Chapter 5

Upon returning to the house we were informed by Frith that Beatrice and Giles were already here and waiting in the main lounge. As Blaine went up to change I went to the lounge to meet them but hesitated by the door as I could hear them talking.

"And who do you think this Mr Hummel is?" Beatrice asked her husband.

"Oh it's obvious isn't it? Someone he met in the south of France obviously." I could hear the laughter in his voice but Beatrice remained silent and I braced myself for inquisitive expressions without questions.

As I entered they stood with almost comical expressions with open mouths and apologies on the tip of their tongues.

"Hello," I walked forward, suggesting confidence, "You must be Mr and Mrs de Lacy."

"Hello," Mrs de Lacy shook my hand, "You must be the new secretary, Mr Hummel?"

"Yes, nice to meet you both. Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr Anderson will be down in a moment, he is just changing."

"You are quite an enigma to us Mr Hummel; did you meet Blaine in France?"

"Yes, I was a paid companion to a Mrs Hopper whilst travelling in the south of France but when Mr Anderson met me I managed to help him with a few things and as he knew I didn't have paid employment after the holiday, he suggest I work here as his secretary."

"I see," Beatrice said, though her expression suggested she did not fully understand at all.

"Ah there you are, little sister," Blaine said, as he entered. "Giles," he said pleasantly as they shook hands roughly. "I see you have met Kurt."
"Yes, we have met Kurt," Beatrice said, surprised to be using my first name. "Of course call me Beatrice, Kurt," she said smiling.

After a light lunch we went to the lounge and tea was set up there. Beatrice and Giles sat comfortably on the sofa, while I sat at the small table, Blaine making small talk about the weather in France.

"What will Kurt do Blaine? I wasn't under the impression that you needed a secretary, I would of course recommended someone had I known."

I felt perplexed but said nothing as Blaine paused to gather himself. "Well I didn't think I needed someone Beatrice until I met Kurt. I think he will help run things smoothly here and Frank could always do with help. I think he is overworked."

"Perhaps," Beatrice said calmly.

Upon leaving, Beatrice whispered something to Blaine but Blaine pretended it was nothing and continued as the perfect host, shaking Giles' hand and leading them to their car. As soon as they were gone, Blaine breathed a sigh of relief and turned to me as I stood diligently by his side.

"Fancy another walk?" he asked, so hopeful.

"It looks like it might rain; I'll just get my coat from my room."

"No let Robert get you one from the closet. Robert," he called the manservant, "Get Mr Hummel a raincoat." As soon as we were properly attired we took Jasper and led him to the woods we walked to earlier.

"I am very glad that is over," I sighed, "Did I pass the test?"

Blaine laughed, "I'm sorry my darling, I did not want you to feel it was a test. Were they beastly to you before I arrived?"

"No, just cold and suspicious. Do they know why I'm here really?"

"Beatrice does. She whispered to me, as she left that she would keep it a secret but that I should be careful."

"Careful?"

"She is only thinking of the scandal but I have said before I don't care, Kurt. What can they do?" He linked his arm in mine and looked so carefree I did not want to dispel his happy attitude. We carried on walking until Jasper decided he fancied going in the opposite direction towards the sea.

"Oh Jasper, Jasper," I called, then Blaine started shouting too but to no avail. "We best follow him."

"No," Blaine suddenly said forcefully, "He'll come when he's ready." He started walking away but I stopped.

"Blaine, he might get hurt, I'll just quickly go and get him." Before he could explain, I ran off after Jasper, calling him as I went and leaving Blaine behind.

After running down the cliff side steps, leading to the water below, I couldn't see Jasper so I continued shouting along the beach, until I spotted a small seaside cottage and Jasper lying down on the step in front of the door. I ran up to Jasper, kneeling down to stroke him to encourage him to follow me. We had no lead so Jasper had been free to roam where he pleased and he did not seem willing to follow me back home. I felt a shadow over me and looked up to see a strange man wearing a cap and dirty clothes, his eyes almost popping out of his face and expressive in a maniacal.

"I'm sorry to disturb you," I stammered, "Do you live here?"

"You won't tell no one will ya?" He asked, looking worried, "I just like to come 'ere."

"Have you got something I could use for a lead?" I asked, deciding to walk into the place despite his lack of answer and vacant expression.

The first thing I noticed was the cobwebs hanging over beautiful pieces of furniture, sofas and a chaise longue, as well as dark maple chests. Littered over the sofas were blankets with Rebecca's initials. Finally my eyes alighted on a piece of a string I could use for Jasper and I left the cottage, feeling as if I had gone back in time to a darker place. I breathed a sigh of relief as I left, feeling the light hurt my eyes.

"You won't tell anyone will ya? I was only there putting away my shells," the old man said, his eyes wide in worry. "She's gone in the sea, ain't she? She won't return?"

"No she won't return," I whispered, knowing who he was referring to, "She's gone."

I ran along the boulders by the cliff side and up the steps to find Blaine again and as soon as he saw me he started to walk quickly away, towards the house.

"Blaine," I shouted, trying to catch up and drag Jasper along behind me, "Blaine, please wait." He did not slow down as I approached, his stance just continued to be angry, his body only displaying hard lines, his jaw set.

"You knew I didn't want you to go down there," he said, anger clear in his voice.

"But why Blaine?" I said, "I only saw a cottage by the sea, fetched Jasper…."

"Did you go in?" Blaine said, as he stopped and looked at me fiercely.

"Yes," I said, as Blaine looked up to the sky in disgust and despair, "I had to get a lead for Jasper, I only saw an old man…" I wanted desperately to make it better. "Why are you so angry Blaine? I don't understand."

"You knew I didn't want you to go down there, if you knew the memories I have of this place, you'd understand," he started to mutter to himself. "We should never have come back here, oh what a fool I've been, thinking we could make a life here, oh how stupid," he said, looking to the sky impatiently.

"But why Blaine, I don't understand, I don't want you to be angry…" Tears appeared in my eyes, though I tried to blink them away. Blaine's expression softened as he looked into my eyes.

"Oh I've made you sad," he said as he brought me closer to him and hugged my waist. I couldn't help but bury my head into his warm shoulder, hoping I would be able to erase the vision of hurt and anger I had seen on his face a moment ago.

"You must wish you had never come back with me," Blaine whispered sadly.

"No I don't wish that Blaine," I said, my voice still muffled in his shoulder.

"I am sorry," he said as he placed his hands on my cheeks to see my eyes close to his. "You do really love me don't you?" He looked in awe of me then, as if he couldn't believe I would love him.

"I do Blaine, I do."

"Thank you," he whispered.