Free A Place of Secrets by Rachel Hore Page B

Summer’s hair and whispering, “It’s all right, it’s all right, darling. It’s only a dream. You’re all right. Auntie Jude’s here.”
    “Mummy,” Summer cried out. “Mummy.” Her face was pale and clammy.
    “Mummy’s asleep, darling.”
    “No, I’m here,” whispered Claire, pushing open the door. Light from the landing fell across Summer’s bed. Jude stoodout of the way, feeling rather unnecessary as Claire comforted her daughter.
    “I was frightened, Mummy. You weren’t there. I couldn’t find you,” the little girl sobbed.
    “Don’t worry, darling. You’re awake now and I’m here. It was just a nasty old dream. It’s gone now.”
    After a while Summer grew peaceful and her eyelids fluttered and closed.
    The women watched her for a while, then Claire pulledthe duvet around her daughter and stood up.
    “I’d take her into my own bed,” she whispered to Jude, “but then neither of us sleeps. She’s awfully wriggly.”
    “I’ll keep an eye on her,” promised Jude and they both went back to bed.
    Jude lay awake for what seemed like hours. It was the same dream that she’d had, she was sure of it. Her heart quickened as she remembered. “ Maman! ” Maman , the Frenchword. Running in the dark, tripping and falling into leaf mold, bruised, terrified, alone. Often as a child she’d woken to find her father there—not her mother—and was relieved to feel his comforting arms around her before he settled her down to sleep once more. Poor Summer. What could have set this off? Could a dream run in a family? It seemed unlikely, but what other explanation could there be?
    She lay listening to Summer’s gentle breathing, worrying and worrying, until the first birds began to sing and she finally drifted back into sleep.

CHAPTER 7
    The next morning, when Jude turned into the drive to Starbrough Hall, she found herself following a Mercedes sports car that flashed silver in the sun. She parked next to it on the forecourt just as an elegant blonde woman got out of the driver’s side. Could this be Alexia, Robert’s wife? she wondered as she locked her car door, but a quick glance revealed the inside of the Mercedesto be pristine and there were no child seats. The woman said a cool “Hi” and they agreed that it was another beautiful day. She didn’t seem to know about the front door not being used, and Jude, though not confident of the way herself, suggested she follow her under the arch.
    Jude knew most of the personnel at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, and she certainly didn’t recognize this ice maiden, but shecouldn’t stop herself checking. “Excuse me asking, but you’ve not come to look at the library, have you?” She was profoundly relieved when the woman looked puzzled.
    “The library? Why?” She didn’t volunteer the nature of her business so Jude didn’t elaborate.
    “Never mind. Just an idea I had.”
    Jude knocked on the back door. When Robert opened it the two setters bounced out, barking enthusiastically.Jude petted them, but the other woman backed away in alarm, so he called the animals in and shut them in a utility room.
    “Come in, ladies.” He introduced Jude to the other woman, Marcia Vane, rather stiffly, then led them through to the hall. There he showed Marcia into what looked like an office and suggested Jude make her way along to the library.
    “My mother’s waiting for you there,” he said.“I’m so sorry to be tied up again. Ms. Vane rang half an hour ago and asked if she could call in.”
    “That’s fine,” said Jude, “honestly,” and she walked into the library, pleased to find Chantal pouring coffee. She felt she needed a gallon after her broken night. This morning Claire had studied her daughter anxiously, but Summer had seemed her usual cheerful self, busy packing a pink rucksackwith fashion-doll paraphernalia to take to her friend’s house.
    “What excellent timing,” Chantal said warmly. “I’m so sorry that it’s just me