Page 93 of Winterset
“But nothing. It’s just been a long time since Winterset has had any visitors.”
He nodded, sobering. “I made the invitation before I knew about you. I would cancel it if I could, but—”
“Don’t be silly,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
“I’ve only invited a few people. And I promise I won’t let anyone come near wherever you will be hiding.”
“I’m not worried,” I said, although I was, but it was more than that.I wanted to attend his reading, not hide in the attic while he hosted it.
“This dinner party ...” I began.
“Ghost-story reading,” he corrected with a wink, and then he winced like he wished he could take back the gesture. I didn’t know why. I loved it when he winked at me. It made my stomach flutter.
“DidIinspire the event?” I batted my lashes.
“You know you did.”
I tried not to notice the sober way he said it or the tender look in his eyes.
But I did.
The flutter in my stomach became a flurry.
Whatever this was that we were teetering on was getting harder to balance.
“Well then, I suppose I must help you select a passage.”
Oliver opened the book, his fingers brushing gently over the pages as he thumbed through them.
We took turns selecting and reading aloud passages ranging from eerie to absurd. Laughter came easily between us, and for a while, I forgot about our complicated emotions.
And then we came upon one particular passage, and my laughter faded. The description of a hidden treasure, lost for centuries and guarded by the spirits of those who had sought to protect it, reminded me of something—something I hadn’t seen or thought about in many years.
“This one,” I said excitedly. “You have to use this one. It’s perfect! I know how you should decorate the drawing room to set the right atmosphere.”
“Tell me how, and I will,” Oliver said, his playful expression softening.
“I’ll show you,” I said, pulling him up to stand. “Follow me to the attic.”
Oliver
The steep spiral stairs creakedbeneath our feet as we ascended to the attic.
“So, what exactly is in the attic?” I asked.
“You mean, besides ghosts?” Kate smiled over her shoulder at me, and I felt it everywhere.
“Certainly not, seeing as I have vanquished all the ghosts from this house,” I teased.
“My dear Oliver,” she tsked. “It is precisely the ghosts I want to show you.”
“Now I am intrigued.”
When we reached the top of the stairs, it was cold, but with a few windows, it was somewhat light. Still, I could not imagine how Kate must have felt having to hide up here. I glanced at the hidden door that led to the tiny, dark priest hide she’d used for a bedchamber. It pained me to think about her sitting all alone in the dark, so I shifted my gaze and saw her traveling trunk—contents of her past life all packed away. Life had been so unfair to her. Cruel.
“This way.” Kate looked over her shoulder at me, smiling as she moved toward the northwest corner of the attic.
I attempted a smile in return, but seeing this attic now made me feel so sad. She deserved so much more.
