"Vanessa - Expansion"
A Ghost and Mrs Muir Story
By TunnelsOfTheSouth
※※※※※
"I like men who have a future and women who have a past…"
Oscar Wilde
The early afternoon sun shafted in through the windows of Gull Cottage. Carolyn was alone in the house. Martha had used the fine afternoon to go shopping in town, and the children were at school.
Finding herself unable to concentrate on her latest article, after her solo midday meal, Carolyn decided she would dust the bedrooms. She changed into sensible clothing for the task.
She walked slowly along the landing, flicking her cloth dusters over the furniture, moving toward the closed door that gave access to the attic space. She stopped walking and frowned at the door.
Jonathan had told the family of Captain Gregg's express command that no one was allowed to enter his private domain he called the Wheelhouse. No one except Carolyn's young son.
The terse sea captain seemed to have taken a real liking to the lad, allowing him to explore the attic any time he chose. Which deeply irritated Carolyn's sense of fair play.
"Honest, Mom," Jonathan had assured her when Carolyn had tried to question him in a private moment after supper the night before. "There's nothing to see up there. But there's lots of dust and cobwebs. And it smells funny."
He waved a hand in front of his nose. "You wouldn't like it." He stepped back from her, looking for a way to escape.
"If there's nothing to see, then why do you spend so much time up there?" Carolyn had demanded to know, taking his hand to hold him still. She'd felt unreasonably cross.
"We get to do guy stuff." Her small son had frowned at her. "The captain's teaching me things. He said you wouldn't understand, so there's no use my telling. And anyway, no woman has ever been allowed aboard his ship. And he ain't about to let any of 'em come alongside, now that he's dead!"
He'd wriggled free of her grasp and scampered off before she could question him further. Carolyn had looked after him, torn between conflicting emotions.
She'd tried to obey the captain's terse command, but a deepening curiosity had nibbled at her ability to concentrate on her work. She did have an article she needed to complete, but her attention kept wandering.
"I do have a signed lease for the cottage," she told the closed attic door. "To my mind, that lease includes whatever is up there."
She looked around at the quiet house before raising her voice to say, "I can go up there any time I chose. Why should Jonathan be the only one to have all the fun?"
She waited for the captain to appear and reprimand her. He had said they were all still on trial in his house. He detested having his orders disobeyed. But nothing stirred.
She waited, attuned for any sign of him. But it seemed he too was elsewhere. The temptation to trespass was too good to pass up.
Carolyn opened the attic door slowly. It gave with a protesting groan that sounded loud in the stillness.
She looked inside and saw a set of narrow wooden stairs leading upwards before they turned from view. The hallway was dusty and cob-webbed by neglect. It seemed as if no one had been up the stairs for many years, except for the many small boy's footprints disturbing the dust on the wooden treads.
"This certainly needs a woman's attention..." Carolyn set one resolute foot on the bottom step and began to climb.
She took the turn in the stairs and climbed again. She pushed open the door at the top of the stairs. It too gave with an audible groan, as if trying to signal its owner about the unwanted intrusion.
"I can see I'll need to put some oil on your hinges..." Carolyn peeked around the door frame into the cottage's cluttered attic space above her bedroom.
It did smell funny, but more from dried leather and ancient sea salt stains, than anything more unsavoury. Two small, curtained windows allowed a view of the ocean beyond the beach and they gave a dim illumination to the attic's scattered contents. Again, dust lay everywhere and cobwebs hung thickly.
The sunlight, filtering into the room, added a moody touch to an already spooky scene. The attic space was full of shadows and the sun gave little illumination to the accumulations of Captain Gregg's marine adventures. A broken rocker, a scattered selection of old sea chests, charting instruments, some ancient weapons and whaling gear amassed in and around assorted piles of junk.
There appeared to be treasures everywhere Carolyn looked. It was a small boy's paradise.
"Well, there has to be more here than just dust and cobwebs." Carolyn stood in the doorway staring at it all. "I wonder what else he's hiding up here…"
She'd dressed for a comfortable afternoon doing the housework, but this place seemed beyond her skills. It would need an army of workmen to set it all to rights.
"And we all know that's not going to happen…" She advanced into the attic, looking all around.
"I love what you haven't done with the place…" She walked around the room, waving her duster here and there, trying to appear busy, even as she assessed the treasures on offer.
The enjoyment of illicit exploration soon had her in its thrall. She wiped a long smudge of dust across her cheek, as she brushed her hair from her damp face with the back of her hand, before tucking the errant strands beneath the red bandana she wore.
She searched further into the clutter. In the middle of the room, behind a pillar, stood the bronze statue of a buxom nude. Carolyn frowned at it in mock concern.
"Why, dear. I wouldn't want you to catch cold." She threw one of her dusting cloths around the statue's shoulders to cover its ample chest.
Fetching her spare cloth from her shoulder, she returned to her desultory dusting. She turned her attention to a dusty old lamp. She picked it up and blew on it, before rubbing at it with her cloth.
Behind her, Captain Gregg materialised, his expression brooding. "Good afternoon," he said loudly.
"Oh!" Carolyn jumped, then giggled. "For a minute, I thought I'd summoned the genie of the lamp."
"Surely, you don't believe in that sort of thing." Captain Gregg smiled gravely.
"I don't know…" Carolyn lifted a shoulder. "There was a time I didn't believe in ghosts."
"Really?" He walked toward her. "What are you doing with that?" He indicated the lamp.
"Oh, I thought it would look nice in the alcove. What do you think?"
He pulled a face. "It stinks."
Carolyn looked mildly shocked. "Captain…"
"Madam, that is a simple statement of fact," Captain Gregg replied patiently. "The lamp stinks. Just wait until you light it."
Carolyn considered the lamp. "Well, I think it's nice. You've got so many goodies here."
The captain sighed. "Madam, the wheelhouse is the last private retreat left to me." He frowned at her. "Do you realise that you are the first female to invade it?"
"The second, you mean." Carolyn indicated the nude statue with a teasing grin.
"Ah… that was a gift."
"Oh? From the artist or the model?" she asked innocently.
Captain Gregg appeared to be uncomfortable.
Carolyn looked beyond him. "Oh, what a magnificent chest."
"Madam, belay that!" Daniel responded commandingly. "That chest is not to be opened, ever! Its contents are very personal."
"All right..." Carolyn tried to conceal her curiosity. But her eyes kept straying to the chest.
Captain Gregg exhaled roughly. "I want your solemn oath that you will give this chest a wide berth."
"You've just told me not to open it. Don't you trust me?"
"You are a female. Pandora was a female. Eve was a female. Historically speaking, your sex has shown altogether too much blasted curiosity!"
Carolyn tossed her head. "Captain, if we are to continue to share Gull Cottage, we must have mutual respect."
"All right. All right, Mrs Muir, I trust you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have little reading to do."
He dematerialised, leaving Carolyn alone in the attic. She picked up the lamp and returned to her polishing. She looked over other items as she worked, but always her wandering gaze returned to the sea trunk.
She put down the lamp and approached the chest. She ran a hand over it, before drawing back. She cast a glance around the attic, but she was still alone. No angry ghost reappeared to admonish her trespass.
She moved sideways, to assess the trunk from a better angle, and noticed a ring of keys hanging from an iron hook on the post in front of it.
Again, Carolyn cast a furtive glance around the attic, but nothing moved. Emboldened she reached for the ring of keys and received a sudden electric shock.
