The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor Read Online Free PDF

course Lucy was thrilled to join her. The two of them wrapped the breads while we chatted and then Ruby donned a large straw hat. Together she and Lucy walked out the front of the house with the warm loaves in a wicker basket, talking amiably. Evie had informed me that Ruby baked so much that the people who lived in Peppernell Manor couldn’t possibly eat it all, so Ruby often gave the goodies away to the people who worked for them on the farm.
    I spent the afternoon assessing the rooms upstairs to develop a restoration plan. Across the front of the manor was the huge master bedroom. Its antebellum use had been as a public space for parties, dancing, and musical concerts, but now it functioned as Graydon and Vivian’s bedroom, complete with an en suite bathroom, sitting room, and Graydon’s spacious office. An internationally known writer of spy thrillers whose books had been made into several popular movies, Graydon needed a large private space in which to work.
    Behind the master suite on the right side of the house were two rooms: Ruby’s bedroom and a guest room that was currently in use as Evie’s bedroom. They were large and sunny but, like the master suite and most of the rooms downstairs, they needed work on the walls, floor, and ceiling. The room I shared with Lucy, behind Graydon and Vivian’s room on the left side of the house, was in similar shape. Cora-Camille’s room stretched across the back of the house facing the river. It, too, needed some attention.
    When Lucy and I sat down for dinner that evening we were joined by Evie, her parents, Ruby, Cora-Camille, and a very tall, good-looking man with brown eyes just like Evie’s and a Roman nose like Graydon’s. Evie placed her hand on his arm and introduced him with a broad smile as her brother Harlan. Harlan was the epitome of Southern gentility as he stood, took my hand and bowed over it, then did the same with Lucy, who stared at him with wide eyes.
    â€œI’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Carleigh. I’ve heard a lot about your work,” Harlan began. “What are your plans for completing the restoration?”
    â€œIf it’s all right with Cora-Camille, I think I’ll get started in the entry hall because that space is the first one people see when they come indoors. Evie mentioned that it would be nice to have the public spaces done by Christmas, so after the hall is complete I’ll move on to the drawing room, then the dining room, then finally the ballroom and small sitting room. After the holidays I can start the rooms upstairs and the basement.”
    Harlan leaned back in his chair and nodded. “I think that’s a good plan.” Then looking around the table at the others gathered there he said, “I’ve been talking to some friends of mine in Charleston about this restoration.”
    A palpable silence descended upon the room as everyone stopped eating, Vivian with her fork halfway to her mouth. What just happened? I wondered.
    â€œYes?” asked Cora-Camille.
    â€œYou know, Gran, it’s going to cost a fortune. I’m pretty sure I can get enough investors together to pay for all the work that needs to be done, and then they could manage the property for you going forward. It would make your life much easier.”
    Vivian spoke first. “Harlan, I think that’s just wonderful! That would be a huge help!”
    Then Cora-Camille spoke.
    â€œI don’t know, Harlan dear. I have sufficient funds to pay for the restoration without getting any additional money from outsiders. And my life really isn’t that difficult.”
    â€œI know you have plenty of money, Gran, but I’d like to see you be able to keep it and do what you want with it. With investor involvement, you’d be able to do just that.”
    â€œBut this restoration is what I want to do with my money. I want to see this manor restored to its original grandeur before I