asked. “Delevan the first, emigrated with his family. Was he a younger son, or how did that work?”

  “The manor was built by the third William Bannerman in the mid-sixteen-hundreds,” Miles answered. “As for the first Delevan, you’re correct. He was a younger son. As was customary, the oldest was the sole heir. Those younger, were expected to strike out and make their own way. Delevan emigrated to North America, and it’s my understanding that it was he who first encouraged his children to branch out to other parts of the family home, rather than out into the world. You’ve noticed, I’m sure, the difference in size between our home, and this. The manor was modified in style numerous times throughout the years, but it wasn’t enlarged to accommodate the families of each child, and their children’s families, and so on. There’s often strength and safety in numbers, so that very well may have been the driving force behind Delevan’s determination to keep his children, and theirs, within the estate’s expanding walls. The area wasn’t considered civilized for quite some time, and there was no guarantee the Apache wouldn’t take exception to their presence there.”

  “Did they?” I wondered.

  “I have no idea,” Miles answered. “I’m only hypothesizing as to Delevan the first’s reasoning.”

  “Well… that does make sense,” I said. “Since Delevan the first relocated before Bannerman Manor was built, we know it’s not the Bannerman ancestral home. So why was it built? And where was the original estate located?”

  “I suspect the manor was intended as a summer house. There were multiple estates, I know that much, but if I was ever aware of their exact location and fate, I don’t recall it. As my great-grandfather spoke of our family as coming from Wales, then it’s a safe assumption that Bannerman Castle is, or was, there.”

  “So the Welsh Bannermans fell on hard times—relatively speaking—and took up permanent residence in the summer house? Or the Carlisles got here early, this year.”

  “It’s too bad Marge didn’t take us up on our offer of a ride,” Miles tsked. “She might be able to tell us. I’m afraid I don’t have the answer, and your guess is as good as mine.”

  As we spoke, the car continued down the spiraling path, until suddenly the road leveled. We were at the bottom of the bowl, and Bannerman Manor loomed ahead, tall and imposing. It appeared much larger now that it was looking down on us, instead of the other way around. The road that curved, meandered, and spiraled, was suddenly ruler-straight. I had a feeling it might be a little intimidating, particularly with all the gargoyles and their hideous expressions aimed at the driveway, but the beauty of the flowers that lined the path neutralized them completely. In the bright sun, surrounded by such a dazzling display of nature in her colorful spring array, the little monsters were left looking silly, and almost childish. In a creepy sort of way.

  A row of trees in full bloom attended us now, their pale pink petals glowing softly, in the rays of the afternoon sun. More flowers bloomed in profusion, but in an orderly fashion. Even the plants themselves seemed to realize there’d be no running wild, in this garden. I recognized daffodils again, and those were definitely hyacinths. I suspected the rest were also bulbs, and determined to learn their names while we were here.

  A low stone wall, and a row of shrubs, set the stage for the topiaries that dotted the grass on each side of us. I caught a glimpse of a unicorn, a knight, a lion, and a dragon, as we passed by. The rest were hidden by the hedge that now looked suspiciously like a maze. It went on for a couple of acres at least, then was abruptly replaced by a carefully manicured lawn. If the gargoyles hadn’t already lost their uneasiness-factor, the gorgeous roses that surrounded the manor would have rendered it completely null and void. Unlike the rigid order evident elsewhere, here the roses were allowed carte blanche. Climbers gently hugged the stone walls, and swayed above the paths. Pink, white, yellow, peach, red, and every other color and combination thereof, mingled freely.

  “I could live, here,” I commented.

  “The rest is a little too orderly, after a while,” Miles understood.

  “A single step, one misaligned blade of grass, an
d the whole thing would be ruined,” I declared. “But I want to go for a walk, anyway.”

  “Okay,” he laughed. “If you’re willing to risk it.”

  “Of course,” I smiled. “I assume you can rearrange blades of grass as easily as you can stop and redirect bullets.”

  “That can be arranged,” he smiled back, and I laughed.

  The driveway curved into a circle, and the vehicle followed, then came to a stop on one side of the double staircase that led to the enormous double front doors. They had to weigh a ton.

  “It’s a good thing you’re here,” I said, as I squeezed his arm again. “Otherwise, we might never get in.”

  “I imagine it’s easier than it looks,” Miles smiled, as he helped me on with my coat, then I helped him with his. There was still a bit of a walk ahead of us, if we intended to reach those doors.

  I gathered up my purse and slipped it over my arm, as Reg got out of the vehicle. He opened our door, and cool air, fresh with the scent of roses, hyacinths, cut grass, and a plethora of other growing things, greeted us. I breathed deeply as Miles stepped out, then offered me his hand, and I joined him. It wasn’t as cold as I expected, but I was still glad I had my coat.

  “Thank you, Reg,” Miles said, because how could we just waltz off, without acknowledging the man?

  Reg responded with a flicker of a smile.

  “‘Twas my pleasure,” he replied. “I shall see to your luggage.”

  We smiled in acknowledgment. If that was enough to get someone fired, the Carlisles would find themselves without help before the day was done. It was kind of involuntary.

  As we followed the broad stone walkway to the stairs, the scent of roses grew, infusing the air with their fragrance. If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine it was May, and we were back at the estate. I could also trip, but there would be no falling flat on my face, not with Miles around.

  “Are you alright?” he asked with concern, as he tucked my hand more firmly in his arm.