Chapter Thirty-Eight

The Family Williams

"It's so nice to be warm and cosy inside in this awful winter weather." Harriet sat at the kitchen table eating the meal Martha had grudgingly prepared for her. The housekeeper had retired to her bedroom grumbling under her breath.

Harriet sighed. "I really shouldn't have come out today and I don't know what happened. I was driving along this afternoon and the next minute a tyre blew. I was stuck there for some hours in the snow, wondering what to do or how I was going to summon help. If it wasn't for the kindness of a handsome, passing stranger…"

She shuddered as she reached for her cup of coffee. "You know, it was almost as if something or someone didn't want me to come here. I tried telephoning you from Violet's but her phone was out of order. Then my car broke down. It was really very strange. I almost changed my mind and decided not to come and see you, after all."

"That would have been such a shame," Carolyn replied with a tight smile.

"Yes, indeed," Harriet agreed quickly. She flapped a denying hand. "But I said no, Harriet Williams. I must come and wave the family flag and make sure everything is all right here. You know how the family relies on me to give them all the news."

She arched her brows knowingly. "And to bring you all their news."

She simpered at Daniel. "And I am so glad I did because I finally got to meet this most charming and handsome new man of yours that you've been keeping from all of us. Really, Carolyn, that was too bad of you to keep him a secret. That other one you used as his stand-in was not nearly as handsome. There was always something unsavoury and grasping about that Claymore Gregg."

"You have deduced his character to perfection," Daniel commented drily.

"Yes, it must have been very strange to have so many things go wrong for you…" Carolyn raised her eyebrows at her husband who shook his head with a frown. "But you are here now."

"Yes, isn't it wonderful?" Harriet asked happily. "When Emily told me your lovely news I was so happy. I know your mother told me not to let it slip to anyone, for reasons of naval security, but I simply had to tell Hazel. You know that I couldn't let her find out from someone else. She would have been heartbroken if she thought she had been left out of such marvellous news. And we had been so looking forward to being your bridesmaids."

She beamed at Carolyn. "You do understand, don't you, dear? I mean, it's not like you should be keeping any secrets from me. We are family, after all."

"Of course, I understand completely." Carolyn nodded quickly. "Ah, how long are you intending to stay this time?"

"Well, I did think at least a few days, just to be sure everything is fine with you. I am back in Maine because Violet had another bad turn and I simply had to fly to her side to care for her. But she assured me she can do without me for now. She's so brave, just like the last time I was here. So kind and sweet of her, don't you think?"

"Yes, very kind and sweet." Carolyn raised her shoulders helplessly.

"We are very busy with our own affairs," Daniel inserted crisply. "We cannot always be here to hang on your every word or whim."

"Oh, no, of course not!" Harriet protested. "Nor would I expect you to. You know me, never one to complain or criticise. I will fit in with any plans you may have, whatever they may be."

She turned back to Carolyn. "But I would like to see what work you've gotten done on the Captain's memoirs if that's not too much trouble. Such an intriguing man and so very virile."

"I, well, I haven't had much time lately to get anything written down,
Carolyn prevaricated. "I have been very busy."

"Oh, that's all right, dear." Harriet reached to pat her hand comfortingly. "Of course, as I said the last time I was here, the family would not wish to see your name on anything remotely trashy. Those memoirs would be an excellent outlet for your need to be a writer. I do hope you will complete them for us all to read."

She smiled happily. "It will be so lovely to see the children again. We shall have such fun together. And I must tell you all about how our dear, sweet Owen is doing. It has all been quite dreadful for the poor man. You do wish to know, don't you, Carolyn? After all, he did have his heart set on marrying you. He still does."

"Of course. It's just that we may have some more sensitive work to do," Carolyn forged ahead. "You know, naval stuff. I'm sure my mother told you. That is why our wedding had to be very quiet. It was better that way. I know you will understand."

"Oh yes, hush-hush, say no more." Harriet laid one forefinger beside her nose. "I must say I find it rather thrilling to have an actual spy in the family. I would love to know more about what you do and where and how you do it, dear Daniel. But you do know that I am never one to push in where I'm not wanted." She waited expectantly.

"We do not discuss my work with anyone," Daniel said repressively. "Yours is not the most discreet of tongues, Miss Williams. I will not have you putting everything at risk."

"Oh, my, no…" Harriet looked shocked. "I do hope I know enough not to put you and yours in grave danger. Carolyn would never forgive me. I will be the soul of discretion."

