Page 38 of The Dravenhearst Brides
“Theybothdid. In Rickhouse One. Hung themselves from the rafters, dressed in their bridal gowns. The Dravenhearst suicide brides.”
Jesus Christ.Margot stumbled back.
“The rickhouse has been sealed, but it matters not. Merrick shouldn’t have brought you here. I…” He trailed off, looking sheepish. “I forget things, sometimes. I forget so many things, but I remember the important ones. I swear I do. I remember things that happened here. I remember what I did.” He shivered. “You shouldn’t have come. You should leave. Were you trying to?” He pointed to the door.
“No.” Margot shook her head, finding her voice. “No, I was just…well, I don’t know precisely what I was doing. I was asleep. Dreaming.”
“Do you dream of her?”
She was almost afraid to ask. “Dream of who?”
“Eleanor.”
“No. Not her.”
“Nother?” Xander repeated. His eyes sharpened. “Then…Babette? You dream ofBabette?”
Margot didn’t answer.
“I’m only asking because I dream of her too,” he whispered. “She’s worse than Eleanor. Far worse. She is a true haunting.”
A haunting.Margot shivered.Isthatwhat’s happening to me?
Xander closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them, he blinked slowly, stupidly. His irises were milky with the cataracts of age, almost glassy in the candlelight. “Babette? Whatever are you doing?”
“Wh-what?”
“You should be abed. It’s terribly late. You know these late-night wanderings distress Richard.” He reached for her. “Here, allow me to help—”
“No!” Margot cried, snatching her arm away, puzzled and terrified all at once. The Xander with the clear gaze and plaintive speech of the last several minutes was gone. She peered closely, uncertain. “Xander?”
“Yes, m’lady?” The slow tilt to his head was creepingly servile. His eyes were vacant. A light on, but nobody home.
Margot moved toward Beau, pressing her trembling leg against the dog for comfort.
“Come now, Babette,” he continued, oblivious to her distress. He was but an old-time music box, playing the same tune over and over. “I’ll see you abed. Come…”
13
July 9, 1933
Merrick,
Your copies of the notarized paperwork, as requested. I appreciate the consideration you’ve shown my daughter throughout this process. Of all the “assets” discussed herein, she is the most precious to me.
I know it is early yet, but it’s my sincerest hope that one day you might agree.
Sincerely,
Samuel Greenbrier
I’mgoingmad.It’sthe only explanation.
Margot needed to get dressed for church. She needed to procure her Book of Psalms, her handbag and matching gloves, then her husband, lest they be late.
Instead, she was staring at her wedding gown, strung up on the curtain rod by a length of rope.
A length of rope knotted aroundthe neckline of the dress…
