Ghost Walk Read online

  Her Majesty also extended her trust and reliance to Dr Beaumarcher Laurie as I was soon to learn.

  ‘Tea?’ I asked, seating him at the kitchen table.

  ‘Haven’t you anything a little stronger?’

  ‘At ten in the morning! Shame on you, Vince. You do have some bad habits these days,’ I said eyeing his waistline, his elegant waistcoat with its gold watch chain just a mite too snug.

  ‘Tea it is, then.’ A martyred sigh which quickly changed into laughter. He grinned, prosperous, happy and very well-fed.

  Eating a thickly buttered slice of one of Mrs Macmerry’s newly-baked loaves, he answered questions about Olivia and the children, and Pappa and Imogen’s travels in Europe.

  It seemed that Vince would be the only one of my family who might be present at our wedding.

  ‘That’s wonderful,’ I said. ‘Jack would like you to be his best man – if he gets here in time for his own wedding, that is,’ I added, telling him about the contents of Jack’s letter.

  ‘If he leaves Glasgow with only hours to spare, he won’t have time to collect my clothes from Solomon’s Tower. That’s bad enough but he has a brand new suit, bought under duress I can tell you at Jenners sale, especially for the wedding. I’ve also bought him a handsome new shirt and cravat. Not that it would worry Jack. He has a certain lack of interest in sartorial matters.’ I sighed. ‘But I can just see us traipsing up to the altar letting down his parents in our shabby second best.’

  Vince grinned. ‘Stop worrying, Rose. It might never happen. Let’s hope he is being unduly pessimistic,’ he added soothingly. Then shaking his head, ‘But like Jack, it seems I can’t give you any guarantee of my presence either. I would be honoured to be his best man, Rose. If I can – but you have no idea what Her Majesty is like these days.’ He shrugged. ‘A veritable masterpiece of indecisions, constantly changing her mind not only from one day to the next – but practically from one hour to the next. And where she leads all must follow.’

  He groaned. ‘First it was to be Osborne immediately after the Jubilee celebrations and now it is Balmoral. Which is one of the reasons I’m in Scotland.’

  The Queen’s imperious indecisiveness was notorious and something I knew about from bitter experience. Many was the cancelled outing with Pappa that Emily and I could lay directly at Her Majesty’s door.

  ‘Then what are you doing here, if it has nothing to do with the wedding?’

  He smiled. ‘If you’d stop asking questions for a moment, I could tell you! It so happens that I’m on my way to Verney Castle.’

  ‘Verney Castle! Whatever for?’

  ‘To see Lady Amelia. She’s a Saxe-Coburg, a third or fourth cousin of the Queen on the distaff side of the family. My visit is a medical matter,’ he frowned, ‘so treat this information as confidential. Lady Amelia has a rare blood disease, a subject that I have been studying. I have two conferences lined up, a paper to read in Paris and again in Vienna later this year. Her Majesty is interested in the subject and I am hoping to take some blood tests of the Royal family in general.’

  He paused for a moment, as I refilled his teacup. ‘You possibly aren’t aware, although it’s fairly general knowledge in the society they live in, that the Verneys are keen to have more children. Time is not on their side and young Alexander is the one and only so far. After eight years, they fear he is likely to remain so.’

  Vince shook his head. ‘I have no idea whether the blood problem is to blame, or whether I can help. But when I applied for leave of absence to attend your wedding here in Eildon, Her Majesty got this bee in her bonnet – or more appropriate, caterpillar in her crown – that I might be able to find the answer to Lady Amelia’s problem. Infertility is the bane of queens, as you know, and of aristocrats who also need heirs. Happily it was never one that concerned Her Majesty personally,’ he laughed. ‘Rather the opposite, on her own admission she never cared greatly for having babies.’

  And with a change of subject, ‘I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to encounter the Verneys?’

  I laughed. ‘On the contrary, young Alexander is a personal friend of mine.’

  When I told him how we had met, he grimaced. ‘Spoilt brat, is he?’

