The Thornless Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

on the table.
    “Here. Have a cuppa, dear, and tell me what’s troublin’ ye.” The housekeeper sat on the sofa and poured the tea.
    Hand trembling, Anne took a sip. “I don’t know where to begin.”
    “I’m certain it’ll no’ seem so dire with the tellin’. Begin at the beginning.”
    “I’m glad Grandma’s not here, because I couldn’t tell her about this. And you’re always so steady, not one to fly off the handle, or become faint with worry.”
    “Ye dinna flatter me overmuch. Aye, I’m no’ a fain-er.” Trudy gave Anne a determined smile. “Now, what’s all this about?”
    Anne asked, “Did you ever meet Jonathan Brandon?”
    “No, lass. I started workin’ for yer grandparents after they married, so I never met him.”
    “I just thought you might have, since you’ve been with our family a long time.” Anne smiled. “You know you are like family to me, Trudy.”
    She patted Anne’s hand and chuckled. “Aye, dear, as are ye t’ me. Yer grandmum and I have grown old together. We’ve had a bonnie time of it, we have, exceptin’ when me own husband died, and then when yer granddad passed.”
    Anne watched as Trudy made the sign of the cross. “I know. Those were difficult days.”
    “Aye, they were. Mr. Howard was such a good man. Did ye know I was only seventeen when he hired me? He and yer grandmum were young, too, and just about to have yer uncle, Reggie. Me mum pushed me out the door and said I had t’ work if I refused t’ go back t’ school.” Trudy shook her head. “Lord, I was headstrong! But I’m strayin’ here and not answering yer questions. What were we talking about?”
    Anne hid her smile this time. “Jonathan Brandon.”
    “Oh, Lord, aye! Weel, I did hear a thing or two about Brandon over the years, like he was verra good t’ yer grandmother and easy on the eyes, too, as ye saw from his picture. He was a war hero as well. A terrible shame, what happened t’ him, bein’ kidnapped or murdert an’ all.” Trudy tasted her tea and then looked at Anne. “What did Mrs. Howard tell ye, dear?”
    “Only that he disappeared. Do you really think he was murdered?”
    “The coppers said ’twere the only idea as made any sense.”
    Then I saw his ghost? But why me? Anne wondered, shaking off the thoughts as soon as they came into her head. “I went to the pub today to have a look.”
    Trudy crossed herself. “Christ defend us, are ye barkin’ mad? Why ever did ye go there?”
    “I... I just wanted to see it for myself,” Anne sputtered, surprised by Trudy’s vehemence. “Afterward, I went to Westminster Abbey to clear my head.” She swallowed. “Not that it did any good.”
    “What happened t’ Dr. Brandon were the Devil’s work, I fear.” Trudy crossed herself again. “No, I wouldna visit a place with such a dark past meself.”
    A silence rose between them, and Trudy set about fussing with the teapot, then poured more tea into their cups. Stoic was the only word Anne could think of for the woman’s usual demeanor. But there was something else evident now, something uncharacteristic. Trudy’s hands had started shaking. She was afraid she’d give her a stroke if she said anything else about the vanishing.
    Anne took a breath and switched gears. “I need to find out more about Dr. Brandon’s life––”
    “Dinna ye hear me?” Trudy grumbled. “‘Tis not my place t’ be cross wi’ ye, but...”
    “But you’re the only one who can help me figure this out. I don’t want to stress out Grandma with all kinds of awkward questions because I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
    Trudy huffed. “Weel, I see there’s no dissuadin’ ye. I canna say I’m willin’ or able t’ explain everythin’, but I’ve a guess where ye might go for more information. Yer grandmother has been puttin’ away this ’n that for years, and I reckon a large bit pertains t’ Brandon. Aye, I’ll wager there’s plenty more ’bout him she has kept, but dinna