Page 5 of The Fae Girl 1

“She was beautiful. Beautiful, and graceful and everything you’d imagine the lady of a great house to be. She walked into a room and it was like everything stopped. Everyone stopped. You couldn’t help but look at Rebecca.”

I smiled at the image. I definitely didn’t take after my aunt then because when I walked into a room everyone only looked at me because I’d caused some kind of accident or embarrassment.

Clumsyfoot. That was one of the names they taunted me with at school. One of the nicer names truth be told.

“Your mum was the same in her own way.” Bates added.

My stomach flipped at her words. “You knew my mother?”

“Yes for a time. She was more flighty than your aunt. Sorry to say. She was always on some adventure. Then she met your father and most of the family didn’t approve.”

“Oh.” I’d guessed that part from the way I’d been locked away. Clearly there was some family issue there.

“They got into a big fight about it, your father and your uncle. Then your parents left, eloped, and nobody heard from them until the accident.”

I nodded. I knew about the crash from my own research. From newspaper clippings I’d found online. “Is that why they left me at that school?” I asked.

“What school? Oh no, not long after your parents died your aunt disappeared and then everything changed.”

“For my uncle you mean?”

“Yes. He was never the same after. She vanished and there were some pretty nasty rumours circulating that he was behind it. Of course it’s nonsense.” She added clearly seeing the look on my face. “He couldn’t have hurt a fly and besides he loved your aunt and had no reason to hurt her. No, he was devastated when she went. Devastated. And he never really got over it. He shut up most of the house. Let the servants go. Just kept me and Sebastian on and I think really that was mostly out of guilt. He would’ve sold the house if he could but it was all tied in trust to you.”

I let out a low sigh.

It was the first time I’d heard from someone who’d actually known my family, had met them, and could tell me what they were like. Half of me didn’t want Bates to stop talking, even if she just rabbited on about inconsequential things. I wanted to know everything I could. Every last detail. Every last fleeting moment of their lives.

But clearly Bates had other ideas. Or at least seemed reluctant to dredge up the past because she was quickly changing the subject.

“And so, what do you have planned for today?” She asked pouring another tea into the mugs.

“I was thinking of wandering round the grounds. It’s a nice day so I thought I’d make the most of it.”

“That sounds like a lovely idea. I can grab you an old map if it help?.”

“That would be brilliant.” I replied. “There’s so much to explore I’m a little worried I might get lost.”

“Oh you won’t get lost.” Bates said waving her hand dismissively at the idea. “But there are acres and acres of land around the estate. If I were you I’d just follow the lake around, there’s a little stream off there and it makes a lovely walk through the lower meadows. Do you have any wellies?”

“Wellies?”

“It’s all a bit marshy down the bottom, the drainage needs sorting really. I’ll grab you a pair from the boot room that you can have. Save your feet getting wet and your shoes getting ruined.”

“Thanks.” I grinned. Hoping that a few hours of fresh air might clear the last vestiges of my nightmare from my head.

* * *

“And you’re all set.”Bates said smiling as she appraised me.

“Thanks these are great.” I said standing up feeling out my newly acquired wellies. I’d never needed a pair of wellies before but I certainly wasn’t complaining. I pulled on my backpack filled with treats that Bates had insisted I take with me and made for the door.

Bates didn’t linger.

As soon as I was out I heard her walking away, no doubt off to continue whatever tasks she had.

I headed down the main path, through the ornamental garden. While the sight was breath-taking it was hard not to notice all the repairs and love that would be needed to fully restore it. Bits of brickwork that needed fixing. Bits of metal rusted beyond repair. I didn’t even know if I had the money to do it. I had a meeting with the executors next week to go through the finer details of the trust so I guess I’d find out then.

As I looked ahead I could see the forest looming. It was too far left of the lakes to be on the route Bate’s suggested. But as I got steadily nearer I could feel it, taste it almost, the scent of pine trees, the mossy, earthy ground, even the feel of the very bark on the branches.

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