She jumped back, shaking her hand. "Captain, that isn't fair! I trusted you to trust me!"
Captain Gregg materialised next to her, looking thunderous. "And you, Madam, went back on your solemn oath! I should have known better than to trust your word. Women are all the same, no matter what the century!"
"You can trust me!" Carolyn flared. "It's just that… just that…" She floundered into silence.
"If you have something to say, Mrs Muir, I suggest you spit it out." Captain Gregg crossed his arms, staring at her. "My displeasure about your rash actions has not stopped you in the past."
"Very well. You allow my son to run free up here, and yet you say no one else is allowed to even set foot in this attic. Like it's some great secret you refuse to share."
"That is because your son is a trustworthy lad, who knows when, and how, to keep a confidence. This is my private space, my one and only retreat from the unwanted invasion of my home." He shook his head. "And yet, despite all that, here you are, intruding where you are not wanted."
"Oh, you still see us as an invading force, do you?" Carolyn tossed her head. "I thought we'd settled that issue already? We have nowhere else to go, so you are stuck with us."
"We had an agreement until you took it upon yourself to come up here, without let or invitation. I made my commands quite clear."
"Well, I have a lease, remember?" Carolyn defended herself briskly. "You conveniently forget that fact."
"Never, Madam," Captain Gregg assured her. "It is at the forefront of my mind, every day, and night. You must remember I told you that you are all on trial, here. I can revoke that lease at any time of my choosing. Claymore will do as he is commanded. Or it will be the worse for all of you!"
"Very well…" Carolyn turned away, so he wouldn't see the tears gathering in her eyes. "If you feel I cannot be trusted…"
She went to brush past him. As she did so, she snatched at a plaited cord that hung from the ceiling. In a fit of pique, she gave it a sharp yank. In the next instant, she was forced to jump aside with a sharp yelp of fright as the ceiling appeared to unfold and descend directly toward her.
"Look out!" Daniel caught the unfolding ladder by its foot before it could strike Carolyn in the shoulder. "Blasted, careless female! Now, look what you've done!"
He might have stopped the ladder from descending further, but the resulting cascade of more than one hundred years of accumulated detritus tumbled down toward Carolyn's head.
She staggered backwards, just managing to dodge the heavy fall of dust, dead leaves and cobwebs. She lost her balance and collapsed backwards into a nearby, rump-sprung armchair. Daniel allowed the ladder to fully descend to the floor, before turning to her.
"Are you all right?" he asked anxiously, swatting away the floating cloud all around them.
"Yes…" Carolyn managed to nod, as she waved aside the miasma of particles. "I… I think so…"
"Your son has more sense than you!" Captain Gregg declared, with relief. "He knows not to touch anything without first seeking my permission. His is a very well-ordered mind. You would do well to follow his excellent example."
"I told you I have a lease." Carolyn coughed at the dust in her throat, trying to make light of the situation. "And I didn't touch anything. Well, not really…"
"Very well, Mrs Muir." Captain Gregg crossed his arms. "I can see you are not in the right mood for negotiation. But I expect never to find you interfering in my private domain ever again. Or it will be the worse for you." He dematerialised on a harrumph of displeasure.
"No, wait!" Carolyn put out one hand. "Please…"
"What? Why are you still here?" The captain half-reappeared, looking decidedly put out. "What is it, now, Madam?"
"Where does that lead?" Carolyn pointed to the ladder. "I mean, why is that there?"
"As I said, curiosity has always been the bane of your sex…" Daniel fully materialised. "Your son knows better than to ask."
"Are you going to tell me, or not?" Carolyn struggled out of the low armchair, before brushing down her clothes.
"Spare me from the unwarranted intrusion of all females." Gull Cottage's ghost sighed heavily. "That ladder gives access to the widow's walk atop the house. Satisfied? Now you may leave."
"I've never been up there." Carolyn advanced slowly to look up through the square space where the ladder had rested. "I have always wondered how you got to it."
"I, Madam, have no further use for ladders," Captain Gregg reminded her. "It is simply a matter of willing myself there."
He stood aside to indicate the open attic door with a pointing finger. "Now if you will kindly leave my wheelhouse, I still have my reading to attend to."
"I would guess the view from up there must be breath-taking…" Carolyn ignored his gesture as she grasped one of the rails of the folding ladder. "No wonder you go up there all the time…"
"Mrs Muir…" Captain Gregg growled warningly. "My walk is no place for you. It is my private place, as my wheelhouse once was. I forbid you to intrude further. I—"
"A widow's walk was a place for sailors' wives to wait and watch for the return of their menfolk…" Carolyn mused. "Therefore, it is exactly the place for a woman." She looked back at him, frowning. "And don't forget, I am already a widow."
"Yes. But, Madam…" Daniel tried to protest her assertion, but she was no longer listening.
With a look of determination on her face, Carolyn placed one foot on the bottom rung and began to climb.
"Dear Lord, preserve me from all interfering women!" the captain exploded, before vanishing abruptly.
He reappeared as Carolyn emerged onto the walk. She straightened slowly, to look all around.
"Oh, this is charming. Why didn't you tell me about this before? What a view…" She turned, looking in all directions. "I can see why you love it up here, so much."
"Love it?" Captain Gregg queried, momentarily lost for words. "I…"
"Did you spend a lot of time up here, when you were alive?" Carolyn stepped to the white-painted rail to look down into the front garden. "Smell that salt air, isn't it wonderful?"
"When I was alive, Madam, I was always at sea. Until the winter closed in, and I was confined to the harbour, and this house. Then, I had other matters I needed to attend to."
"That's so sad that you saw Gull Cottage that way." Carolyn looked back at him. "Like it was your prison."
"I built Gull Cottage with a –" Captain Gregg stopped, frowning at her. "I have already told you I had intended this house to be a home for retired seamen."
"Then why the widow's walk?" Carolyn challenged him with logic. "If there were no women living here, then you have no need for it."
Daniel shook his head. "It was never intended to be a part of the original design. Gull Cottage was built in the New England style. I was very specific with all its aspects. This was to be my legacy."
He shrugged. "I was away at sea for more months than had been planned, and when I finally returned, I found my builders had already constructed it. They were rightly proud of their work. It would have been very churlish of me to command its removal."
"By your own admission, you never intended the house to be occupied by a woman," Carolyn probed, looking back to the glorious view. "That is a great pity. I think it would have been wonderful to come up here to wait and watch for your return."
The captain stared at her back-view; his expression full of conflicting emotions he had no way to express. 'If you had been waiting for me, on this walk, Carolyn, I would not have found the strength to return to the sea. My love for you would have been that strong…'
He pushed back against the unbidden sense of intense longing that rose within him. "I have never allowed a female to take up permanent residence aboard my ship," he countered tersely. "Why should I start now that I am dead?"
"Well, now you have three females aboard your ship, along with a small boy and a dog," Carolyn reminded him softly. "Don't you ever get tired of fighting the inevitable? We are here to stay."
"I am fast coming to regret our agreement." The captain stood aside to indicate the ladder behind her. "If you will oblige me, Madam. I have other tasks I must return to." His set expression showed Carolyn she had ridden his small store of patience to the very limit.
She consented with a small nod, after taking one last long look around. "It is so beautiful up here…"
She returned to the attic, watching as Captain Gregg pushed the ladder back to its original position. He then threw the braided cord up into the rafters, so it would be almost impossible to reach.
