Page 43 of Secrets of Capell Manor
“Kaylyn and Luella dropped their stockings in your mending basket, dear. Why don’t you go sit in front of the fire and work on that?” Marta said kindly but firmly as she half-led, half-pushed her from the kitchen.
Rosalind sighed. Once seated, she realized sewing was the last thing she wanted to do. After three unsuccessful attempts, she’d managed to mend one hole when she heard Edward Kelley and his men enter the manor. Benton took their cloaks, and Rosalind’s heart quickened as Kelley made his way to the great hall and to the other chair in front of the massive fireplace.
As he sat, a long, deep sigh escaped from the man. Rosalind paused her work on the tunic she was hemming for Ridley and waited for Mr. Kelley to speak. And then she waited some more. But he sat there, quiet, for a few moments and gazing into the fire. Finally, Rosalind couldn’t stand it any longer.
“Good evening, Mr. Kelley. Were you able to get some clarity on this dreadful situation with Roland Kirkeby?”
The small man with the bulbous nose turned to her and sighed again. “I don’t think I have ever met a more disgraceful excuse for a man than Mr. Kirkeby. The despot was drunk when I arrived. Can you believe that? He knew that a representative from the palace was coming to investigate his claim, and he showed nothing but disrespect upon my arrival.”
“Of that, I am not surprised.” She paused. “But did he have proof of a contract?”
“No. None at all. So, it seems that it’s his word against yours, Lady Rosalind. And considering he was out of his mind on ale,I’ve decided not to pursue his claim any further. And this will be my recommendation to the king as well.”
Rosalind almost jumped from her chair with joy, but she stayed composed. “I cannot say how relieved I am—I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. And, Mr. Kelley, please know I am grateful for your investigation into the matter.”
Edward Kelley gave her a slight smile, and she returned it with one of her own. Their conversation ended there. Rosalind and Mr. Kelley sat in relaxed amicable silence. After several undisturbed moments, the pounding of small feet was heard as Luella and Kaylyn rushed down the hall. When the girls saw Mr. Kelley, they both stopped short of entering the room.
Rosalind craned her head around the back of her chair and called out, “Girls, do come in. Catch me up on what you’ve been doing.”
The children entered carefully, and Grim followed clumsily. Enticed by the warm fire, the large dog then busted through the girls who were walking hand-in-hand, and plopped onto the rug with a grunt and a sigh. The canine gave Mr. Kelley no mind, and he started snoring almost immediately.
Kaylyn and Luella rounded the table, then stood in front of Rosalind. Kaylyn had a large hole in her woolen stocking and a smudge of mud on her cheek. Luella wasn’t much better off. Her hands were dirty, and several pieces of hay were sticking straight out of her braids in several places.
“Girls, were you in the stable by chance? After you were told not to go there alone?”
Both girls started to shake their heads, and their mouths formed the word “no,” but Rosalind held up her hand. “Choose your words carefully. Surely you will not shame this household with a lie in front of a representative from the palace sitting right here.”
After a brief pause, the girls said in guilty unison, “Yes, Mama Rosalind.”
“And what were you doing in the stable?”
“Ridley said the big black cat had kittens again. I didn’t believe him, but he said there were three, and he got to play with them each time he went to the barn to do his chores. And that’s not fair, is it, Mama?” Kaylyn stated with conviction.
Rosalind thought for a moment, “I agree. That isn’t fair. But you’re still not supposed to be in the stable alone.”
“We wanted to ask someone, but everyone was busy, Mama,” Luella chimed in. “We went out for a quick look, but we never found any kittens. I think Ridley was telling a story.”
“And then you came right back to the manor, then?” Rosalind asked sternly.
“Not quite,” Kaylyn answered after a slight pause, and then more words spilled out, “Luella went and looked at the body!”
Luella gasped and then reared back her small, skinny arm and punched her sister right in the shoulder.
“Luella! I’m shocked!” Rosalind exclaimed. “Why would you do such a thing?”
“What, Mama? I punch Kaylyn all the time. Especially when she tattles.”
Rosalind sighed, rubbed her forehead, then looked back at Luella, her eyes wide and expression seemingly innocent. She heard a slight chuckle from Mr. Kelley. “Not that! But I will address the hitting later. Now tell me why you would want to look at a corpse.” Rosalind demanded with all the authority she could muster.
“Well, Ridley tells us he hears Lord Edmond moaning when he does his evening chores.”
“That’s right,” Kaylyn chimed in. “He says he’s still moving out there too. Not a lot. But just a little.”
“And I wanted to see if it was true. So after climbing in the straw to look for the kittens, I went to take a look.”
Rosalind just looked at each girl, and she didn’t know whether to punish the girls for disobeying or laugh, but Edward Kelley surprised her and joined the conversation.
“Oh, don’t keep me in suspense, little one,” Mr. Kelley asked with exaggerated but authentic interest, “Did you see old Lord Edmond move? Even just a little?”