  ‘No more than one would expect from an only son and heir. He’s a charming wee lad.’ And leaning across the table I took his hand and whispered. ‘I’m sorry for his parents but I’m so glad that the Queen has given you a good excuse to come to Eildon.’ I found myself blinking back tears. ‘Oh, Vince, I do so miss you – and Olivia – and Pappa.’

  ‘Me too, Rose. Me too.’ Patting my hand he frowned. ‘There’s more to it than the Verneys’ problem and I’m not sure whether –’

  Pausing, he looked guarded and then with a shrug he went on: ‘There is a another matter. As I told you, the Court and everyone else believes that Her Majesty will go to Osborne immediately after the Jubilee celebrations. But Bertie has hinted that he would prefer to meet her at Balmoral.

  ‘Heaven knows that they need time together to sort out their many differences and a suitable halfway house – or castle – would seem to be here at the Verneys. They are particular friends of Bertie’s, or rather Lady Amelia is, he was sweet on her at one time, and he loves the Borders, comes to shoot deer in the autumn.’

  Rubbing his chin, he regarded me thoughtfully. ‘I don’t know how much of this highly confidential matter I should be telling you, little sister, but I am sure I can rely on your discretion.’

  I smiled and said he could always do so. ‘Remember my motto – Discretion Guaranteed.’

  He laughed and then his face darkened again. ‘There is more, Rose. We gather from highly secret sources that there are rumours of possible Fenian activities in this area directed towards the Jubilee celebrations.’

  This did not have the dramatic impact he had hoped for when I said, ‘So I’ve heard.’

  He sat up in his chair: ‘You’ve – what?’

  ‘Jack told me. The Edinburgh police are aware of it and he was over at the Castle seeing Lord Verney regarding security arrangements for the Jubilee.’

  ‘For Jubilee read a Royal visit,’ said Vince grimly.

  ‘So where do you go from here?’ I asked.

  ‘The carriage from Holyrood Palace collected me off the London train at Edinburgh.’

  ‘What have you done with the coachman?’ I interrupted. ‘Have you left him sitting outside all this time?’

  Vince laughed. ‘He’s well used to that. I told him to go across to the inn and have some refreshment for half an hour. He’ll take me to Verney Castle and then back into Edinburgh for the train to Ballater and hence to Balmoral, where I will await Her Majesty’s instructions. The telegraph is a marvellous invention.’

  ‘Not back to London this time?’ Without awaiting a reply I said, ‘Olivia doesn’t see much of you these days.’

  He smiled. ‘Olivia is very accommodating, makes due allowance for a husband in Royal service. She doesn’t feel deprived, I assure you there are plenty of advantages and benefits unknown to the average doctor’s wife in Edinburgh. The children keep her busy and living in St James’ means that they share tutors and governesses with the young Royals to their mutual benefit. Not a bad life-style, is it?’

  Again he took my hand across the table. ‘But rest assured I’ll do my very best, everything in my power to be here for your wedding, and be Jack’s best man. Promise! I’m sorry to have missed Jack though.’

  I sighed. ‘So am I. It’s the usual story – one we both know well. Jack Macmerry is already married to the Edinburgh City Police,’ I added bitterly.

  ‘Just like Pappa,’ he said softly.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘You do choose the wrong men, Rose. I’ll give you that.’

  It wasn’t only Jack but Danny too in his mind as he sat back in his chair and took out a cigar from a handsome gold case.

  Lighting it he gave me a searching look. ‘It’s taken you a long time to get this far –
to the altar steps with Jack. How long have you been together?’ he added delicately. ‘Nearly three years, isn’t it?’

  I merely nodded. Watching his cigar smoke carelessly make a pattern above our heads, he asked, ‘Is there any reason for this sudden decision?’

  I looked at him, sighed and said, ‘The best in the world, Vince.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  It all came out then. I was telling someone, my dear Vince, for the very first time that I was pregnant. At once, it seemed the farm kitchen was transformed into a doctor’s consulting room and across the table, placing his fingertips together, he asked the questions and I gave the answers.

  At the end, he sighed, ‘This isn’t an unusual situation by any means, Rose. Rather the reverse, in fact.’ He paused. ‘Does Jack know?’