He looked back at Carolyn. "In case you cannot contain that boundless curiosity of yours, and decide to ascend the ladder again, without my permission."
"Spoilsport…" Carolyn made a face at him, as she walked toward the open attic door. "I give you my word that next time, I will not attempt to go up onto the walk without first asking you." Her eyes strayed to the sea chest she had tried to open earlier.
"Please believe me when I tell you that I am no closer to trusting a word you say!" Captain Gregg thundered. "And there will be no, next time!" He dematerialised in a huff.
"You seem to forget I do have a signed lease…" Carolyn frowned after him.
To prove her point, she snatched up an armful of old books lying neglected on the top of a dusty old chest near the door, before she descended the attic steps. Reaching the bottom, she shut the landing door again with a decided snap of discontent.
※※※※※
The next afternoon, Claymore Gregg stepped out his office door. Contented with his day and his lot, he hummed to himself as he turned to lock the door behind him, checking and rechecking it was securely locked. Such things could never be left to chance.
As he finished his task, two women walked past him and he politely raised his hat to them. It never paid to ignore potential customers. "Good afternoon, ladies. How do you do?"
Briefcase in hand he walked down the street, intent on the happy task of collecting the weekly rents and fattening his already plump coffers. Nothing gave him greater pleasure.
Behind him, a beautiful, dark-haired woman in her twenties carrying a suitcase, hurried to catch up. "Oh, hello? Hello, are you Mr Gregg?" she asked breathlessly.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes…" Claymore replied politely, as he doffed his hat. His eyes sparkled with anticipation of another profit.
"I'm Vanessa Peekskill," the young woman introduced herself. "I was told you're the man who could help me." She put down her suitcase.
"Good afternoon." Claymore was immediately all business. "Well, yes, you bet I am, Mrs Peekskill."
He immediately opened his briefcase and began digging around inside. "I happen to have some of the finest homes listed with me in all of New England," he declared expansively, coming out with a large notebook. "How many bedrooms are you seeking?"
"Ah, it's Miss Peekskill," Vanessa informed him.
"Oh…Miss…um…Miss Peekskill." Claymore looked crestfallen. "Well, Miss Peekskill, can you afford to buy a house?"
"I think so," Vanessa replied prettily. "I have an inheritance."
"Oh, well…" Claymore brightened up immediately. "If that's the case, I have just the house for you, Miss Peekskill!" He opened his notebook.
Vanessa shook her head. "I don't want to buy a house."
"Oh, I see. You'd rather rent. Well…" Claymore began to fidget, seeing this meeting was going nowhere and he had more pressing business to attend to.
"No, Mr Gregg," Vanessa responded firmly.
"Well then, how about some insurance?" Claymore asked in desperation, as he dug into his suit coat pocket. "Public documents? Say, would you like to get married?"
"Mr Gregg," Vanessa responded, looking amused. "I hardly think we know each other well enough for that…"
"No, no, no…I meant I'm a Justice of the Peace. I perform marriages. It's one of the many hats I wear in the service of Schooner Bay."
"Ah, well…" Vanessa shrugged. "What I really want is a favour."
"Oh…." Claymore looked confused. "Well, all right, who could say no to someone with your inheritance…I mean, charm?" He sighed. "You're just lovely."
Vanessa smiled at him sweetly. "Thank you. Ah, would you take me out to Gull Cottage?"
Claymore's ingratiating smile vanished like magic. "Miss Peekskill, listen to me. I have been to Gull Cottage, and take my word, it's nothing, absolutely nothing."
He clamped his hat back onto his head. "Good afternoon!" He was about to leave Miss Peekskill standing alone when he spotted Carolyn Muir walking across the street to enter a shop further down the street.
"Hi, Claymore…" Carolyn called, waving to him as she walked away.
"Oh, hi, Mrs Muir…" Claymore said distractedly, then jumped. "Oh, Mrs Muir! Wait one moment please..." He hurried toward her to take her arm. "Mrs Muir…"
Claymore led her back to Vanessa, snatching off his hat again. "Now, this is Carolyn Muir… This is Miss um, Miss ah…Miss What's-Her-Name…" he fumbled through the introduction. "You tell her," he instructed Vanessa.
"Hello, Miss What's-Her-Name." Carolyn laughed as she shook hands with the young woman. "What am I supposed to tell you?"
"Well, I'm Vanessa Peekskill," Vanessa introduced herself. "I just asked Mr Gregg to take me to Gull Cottage." She looked mystified. "He's very reluctant to oblige me."
"Gull Cottage?" Carolyn queried. "Oh, I live there."
"Oh, marvellous!" Vanessa exclaimed, brightening. "Then you can take me there!"
"Oh, no, no, no, she can't!" Claymore babbled. He frowned at Carolyn. "Tell her why you can't take her to Gull Cottage. Go ahead…"
"Well, you see, I'm a writer and I—" Carolyn obliged.
"So am I," Vanessa declared. "Well, I mean, I'm going to be. So, we have something in common."
"I'm afraid that won't do. She has too much work to do," Claymore declared, looking to Carolyn for confirmation. "She's always clickety-clacking away on the old typewriter. Turning out miles and miles of deathless prose," he babbled breathlessly.
"I promise not to disturb you," Vanessa replied earnestly. "Please, Mrs Muir, I'm terribly interested in Gull Cottage and I've come such a long way."
Keenly aware of the irascible reason for Claymore's agitation, Carolyn shook her head. "Well, I'd like to help you, but…"
"That's right! That's right!" Claymore interjected. "Mrs Muir would like to help you Miss Peekskill, but he won't let her."
"Who won't let you?" Vanessa looked from one to the other in puzzlement.
"Her dog…" Claymore rushed to cover his gaff. "Nasty beast."
"My dog," Carolyn told her, rather lamely.
"Your dog won't let you?" Vanessa's finely drawn eyebrows rose in astonishment.
"He's…he's a very mean dog. Vicious dog. I'm sorry, dear." Claymore looked relieved. "Can't be trusted around strangers. The brute likes to chew on my leg all the time."
"Claymore…" Carolyn tried to calm him down, but it was no use.
"Goodbye, Mrs Muir…" Claymore crammed his hat on his head once more before hurrying away, muttering about vicious, nasty dogs.
Carolyn and Vanessa stood looking after him.
"He's wound awfully tight, isn't he?" Vanessa questioned.
"I'm afraid that's not the word for it." Carolyn laughed. "I would like to help you, Miss Peekskill, but I'm afraid it isn't practical for me to have visitors at Gull Cottage. Bye, bye…" She turned to walk away.
"Mrs Muir..." Vanessa hurried after her, opening her handbag. "I have something that might make you change your mind," she offered persuasively.
"I'm afraid nothing could make me change my mind," Carolyn replied firmly.
Vanessa didn't reply. She reached into her handbag and took out a small bundle of papers. She handed them to Carolyn, who accepted them reluctantly. She began to look through them and Vanessa smiled confidently, watching her reaction.
※※※※※
Carolyn conveyed Vanessa Peekskill to Gull Cottage in her car. She pulled up at the gate and cut the engine.
She opened one of the letters and began to read it, watched by Vanessa, who looked extremely satisfied. Carolyn turned the page and continued to read, a dreamy expression on her face.
"It's just beautiful…" She shook her head as she finished reading, lifting her head to gaze at the cottage as if she was seeing it for the first time.
"Oh, I just knew, as a fellow writer, you would not be able to resist those letters," Vanessa declared happily.
