A/N I apologise for the wait. Real life got in the way.

Chapter 7

I was glad when the introductions were over and Anthony ushered me into the library for tea. I was impressed by the room; it seemed comfortable and there was a blazing fire. A Springer spaniel lay in a basket and it ran over to us, sniffing at me. I had always been wary of dogs, mainly because I had little experience of them, but Anthony ruffled the dog's head and ran his fingers along its silky brown ears.

"Hello Jasper," he said affectionately as the dog licked his outstretched hand. I warily patted him.

The room was carpeted in dark red and panelled in dark wood. Mahogany I guessed. The volumes on the shelves looked well thumbed and I ventured to wonder if there were any valuable first editions among them.

We sat and tea was brought; I was impressed by the range of food on offer although I was not especially hungry. There were crumpets, delicate sandwiches, scones and angel cake along with cups of scalding tea, hot, strong and sweet just as I liked it. I wondered would happen to whatever we didn't eat; would it be wasted or brought out on another occasion. But I did not like to ask Anthony and I would not have dared to ask Mrs Danvers.

When we were alone again Anthony pulled me close to him and kissed the top of my head.

"Are you alright my love?" he asked, "I'm jolly sorry about the welcoming committee; it must have been tiresome for you after the long journey and the apprehension you already felt,"

"It wasn't so bad," I rested my head on his shoulder, "At least I know who everyone is now although they probably think I'm awfully low class."

"It doesn't matter what they think," Anthony replied, "I pay their wages, not you. As far as I'm concerned you are now Lady Strallan, mistress of Locksley, and if they don't like it they know where the door is."

Mrs Danvers evidently did not like me but I somehow suspected she was not likely to walk although I did not dare say that.

A while later Carson came in. Anthony and I were nestled close to each other and he coughed.

"My Lady, Mrs Danvers was wondering if you might like to see your room."

"Yes, that would be fine Carson," I said hesitantly.

OO

We followed Carson and Mrs Danvers upstairs and all the while her cold flint-eyed gaze unsettled me yet I did not feel brave enough to challenge her.

"The East Wing is already for you," she said, "We feared it would not be ready in time,"

"I'm sure they have done a first-rate job, Mrs Danvers," Anthony said with a smile. I could not tell if he disliked her as much as me or if she was merely tolerated due to long service.

My bedroom was spacious. The fire had not yet been lit but the bed was draped in a red quilt and the bedstead itself was wood. There was a dressing table and a chamber pot sat on the bedside cabinet. The curtains were open and fluttering in the breeze. Adjoining the bedroom was a small dressing room with wardrobes where my clothes would hang.

"Might I enquire when your maid will be arriving, Lady Strallan?" Mrs Danvers asked.

"I, I don't actually have one," I stammered and kicked myself.

"It is usual for ladies in your position," I did not fail to notice the derision with which she said the word ladies with relation to me.

"Perhaps you would see to it for me then," I faltered, desperate not to let her sense she had un-nerved me, "perhaps a young local girl wanting to train?"

"I shall look into it in the next day or so, Lady Strallan. In the meantime one of the housemaids will have to suffice I suppose." The way in which she said it suggested that to release a housemaid from her regular duties to attend to me was a major sacrifice.

We walked around the rest of the wing in silence which was broken only occasionally by Mrs Danvers pointing out changes which had been made although obviously it meant nothing to me because I had not been there before today.

"As I said, a first rate job Mrs Danvers," Anthony said.

"Thank you Sir Anthony," she bowed her head.

Anthony's room was a little larger and grander than mine but I did not mind as I suspected I would sleep with him rather more than I did alone. But I did get a sense that would be confirmed as quite correct sometime later, that the first Lady Strallan's rooms had been far grander than mine. I was yet to understand the fuss about the east wing being done up but I could hardly expect Anthony to want to sleep in the same room where he had slept with his late wife.

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the library; drinking wine and cuddling each other. Anthony said very little: in fact he was deep in thought and I imagined it must be difficult for him to come back to where he had lived with her.

We retired about eleven and made love. Afterwards we lay together, holding each other and I was comforted by the musky post coital smell of him. I loved him to distraction but I had the sense that things would not be easy for me here.

"I really do love you, Edith," he murmured.

"I love you too, Anthony darling," I murmured as his arm tightened around my slender body. I fell asleep with my head rested on his chest.

OO

When I awoke Anthony was dressing. The maid had brought us tea and mine was lukewarm for which Anthony had apologised saying he hadn't wanted to wake me.

I dressed quickly and we went down for breakfast. I was awed by the huge silver dishes containing bacon, kedgeree, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms and sausages plus the array of cereals and toast. I was actually quite hungry this morning so I ate heartily while trying not to make a pig of myself. While I liked mushrooms I avoided them fearing that somehow Mrs Danvers had substituted them with a deadlier variety. Of course this idea was nonsense but the woman's presence in this house caused me to feel acute dread whenever I thought of her. I did not confide my fears to Anthony; I sensed he was already finding being back here more difficult than he had anticipated and I did not want to trouble him with something so trivial

I was finishing my coffee when Carson called Anthony to the telephone. He excused himself and left the room dabbing his chin with his napkin.

He looked aggrieved when he returned.

"My sister Lady Charlotte is coming to visit later. She actually lives in London but she is holidaying in the area."

I sighed; after the trauma of yesterday's impromptu welcoming committee the last thing I wanted was to have more strangers foisted on me. Anthony sensed this.

"They won't stay long, she and her husband I mean," he promised me as he kissed my cheek,

I sighed deeply.

"I can put her off for a day or so my darling," he drew me close to him.

"No, it's alright. I would rather get the meeting and greeting done as soon as possible so I become less of a curiosity,"

"She will love you, Edith darling, If she does not like you then she will tell you to your face."

Somehow, this did not fill me with confidence although I wished I had the nerve to tell Mrs Danvers to her face that she made me feel uneasy.