Callie asked, “Are any reasonable houses on the estate currently vacant? Preferably ones that aren’t six hundred years old.”
Francis thought a moment. “The dower house is empty. It’s basically sound, though it would take a day or two to prepare it for occupancy.”
“As long as badgers haven’t taken up residence in the drawing room, that should do nicely,” Gordon said. “Callie, what do you think?”
“I remember the dower house as a fine, well placed residence. It will be perfect.” She smiled. “We’ll appreciate it all the more if we must spend several nights in the Gothic tower.”
That occasioned more laughter. The meal turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. Maybe being Lord Kingston wouldn’t be so bad.
Gordon’s opinion changed when he and Callie bade his brothers good night and they retired to the tower. Callie studied the vast bedchamber with dismay. “If Welham lived in here, I don’t blame him if he committed suicide!”
“You don’t like priceless tapestries showing saints dying in various horrible ways and animals being torn to pieces by hounds and huntsman?” Gordon asked dryly.
“No, I donot!” She began pacing around the room, frowning at the tapestries and the heavy carved wardrobe that matched the bed. The massive four-poster was fit for royalty, with carved mahogany pillars at the corners to support the velvet canopy. The brocade coverlet was turned down, revealing fine sheets and extravagant pillows. He thought of his father in that bed, rutting with wives and maids and mistresses and conceiving multiple sons, and his stomach knotted. “I cannot sleep in that bed.”
Callie’s gaze moved swiftly to his face. Understanding, she said lightly, “I’d rather not sleep there, either. Beds are too personal to make good family heirlooms. Let’s find an alternative.”
She opened a door on the left. “This dressing room is much better. We can make up a pallet on the very handsome carpet. I’ll rumple the blankets on the bed so in the morning the servants won’t realize we didn’t appreciate their efforts.”
Gordon joined her and drew her against his side with one arm. “You don’t mind sleeping on the floor in here?”
“It will be more comfortable than a warehouse floor surrounded by tobacco barrels, and we found that quite pleasing.” She leaned into him like a cat. “We can manage here for a couple of nights until we move into the dower house.”
“Thank you for understanding,” he said quietly.
“The fact that your younger brothers are amiable doesn’t take away years of misery,” she said softly. “Now, let’s make up that pallet and get some rest.”
She was right. The pallet was comfortable, and Callie’s sweet welcome made all the dark clouds of Kingston Court melt away.
Chapter 40
Callie smothered a yawn as they entered the master bedroom for their second night. “I look forward to moving into the dower house tomorrow, but before we abandon the tower, I want to see the secret stairway. Last night we were too tired to bother.”
“Since I never want to set foot in this room again, tonight is the time,” Richard replied. “It’s hidden behind the mahogany wardrobe. I came up from the cellar level to see where the stairs went. When I opened the door at the top, I was horrified to find myself in my father’s bedchamber.”
“That hasn’t changed,” she said wryly.
“Let’s see if I can remember how it opens from this side.” He studied the wardrobe, then ran his fingers behind one of the mahogany columns that matched the bedposts. When that didn’t work, he twisted the whole column. Moving smoothly but with a Gothic groan, the wardrobe pivoted from the wall like a great door.
Callie carried a lamp to the opening, her nose wrinkling at the dank smell. The stone steps were narrow and descended in sharp turns. “I’d get dizzy going up or down that, and the ceiling is so low I’d probably have to duck. You certainly would have to.”
“We can go down if you like,” Richard said obligingly.
“No, it’s less romantic than I thought.” She shoved the wardrobe back into place. “After that, I want to get some fresh air and admire the view from the balcony.”
“That’s a better choice,” he agreed as he pulled back the draperies that covered the double doors to the balcony, which were cut through the six-foot-thick stone walls.
Callie opened the door and stepped out onto the wide wooden platform. A brisk wind was blowing and clouds scudded over the moon, creating dramatic contrasts of light and shadow. She drew in a deep, exhilarated breath. “A storm is coming. I love storms as long as I’m inside and safe.”
She peered over the railing. “Goodness, this is built right over the cliff that drops to the lake, and it’s a very long way down. Was the castle ever attacked?”
“Not that I’ve heard, but if someone did try to capture it, it wouldn’t have been from the lake side.” Richard joined her at the railing and looked down at the lethal drop.
The night was cold so he brought a blanket out. He moved behind Callie and wrapped it around them both so that her back was tucked against his chest. “Now, this is romantic,” she murmured.
“Much better than creeping down a stone staircase,” he agreed. “It’s been a good day, hasn’t it? Particularly the visit to Rush Hall and your family.”
“It was lovely to see my little brother Marcus all grown up,” she said. “He’s become a fine young lord. Not at all like my father.”