She turned to open her door, but Carolyn reached to restrain her. She shook her head as she handed the letter back.
"Oh, would you mind waiting a minute, Vanessa? I have to…um, have to check…"
"Talk it over with your dog?" The young woman smiled.
Carolyn returned her smile wanly as she got out of the car. She hurried through the open gate and up to the house.
She went inside and straight up to her room, dreading the confrontation to come. She called for the captain and he appeared, looking less than welcoming.
Carolyn walked around the telescope, arguing her case for allowing the young woman to stay. "I will not be mean to the girl and I will not be inhospitable to this girl," Carolyn told him. "And I will not allow you to be either!"
"Madam!" Daniel leaned toward her over his telescope. "I will not—"
"Oh, I know what you're going to say. I've heard it over and over before," Carolyn accused huffily.
The captain gave up the argument. He leaned on his telescope glaring at her.
Carolyn walked around the room, using Captain Gregg's annoyed tone. "Madam, this is not a public tavern. Madam, this house was not leased as a hotel…"
She turned to look back at him. "Madam, I will not have my privacy invaded! Et cetera, et cetera, and so forth. The fact is, Captain Gregg, so long as I pay the rent I can invite anyone I choose – to stay as long as I choose." She took a defiant position. "What do you say to that?"
While she had been talking, Daniel had turned to the window, to look down on the young woman under discussion. He saw Vanessa had gotten out of Carolyn's car and was looking around. He leaned closer, looking down at her with intense interest.
He turned from the window with an intense expression. "I would say it's not very hospitable to leave your guest standing outside all this time."
Carolyn stood staring at him in open-mouthed astonishment. "What did you just say?"
"I was asking where are your manners, Madam? Invite the young lady inside to freshen up and I think tea and refreshments would do very nicely. For a start…"
He waved an imperious hand toward the bedroom door before dematerialising. Carolyn stared at the spot where he'd just been standing, her expression a picture of total confusion.
※※※※※
Carolyn went downstairs to show Vanessa into the house. Taking her into the living room, she introduced her to her family.
"…and these are my children, Candy and Jonathan."
Vanessa shook hands with each child in turn. "How do you do?"
"Hi," the children replied politely.
"Come on, Jonathan…" Candy took her brother to the window seat where they sat together to play cat-in-the-cradle with a long piece of string.
"They're both very cute," Vanessa said.
"Thank you," Carolyn said politely.
"Um, where's your dog?" Vanessa looked around.
"Right there." Martha pointed to Scruffy sleeping on a chair in the corner next to the alcove.
Vanessa walked over to him, sinking down before the chair. "Somehow, I pictured him differently."
"Ah, he has his moments…" Carolyn looked uncomfortable.
"Hello there…" Vanessa ventured cautiously, leaning closer to the chair.
Captain Gregg materialised in the corner of the alcove behind them and Scruffy immediately jumped up to run from the room, whining.
"He's a little high strung," Martha commented, walking in carrying two cups of tea.
"Isn't everyone around here?" Vanessa laughed as she accepted one cup. She looked around. "Oh, what a lovely place. Ideal for a writer."
"Yeah, Edgar Alan Poe would've been right at home here," Martha commented drily, handing the other cup of tea to Carolyn. "Sometimes I think he is."
Vanessa's eyes strayed to the captain's portrait. "Oh…that must be Captain Gregg."
"Yep, the old barnacle himself," Martha quipped.
Standing beside the mantle, the captain gave her a fierce look.
"Oh, what a magnificent man!" Vanessa enthused.
"That's exactly what I said," Carolyn chipped in. "When I first saw him."
"He's so fiery…so dynamic looking…" Vanessa said dreamily.
"He has a temper, too…" Jonathan put in, looking up from his game with his sister.
"Children…" Carolyn approached them. "Why don't you get started on your homework?"
"Oh, Mom, do we have to?" Candy complained.
"Yes, you do," Carolyn encouraged.
"Come on, Candy…" Jonathan got up and they left the room, shepherded by their mother towards the stairs.
Martha was still looking up at the portrait. "He must've been quite an ogre from the stories we've heard about him."
"Oh, no…no, you're mistaken," Vanessa declared, turning away to put her teacup down on the coffee table. She opened her handbag to remove the bundle of letters she had shown to Carolyn. "These are some letters written by Captain Gregg. They were written more than a century ago but I just got them."
"Well, the mail has been slow," Martha put in wryly.
"Oh, no, I mean I got them from my mother. They were written by Captain Gregg to my great-great-grandmother. This one's my favourite…"
Martha stood next to her as the young woman opened one of the letters and began to read. "'My beloved one…the memory of your beauty sails the lonely, watery wastes with me…and I am alone no more…'"
Carolyn walked back into the room behind them. She was listening intently.
"He wrote that?" Martha marvelled. "Who knew?"
Vanessa went on reading. "'I see your radiant face in my mind's eye, and rough and raging seas grow calm...'"
During the recital, Captain Gregg looked annoyed at this invasion of his privacy. But he seemed powerless to stop it without revealing his ghostly presence.
"Well, well…" Martha marvelled. "So, the old goat turns out to be a pussycat. "How about that?" She walked past the captain, chuckling to herself as she went to the tea tray on a side table, intent on offering them chocolate biscuits.
Daniel walked into the room, frowning at Vanessa. Carolyn stared at him, worrying he was not happy with the situation and was about to make a scene.
"Oh, this one I like the best, Mrs Muir…" Vanessa skipped a page. "'Your hair is a storm at midnight, your eyes black pearls from the ocean deeps, your voice an angel's song in the wind…'"
"I think that'll be quite enough for now," Captain Gregg commanded, walking up behind Carolyn to stare at Vanessa over her shoulder.
"But she can't stop now!" Carolyn said involuntarily, enthralled with the letter.
"I wasn't stopping…" Vanessa replied, looking confused.
"Mrs Muir…" Daniel said, warningly, leaning closer.
"Wouldn't you like to freshen up before dinner?" Carolyn inserted quickly.
"Oh, no…" Vanessa replied airily. "I…I'd like to start looking around for material about Captain Gregg and my great-great-grandmother. Do you have any idea where I should begin?"
"No, I don't," Carolyn admitted.
"Tell her to try the attic," Daniel ordered.
"The attic!" Carolyn exclaimed.
"The attic?" Vanessa looked puzzled.
"You can't go in the attic." Carolyn scrambled to recover herself.
Vanessa frowned at her. "But you just suggested it."
"Of course, she can go in the attic," Daniel told her. "She has my permission."
"It's a private sanctum…" Carolyn battled on.
"It is?" Vanessa looked even more confused.
"But not to her!" Daniel said angrily. "Tell her to go up into the attic!"
"But not to you…" Carolyn conceded.
"Thank you," Vanessa said warily. She gave Carolyn a thoroughly confused look.
"Here, let me show you the way, Miss Peekskill," Martha offered, putting the plate of biscuits down before coming forward to break the strange deadlock.
"Thank you…" Vanessa turned back to Carolyn. "Excuse me…"
The two women left the room. "May I take your coat, dear…?" Martha offered as they crossed the foyer.
Carolyn turned to frown at the captain. "Well, at least your privacy won't be invaded for long. She's promised to work as quickly as she can, gathering her notes together and then she'll be gone." She sipped her tea with an air of satisfaction.
