The Ghosts of Peppernell Manor Read Online Free Page B

likely be getting some of the materials I would need to start the job. Cora-Camille would be only too happy to watch Lucy.
    â€œThat would be great. I’d also like to visit a nursery school in Charleston to get Lucy enrolled before the school year starts,” I told Evie. “I did some research online before we left Chicago and I found one that sounds perfect for her.”
    â€œFine. I’ll be ready to leave in about thirty minutes.”
    A short time later as Evie and I drove down the main road, across the river, and into Charleston traffic, we discussed what should be done first in the manor house.
    â€œI know it’s still August,” Evie mused, “but I know Gran would like the common rooms done before Christmas. Maybe you should start work on those first.”
    â€œI can start anywhere she wants,” I replied. “If she wants certain rooms done by Christmas, I’m going to have to get to work as soon as possible. Does the family entertain a lot during the holidays?”
    â€œAll the time,” Evie answered, rolling her eyes.
    â€œMaybe I should start in the entry hall, then move to the drawing room and dining room. They seem to be the rooms downstairs that get the most use. The entry hall is what people see first when they come into the house and the other rooms are the most likely to be used during the holidays, I would guess.”
    â€œYes, plus the ballroom. Mother and Daddy host a big open house every December in the ballroom. It gets decorated all fancy and everybody loves it.”
    â€œThat sounds amazing!”
    â€œI’m sure you and Lucy will be on the guest list this year,” Evie replied with a wink. “Mother, especially, will be anxious to show off your work to everyone who comes to the house.”
    â€œWill I be expected to set up the decorations?” I asked dubiously.
    â€œNo, Phyllis does all that every year. She’s a wonder when it comes to fancy decorating.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for Phyllis.
    It had taken under twenty minutes to get from Peppernell Manor to the heart of Charleston. Not too bad, I thought. I began to concentrate on the beautiful, centuries-old architecture we were passing. The history contained within all those walls fascinated me and I could feel the aura of Charleston’s rich past all around.
    We stopped first at a textile store where Evie introduced me to the owner, a specialist in locating and reproducing antique wall, window, and floor coverings. Evie explained that I would be using the owner’s services in the months to come, and I had a feeling that I would be spending lots of time in this particular store. We went ’round to other shops, too, where similar conversations took place. It was nice to be able to meet local vendors and know that they were as interested as I in accurate historical restorations.
    After we had stopped at several shops, I asked Evie to drive me to the nursery school I had found online. I hadn’t made an appointment to visit, but the staff was very gracious. After I had met several of the teachers and looked around the premises, I was convinced that Lucy would love it there. I enrolled her on the spot in a program that allowed her to stay until midafternoon so I could work at the manor. I was excited to get home to tell her about it.
    When we arrived back at Peppernell Manor, it was close to lunchtime and Lucy had met two newcomers. I recognized them immediately as Evie’s parents, Graydon and Vivian Peppernell, and I embraced both of them enthusiastically.
    Graydon, a tall, stocky man with a mane of silver hair, held me away from him, his hands on my shoulders. “Carleigh,” he began in his thick Southern drawl, “we are thrilled to have you here with us. And your little girl is just a peach.” He was beaming. Apparently Lucy had charmed him.
    Vivian, a petite woman with frosted blond hair and a tailored look about her,