The Unquiet - J. D. Robb [115]
“Yes. He tried to scare me off. I told him I wouldn’t budge.” She saw the incredulous look on the older woman’s face and couldn’t help smiling. “After that, he left me alone.”
“He left you . . .” Mrs. Logan swallowed. “After an encounter with the likes of him, I’m surprised that you were able to sleep at all.”
“I slept like a baby.” Not quite the truth, but Bree decided there was no point in admitting how she’d spent the latter part of the night in a chair.
“He didn’t try to harm you?”
Bree shrugged. “He stormed around the room threatening, and managed to break a vase.”
“But he didn’t do you any physical harm?”
“No.” Bree took in a deep breath, determined to change the subject. “I’m guessing that the architect never made it here last night. Did he call to explain why?”
“Not a word.”
Bree sighed. “Then I’m ready to take another tour of the house.” She pulled her camera from its case. “ A nice long tour, if you don’t mind, Gwynn.”
The housekeeper gave a curt nod of her head. “Where would you like to begin?”
“I believe I’d like to see the kitchen and dining rooms first.”
She followed the housekeeper along a hallway beyond the sitting and living rooms, and was pleasantly surprised to discover a fairly modern facility.
Bree used her camera to record the spacious cook’s pantry, the oversized stove and oven and wide, empty counter space that could accommodate quite a number of people working side by side.
“Oh, this is so much more than I’d expected.” She set aside her camera to admire glass-fronted cupboards filled with the finest china and crystal. Several drawers revealed chests of gleaming silver tableware.
Bree looked over at the housekeeper. “It looks as though you have enough here to serve several dozen guests.”
The housekeeper nodded. “In earlier days, her ladyship often entertained on a lavish scale. Why, I remember one grand holiday when there were so many titled guests, we had to hire more than a dozen young girls from the village to help with the serving. Duncan was sent to Edinburgh to fetch additional crystal and silver her ladyship ordered for the occasion.”
As they moved on to the elegant dining room, Bree took pictures of the floor-to-ceiling fireplace, with its spectacular marble surround, and a half dozen round tables with matching upholstered chairs. Though the upholstery was faded and the tables covered with a layer of dust, she could see the potential.
The housekeeper stood watching her. “ Are you planning on entertaining, Mrs. Kerr?”
“In a manner of speaking.” Bree pointed to a set of double doors. “What’s beyond there?”
“It’s the rooms Duncan and I occupied for forty years, and where we stayed last night.” Mrs. Logan led the way and stood aside to allow Bree to precede her.
Duncan looked up from the table where he was drinking his tea and reading a newspaper.
“Oh, I’m sorry to bother you, Duncan.” Bree stepped back, but the older man gave a quick shake of his head.
“Please, missus. Gwynn told me you’d be touring the premises today. Come in,” he said affably.
Seeing the tall, leaded windows looking out over rolling hills covered with heather, Bree put a hand to her throat. “Oh, what a beautiful view. You must have been so happy here.”
Glancing at her husband for confirmation, the older woman’s face radiated warmth and pleasure. “Duncan and I were saying just this morning that we’ve never forgotten how much we loved this place. The rooms we’re renting in the village are comfortable, and we’ve done our best to make them feel like home. But after a lifetime at Ravenswood, our hearts are still here.”
“Then you and Duncan might be willing to consider coming back to work here?”
Gwynn Logan’s eyes filled. “It would be the answer to our prayers, Mrs. Kerr.” She ducked her head, ashamed of her tears. “Ever since we received your letter saying that you were coming to Scotland, we’ve been afraid that you were planning on selling off the antiques,