"Where's your hospitality, Mrs Muir?" Daniel frowned at her. "Hospitality…Let the young lady stay as long as she pleases."
He dematerialised, leaving Carolyn to stare after him in troubled confusion and more than a little puzzled. She wondered what the captain would do next.
※※※※※
Martha ushered Vanessa up the staircase and walked with her along the landing. "The guest room is down at the far end," the housekeeper pointed along the landing. "I'll ask the children to bring up your suitcases from the car when they're done with their homework."
She turned to a closed door beside them. "And this is the way up into the attic. Have fun. I've never been allowed in there to do any cleaning. But I've been told there's not much to see apart from dust and cobwebs."
"Thank you." Vanessa nodded. "I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Excellent," Martha approved. "Dinner's set for six. Please don't be late in coming down again." She walked away and descended the stairs.
Vanessa opened the door and peered in. She saw a set of narrow wooden stairs leading upwards before they turned from view. The hallway was dusty and cob-webbed just as Martha had said. It looked as if no one had walked up the stairs for many years, except for several sets of footprints that disturbed the dust on the wooden treads.
"How interesting…" Vanessa climbed the stairs quickly, opening the door at the top that gave her access to the silent attic room.
Dust motes hung in the air, underlit by the wan light coming in through the two small windows that allowed a view of the ocean beyond the house. Vanessa sneezed delicately as she brushed aside a few cobwebs.
She began to work her way through the cluttered contents, looking in drawers and opening cupboards. She poked into all the interesting nooks and crannies, touching interesting objects, all the while writing entries in her notebook.
Unseen by her, the captain materialised, watching her work, with obvious affection. He smiled, picking up the same set of keys Carolyn has been looking at the day before. He walked over to the sea chest and unlocked it.
He replaced the keys, turning to watch Vanessa work through her notebook with her back to him. He walked right up behind her, looking over her shoulder at the old photo album she was looking through.
"Go to the sea chest, my dear…" he whispered to her. "Open the sea chest…"
But Vanessa didn't appear to hear him. He tried again. "Vanessa, open the sea chest…"
She stopped her hunting and began staring at nothing. Then she turned slowly. Daniel moved with her, watching her closely.
"The sea chest, my dear. Look in the sea chest…" he whispered.
Of course, Vanessa didn't hear him. As she approached to lift the lid and looked inside, Daniel smiled with satisfaction as he watched her going through his precious things no one had touched in over one hundred years.
※※※※※
In the kitchen, the residents of Gull Cottage waited and watched for Vanessa Peekskill's return downstairs for dinner. But the night was drawing in and there was still no sign of her.
"Why doesn't she come down from there?" Martha demanded to know, staring up at the ceiling. "You suppose she's heard about my cooking?"
"Sweetie pie…" Carolyn instructed her son. "Will you run up to the attic and tell Vanessa we're waiting for her?"
"Okay, Mom." Jonathan got up and scampered off.
"Vanessa's awfully pretty, isn't she, Mommy?" Candy asked.
"Yes, she is."
"Mommy, can I dye my hair black, just to see how I look?" Candy asked innocently.
"No, you can't," Carolyn told her, laughing.
Jonathan came racing back into the kitchen. "Hey, Mom! Wait'll you see what's coming down the stairs!"
"Oh, now what's he up to…" Carolyn said warily.
"In a crazy old dress!" Jonathan declared, dashing back to the foot of the stairs.
"He's wearing a dress?" Carolyn looked confused, as she got up.
They all hurried out into the foyer, to stare up the stairs. Vanessa was walking slowly down the steps, seemingly in another world and definitely in another dress. It was a beautiful Victorian, floor-length gown.
Her hair had been caught up in a style from the last century and she was wearing a small cameo on a black ribbon around her neck. She was carrying a small, framed photograph and a single candle.
"Vanessa…?" Carolyn called. There was no response. She tried again, going partway up the stairs. "Vanessa…"
The young woman walked past her, then stopped. "Yes…?"
"Where did you find those clothes?" Carolyn asked, in confusion.
"In the attic,' Vanessa replied dreamily, studying the framed photograph in her hand.
Carolyn looked closer. "What's that?"
"I found it in the sea chest. It's my great-great-grandmother…" Vanessa confirmed, still in her dreamy state.
She turned to Carolyn, holding the picture out. Carolyn took it to study the woman in the photograph. The likeness to Vanessa was incredible. She handed it back, looking puzzled and concerned.
"Her hair is a storm at midnight," Daniel's disembodied voice quoted softly. "Her eyes black pearls from the ocean deeps…" He sighed. "And her voice an angle's song in the wind…"
Carolyn stared at Vanessa, shaking her head in confusion. A small spark of something that felt like jealousy, but surely it couldn't be, ignited deep within her…
※※※※※
Carolyn entered her room later that evening, shutting the door sharply behind her. She was not in the best of moods.
The captain materialised before her. "Ah, Mrs Muir…" He sighed. "Isn't our guest captivating?" He shook his head. "Oh, the sight of her in that gown…ah…"
"Yes, about those clothes, Captain…" Carolyn frowned at him, walking past him to her desk, to sort through some books.
Daniel followed her. "Yes, I suppose I should explain."
"Oh, it's no concern of mine," Carolyn denied airily, picking up a book and retiring to her chair in the corner. "You don't owe me any explanations…"
Then she caved in and bounced back to her feet again. "But I certainly think I deserve one!"
"The contents of that sea chest were meant to be a trousseau for her great-great-grandmother. I prefer to keep them hidden…" Daniel's gaze became unfocused and dreamy. "Until Vanessa arrived. Vanessa…that was her great-great-grandmother's name, too."
"Somehow, that seemed inevitable," Carolyn commented moodily.
Daniel gazed off into the distance. "The girl is the very image of her ancestor. It's reincarnation."
"Oh, isn't that nice…" Carolyn marvelled, walking around him to sit at her desk. "A ghost who believes in reincarnation. Don't you think you're a little too old for her, Captain?"
"Madam…" Daniel replied in a chiding tone, leaning on the edge of the desk. "By the way, has she indicated how long she'll be staying?"
"That all depends," Carolyn told him sweetly. "She's searching for the letters great-great-grannie wrote to you."
"Oh, what a pity." Daniel looked thoughtful. "They were all lost at sea, you know."
"They were?" Carolyn looked pleased. "Well, then there's really no reason for her to stay any longer. I'll just go down and tell her—"
"Hold on now, Mrs Muir!" Daniel commanded. "I said Vanessa can stay as long as she likes. My house is her house."
"Actually, Captain," Carolyn returned in a firm tone. "Your house is my house."
Suddenly, from a distance, Vanessa could be heard singing a pretty, lilting song. After dinner, she'd quickly excused herself and gone to her room to work on her notebook.
"Shhh…" Daniel demanded. "Listen…my Vanessa used to sing that song, too."
"She's a quarter of a tone off," Carolyn commented acidly.
The captain laughed ruefully. "Good night, Mrs Muir." He dematerialised.
"Good night!" Carolyn responded, happy to see him go for once.
She stood listening to Vanessa singing until she couldn't stand it any longer. She mimicked the singing with a frustrated expression before returning to her book.
※※※※※
The next morning, the Muir family and Vanessa were all sitting in the kitchen eating their breakfast. It was not a comfortable gathering.
"Somehow, Mrs Muir…somehow I feel like I belong here…" Vanessa sighed, looking around the room. "From the moment I walked in, I felt as if this was my home."
