Chapter 7: Collinwood
Unexpected Guests
After the second week at Collinwood had passed with no reappearance of the ghostly apparition, Amanda was able to relax, and she and Lee threw themselves into the security review. One evening, as they sat in the parlor with David, the housekeeper came into the room. "Mr. Collins, there is a phone call for you. Do you wish to take it here or in your office?"
"I'll take it here, Mrs. Johnson." Taking the phone from her, he excused himself to Lee and Amanda, before speaking into the receiver, "Hello? . . . Oh, Caroline, it's so nice to hear from you . . . No, no, it's not a good time for a visit . . . Well, you remember the security review is . . . Yes, they're staying here . . . Caroline, please . . . Can't you come next month? . . . Caroline? Caroline?"
He stood staring at the phone in his hand. "I can't believe it."
Amanda asked, "Is there a problem, David? I heard you mention the security review."
"No, not really a problem. It's my cousin, Caroline, and her husband, Burke Devlin. As you know, they're part owners of the shipyard with me, and they want to come see how the review is progressing. They've decided to come to the house this weekend, with their children, Amy and Mark. They'll be here tomorrow."
Amanda smiled at Davis in delight. "How wonderful. I would love to meet another of your charming cousins."
"I have to warn you Amanda, Caroline loves to pry. She makes everything her business."
Lee glanced over at his wife and smiled. "Hmm, sounds like . . . "
Amanda scowled teasingly at Lee, saying, "You better not finish that," before asking, "How old are the children, David?"
"Hmm. Let's see, now. I should know how old my own niece and nephew are, shouldn't I? Amy will be 15 this year and Mark is 13, I think."
"Almost the same as my two boys. Caroline and I seem to have a lot in common. We should get along just fine."
The next afternoon, when Lee and Amanda got back to Collinwood after spending the day at the shipyard offices, a strikingly beautiful blonde greeted them at the door. She gushed, "You must be Amanda and Lee. I can't tell you how excited I am to meet you. I've never been part of a security review before. You know, before Uncle Roger died, he kept that part of the business so secret, and then afterward, I became part owner, but didn't learn anything before moving away after my marriage." She looked at the couple and shook her head before continuing, "Oh, sorry, I'm Caroline, David's cousin. Come and meet my husband and my two children."
Amanda looked at Lee and gave him a silent laugh. They followed her into the parlor. "Burke, come here and meet Amanda and Lee. This is my husband, Burke."
Burke was a tall, good-looking man with dark hair just turning grey at the temples. He stood and approached the group, extending his hand to Lee. "I'm Burke Devlin. It's so nice to meet you."
Lee gave him a sincere smile and responded, "I'm Lee Stetson. It's nice to meet you, too. May I introduce you to Amanda King, my partner?"
Burke took Amanda's offered hand and shook it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
"Burke, where are Amy and Mark?"
"They're somewhere around. You know them. They can't stand still longer than ten minutes before they're bored."
David entered the room, saying, "I had no idea a government security review would turn into a family reunion. Here, let me introduce you to our guests."
"Oh, we've already introduced ourselves, David," Caroline said. Turning to Amanda she added, "Why don't we leave the men alone, so you and I can get to know each other a little better. I have a lot of questions to ask you."
"Sure. I'd like that," Amanda answered.
"Let's take a walk in the gardens. They're absolutely beautiful this time of year."
Once they were outside, Caroline turned to Amanda and said, "OK, first things first. Your boyfriend is gorgeous. I hope you've made plans for the future."
Amanda smiled before replying, "What makes you think Lee's my boyfriend?"
"Oh, come on, Amanda. I saw the way the two of you were looking at each other," Caroline said. Then, she leaned forward and confided, "More importantly, when I arrived at the house, I asked the housekeeper which room was yours, and she told me that you were sharing a room with Mr. Stetson."
"You know, David warned me about you."
Caroline laughed. "And just what did my dear cousin say about me?"
Amanda answered with a smile. "Only that you like to pry."
"That sounds about right. Amanda, I haven't offended you, have I?"
"Not at all."
"OK. So have you two made any plans for the future?"
"Well, we've done some talking, but nothing definite yet."
"Don't let him get away."
"Don't worry. I've got him pretty firmly hooked."
"Hmm, if I weren't happily married, I'd test that," Caroline added laughingly.
They talked for the next hour, and by the time the sun set, it was as if they had known each other for years. They made their way across the lawn, guided back by the warm lights of the house.
