Deceit of Angels by Julia Bell Page A

dog.  “Hello you old thing,” he
said vigorously rubbing her ears, before gesturing to Anna.  “You’ve met Anna,
Mother?” 
    Jason’s
mother gave a bright smile and held out her hand.  “Jason has told me all about
you. I’m so delighted you decided to spend my birthday with me.”
    “Thank
you for inviting me Mrs Harrington.  I’m so sorry you had to delay all your
celebrations.”
    “It
couldn’t be helped and please call me Margaret!  Now, let’s go into the parlour
and have coffee. Leave the luggage there and I’ll get John to take it to your
rooms.”
    Anna
looked about her.  She was standing in a spacious hall, with a marble floor and
large chandelier secured to the centre of the ceiling.  On the oak-panelled
walls were an assortment of antique weapons and there was even a suit of armour
standing in the corner.  By the stairs an exquisite grandfather clock ticked
the hours away. 
    This
was Jason’s childhood home, Anna thought, as a boy he had most probably slid
down the banister and played in all the rooms.  She watched his animated face,
aware of his happiness and a sudden thought crossed her mind.  Perhaps her
revelation wouldn’t be such bad news for him, perhaps she was overestimating
its importance to him?  After all, it didn’t threaten her position, she could
still remain his PA and even if she had put herself down as a widow on her CV,
that still didn’t change anything.  Except the fact she had lied.  She
swallowed and tried to shrug away her guilty feelings.
    After
their coffee, they all trekked upstairs to their rooms, the hub of their
conversation and laughter echoing round the walls.  Halfway up the grand
stairway, Anna turned to survey the immense hall below her and then continuing
her climb, was surprised to find Jason waiting for her at the top.
    “I’ll
show you to your room.  It’s just along the corridor next to Ben’s and Mrs
Wilby’s.” 
    “Thank
you.  There seems to be a lot of doors in this place,” she laughed.  “Knowing
my luck I’m sure to get lost.”
    “You’ll
soon find your way around.”
    At
the door to her bedroom, he left her.  The room allocated to Anna was facing
south-west, so receiving a great deal of the day’s sunshine.  As she entered
the room, she gave a cry of pleasure, for standing against the wall was a wide
four-poster bed.  She made her way round the room peeping into the cupboards
and opening the drawers.  Against the wall was a long mirror in which she could
see herself from top to toe.  Suddenly she spied another door and opening it,
found herself in a wonderful Victorian bathroom with a large cast iron bath
standing on claw feet.  It had large brass taps and attached to the wall was a
matching showerhead.  Anna traced her fingers along the intricately decorated
glass shower screen that covered half the bath.  The sink and toilet were of
the same design as the bath and positioned over the rails were freshly laundered
towels.  Margaret had even peppered the shelves with pot-pourri and bottles of
bubble bath and shampoo.
    Anna
left the bathroom and ran over to the bed, launching herself on top of the
duvet.  The mattress was soft and huge enough to get lost in.  She lay on her
back and looked around her.      The room created the impression of days gone
by and it wasn’t only because of the bed, since the furniture seemed relatively
old too.  The carpet and curtains were quite new, she guessed.  But the
wallpaper was a good twenty years old.
    There
was a brisk knock on the door.  She scrambled off the bed, tucked her shirt
into her jeans and went to answer it.
    “Is
your room OK?” asked Jason. 
    “It’s
absolutely wonderful.”
    “Oh,
good.  I’ve come to say that lunch will be served in the dining room at one
o’clock.”
    She
nodded.  “That sounds great, but I’d love to have a bath first.”
    “Feel
free, but be warned! There’s plenty of hot water but the plumbing is a