A Study in Drowning

Effy experiences a renewal of determination and begins her design for the manor. She discusses her plans with Ianto but learns that he disagrees with her more ambitious ideas. He invites her upstairs to see where a balcony has completely rotted away to reveal the sea beyond, called the Bay of Nine Bells. They talk about the Drowning, a mythic event that southerners fear will come again; in it, a large tide from the sea washed in and flooded coastal towns, killing many people. At the end of their discussion, Ianto moves uncomfortably close to Effy and reminds her of her experience with Master Corbenic. Ianto seems disoriented by the moment and leaves.

Later, Effy considers the differences between northern and southern culture, particularly their superstitious beliefs. She goes looking for Preston but finds his study empty; she explores the room and discovers his notes on a project designed to disprove Myrddin’s authorship of his major works. Preston arrives and becomes defensive. They argue about logical discrepancies in Myrddin’s work and their respective roles as academics in his tradition. Effy suggests Preston has a political agenda and is working to undermine Llyrian morale. Finally, Preston suggests they take on the project together for shared credit, allowing Effy entrance to the literature college. Despite her hesitation, Effy agrees. She confesses that she applied to the literature college but was ignored. Later, as she lies awake, she thinks about what she discovered in Preston’s notes: her name written over and over again.

Effy and Preston begin their project. Preston explains his reasoning for questioning Myrddin’s authorship, beginning with his family’s close relationship with the sea. By contrast, his work always presents the sea as an antagonistic force. They examine some of Myrddin’s published personal letters, and Preston argues that some may have been forged. Angered by Preston’s arguments, Effy chastises him for embodying some of the stereotypes of Argant. Their debate becomes heated, but they ultimately put their disagreements aside to focus on their work. They continue to discuss discrepancies between Myrddin’s published work and his letters, as well as concerning inconsistencies in Angharad. Preston suggests looking for other archival material such as journals or letters. To aid their search, Effy agrees to secure blueprints of the house. Preston warns her to be careful of Ianto.

Later, Effy prepares to ask Ianto for the house blueprints. She struggles with his seemingly dual nature. As they sit down, Ianto enquires about her background and invites her back to the pub in town. He jokes that their project might need an orphan sacrifice, alluding to an old southern tradition that involved blood sacrifice to ensure the safety of a property. He also voices his distrust of Preston before commenting on Effy’s beauty. She becomes deeply uncomfortable but presses on and asks for blueprints of the house. He offers them to her, grabbing her hand in the process. Suddenly, he gets up urgently and announces they’re leaving. They drive back erratically, and Effy realizes she hasn’t taken her pink pills. He continues to make comments about her beauty and femininity, then asks why she really came to Hiraeth Manor. Suddenly, Effy sees the Fairy King sitting beside her. She leaps from the moving car.

Effy makes it back to the manor on foot, where Preston greets her with frantic questions. She tells him about jumping from the car but is evasive about why. She realizes that her legs are torn up and covered in gravel from the fall. Preston helps clean off her legs and care for them. Effy enjoys bonding with Preston but worries about Ianto’s erratic actions. They begin examining the blueprints, and Effy discovers some discrepancies: The basement isn’t listed on the drawing, and there is an unmarked space near Ianto’s room. They plan to explore the room the next day while Ianto is out. Before Effy leaves, she thanks Preston for his care. In the hall, Effy sees a flash of what she thinks may be a ghost. She thinks that her pink pills are beginning to lose their efficacy.

Effy dreams of the Fairy King, despite the use of her sleeping pills, and wakes late. She meets Preston, but Ianto has left the house early. They sneak into his rooms, noting that the only mirror is too heavily oxidized to reflect anything. They find assorted newspaper articles and genre books, including one called Dominating the Damsel. As they consider Myrddin’s relationship with his son, Preston admits his father has passed away. Effy mentions Ianto’s allusion to the custom of sacrificing fatherless children. Preston grows concerned, noting that Ianto has several superstitious wards around the house. As they continue searching, they discover a hidden room behind a bookcase. In the room is a single metal box with Myrddin’s name on it. Effy breaks it open, and they discover his diary inside. It’s accompanied by several photographs of an undressed young woman. Effy struggles with her fracturing image of her favorite author. Returning to the study, Effy and Preston read several of the diary entries, which detail his early publications. When they reach a passage about Angharad, Myrddin mentions delivery by someone named Blackmar and implies that the story was given to him. Preston recognizes the name of a prominent poet, Colin Blackmar. As they consider the implications of their find, Ianto enters and discovers them together. He carries a gun and voices his disapproval of them.

Later, Effy works on her architectural plans and considers disparaging comments in Myrddin’s diary about women and the dissonance between his attitude and his greatest work. At twilight, she goes upstairs and overhears Ianto talking to someone, saying he had to “bring her back” (181). Effy wonders if Ianto is talking to the ghost.