Page 129 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
As if on cue, Chester barks his agreement.
‘You’re looking very swish today, Dorothy,’ I tell her. ‘I like your dress.’
‘Thank you,’ Dorothy says, smiling. ‘I thought I’d make an effort since it was an important day for you and for the castle. It’s new.’
‘And very nice it is too. You look lovely.’ I’m about to take another sip of my drink, when something about Dorothy’s manner makes my eyes remain upon her. She’s sort of staring at me as though she wants me to notice something.
I look at her again, and then I see it. With her lovely new dress, Dorothy is wearing what looks like quite an old necklace. But it’s not the age of the chain that piques my interest, but the item that’s hanging delicately from it.
Because around Dorothy’s neck is a cameo pendant, and it’s not just any cameo she has resting against her ample chest, but one that matches the brooch I’m wearing today.
For this momentous day at the castle I’ve chosen to wear Clara’s precious cameo brooch pinned to my dress, and it would seem that Dorothy has chosen to wear Mary’s missing necklace.
Forty-nine
Dorothy doesn’t seem in the least bit surprised when I drag her away from the crowds and try to find a quiet bit of the castle in which we can talk. But there seem to be people milling around everywhere today, so finally I guide her into the Great Hall, and eventually through to the Ladies’ Chamber, where I know if we close the door, we will at last have some privacy.
‘Where did you get that necklace, Dorothy?’ I ask, sitting next to Dorothy on the chaise longue, and staring at the cameo pendant.
‘It’s a family heirloom,’ Dorothy says calmly. ‘Do you like it?’
‘Yes I do. It’s likemybrooch, isn’t it?’ I say, pointing to my own jewellery.
‘It is. I thought you’d notice it; that’s why I chose to wear it today.’
I look at Dorothy, trying to work her out.
‘You know, don’t you?’ I say suddenly. ‘You know about Mary and Clara?’
Dorothy nods. ‘Of course I know. This necklace has been in my family for decades. All us Edwards know.’
‘But why haven’t you or your family ever said anything? Some of you could have been the Earls or the Countesses of Chesterford if you’d said something; it would have been a direct line.’
‘Because we were happy as we were. The story, along with this pendant, has been passed down through each generation of Edwards. Everyone the story was told to understood exactly what it might mean if we ever shared it with anyone outside the family. We were never toldnotto share, or not to go looking for Clara’s diary, it was always our choice. We’ve always been happy working for whoever the Earl and Countess were at the time; we didn’t want the responsibility of being in charge. The Edwards family have always been happy being in service. We like beingdownstairshere at the castle. It suits us. We’re content with our lot in life.’
I continue to stare at Dorothy.
‘But what about when they couldn’t find someone to take over here when the last Earl died? Didn’t you think then you might like to step up?’
‘I did think about it,’ Dorothy says steadily. ‘And if theyhadn’tfound someone I might have said something. This castle has been mine and Arthur’s whole life; I wouldn’t see it go to ruin. But luckily they found you, didn’t they, my dear?’ She pats my hand. ‘So I didn’t have to.’
‘But . . . ’ I’m lost for words.The missing heir had been Dorothy all this time, and not only that, but she knew she was too.
‘But Arthur said your father was called Frank,’ I say, finding my voice at last. ‘If you are the direct descendant of Clara’s sister Mary, then your father was supposed to have been called George?’
‘He was,’ Dorothy explains. ‘Silly old duffer changed his name to Frank because he had a friend called George and he said it was confusing when they played on the local cricket team together. Frank was his nickname and it stuck. After a while not many knew his real name was George at all.’
I stare at Dorothy again, still trying to make sense of what she’s telling me.
‘Does Arthur know about this?’ I suddenly ask. Arthur had sworn blind he knew nothing about the heir. I couldn’t bear to think of him lying to me.
Dorothy shakes her head. ‘No, we Edwardses have kept this in our family for years. Not even our spouses know the full story. I can only imagine what some of them might have tried to do if they sensed a bit of money or power might be in the offing.’
‘That is true, I guess.’
‘Arthur told me you were looking, though,’ Dorothy admits. ‘And we both said the same thing – that we didn’t want you to find another heir. We both love having you and little Charlie around, and we couldn’t bear the thought of someone else moving in and starting again, and, besides,’ she adds sadly, ‘what good would it have been if I had come forward as being the rightful heir? Arthur and I haven’t been blessed with any children, so the line would have stopped with us. This way the Chesterford family tree continues with you, then Charlie, and possibly even Charlie’s children in the future. It’s for the best this way, my dear, really it is.’
‘So why tell me today, Dorothy? Why not keep it a secret?’
