Eliza narrowed her eyes. “I know who you mean bysomeone. I’m still not sure what Malcolm’s motive would have been, at any rate. In all our conversations, he seems to hold his mother in the highest regard. Perhaps she ran off with a lover. This ghost could be one of the other Ladies Havenwood. Many of them had tragic lives. Although, if Icanfind out for certain what happened to Ada, it would go a long way toward proving Malcolm’s innocence.”
“Sarah told me he and his brother were twins.”
“Yes. What are you implying?”
“If birth order was in question, and he was hungry enough for the title, he’d have reason to eliminate their mother. She was likely the only witness to their birth besides the doctor ...”
“I see what you are saying, and I’ve thought of that as well. But Gabriel died before Ada disappeared, eliminating the need to prove primogeniture. It’s true that Malcolm and Gabrielweren’talways civil. Malcolm has been honest about that. But you and I can be a bit contentious at times, as well.” Eliza took a sip of her tea. “There’s always a bit of hair-pulling between siblings.”
Lydia shook her head. “There has to be something more with his mother. Women of her station rarely abandon their households. Did she have any enemies, do you think?”
“She had an ongoing rivalry with the housekeeper at the time—Mrs.Galbraith. They hated one another. Ada and her lady’s maid were convinced Galbraith and old Havenwood were lovers. Perhaps Galbraith had something to do with Ada’s disappearance.”
“Well, be careful with your digging and investigating. Especially concerning the supernatural,” Lydia admonished. “I’m glad you finally believe me about spirits, though. How long have I been telling you?”
Eliza sighed. “You so enjoy gloating when you’re right, don’t you? You’ve done so since we were children.”
Lydia wrinkled her nose and took a sip of her tea. “I’malwaysright.”
Eliza lay back with a yawn and twirled an oak leaf between her fingers. “I’m curious about this ghost. She frightened me at first, but our latest interaction didn’t seem menacing at all. I feel as if I’ve a new friend.”
“Do be careful, Liza. Spirits can be deceptive. The bad kind can play especially well at innocence.”
“Right then,” Eliza said, eager to change the subject. “How is your Clarence?”
“I’ve been volunteering at his clinic. We’ve started my formal training.”
Eliza sat up to grasp Lydia’s hand. “Oh, Lyddie! I’m so proud.”
“I’ve learned how to splint broken bones, and next I’ll be learning how to assist in surgery. Soon, I’m to be helping Clarence call on expectant mothers in the village.”
“Speaking of such things, or the prevention thereof, would you make me more of your tonic? I’m nearly out.”
Lydia nodded. “Yes. I’ll need to purchase another packet of black cohosh from the apothecary and dry some tansy. These tonics aren’t meant for continual use, Liza. They can be dangerous.”
“I realize that. I’ll use it sparingly and look into other methods, at least until things are more settled between Malcolm and me.”
Lydia lifted a brow. “You’re not as opposed to motherhood as you once were, then?”
“I’m still not keen. But I suppose I’m coming around to the thought. Both of our lives have taken some unexpected turns, haven’t they, sister? Things are certainly different than we anticipated here in England.”
“Different is certainly a way of putting it.”
When Eliza came home, her mind spinning with all the mysteries she longed to unravel, Malcolm was waiting in the foyer. As Eliza passed him, her eyes fixed on the marble floor, he put his hand out to stop her. “Still avoiding me, wife?”
“I’ll not speak to you until you apologize for the way you addressed me yesterday morning,” Eliza said churlishly, pushing his hand from her shoulder. “You scold me as if I’m a child.”
“Darling, sometimes you behave like a child that needs scolding.” Malcolm grinned. “Come into the study. I’ve a feeling I have something that’ll make you less cross.”
Eliza was dubious, but the sight of his smile never failed to weaken her tempers. She followed him through the library into his squarish study lined with hunting trophies. His desk dominated the center of the room, its base carved with elaborate gryphons. Building plans lay scrolled upon the velvet blotter. Malcolm spread the first one out flat. It showed the rear elevation of the house, rendered with mathematical precision. Arch-topped windows nestled in the dormers, and a new scalloped slate roof was a crowning finish over it all.
“I’ve just come from a meeting with the builders. Our workmen will arrive tomorrow.”
Despite herself, a smile tickled the corners of Eliza’s mouth. “How exciting.”
“And ...” Malcolm rolled up the first set of plans and unrolled another. This set showed a long, low building punctuated by a row of stalls. “I finished the plans for your stables last night.”
Eliza gasped and put her hand to her mouth. The stables were beautiful—with green-paneled doors and ornate Corinthian pillars, the Havenwood crest perched on the keystone above the entry.