She smiled at him, laying a soothing hand on his tense forearm. "And please, do call me Harriet. I'm sure we are going to be the very best of in-laws together. I'm sure we're going to get to know each other very well while I am here. Don't you think so?"

"Madam, you presume too much. We have barely met." Daniel pulled his arm from her grasp as he got to his feet. "It's past time we all went to bed. We will pick this discussion up in the morning."

He circled the table, drawing Carolyn to her feet with a hand on her arm. "Good night, Miss Williams."

"Good night…" Harriet watched him with wide eyes as if she'd only just seen him for the first time.

"Good night, dear…" Carolyn bent to kiss her cheek. "I will see you in the morning."

Harriet nodded. "You know, I just cannot get over the likeness between your husband and that painting in the living room. They could almost be twins."

Daniel shrugged. "Perhaps. But we were born over a hundred years apart."

"I know, but still…" Harriet shook her head. "Well, good night. I will be up in a minute. I'll just finish my cup of coffee. I am so looking forward to a nice stay and long chats with you."

Daniel and Carolyn left the kitchen, climbing the stairs, side by side. They entered their bedroom, Daniel shutting the door behind them.

"That woman does not have a discreet bone in her body," he said roundly. "The sooner she leaves the happier I will be!"

"Ssshhh, she'll hear you," Carolyn replied anxiously. "And she's fascinated by your being a spy for the navy. I doubt she's ever had so much excitement in her life. You're a hero in her eyes."

"If she did overhear us, then that would be to our advantage, Madam." Daniel sighed roughly. "She thinks she has every right to push in here and make herself at home. In my own house! It is not to be borne!"

"I know," Carolyn took off her dressing gown and got into bed. "But what else could I do at this time of night?"

"I'm aware that you were hamstrung by circumstance." Daniel shook his head as he began to change his clothes. "It does not make the situation any more tenable or palatable. The less we hear about that Mitford scoundrel, the happier I will be. He had the temerity to reach for someone who was never his in the first place."

"Yes, well, if we manage to assure her all's well and she has nothing to concern herself about, she will soon get bored and leave. She thrives on gossip and family doings. We will hear you out about whatever is happening with Owen. If I show her nothing more than polite interest she will soon give up."

"She can equally do all of that elsewhere," her husband replied, getting into bed and drawing her close. "And she is not to find out a whisper about our baby or we will never shift her on. She will drive us all mad, clucking around you like a confoundedly worried mother hen with a single, wayward chick."

"You know her too well. She did just that when I was pregnant with both Candy and Johnathan. She did her best to never let me out of her sight." Carolyn settled with her cheek against the steady beat of his heart. "I will tell the children in the morning they must mind their tongues and their manners around her. But the time is fast approaching when I do need to tell my parents. My mother cannot hear even a whisper from Harriet or Hazel. I shall telephone them tomorrow afternoon and swear them to secrecy."

"Good luck with that. They were not discreet about our wedding. Harriet is a pure menace without a single redeeming feature," Daniel growled against her hair. "But there is nothing to be done about it until the morning. But you are obliged to tell your parents now that all seems well with you."

"It's already morning…" Carolyn sighed. "Good night, my love…"

"Good night…" Daniel settled her closer to him, resting his cheek against her hair.

He lay awake for some time, thinking and scheming. Going over all his options. If he had his way, Harriet's unwelcome tenure in the house was going to be much shorter than anyone guessed. But the method of her imminent removal eluded his sharp mind and sleep overcame him before he could solve the deeply thorny problem to his satisfaction.

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"Cousin Harriet's come back to see us again?" Candy frowned, sitting up in her bed early the next morning. "Why's she here this time?"

"Because she's nosy," Jonathan replied, pushing back his covers before pulling on his dressing gown. "She always wants to know all the family news. Right, Mum?"

"Yes…" His mother nodded. "But we cannot share any of our Gregg family news with her, or we'll never get rid of her. We can't tell her about our baby because she'll want to know everything and she will decide she must stay to help out."

"Of course, we understand." Candy got out of bed to put on her dressing gown and slippers. "And our baby is our business. Right, Captain?"

"Exactly," Daniel replied, watching them with folded arms and his back against the bedroom door. "The less Harriet knows the sooner she'll be gone. She has a large and uncontrollable mouth and uses it at every opportunity. We cannot allow even a whisper to get out before we are ready to tell anyone or she will pounce on it."

Carolyn nodded. "Yes, I really need to be the one to tell my parents first."

