Page 126 of The House of Hopes and Dreams
‘It’s a sad story really, but she was happy in her work and I think she understood and forgave Ralph,’ I said.
‘It must have been a shock to her when she realized he washomosexual – and of course at that time, it was a crime. But what really seemed to hurt her was that he’d only married her because he wanted an heir for Mossby.’
‘Yes, that was cruel,’ I agreed. ‘Honoria lived to a good age and seemed to adore the boy, though – your grandfather, you said?’
‘That’s right.’
‘The note she’s added at the end of the journal is illuminating, isn’t it? I think Jessie loved her son, but she loved her work more, so she was happy to spend most of her time in London working with her cousin.’
‘The boy not being interested in glass must have been a disappointment, but I expect he was brought up a gentleman like his father, and was more a Revell than a Kaye,’ Carey suggested. ‘You know, having Revell blood in my veins doesn’t really seem to be anything to be proud of now!’
‘But there must have been many perfectly decent Revells, too, and I think there’s a lot of the Kayes in you,’ I told him. ‘You’re certainly not a typical Revell in any way that I can see, except in looks.’
‘And my love of Mossby … though I love you more,’ he said, pulling me down into his arms. ‘And now I’ve got you for ever, I can have my Angel cakeandeat it!’
Mossby, 1914
I ceased my journal at this point, having much to occupy me, but the story of an unexpected inheritance from a godmother was accepted. My husband’s debts were cleared and the remainder of the money invested securely, since when we have gone on very well.
Despite his early arrival, Joshua has thrived under his aunt’s care at Mossby, dividing his holidays there, or at my London home, though to my disappointment he has shown no interest in the business … or indeed, in any business. In appearance he is very much a Revell, having his father’s red-gold hair and deep blue eyes, but bookish and will shortly be going up to Oxford.
Honoria is fit and well, and, though Papa has gone before me, Lily and Michael and their children live happily on in my old home and the business flourishes. Mossby has been a place of holiday to them and the company of his young cousins has been good for Joshua.
I will be sad to leave him at such a tender age … but so it appears it must be. I have secured his comfortable continuation at Mossby and the rest is up to him.
I intend to seal up this account in a tin and make one final brief trip to that dreadful room below the tower. Perhaps one day someone will follow the same path I took and discover it … or perhaps not. I leave that to fate.
My own legacy lives on in my work, my proudest achievement. God gave me the gift of painting with light, and I hope I have used it well.
Jessie Kaye Revell
44
In the Light of Day
I was standing in the courtyard by the fishy fountain on Good Friday, when for the first time, the big oak doors to the Elizabethan wing were thrown open to the ghost trail visitors.
Although only early April, there was warmth in the sun that slanted down through the Lady Anne window and cast a diamond pattern across the stone flags below.
Somehow, the whole of the old wing seemed to have grown lighter and warmer once that terrible scattering of shattered bones had been removed and buried in the Halfhidden graveyard … thoughnotin the family vault.
The macabre story of their finding – suitably edited – had been included in the guidebook and was also scheduled to feature in the next series of theMansion Makeover, should the first one be a success, which I was positive it would be.
Ella was reportedly improving and Clem had decided to semi-retire to his native Devon and become a jobbing gardener. He thought that when Ella came home, a fresh start in a new area would be good for her.
As for Vicky – well, there she was right in front of me, becomingly dressed in Elizabethan costume and welcoming the visitors at the door. She seemed set to become a permanent character in the TV series and at the moment was living in the Lodge … and so, to my great surprise, was Nelson, whenever the crew were up here. It seemed a most unlikely pairing, but then, the ways of love are often very strange.
I mean, take Carey and me: if he’d been able to prevent blondesthrowing themselves at him and I’d not thought the worst each time, we’d have realized we loved each other long ago.
But then, I suppose I wouldn’t have had the happy years with Julian, so I can’t really regret that. And I was certain Julian would be happy that Carey and I were forging a future together – and delighted that Angel Arrowsmith Art Glass was flourishing to such an extent that I’d soon be able to offer Grant a full-time job in the workshop.
This was just as well, since a few days ago Grant had broken the sad news that Nat was selling up the business and moving back to the south.
Apparently, Willow had loathed living in Lancashire and threatened to leave him: the worm had turned.
He was going into partnership with another stained-glass artist and I hoped for his sake that it was one who could design a decent window, since they intended continuing to use the Julian Seddon Architectural Glass Studio name.
But whatever they did, Julian’s legacy would live on unspoiled in his wonderful work and his memory in my heart.