Martha left the stove, carrying the coffee pot to the table. She stared at Vanessa's rapt face, but she didn't comment.
"Really?" Carolyn responded politely.
"Oh yes, I could stay here forever…" Vanessa breathed dreamily.
Carolyn was not overjoyed with the pronouncement. Martha stood between them, pouring the coffee. She was wise enough to keep quiet, but she could see the unrest in the family.
"Ideal surroundings for a writer…" Vanessa continued in the same rapt tone.
"Mom likes it because it's quiet," Candy admitted.
"Oh, I should think so." Vanessa nodded.
"Well, actually, it's too quiet," Carolyn admitted. "It gets on my nerves."
Martha lifted a puzzled eyebrow but she still didn't comment.
"Oh, but the isolation should be helpful to you…" Vanessa commented in a confused tone.
"No, it isn't," Carolyn stated firmly. "One misses the company of others."
"Oh, but the atmosphere…" Vanessa wondered. "You must find it so stimulating."
"No, I find it depressing," Carolyn replied shortly.
Martha stared at her in bemusement. "Somewhere along the line, I missed something…" She walked back to the stove, shaking her head.
"Don't you really like it here, Mrs Muir?" Vanessa asked, looking shocked.
"Well, the place has many drawbacks," Carolyn told her. "The plumbing's always breaking down. And it's cold, creaky and drafty…" She leaned over to pour milk onto Jonathan's cereal.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Vanessa declared. "I mean, I'm glad you feel that way."
"Why?" Carolyn looked puzzled.
"Because I've been thinking of buying Gull Cottage with my inheritance." Vanessa gazed around the kitchen. "Oh, I love it so. Every dusty corner is filled with romance. It's a palace of the past…"
"I resent that crack about dusty corners," Martha declared, frowning at their house guest.
Vanessa ignored her as she warmed to her theme. "Each piece of furniture with its own wonderous story to tell." She smiled at Carolyn. "And since you don't like the place, I really wouldn't be putting you out if I bought Gull Cottage."
"Hey, Mom!" Jonathan piped up.
Carolyn had continued pouring the milk and now it overflowed the bowl of cereal. She quickly righted the milk pitcher. "Oh, I'm sorry…"
"Mom!" Candy declared. "She wants to buy our house!"
Carolyn got up, looking distressed. This morning was going from bad to worse.
"Where're ya going, Mom?" Jonathan asked, watching her anxiously.
"Oh, I…I thought I would get something to eat," she replied, walking past a stupefied-looking Martha who was about to serve her breakfast from a dish of bacon and eggs.
※※※※※
Carolyn retreated to her bedroom. She stood on the upper veranda, leaning on the ship's wheel as she stared out to the ocean. She looked depressed.
"Mrs Muir…?" the captain said gently as he appeared.
Carolyn turned to see him standing behind her.
"I was hoping to find you alone," he said gently.
"Were you?" Carolyn stared up at him before walking away toward the balcony railing.
"Yes… We've had so little opportunity for us to be alone together, lately…" Daniel lowered his voice as he followed her.
"I noticed that," Carolyn replied quietly.
"I have something to show you…" From behind his back, Daniel produced a magnificent, antique, silk shawl. It was decorated with red and blue roses. "I bought this in Morocco in eighteen-forty-two. I really don't know if a contemporary lady would like it…"
He held it out to her. "Do you mind trying it on?"
Carolyn accepted the shawl. "It's lovely…" Her heavy heart lifted slightly. Was Daniel trying to make amends?
She walked into her bedroom, sweeping the shawl around her shoulders. She walked over to the mirror to admire her reflection.
Daniel followed her, staring at her with mixed emotions evident on his face. "It's beautiful… You have a flair for that sort of thing."
"Why, thank you." Carolyn draped the shawl differently, admiring the new effect.
"I only hope it looks as well on Vanessa," Daniel mused.
"Vanessa?" Carolyn's enjoyment immediately evaporated.
"You see, the shawl was originally intended for her great-great-grandmother. But, of course, I wouldn't dream of giving it to her, if you thought it was unsuitable."
"I think she'll like it very much…" Carolyn replied in a flat tone, looking down at the beautiful shawl.
"Good," Daniel said approvingly. "I know you'll find some graceful way of presenting it to her. That is if you don't mind."
"No…no, I don't mind." Carolyn stared at him, slowly removing the shawl.
"Thank you." Daniel nodded.
He dematerialised, leaving Carolyn to stare into the mirror. She folded the shawl slowly, looked at it sadly before she put it aside on the end of her bed.
Being asked to give such a lovely gift to another woman had finally made up her mind. She'd come to a painful decision; one she was not going back on once it had been made. Even if everything inside her rebelled against such a drastic course of action.
She crossed the room to her desk. Picking up the receiver of her telephone she began to dial. She listened to the dialling tone and tried not to cry.
In Claymore's office, her landlord was taking time out from his busy day to enjoy a small picnic lunch on the bench seat in his office. He hummed to himself, very pleased with his lot as he salted his freshly boiled egg.
The sun was shining in through the office window and his round of rent collecting had gone exceedingly well. He was just about to bite into the egg when the phone rang.
"Ohhh…" He put his food down and got up to answer it. "Claymore Gregg here…"
"Hello, Claymore, this is Carolyn Muir."
"Yes, Mrs Muir…" Claymore replied warily.
"I've had some second thoughts about Gull Cottage…"
"I knew it," Claymore replied unhappily.
"I was wondering if I could get out of my lease…"
"Absolutely not!" Claymore declared.
"I think I have a buyer for you…"
"How soon can you leave?" Claymore's bad mood lifted magically.
"As soon as possible…Could you come out this afternoon?"
"Mrs Muir, wild horses couldn't drag me out there again…but money could! I'll come right out!" he chortled. "Bye…"
He hung up, a wondering smile spreading across his face. Suddenly he was beginning to see a life free of his great-uncle's unwanted ghostly presence. He rubbed his palms together eagerly, not quite able to believe his luck.
"Thank you…" Carolyn cut the connection, close to tears.
She stiffened and swiped a hand across her welling eyes. The decision had been made and now she would be forced to live with it.
※※※※※
Getting up from her chair, she set about fulfilling Daniel's request to gift the shawl to Vanessa. She performed the unwanted duty with a heavy heart.
Task completed, she tracked Vanessa down in the guest bedroom. The young woman was writing in her notebook, a collection of various items she'd removed from the attic spread out on the desk before her.
"I found this right at the back of the top shelf of the closet in my room when I was sorting my summer clothes this morning." Carolyn held out a brown paper wrapped parcel to her, trying to keep her expression neutral. "I have no idea how long it's been there."
"What is it?" Vanessa asked, getting up to take the string-tied parcel.
"I have no idea," Carolyn lied briskly. "But it seems to have your name on it, though it's hard to read."
"So, it does!" Vanessa peered at the faint, spidery writing across the paper that had taken Carolyn some time to perfect. "Oh, I wonder what it is…"
"It looks very old. I guess Captain Gregg intended it as a gift for your grandmother and it was forgotten after he died." Carolyn watched the younger woman unwrapping the shawl.
"Ohhh, look!" Vanessa held up the shawl, swishing it through the air so the deep fringe danced.
She hurried over to the mirror in her room to look at herself as she swept it around her shoulders. "How lovely. The captain certainly did have excellent taste."
