Whispering Echoes - Maya Chandel (best books to read non fiction .txt) 📗

a quaint charm about it,’ said Freddy as they found themselves reaching the far end of Lemon Street in rather a short space of time.

‘Quaint charm!’ laughed Kitty. ‘Goodness Freddy, give it a little while longer and I think you shall have become the proper country gentleman. Only imagine this actually being called a city.’

The pair had ventured into Truro for the day for a change of scene, though thus far Kitty had failed to be much impressed by the capital.

‘Well since you’ve evidently seen enough of the boutiques, what say we take a look at the Cathedral; I hear it’s rather inspiring?’

‘Since when did architecture become your interest?’ smiled Kitty.

‘Since when did you become such a bore?’ retaliated Freddy taking her arm in his and heading towards St Mary’s Street. ‘Though really Kit, on the subject of architecture, having spoken to a few of the locals it seems your Grandfather was more celebrated than we thought and not just here in Cornwall. It might not prove too difficult at all in selling the old place off.’

‘I suppose we ought to set about finding an agent.’

‘We could take a look while we’re here; I’m sure I saw a few offices about the way,’ replied Freddy pausing to get his bearings. ‘By God it’s her!’

‘Who?’ enquired Kitty, casting her head about to see who had caught his attention.

‘The girl from the other day; the one I told you about,’ muttered Freddy quite in a trance.

‘Not you’re angel?’ laughed Kitty, her interest now securely caught. ‘Pray where?’ As her eyes followed the direction he nodded towards, however, she found herself barely paying any attention to the young lady but rather the gentleman who was stood beside her, seemingly doing a much better job of feigning interest in the dress on display in the shop window than Kitty was sure either Freddy or Emerson could ever manage to achieve.

‘I suppose that wretchedly handsome young fellow is her beaux or husband even,’ sighed Freddy, also apparently taking note of him.

‘You’re luck may just be in Freddy darling,’ smiled Kitty. ‘That is her brother.’

At this Freddy instantly rounded on her for further information. ‘You are acquainted with them?’

‘As it happens yes, though really Freddy anyone with eyes could tell they were related,’ sighed Kitty exasperatedly.

‘Well don’t just stand here berating my lack of discernment; make the introductions!’

‘Oh I… I’m not sure; I don’t really know them that well,’ mumbled Kitty rather regretting having acknowledged an acquaintanceship. She was not particularly sure she wished to accost the pair.

‘Doesn’t matter, you’re introducing me to her,’ replied Freddy already practically marching her towards them, such that she had little choice in the matter. Anyhow it was too late to argue, even as they approached them Kitty immediately sensed the moment Michael’s eyes arrested upon her. She smiled; rather too keenly she was sure.

‘Kitty, how delightful to see you again,’ he smiled, taking off his straw boater as he greeted her.

‘Mr Ellis,’ she nodded, quite properly.

She rather thought she saw the hint of a smirk appear at the corner of his mouth, however, the next moment it was gone.

‘Letty you remember Kitty Watson don’t you?’ he said turning towards his sister who was gazing at her with a faint air of recognition. ‘Of Rosevale Manor.’

‘Yes of course I do,’ said Letty, a genuine smile of pleasure instantly spreading across her pretty face. ‘How are you?’ she asked as she extended her gloved hand warmly towards her.

‘Very well thank you; I’m glad to see you again,’ smiled Kitty, immediately warmed to her quite artless manner and fondly recollecting the sweet young girl she had once known. She had been remarkably pretty even then, indeed Kitty recalled how she had always envied her golden locks; though now of course she was quite simply stunning. It was little wonder Freddy was so captivated; though recollecting her cousin who was still stood merely gazing at her in admiration, Kitty hastily sought to make the introductions.

‘Oh please let me introduce you both to my cousin, Freddy Allen.’

‘It is an honour Miss Ellis,’ beamed Freddy, rather boldly taking her hand and bestowing a gracious kiss upon it, before turning fleetingly to address her brother whilst the poor girl, whose cheeks were a bright crimson, endeavoured to recover. ‘Mr Ellis, how do you?’

‘Please call me Michael.’

‘The Ellis’ are quite our neighbours Freddy,’ said Kitty.

‘Really? Well I’m sure I couldn’t ever wish for better,’ he smiled, his eyes resting quite solely on Letty. Kitty fought off the urge to nudge him in the elbow; he was making a spectacular fool of himself.

‘Are you here on business with regards to the sale?’ enquired Michael, hoping to divert Freddy’s attention a little. Though others always thought it strange that so pretty a girl was not yet accustomed to the overt attentions of gentlemen, Michael knew his sister’s shy disposition only too well.

