Page 116 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Arthur, what a lovely thing to say.’ I’m moved by his kind words.
‘And I wasn’t going to let anyone change that,’ Arthur continues. ‘This castle is everything to me. It’s been my whole life. So I knew that diary definitely had to be kept from you, in case, as I feared, you decided to try to trace the missing heir. I was just working out where I was going to re-hide it when I discovered you all down in the cellar, and by then it was too late.’
‘And that’s why you were so cross? Because you didn’t want me to find the diary in case it meant we had to leave?’
Arthur nods. ‘I like having you around, Amelia; we all do. I don’t know if Dorothy has ever mentioned this, but God never blessed us with our own children, so having little Charlie around is like having our own grandson to look after. We both think the world of him.’
‘And he thinks the same of you,’ I tell an emotional Arthur. ‘I’m so grateful, Arthur, I really am, that you would want to protect me from this.’ I take his surprisingly large hand in mine. ‘But I’m glad we found that diary. It’s always good to know the truth about everything, and this way at least I’m prepared.’
‘Prepared for what?’ Arthur asks, looking worried again.
‘Prepared in case I ever do discover who the missing heir is. I know most of you don’t want me to look for them, and I’m touched you all feel this way – honestly I am. I didn’t think Charlie and I would ever have had this much of an effect on Chesterford. But the problem is Iknowthe heir is here at the castle, Arthur, and if they are I have to find them.’
Arthur sighs. ‘I won’t try to stop you; your mind is obviously made up.’
I nod. ‘I must at least try to do the right thing, Arthur. I couldn’t live with myself if I hadn’t at least done that.’
Arthur nods. ‘Can we help you at all? Dorothy and I? We’ve been here at Chesterford the longest.’
‘That would be wonderful if you could. The thing is I don’t have all that much to go on. It’s more than likely that the person who might be the heir doesn’t actually know they are. If they do, why wouldn’t they have said anything before?’
‘Not everyone would want to do what you’re doing,’ Arthur says pragmatically. ‘Some people like a quiet life, don’t they? Perhaps they prefer living in the shadows – I know I would. And no, before you ask again, it’s definitely not me – or Dorothy, for that matter.’
‘Sorry, I was going to ask you about Dorothy, though. The only thing I do have, thanks to Benji, is possibly the heir’s parents’ or grandparents’ name. You don’t happen to know what Dorothy’s father was called, do you?’
‘Of course: his name was Frank. Fine man he was, too – harsh but fair. He didn’t say too many words, but when he did you listened.’
‘I see. That rules her out, then. I’m looking for someone whose father – or it might even be their grandfather if they’re a bit younger – is called George.’
‘I guess you’ll just have to ask around the castle, then. What makes you so sure they’re here?’
I hesitate. But Arthur had been so good about the ghosts before, surely he’d understand?
‘I got a message,’ I say hesitantly. ‘I think it was from Clara.’
‘Go on,’ Arthur says.
I tell Arthur about what happened last night in the Great Hall, and then what had previously happened in the Ladies’ Chamber, and even right back to when the original diaries had disappeared and reappeared.
‘It would seem that Clara really wants you to know,’ Arthur says thoughtfully when I’ve finished. ‘In fact, all the ghosts seem to be on your side. They must approve of you.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Well, as you can imagine, the ghosts have seen many a different owner of Chesterford pass through these walls. There’s been a few they’ve taken a big dislike to, and they’ve not made it easy for them to live here at all.’
‘What happens if they don’t like you?’
‘Ghostly appearances in bedrooms, paintings falling off walls just as the owner passes by, strange unexplained noises at night, one Earl even had a vase thrown across a room at him. Oh yes, if the ghosts of Chesterford Castle don’t like you, you’ll know.’
‘Goodness, I had no idea.’
‘That’s why I think even they approve of you being here.’
‘But in that case why would Clara want me to know who the missing heir is, if that might mean I’d have to leave?’
‘You’re asking me to explain why a spirit chooses to do something?’ Arthur says, smiling. ‘Just be grateful for now that they seem to approve of you.’
‘You’re right. So, if this new heir is not you, Arthur, and it’s not Dorothy, then who on earth is it?’
