But then, events take another surprising turn. Even Louise Kendall’s voice falls on deaf ears. He is almost instantly captivated and soon refuses to listen to anything against her, whether it comes from his godfather/guardian Nick Kendall who warns him of Rachel’s extravagance nor Ambrose’s own words in letters later recovered. But then Rachel herself arrives in Cornwall, and Philip is left dumbfounded for she is nothing like he has been visualising. Given the circumstances, Philip who has already been jealous of Ambrose being taken away from him, and anxious over the changes that might occur (which others are ever ready to point out) is angry and suspects that Rachel is responsible for what has happened to Ambrose-all sorts of images of her are formed in his mind, none particularly pleasant. Then suddenly, after Philip receives some mysterious and uncharacteristic letters from Ambrose, Ambrose dies.
Instead of returning with his bride, Ambrose stays on in Florence to take care of some business for his bride, and then his letters start to become infrequent. Before long, Ambrose has fallen in love with Rachel and married her (we learn all this through letters Philip receives). But this year, on his travels to Italy, he runs into the Contessa Sangalletti or Cousin Rachel (a sort of relation of the family), who shares his interest in gardens. We learn as the narrative starts that Ambrose has not been in the best of health over the past few years and has been advised to travel abroad each winter which he has been doing, visiting different parts of the continent and bringing back new trees and plants which are his interest. The only people he interacts with other than the tenants are his godfather, Nick Kendall and his daughter Louise, and the vicar Mr Pascoe and his family. While Philip has studied at Harrow and been trained for and can manage Ambrose’s estate (to which he is the heir), he has in most ways led a very sheltered existence. Ambrose is a confirmed bachelor and has raised Philip in a house with no women (after he sent the nanny packing when Philip was 3). My Cousin Rachel (1952) is narrated in the voice of Philip Ashley-Philip, 24 when the book opens, is an orphan and has been brought up by his older cousin Ambrose who has taken the place of his parents and has never let him feel their absence.
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