‘No actually our initial purpose had been more pleasure than business, though as there are not by far enough boutiques here to hold my attention for too long, I rather think business shall become the game of the day. Is that not so Freddy?’

‘Uh yes,’ came Freddy’s rather lame reply; his brain seemingly not able to string too many words together in his present state of distraction.

‘Indeed perhaps you might be able to offer us some assistance,’ continued Kitty. ‘You wouldn’t happen to know of any reliable agents we might seek to employ?’

‘Well I’m sorry that our capital so disappoints you, however, I believe there are a few offices just a little further along,’ replied Michael, turning to point out the way. ‘Though I would suggest you take a careful look at their competing rates before offering your employment to any particular agent.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Do I take it that you are looking to sell Rosevale then?’ enquired Letty. ‘It will be sad to see the house pass out of the family.’

‘I’m afraid Cornwall’s charm does not much appeal to Miss Watson, Letty,’ said Michael before Kitty could offer a reply. ‘No doubt it is not fashionable enough for her refined tastes.’

Kitty looked rather sharply at him, annoyed at the hint of amusement that lurked across his face. He was ridiculing her! How dare he! Indeed she could not quite bring herself to believe it; that this country bumpkin of a gentleman who did not smoke, wore his hair unfashionably long and passed his time trespassing on other folks’ property as an amateur artist, had the audacity to poke fun at her! A thousand retorts came to mind to put him firmly in his place; however, she was prevented from offering any of them.

‘Oh well that is a pity,’ said Letty, seemingly genuinely disappointed. ‘I am sure I should have looked forward to the opportunity of a closer acquaintanceship.’

‘Let us not deny us one just yet,’ exclaimed Freddy rather over-enthusiastically. ‘After all this business of a sale is sure to keep us tied up here a good few weeks at least.’

This time Kitty could not desist from nudging him! Fortunately as he glanced at her in confusion, they were joined by a very elegantly dressed, middle-aged lady just emerging from the boutique opposite to which they were gathered.

‘No luck, though really what did I expect; one can never purchase anything that remotely pertains to the latest fashions here. I shall have to send word to your Aunt to send some over from London, though goodness knows it shall take a few weeks to arrive,’ the lady moaned as she wandered over to them. It was only then that she appeared to take note of Kitty and Freddy, though the change in her complexion the moment she did so was profound; almost as if she had seen a ghost!

The colour drained right away from her cheeks and her deep blue eyes held a haunted look in their depths as they fixed on Kitty. It was as if in one moment, the last remnant of youth had faded completely from her beautiful face.

‘Mama are you quite well?’ asked Michael in concern.

‘Yes,’ came a mere whisper of a voice.

‘You recognise Kitty?’

‘Yes,’ the voice was a little louder this time as she appeared to recover from her initial shock. ‘I am sorry if I seem a little taken aback; it is just that I knew your parents and it is a little strange to see their little daughter all grown up.’

Kitty merely smiled faintly in return; really the poor woman had looked as though she was almost about to collapse and she did not wish to say anything that might upset her any further. Evidently she had held her parents dear; and it was only natural that seeing her so unexpectedly should bring back memories. Though strangely Kitty’s own memory could not seem to conjure much of an image of Mrs Ellis; perhaps just the barest of recollections of a very pretty young lady with much of a resemblance to Letty. There again that could just be her mind formulating a picture of what she should have been expected to look like judging from their striking resemblance now. Either way she supposed it did not particularly matter.

‘Pray how long have you been back in the village?’ enquired Mrs Ellis tentatively.

‘About a week. I am here with my Aunt and cousin to sort out a sale for the property,’ replied Kitty.

‘Ah yes that must be your Aunt Elizabeth; and you must be one of her young sons I presume?’

‘Freddy Allen, the younger,’ smiled Freddy.

‘Well you must of course convey my regards to Mrs Allen and do tell her that she must call by.’

‘I will, thank you,’ replied Kitty.

‘Did you say that you were selling Rosevale?’ she enquired, seemingly struggling to follow the conversation

‘Yes.’

‘No doubt it is for the best,’ she replied after a moment’s pause, where she appeared to be lost in thought. ‘It does not do to cling to the past. Anyhow we must not deter you from your business; I am sure we shall meet again soon. Shall we head back to the car, I rather think I have exerted myself enough for one day,’ she continued turning towards Michael and Letty.

‘Of course Mama; here why do you not take my arm,’ offered Michael casting his mother a somewhat worried look. ‘Good luck with finding an agent by the way,’ he called over his shoulder as they parted their separate ways.
Chapter 8

Chyandour, Cornwall 1930

As they made their way down the front steps of Chyandour, all three were rather relieved to be leaving.