Page 111 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
He stood in the empty hallway where he had found Senara that fateful night. Where the monk named Balthasar was buried.
For the countless time in a fortnight, Gavin found himself bent over the stone he knew to have been loosened. As with the times before, it did not give.
The stone was as intact as if it’d never once fallen from its place in the wall. Were it not for having replaced it himself, Gavin would have never believed it had ever been removed.
He crouched beside the wall to inspect the impossible stone. When the weather was warmer, he’d need a mason to come out and have the wall torn down.
Senara had been cautious in telling Gavin the tale, as if she hadn’t expected him to believe her. In truth, it was an easy tale to dismiss.
But he knew Senara and he knew the pureness of her heart. Ghosts were drawn to good souls when they sought help. It was no wonder Balthasar had found Senara.
Strange though it may seem, it made Gavin proud of Senara’s genuine kindness. One more week of banns being announced and she would officially be his to wed. A smile came to his face at the very thought.
Regarding his aunt, he wished he could think better of her than having allowed a man to be walled up and left to die. And yet he could not.
Since Edana had left, the staff reported no further issues with items being relocated or broken in the castle.
Surely no further proof than that was required.
A rapid pattering of footsteps echoed around him and Renny came round the corner at breakneck speed. “Laird, she’s back.”
Gavin frowned. “Ye mean Edana?”
She hadn’t specified where she’d meant to go and had not removed all of her items. He’d truly hoped she would be gone longer than a fortnight.
“Aye, laird, she—”
“She figured ye’d be coming to tell the laird of my arrival, ye wee brat.” Edana came around the corner with a look of displeasure creasing her face.
He inclined his head respectfully. “Aunt.”
She grasped Renny’s ear and tugged him in the opposite direction. “Go see to my horse.”
Before Gavin could put a stop to her torment, Renny scuttled off toward the stables.
Gavin pointed to the wall. “Is there a monk behind here?” Direct was always the best approach with his aunt.
In reply, she shoved a piece of folded parchment in his direction. “Here is yer wedding arrangement with the MacKintosh lass.”
He took the missive, and she eased back with a look of self-satisfaction practically glowing on her face.
“I’m marrying Senara.” His voice was intentionally hard.
Edana smirked. “There would have only been two banns read as yet. Without the third, the agreement is still no’ binding.”
He shook his head. “I’ve given her my word.”
Edana’s eyes went wide in a show of mock innocence. The expression sat on her face as well as milk sits in vinegar. “And I’ve given them yer word ye’d be there posthaste as well. If ye dinna go, ye’ll greatly offend Lady MacKintosh’s honor.” She covered her mouth with her withered hand. “That’d cause a war.”
A dry tsking click came from her throat and she shook her head in a scolding manner.
“I know what ye’re doing—”
“Ye mean, ye know what I’ve done. The men of the family aren’t the only ones with power.” Edana lifted her brow. “And now ye must undo it or suffer the consequences.” She offered him a sweet smile and patted his cheek as she’d often done when he was a lad. Right before she pinched his ear– to keep him honest, she used to say, or some such nonsense.
The odor of powder and herbs was as familiar now as it had been then.
“My journey took some time to return,” she said. “They expected ye to arrive yesterday, so ye’d best be on yer way.”