"Oh, neat. Are Grandma and Grandpa going to come back to see us sometime soon then?" Jonathan asked innocently. "I'd like that."

"Me too," Candy added, getting off the bed. "They always bring us nice things when they come to visit. Better than Cousin Harriet."

"I'm afraid that time is coming." Carolyn sighed. "I must bite the bullet and phone my mother before Harriet noses out some distorted version of the truth and tells everyone."

"That woman is an addlepated fool, but for now we're stuck with her," Daniel replied hardly. "But yes, soon enough there will be rumours that start as tiny whispers. We did not swear that Dr Ferguson to silence and he has no cause to remain silent."

"And if my mother gets a hint that she is about to become a grandmother again without my telling her, she will never forgive me. She barely tolerated not being allowed to come to our wedding."

She turned to her children. "If I am to tell my parents our happy news then we are going to have to ask you two to keep Cousin Harriet occupied and preferably out of the house this afternoon. I can't have her popping into the room while I'm on the phone."

"You want us to take her down the beach with us today after school." Jonathan sighed.

"But she hates the beach," Candy added. "After her last visit, she said she would never go down there again. She hates the sand and everything."

"Well, we shall just have to persuade her to go with you."

Daniel frowned. "You could tell her you're going down to the beach to look for some pirate treasure. You could hint you found a likely place where some might be buried but you need her help to dig it up."

"Even Cousin Harriet's too smart to fall for that one," Jonathan scoffed.

"Not if you show her a gold doubloon or two…" Daniel mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Maybe even a sparkling jewel."

Jonathan's eyes widened. "Ohhh, have you got some you could show her?"

"No, not immediately. But I know someone who can put his hand on some. I'm sure I can persuade him to part with a little for a good cause."

"But how will you get the treasure down to the beach and hide it?" Carolyn asked practically. "Harriet will spot you're missing if you're away for too long. She's already suspicious we're up to something behind her back and she's not going to be so easily fooled this time."

Daniel wagged a knowing finger. "That task I can certainly find a willing ghost to perform. But first I shall have to visit Claymore and persuade him it's in his best interest to help us out of this trouble spot."

"Claymore won't want to help us." Jonathan pulled a face. "But, I guess, if Harriet won't go down to the beach for treasure, what will she go there for?"

"If Harriet refuses to leave the house, then we are at a blasted stalemate. We shall have to find some other way to get rid of her," Daniel agreed, making way for the children to leave the room.

"You could haunt her out?" Candy proposed brightly as she followed her brother into the hallway. "She doesn't like ghosts or anything that goes bump in the night."

"We most certainly are not doing that." Carolyn reached up to kiss her husband's bearded cheek as she passed him, following the children toward the stairs. "We don't need to add to our worries."

"Oh no, and what worries would those be, my dear cousin?" Harriet inquired as she walked towards them from the guest bedroom. "Surely there's nothing to distress you now that you're safely married to this truly magnificent man."

She simpered at Daniel, who scowled at her as he shut the door to the children's bedroom behind him with a snap. Harriet stopped beside him, looking from one to the other with bright interest shining in her eyes. "So, what am I missing out on? What's the news?"

"Nothing that need concern you, Harriet dear…" Carolyn took her arm. "It's just a small family Gregg development."

"Oh, I see…" Harriet looked crestfallen. "Well, you do know you may count on me at any time and anywhere. I am a part of this family too, aren't I?"

She paused to frown doubtfully at her cousin. "You do know that, don't you dear Carolyn? Anywhere and at any time. Call me and I shall be there for you. Haven't I always?"

"Yes, I do know that." Carolyn took her arm and encouraged her away from Daniel who was looking decidedly put out and ready to strike. "Thank you, Harriet. Come along and we'll have a cup of coffee together and a catch-up on all your news about poor Owen. You must be so worried about him."

The two women walked away toward the stairs. Daniel looked after them. "I could hope you were anywhere else but here."

He followed them with lagging steps, his head bowed in thought. He wished he could find a quick solution to the woman being in their house and making a nuisance of herself. "Blast," he muttered succinctly.

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"You want to take some of my treasure back?" Claymore squirmed in his office chair. "But I earned all of it, fair and square. You can't go Indian giving now that you've found a sudden need for it."

Daniel leaned on the edge of the desk to consider him levelly. "Call it a loan, Claymore. Nothing more. You will get it back in time if you play your part to my satisfaction. We are in need of your services once more."

