Shadows in the Night

For the next few days, Julia concentrated on making herself familiar with the running of the household and the unpacking of her art supplies and other personal effects to make her room more home-like. After dinner she would industriously ply her needle with the tapestry she was currently working on. A rather forlorn pianoforte, sadly out of tune, had been discovered in the drawing room, but her great uncle had begged her to desist in attempting to play as it was dreadfully distracting to his nerves, and naturally Julia obliged him.

  On Sunday morning, Julia announced her intention of attending church and at a quarter to eleven, accompanied by a reluctant Smithers, she left the house.

  Inside, to her dismay, the church appeared sadly neglected and in a state of disrepair. The service, delivered to a sparse congregation, although not particularly edifying was conducted in a firm and forthright manner by a large burly red-faced parson, who looked as if he would brook no nonsense either from his parishioners or the Almighty Himself.

  ‘Ah, Miss Farraday!’ he exclaimed. ‘How delightful to meet you at last. My wife was hoping to make your acquaintance but has sadly been indisposed for the past sennight.’

  He glanced admiringly at Julia’s Pomona green walking costume.

  ‘However, she does hope to be able to call upon you soon, as she is agog to hear the news from Court as well as the latest modes being worn,’ he added roguishly.

  Julia, somewhat taken aback at such compliments from a vicar, was momentarily speechless, especially as she remembered that she had seen the gentleman before, lunching at the Rose and Crown in Tonbridge. For an instant she thought of mentioning the fact, but instead murmured she would be only too happy to receive Mrs Talbot whenever that lady was able. She turned slightly away from the vicar when a tall, cheerful-looking middle-aged gentleman with his wife and two daughters came up beside her, waiting to speak.

  ‘Ah, Sir Henry, Lady Wentworth, may I present Miss Farraday, Mr Thomas Farraday’s great-niece who has just come from Court?’ explained Mr Talbot, rather sycophantically thought Julia.

  ‘Delighted, I’m sure,’ smiled Sir Henry, as Julia curtsied first to him and then to his lady, receiving a bow and smiling acknowledgement in return.

  ‘These are our daughters, Susan and Caroline,’ continued their proud father.

  Julia smiled at a young lady of about twenty years of age with dark curls and a vivacious face, and a younger, but completely breathtaking blonde beauty with a roseleaf complexion, angelic demeanour and large blue eyes fringed with long dark lashes. Both young women gazed at Julia with frank curiosity.

  ‘My dear, Miss Farraday. It’s such a pleasure to meet you at last,’ said Lady Wentworth with a smile. ‘The entire village can talk of nothing else but your arrival in our midst. We fully intended to call upon you, but your great uncle…’

  Here Lady Wentworth faltered and her husband rose to the occasion.

  ‘We would be delighted if you would care to pay us a visit at Wentworth Hall, at your convenience of course. We are very close to your great uncle’s home, almost neighbours in fact,’ and he laughed jovially. ‘We are aware Mr Farraday does not encourage visitors and in view of his advanced years, we would not presume to inconvenience him in any way.’

  Julia nodded graciously, and after exchanging a few more pleasantries and promising to call as soon as possible, was then briefly introduced to a recently widowed Mrs Blake and her daughter, a young lady of about Julia’s age, both dressed in full mourning.

  Gradually, Julia made her departure, fully aware she was the object of attention from many eyes.