Unknown by Unknown Page A

a few things in a suitcase, the rest would be collected later, locked the door to Rose’s cottage and walked up the drive to Kilfinan House. Richard was just about to leave. He was wearing a dark grey suit with a blue shirt and immaculately knotted striped tie. Rachel caught her breath. He looked incredibly handsome and smart.
    ‘I have to go to Glasgow today, on business,’ he said by way of explanation. He took her suitcase from her and as he bent his head she caught a faint hint of aftershave. ‘But I’ve got time to take these up for you and show you your rooms before I go.’ He led the way from the kitchen down a corridor and into a wide square parquet-floored hall, where two large carved oak chests, a suit of armour and several tapestry-covered chairs lined the walls. A grandfather clock with a friendly silver face stood at the first bend of the wide, thickly carpeted oak staircase. Rachel followed him up the stairs and along a corridor off to the left, lined either side with doors. There was a long stained-glass window at the end of the corridor.
    ‘This is the wing we live in, as you probably know,’ he explained. ‘That’s my father’s study,’ he indicated the first door on the right, ‘and his bedroom next to it. My rooms are these, opposite. Then there are the bathrooms and guest rooms, Melanie's playroom, bedroom and bathroom.’ Rachel recognised the three doors on the right that he pointed out from putting Melanie to bed the previous evening. ‘Your bedroom and sitting room are these, opposite Melanie’s rooms. I’m sure you won t mind sharing Melanie's bathroom.’ He opened the last door on the left.
    It was a sunny room, with windows on two walls, one looking out over the glen to the mountains beyond, the other looking on to the woods on the estate where Melanie loved to play, with, far in the distance, a thin grey ribbon which was the road to Ardenbeg. The room itself was furnished in blue and grey, with a grey carpet and deep blue dralon curtains and chair coverings. There were two comfortable armchairs, a small low table, portable television and radio, built-in bookshelves full of books and a long teak sideboard. An electric fire was built into a long row of fitments along one wall, which also incorporated cupboards and a cushioned fireside bench. It was a very comfortable room. In one corner there was a connecting door to the bedroom.
    This was furnished in a completely different style. The four-poster bed was draped in William Morris print to match the curtains. The walls and carpet were a plain, deep cream. The table beside the bed, the chest of drawers and the kidney-shaped dressing table—also draped in William Morris print—with its dainty triple mirror, were all clearly very old, but well cared for.
    ‘They’re lovely rooms,’ Rachel said warmly. ‘I’m sure I shall be very comfortable.’
    ‘I hope you will.’ Richard regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, then said briskly, ‘I daresay Rose has already shown you over the rest of the house, so you’ll know your way about.’ He went over to the window. ‘You have a fine view over the glen. My windows have this view, too. I never tire of it. Melanie’s rooms and my father’s face the other way, towards the mountain.’ He turned away from the window, glancing at his watch. ‘I must go. I’ve a meeting at twelve and it’s a long drive to Glasgow. Melanie’s away playing in the woods. I did tell her you’d be coming but,’ he sighed, ‘I don’t know whether she understood.’
    ‘Don’t worry, I’ll explain to her,’ said Rachel.
    ‘Thank you.’ He looked at his watch again. ‘I must go. If there’s anything you want you must tell me....’
    ‘I’m sure there’s everything I could possibly need here.’
    ‘I hope so.’ He went to the door, then stopped and turned back. ‘My father rang Archie Murdoch again this morning. Rose is quite comfortable and happy.’
    ‘Oh, I’m so glad.’
    ‘She was