Paragon Walk - Anne Perry [74]
Charlotte had put on the kettle; the tea things were already prepared, as she had intended to have a cup herself in an hour or two. She sat down opposite Emily and gazed at her flushed face.
“An apparition? What do you mean? A ghost of Fanny, or something? She’s mad. Does she drink, do you think?”
“Miss Lucinda? Good gracious, no! You should hear what she says about people who drink!”
“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t do it herself.”
“Well, she doesn’t. And no, not a ghost of anybody, but something hideous and evil, staring at her through her window, its face pressed against the glass. She said it was pale green, with red eyes, and had horns out the top of its head!”
“Oh Emily!” Charlotte burst out laughing. “She can’t have! There isn’t any such thing!”
Emily leaned forward.
“But that’s not all,” she said urgently. “One of the maids saw something running away, sort of loping, and it jumped clear over the hedge. And Hallam Cayley’s dog howled half the night!”
“Maybe it was Hallam Cayley’s dog in the first place?” Charlotte suggested. “And it howled because it was shut up again, and maybe beaten for running away.”
“Rubbish! It’s quite a small dog, and it isn’t green!”
“She could have thought its ears were horns,” Charlotte was not going to give up. Then she collapsed in laughter. “But I would love to have seen Miss Lucinda’s face. I’ll wager that was as green as anything at the window!”
Emily burst into giggles, too. The kettle was spouting steam all over the kitchen, but neither of them took any notice.
“It really isn’t funny,” Emily said at last, wiping away her tears.
Charlotte saw the kettle and stood up to make the tea, sniffing and dabbing at her cheeks with the end of her apron.
“I know,” she agreed. “And I am sorry, but it’s so silly I can’t listen to it and keep a straight face. I suppose poor Phoebe will be even more terrified now.”
“I haven’t heard, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she took to her bed as well. She wears a crucifix the size of a teaspoon all the time. I can’t imagine a man who would attack and molest you in the dark being warded off by that!”
“Poor creature.” Charlotte brought the teapot to the table and sat down again. “I wonder if they’ll send for Thomas?”
“For apparitions? More like the vicar.”
“An exorcism?” Charlotte said with delight. “I should love to see that! Do you think they really will?”
Emily raised her eyebrows and began to giggle again. “How else do you get rid of green monsters with horns?”
“A little more water and a little less imagination,” Charlotte said tartly. Then her face softened. “Poor thing. I suppose she has little else to do. The only events of any meaning in her life are those she dreams up. Nobody really needs her. At least after this she’ll be famous for a few days.”
Emily reached over and poured the tea, but she did not reply. It was a pathetic and sobering thought.
At the end of August there was a dinner party at the Dilbridges’ to which Emily and George were invited, along with the rest of the Walk. Surprisingly, the invitation also included Charlotte, if she would care to come.
It was only ten days since Miss Lucinda’s apparition, and Charlotte’s interest was still very much alive. She was not even concerned as to how she would present a suitable appearance. If Emily passed on the invitation she would no doubt also have in mind some gown Charlotte could wear. As usual curiosity won over pride, and without hesitation she accepted yet another of Aunt Vespasia’s gowns, considerably made over by Emily’s lady’s maid. It was a rich oyster shaded satin with a little lace on it, though much had been taken off and replaced with chiffon to make it appear younger. Altogether, turning slowly in front of the cheval glass, Charlotte was very pleased with it.