  ‘Of course not. We’ve never discussed such possibilities.’

  Vince’s eyebrows shot heavenward at that and shaking his head, he said softly, ‘He might even like the idea.’ Watching my expression, he added gently, ‘Don’t you think it’s about time –’

  ‘I certainly do not. I would never want Jack to feel under an obligation of any kind.’

  Vince smiled and leaned back in his chair. ‘I hardly think obligation is the correct word, Rose dear. Jack simply adores you – he has been waiting for an opportunity to slip that wedding ring on your finger since I first met him.’

  ‘So now is his big chance,’ I snapped, sounding grimmer than I felt.

  Vince looked at me sharply. ‘I take it that you do want to marry him?’

  ‘Oh yes – sometime. I’m fairly sure of that.’

  ‘There isn’t anyone else?’

  ‘Of course not!’ (Except Danny, conscience whispered.)

  Vince smiled. ‘I don’t see the problem then. All seems pretty straightforward.’

  ‘His mother is a bit of a trial,’ I added weakly. ‘Do you know, she hasn’t even told people here in Eildon that I am a widow. Introduces me as Miss Faro,’ I said indignantly.

  Vince shook his head and, leaning across the table, he took my hand. ‘Cheer up, Rose. You don’t have to live under the same roof as Jack’s mother. An occasional visit is all that will be required of you.’

  I was silent.

  ‘Come along, Rose,’ he said just a trifle impatiently. ‘This isn’t the end of the world.’

  ‘Oh, is it not? It might well be the end of my world though. I can’t see myself pushing a perambulator while I search for clues.’

  Vince laughed, obviously he found that image more amusing than I did. ‘Then Jack might well be pleased about that too. After all, solving crimes is what the police are paid for.’

  On an impulse I decided to tell him about my discovery of Father McQuinn’s body and Mrs Aiden’s mysterious death. He listened attentively but I was disappointed in his reaction.

  ‘Accidents, both of them, surely.’

  I was taken aback, having had expected him to be rather more concerned than a mere dismissive shrug.

  ‘Surely it’s obvious to you that the priest was murdered? – the candlestick, the bloodstains – so carefully removed afterwards.’

  ‘The candlestick might not have been a murder weapon, perhaps he merely reached out to try and save himself as he fell. Besides who would want to kill them, Rose? Think about it. It doesn’t make sense. Where’s the motive? Remember Pappa’s words. There must be a motive for murder. Find it and you’re halfway to solving any crime.’

  That was true. There was no apparent motive but I was certain that the priest had been murdered.

  ‘Even Constable Bruce thought I might be right – especially about the housekeeper.’

  Vince laughed, shook his head. ‘Then leave it to your policeman to solve the mystery. That’s his business, not yours, Rose. You are here to get married in a few days’ time, not to play detective. I should have thought that as bride-to-be, you would have more than enough to keep you occupied.’

  I looked at him angrily. First Jack and now Vince. Men can be so infuriating and that goes for beloved stepbrothers too. I had expected better things of Vince so I told him about the stalker, the man watching me from the Abbey Tower shortly after I arrived.

  He didn’t find that in the least alarming. He grinned and gave me an appreciative glance. ‘Let’s just say that you’re well worth watching.’

  So here we were, back with a man’s favourite taunt. Any pretty woman, a good excuse for a voyeur.

  But there was more to it than that. Vince had another ready explanation. Scratching his cheek, he said seriously, ‘Have you ever considered another possibility? That it wasn’t you he was watching in particular, Rose. With this security scare about Royal safety and the Jubilee celebrations, perhaps the police already have the whole area under careful surveillance.’

  I still had two more cards to play. The Claddagh ring lying upstairs in my jewel box, the ring I thought was Danny’s. The message Sister Mary Michael had received, or believed she had received from Danny. Sadly I guessed that my very practical stepbrother would dismiss the former as coincidence and the latter as the confused memory typical of a nonagenarian.

  At that moment, however, footsteps announced the return of Jack’s mother with his father, commanded to change out of his muddy boots at the back door.