She turned before the mirror, staring at herself from all angles. "And it's just my colour too. Oh, the darling man, how did he know I love roses?"
"I have no idea…" Carolyn stared at her, trying not to be jealous of the beautiful picture she made. "I guess a man like the captain knew how to impress the ladies. He certainly had a reputation for it."
"Isn't it just wonderful," Vanessa enthused, turning back to smile at Carolyn. "It's all coming together, just like a real fairy tale. This lovely house, the wonderful captain and the excellent book I'm going to write about him as soon as I get settled into Gull Cottage."
"I'll look forward to reading it. Excuse me…" Carolyn murmured, retreating from the room and going downstairs to wait for Claymore to arrive with a heavy heart.
※※※※※
She stood on the front porch of Gull Cottage. She was a little more composed, as she looked out to sea.
Arriving from the school bus, the children walked down the path toward her, their books in their hands. They climbed the front steps together.
"Hi, Mom," Jonathan greeted her.
"Hey, Mom," Candy responded, looking upset.
"Hi… How was school?" Carolyn smiled down at them.
"Fine…" Jonathan replied. "Mom…are we really gonna leave Gull Cottage? Do we have to?"
"We don't have to, dear. It's just for the best."
"But why is it for the best…?" Candy wanted to know.
Above them on the upper balcony, Captain Gregg stood listening to their conversation. He leaned forward on the railing as Carolyn and the children continued to talk.
"Yeah, Mom, why is it for the best?" Jonathan put in.
"It's hard to explain. Vanessa wants the house."
"Well, don't we?" Jonathan frowned.
"But, you see, darling…she seems to belong here more than we do. They were meant for each other."
"Who were meant for each other?" Candy asked.
"Vanessa and the…house," Carolyn skirted the uncomfortable truth.
"Aw, but Mom…" Candy groaned.
"Please, children…" Carolyn pleaded. "Come on, who would like some milk and cookies?"
She hugged both children before leading them inside to the kitchen.
On the upper veranda, Daniel looked deeply thoughtful. "Females!" He folded his arms, shaking his head before vanishing.
※※※※※
Claymore approached the front porch of Gull Cottage warily. Martha was outside sweeping the steps. She didn't look particularly happy.
"Hello, Mr Gregg," she greeted him.
"Hello. Uh, I've brought the papers for Miss Peekskill. I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you think she would come out and sign them in the car?"
"No, she wouldn't," Martha said severely. "Go right on in. Everyone's waiting for you." She swept the broom past the tips of his shoes.
"Oh, very well…" Claymore sighed roughly as he entered the house cautiously. He crossed the foyer to the parlour and found Carolyn waiting for him.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Muir." He removed his hat, closing the door behind him. "Um…" He looked into every corner. "Are we…are we alone?"
"Everything is just fine, Claymore." She rose to meet him. "This is going to be a very pleasant transaction." She sighed. "I'm sure we're all going to be happier for it."
Contrary to her brave words, she looked utterly miserable. Claymore frowned at her, trying not to allow his concern to show. He was here strictly on business, after all.
"I can see that it's for the best," he replied. "And where's the lucky lady who wants to take this dusty, old place off my hands?"
"She'll be down shortly," Carolyn told him, settling back on the couch. "I'm sure you will find her very willing to sign your papers."
※※※※※
Upstairs in the guest room, Vanessa was still seated at the desk, wearing the shawl. She was still working on her notebook by the light of several flickering candles.
Captain Gregg materialised behind her. "Vanessa…." He intoned. "Go up to the attic and look in the sea chest…"
She didn't react to his voice, still writing in the notebook. Daniel frowned.
"Vanessa…" he commanded again, leaning closer. "Go up to the attic…"
The young woman dropped her pen before getting up. She wrapped the shawl closer around her as she glided out of the room.
Down in the living room, Claymore was beginning to pace, looking significantly at his wristwatch. "Ohhh, where is she?"
He walked behind the couch where Carolyn was seated, watching him. "You don't think something has happened to her, do you?" he worried. "I hope I haven't been dragged all the way out here for nothing."
"What could have happened to her?" Carolyn asked innocently.
"Why do you say that?!" Claymore demanded, starting to look hysterical.
Suddenly a door slammed loudly and then hurried footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. Claymore's face began to pale and he looked ill. "Oohhh…" He crept toward the closed door.
Vanessa Peekskill burst into the living room, carrying her suitcase and with the shawl folded over her arm. She looked anything but happy.
"Ah, the new owner," Claymore greeted her with alacrity. He held out a folded document toward her. "Miss Peekskill, I've drawn this up for you to sign—"
Vanessa snatched the document and tore it into pieces before handing the scraps back to a mystified Claymore.
"What's the matter?" Carolyn stared at her in amazement, getting up from the couch.
"Mrs Muir, that man was a rat!" Vanessa crossed the room, pointing an accusing finger at the captain's portrait. "An absolute fink!"
She turned to stand beneath the painting, shaking her head. "Oh, my poor, great-great-grandmother…"
"Isn't she well?" Claymore asked in confusion, seeing his cherished sale slipping through his fingers.
"She's dead," Carolyn told him.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Miss Peekskill. When did she die?"
"In eighteen-eighty-one," Vanessa replied distractedly.
"Well, we all have to go sometime…"
"Mrs Muir…I'm very sorry to say I found what I was looking for. Another letter!"
Carolyn looked confused. "Where did you find that?"
"In the sea chest. I just had an urge to take another look," Vanessa replied. "Listen to this!"
She took out a letter and unfolded it. She began to read, "'My dear Woman, it's time to end this comedy. Did you really think I would surrender my freedom to someone like you?'" Vanessa's voice trailed off and she glared at the page. "That…that hypocrite!"
"Who?" Claymore demanded to know.
"Captain Gregg," Vanessa said furiously.
"Let's…let's not speak ill of the dead," Claymore begged, looking around nervously.
"And to add the crowning blow, he tries to justify himself!" Vanessa complained. "Listen to this next bit! 'At least I am concluding this petty interlude honourably. The coward does it with a kiss, the brave man with a sword.'"
"What was that last line again?"Carolyn asked.
"'The coward does it with a kiss, the brave man with a sword,'" Vanessa repeated the line. "Oh, I hate him! And to think that I was infatuated with his memory! That I was going to buy this house and spend my precious time writing a book about him!"
"I'm awfully sorry, Vanessa," Carolyn commiserated, with a smile.
The young woman made a face as she headed for the door.
"Ah, Miss Peekskill, about the sale…" Claymore blocked her path as he tried to return her to the reason for his reluctant visit.
"What sale?" Vanessa turned on him. "I don't intend to stay in this house another minute. Will you take me back to town, Mr Gregg?"
"Oh, surely…" Claymore nodded dumbly, seriously disappointed he was still the proud owner of Gull Cottage.
Vanessa turned to Carolyn. "Goodbye, Mrs Muir. I thank you for your hospitality."
"Oh, you're welcome," Carolyn assured her. "Most welcome."
Vanessa grabbed the shawl she was carrying over her arm and pushed it into Carolyn's hands. She turned and left the room, followed by a crestfallen Claymore, who hesitated in the doorway and looked back.
"Mrs Muir, since there has been no sale," he declared, tucking the remains of the contract into his suit coat pocket. "I hereby notify you that I am holding you to your lease."
He turned to leave, accidentally tripping over something unseen barring his path. He stumbled after Vanessa and out of the house, whimpering with fright.