Claymore cast a worried eye at his wall safe. "But why do you need it? I mean, just when I have it all squared away nicely. I spent all of yesterday polishing everything."

"If you'd banked it all by now I wouldn't be coming to you for a loan. I have a very important mission that I require it for. Don't forget, I could still vaporise the lot and leave you with nothing. I am content to ask, this time."

"I… You…" Claymore tugged at his green eyeshade. "Oh, very well, since you put it that way, how can I refuse? But what rate of interest are you considering?"

"You always were a skinflint and a conniver," Daniel growled. "You forget that we are family."

"Yes, well, I'm still not fully recovered from that ghastly séance you threw up at the house. That old Tibaldi woman flayed years off me with her ghostly tricks. That Captain Figg had his beady eye on me and I didn't like his look."

He rearranged the pens on his desk. "I was only doing your bidding, bringing your wine and cigars up to you like you ordered and I got roped into that circus. Time is money, Uncle, time is money. And my time is valuable and I don't intend to waste a second of it doing anything dangerous to my health."

He shifted uneasily again when Daniel did not reply. "Besides, why can't you just go and dig up some more of that treasure we both know you're got stashed somewhere in the back garden of the house? You stopped me from finding it. Use that."

Daniel sighed brusquely. "Because that Harriet harridan is now back visiting with us and she has her nose into everything. If she saw me doing anything remotely dubious the game would well and truly be up. We would never get rid of her if she suspicioned there was more to Gull Cottage than she's been led to believe."

"Oh ho, so, the nosy cousin is back, is she?" Claymore replied smugly. "I might have known. Well, you could just ask nicely, instead of demanding like you always do."

"Shall I ask Lucius to attend our friendly littletête-à-tête?"Daniel asked smoothly, as he straightened up to raise two fingers and point at his nephew. "He'd be happy to oblige."

Claymore jumped, his face going pale. "I… no, no, that's all right. I don't like that man… ah, ghost! He's worse than you! Always wanting to vaporise me! Like I've ever done anything to him!"

"You never learn. Lucius doesn't tolerate fools and nor do I," Daniel replied evenly. "Now get up and open your safe. Give me what I require. You'll get your treasure back, but not maybe in the way you might be expecting. But I will see to it that you're not out of pocket if you do exactly as I tell you."

"As long as I don't have to have anything to do with that Harriet. She's another who likes to flay years off my hide. She berated me most nastily the last time she was in this office. As if your ordering me to pretend to be you when you were you and I should have been me was any of my doing. I had a headache for a whole week!"

"After all of this, I will do my best not to bother you further," Daniel replied grudgingly, folding his arms across his chest. "And you will be compensated for any losses."

"You say that now." Claymore got up from his chair to open his wall safe. He drew out the stiff canvas bag of his loot, cradling it lovingly in his arms, close to his chest.

He returned to the desk and sat down heavily, stroking his hands over the snowy white fabric. "I'm sure I can feel a fever coming on." He pressed the back of one hand to his forehead. "Maybe I should lie down for a while and rest."

"You can get your rest after you've given me what I want."

"I could be dying for all you care!" Claymore muttered tragically, drawing the canvas bag closer to him.

Daniel reached for the bag. "Your mind really does have a morbid turn."

"Can you blame me?" Claymore tried to resist him. "Well, if I do, then it's from living with you in my life for all these years. My father should have burned your house to the ground while he had the chance."

"Then I would have been forced to move in with you." Daniel pulled the bag from his clutching hands. "You sit here like a miser, counting your gold and never doing a thing with it. A small loan is all I need for now."

Claymore sighed with resignation as he watched his uncle open the bag. "All right, what's it for this time? It better have nothing to do with ghosts or restless spirits. I've had more than my fill of those too. All I want is some peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask?"

Daniel took from the bag a handful of gold doubloons and a few sparkling jewels. He held them out. "We're going to play a little trick on Carolyn's Cousin Harriet with these. We need to get her out of the house for the afternoon while we conduct some important business."

"Well, I don't want to see that woman." Claymore snatched the bulging bag back as soon as his great-uncle held it out. "She brings me out in hives. That whole Williams family have a grudge against me."

"You may have no choice and you will play your part." Daniel shook his head as he pocketed the loot. "You seem to forget your place in the scheme of things too easily. You will follow my orders or it will be the worse for you."

"Maybe I don't want to remember," Claymore grumbled, quickly returning the bag to his safe and slamming the door shut. "I always seem to end up being the loser in any scheme of yours."

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