  Vince was welcomed. Invited to take a dram – or two, which Vince did most willingly, it was some time before he felt free to leave for Verney Castle, the coachman already seated statue-like on the carriage as if impervious to time’s passing.

  As we walked outside with Vince, I said, ‘There’s someone else I want you to meet. An old friend,’ I said triumphantly and led him to the stable to see Thane who greeted him with polite interest.

  As Vince had never been quite certain that the deerhound was not another figment of my imagination, I was glad to watch his expression as Jack’s father related the story of Thane’s dramatic recovery and for the first time I observed that Thane was now devoted to Andrew Macmerry.

  I was faintly jealous although I should have been grateful that he spent so much time in the farmer’s company, since the walks I took him on each day were strictly limited in the kind of exercise a large deerhound needed.

  At last it was time for Vince to leave. Suddenly he turned to me and said: ‘I’ve been thinking about Jack’s letter. If you’re really anxious about your wedding gown arriving in time, you could come back to Edinburgh with me – I can’t bring you back –’

  ‘What a great idea,’ I said excitedly. ‘I can catch the evening train. It stops at Eildon.’

  ‘Very well. I’ll call for you on the way back from Verney – in about an hour.’

  I promised to be ready. What bliss, I thought, a few more hours with Vince and the chance to be in my own home again for even just a short time would be extremely useful.

  Should I take Thane with me, give him the chance to resume his old life on Arthur’s Seat?

  I wondered about that. Had living with a family changed him? Had we turned my mysterious deerhound into a mere domesticated pet dog?

  I decided to rely on the strange telepathy we shared. I would give Thane the chance to accompany me back to Edinburgh in the hope that his reactions to seeing me get into the carriage with Vince would provide the answer.

  It didn’t happen. When Vince returned for me, Thane was not in the stable.

  ‘He’ll be off again with Andrew,’ said Jack’s mother. ‘That Dog might be a very useful animal some day, if Andrew goes about it and trains him the right way.’

  The thought struck horror into my heart. What had I done? Thane as a mere farm dog herding sheep was somehow a shaming thought.

  Feeling somewhat sheepish myself, I got into the carriage beside Vince, consoling my conscience with the thought that Thane’s disappearance was his way of telling me that he knew my mind and that he was quite happy to stay in Eildon and await my return.

  Jack’s mother rushed out as we were about to leave.

  ‘H
ere, you’ll need these,’ she said handing us both a neatly packed parcel.

  When we looked surprised, she said, ‘Food for the journey. There’ll be not a bite for you back in that place you live, Rose.’

  I smiled. Like Mrs McQuinn she always found it difficult, not to say impossible, to get around to Solomon’s Tower as my home.

  ‘I’ve made some sandwiches and things so you’ll not starve before you get back tonight,’ she added sternly.

  And then, with one of her more endearing smiles to Vince, her eyes actually twinkled, I thought, as she said, ‘And this for you, lad. There’ll be nothing to eat on that train you’re catching. This’ll keep you going till you get to yon castle at Balmoral.’

  We were both grateful, thanked her profusely. To be honest I certainly hadn’t thought of food for the day and neither had Vince.

  ‘Take care of yourselves,’ and to me, she added sternly. ‘Andrew’ll see That Dog is properly fed.’

  ‘Wasn’t that nice of her,’ said Vince and I cast aside anxious thoughts about Thane, eager to hear Vince’s reactions to the Verneys.

  As we bowled along so smoothly in the well-sprung carriage, I gathered he had been made most welcome, Lady Amelia a willing patient. That was all the information I could expect from Vince, respecting the law of confidentiality between doctor and patient.

  ‘Lord Verney is an anxious husband, most amiable and concerned and they are a very devoted couple – but quite bewildered!’

  ‘In what way?’ I enquired.

  Vince shook his head. ‘There they are living in a castle, striving to keep abreast of modern inventions. His lordship is proud of being a model landlord, keen to impress on me that, like Her Majesty, he has electricity and even the cottages on his model estate now have gas installed.

  ‘As for the castle itself, I generally take little notice. I’m fairly immune to ostentatious wealth and only wish H M had not made it de rigueur to fill every tiny space with some object d’art.