Behind him, Daniel materialised in the doorway, with his leg out. He looked well satisfied with his handiwork in tripping his great-nephew up.
He walked toward Carolyn, smiling. "Most unfortunate, her finding that letter. Vanessa is obviously over-sensitive."
"Over-sensitive, perhaps," Carolyn conceded. "But not overly preceptive."
She smiled when the captain looked at her quizzically. "That letter couldn't have destroyed your romance with her ancestor. You never mailed it."
"Oh, well, that was merely the first draft. Now, the second draft, which I did mail, was much more ferocious." Daniel didn't look at her as he studied the globe of the world beside the fireplace very closely.
"I see. That was a good touch, that quotation about the coward and the brave man…" Carolyn walked up to him.
"Yes, I thought so." Daniel smiled. "Ah…Oscar Wilde, wasn't it?"
"Yes…it was a line from a poem he wrote about thirty years after you died."
"Blast! Should have thought of that." Daniel looked at her ruefully.
"Why did you do it, Captain?" Carolyn asked. "I thought you were charmed by her."
"Oh, I was. She was a sweet reminder of the past. For a moment I allowed myself to dream…"
He studied the drape of the shawl over her arm. "You know, when I first saw it on you I really should have known…"
"Known what?"
"That no one could wear it as well as you do. It really belongs to you. You will accept it, won't you?"
"Yes…I'll accept it..."
Daniel took the shawl gently from her hands, opening it out to drape it around her shoulders. "The past is a pleasant place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." He studied the picture she made dressed in the shawl. "And for a long-term arrangement, I much prefer the present."
"Me too…" Carolyn drew the shawl closer around her shoulders, giving Daniel a wondering smile.
※※※※※
It was late in the evening. Gull Cottage was still and quiet. Carolyn left the living room, turning the lights out as she did so. She was dressed for bed in her nightdress and gown. She crossed the foyer to check that the front door was locked.
"Mrs Muir…" Daniel called to her softly.
She turned to find him behind her. "Good evening, Captain."
"I found another letter, quite by accident…" He held it up.
"It seems Gull Cottage is a treasure trove of long-lost literary gems," Carolyn marvelled.
"Would you like me to read it?"
"Yes, very much…" Carolyn replied, looking intrigued.
"It's addressed to you…" Daniel said as he opened the letter. "And it begins…"
"To me!" Carolyn looked outraged. "Don't read it! Don't you have any respect for the privacy of a person's mail?"
"As you had for mine?" Daniel asked reasonably.
Carolyn's outrage deflated to pique. "All right, you have a point. We'll respect each other's privacy from now on."
"Agreed, Mrs Muir." He folded up the letter. "And now, if you will excuse me…" He went to tuck the letter inside his jacket.
"Just a minute, Captain…" Carolyn put out a detaining hand. "My letter..."
"Oh yes, of course. How silly of me…" He returned it to her with a flourish.
Carolyn opened it with deep curiosity. "My dear, Mrs Muir. The Schooner Bay General Store announces a sale…" Her voice trailed off and she shared an appreciative smile with the captain.
She shook her head as she walked away toward the stairs. Daniel looked after her, his face a picture of contentment.
"Good night, Mrs Muir. Sleep well…"
※※※※※
Carolyn walked into her bedroom. She had just taken off her dressing gown and was about to get into bed when she saw a package of old, tattered letters tied with a crimson velvet ribbon sitting upright in the carriage of her typewriter.
"What on earth…?" She picked the package up, immediately recognising the bundle of letters Vanessa had shown her.
There was a folded note pushed into the binding of the bundle. Carolyn removed it before unfolding it. She'd found a note from Vanessa Peekskill, written on a page that appeared to have been torn from her precious notebook.
'Dear Mrs Muir,
I have left these letters for you because I feel that you will have more use for them than myself. Maybe they will inspire a story for you. After the unfortunate events of the last few days, I will not be writing my book on the sordid little affair between my great-great-grandmother and that dastardly Captain Gregg. It is best if it's all left buried in the past. I am so thankful my grandmother escaped his awful attentions in time to meet and marry my great-great-grandfather.
Captain Gregg was both a cad and a bounder, and no doubt he had a woman waiting for him in every port. His kind cannot change their ways, no matter what the century. You are more than welcome to his unsavoury memory. If I never hear his name spoken again, it will be too soon.
I'm taking some time away to visit my aunt in New York before returning to my home in Boston. Claymore Gregg has agreed to collect the rest of my luggage from you and forward everything to my aunt's address, at his own expense. At first, he seemed very reluctant, but I prevailed on his good nature to help out a young woman in deep emotional distress. He really is a rather highly-strung man, isn't he?
Carolyn, may I thank you for your wonderful hospitality and understanding. You, I will always remember with affection.
Yours Faithfully
Vanessa Peekskill'
"I am truly sorry it's turned out as it has for you, Vanessa. But it is for the best…" Carolyn lowered the note slowly before picking up the package of letters. "Sadly, Captain Gregg seems to have been in love with the dream of being in love and not your great-great-grandmother. Otherwise, he would've married her and given her the shawl as a wedding gift."
She cast a furtive look around the room before she removed and opened the letter she'd read in the car when she'd first brought Vanessa to Gull Cottage. Its words had haunted her ever since and she welcomed the opportunity to revisit a letter that had truly touched her heart.
She carried it to her bed, slipping between the sheets before lying back and holding the letter up to the bedside light. She began to read…
'My Beloved One,
The memory of your beauty sails the lonely watery wastes with me – and I am alone no more…
I see your radiant face in my mind's eye, and rough and raging seas grow calm. Your hair is a storm at midnight, your eyes black pearls from the ocean deeps, your voice an angel's song in the wind…
Beloved, the loneliness in my heart is the loneliness of the single ship adrift on the endless ocean. I wait, suspended in the silence of a windless sea. I pray for the wind to rise, to carry my ship homewards on the foaming waves. You are my true north, my only compass point.
Beloved, I am bound to you, for now, for all eternity. I can chart no other course, but homeward to your arms. I must return to you as surely as the sea birds flying with my ship return every season to the distant land.
Your loving arms are my harbour, my shore and my anchor in a storm-tossed world. I fly to you as truly as an arrow flies into the sun, to be lost in the brilliance of your smile, the warmth of your greeting.
I would die for you, Beloved. I would willingly sink to the bottom of the sea if that must be my fate. I would do so if such sacrifice would spare you one moment of pain, one instant of regret. I cannot bear to see you cry.
But I would rather live for you, dance with you, love with you. You are my beginning and my end. There is no other path I may tread, that does not always lead me back to you.
You have shot down my masts, torn my sails, and spiked my guns. You have taken me as your prize. I surrender myself gladly, asking no other quarter, nor favour than to be with you. In this life and the next, your hand clasped eternally in mine.
Always, my Beloved, always…
Yours for now and forever
Daniel'
"Just beautiful…" Carolyn lowered the letter slowly.
She sighed, marvelling once more at the wonderful sentiment expressed so eloquently by a man who could be so blasted abrasive and obtuse when it suited him. She wiped away a tear that had gathered at the corner of her eye.
She stared up at the ceiling, imagining Captain Gregg pacing his wheelhouse, waiting for the sun to rise.
"Good night, Captain…" she whispered. She folded the letter with great care before tucking it under her pillow and settling down to sleep…
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"Man may have discovered fire, but women discovered how to play with it…"
Candace Bushnell