Page 91 of When Hearts Surrender

“You didn’t know?” She quirks her brow. “I can’t believe no one has told you before. This place used to be called Wraithmoor Abbey. They changed the name after Sir Linus’s wife passed away.”

Melody leans in, clearly noting the guests funneling in through the double doors. “They say the place is haunted because it was built on top of a torn down church.”

It was burned. The church was burned down.I shiver, remembering what Eleanor said that day. I can’t believe I’ve been living atop a graveyard this entire time.

Melody prattles on, oblivious to my quickening breaths and rising panic. “And you know what they say, don’t tear down houses of worship and most definitely don’t build on top of them.”

Suddenly, everything makes sense. The groaning and creaking of the mansion at odd hours in the night, the cries of the wind, the strange sounds of doors slamming and windows rattling. Then there’s Agnes’s grim face when she told me not to ask questions I didn’t want answers to.

Stop it, Belle. You don’t believe in this stuff.

“Do you know why they changed the name?” I can’t help but ask, even as my hands grow clammy.

“Well, from what I heard—”

“Belle, you’ve outdone yourself!” Grace squeals as she approaches us with Steven in tow. “Look at this place! Everything…sparkles!”

Steven chuckles, shaking his head at his fiancée’s excitement, the love shining clearly in his eyes as he tugs her close to him. The two of them have endured some dramatic ups and downs worthy of a daytime soap opera. I’m so happy things turned out well for them.

“Belle, how are things going?” Steven asks. He sounds casual, but a muscle is pulsing in his jaw. Something has clearly unsettled him and he’s worried.

“We’re good down here. Is everything okay? There was a disturbance earlier, right?”

“A tree branch blew in by the storm and broke one of the windows in Maxwell’s study.”

I gasp. “Is everyone okay? Is Maxwell okay?” My feet move toward the ballroom doors before I finish asking my question.

“He’s fine, Belle. They’re cleaning up. Rex had some scrapes, all minor flesh wounds, and the staff is patching up the damage as we speak.”

“Good, good.” I blow out a breath. “Never a dull moment around here, huh?”

But then, a thought occurs to me, one that sends my frayed nerves haywire again. “Did you say atree branchbroke through the windows of his study?”

It can’t be. That’s impossible.I look outside the windows, seeing the winter storm surging around us.A branch. A storm. Broken windows.Melody’s story the afternoon in the kitchen floats to my mind.

Steven nods.

Grace frowns, her eyes whipping between the two of us. “What’s wrong?”

“There are no trees outside his study. It’s on the fourth floor,” Melody whispers, clearly rattled, her skin leached of color. “Oh God, it’s happening again.” Her eyes dart to me in panic. “Excuse me, I need to talk to Mom.”

Without another word, she dashes out of the ballroom, leaving us in a tensed silence. Nausea bubbles inside me as my breathing quickens. Dread crawls up my skin.Stop it, Belle. You don’t believe in the curse. This is ridiculous. It’s just a freak accident.

“Uh, what’s going on? Why did she run off when I arrived?”

I jump, my heart seizing, and turn around, finding Taylor staring at us in a glorious black ball gown, reminding me of the black swan inSwan Lake. “Geez! You scared me, Tay!”

“What the hell is going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”

“Not sure…something feels off.” Grace pulls Taylor into our group and explains the events of the past few minutes.

“So, do they think it’s a ghost? An apparition?” Taylor whisper shouts—she’s not exactly known for her subtlety.

“Seriously, ghosts? What are you, five?” a gravelly voice asks and I see Charles sauntering toward us, his blond hair gleaming gold under the candlelight, the CEO of the Bank of Columbia who is perpetually single yet claims he’s always looking for his true love.

“Only the ignorant mock things they don’t understand.” Taylor scowls at him and rolls her eyes.

“I swear, the age difference between us has never seemed greater. Do you need a pacifier?” Charles retorts before turning to Grace. “Millie just arrived, and she asked me to find you and Steven. Something about the Kingsleys calling to wish you guys a Merry Christmas.”

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