Page 125 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
“Three weeks ago. I know your next question, so if the ghost’s appearance is so recent, why is he blamed for the hardship?”
“Precisely,” Laura, Lisbeth and her mother said in unison.
“There is nothing or no one else to blame.” Jamie’s gaze went from her mother, to Lisbeth and to her. Gone was his playful manner. “It wasn’t until after his death that the idea he was responsible for the crop failures arose. To be honest, better to blame someone already dead than some living person they all trust.”
The sobering thought lingered.
“Mother, too bad you can’t go to the castle and help poor Evan,” Lisbeth said.
“No, I can’t leave now, but it is a pity.” Her mother paused, her food almost to her mouth. “I wonder what he’s trying to tell you.” She shrugged and continued with her meal.
“Tell me? I hardly knew him in life. What could he possibly want to tell me in death?” Jamie asked. “Although Herbert agrees with Lisbeth, he said you had a way with ghosts and it was unfortunate you weren’t available.”
“So does Laura.” Her mother sat up and elbowed Father.
“Me?” Laura dropped what was left of her meat pie onto her trencher.
“You have a special skill of getting to the bottom of issues. If anyone can find out the truth of their deaths and how to put Evan’s poor soul to rest, it’s you,” her mother said, a smug look on her face.
Laura stared at her mother. Of course she wanted to help her cousin, but she couldn’t leave now. Surely her father would bring Mother to her senses.
“You’re right, Darla. Besides, a trip would be good for Laura and the sooner the better.” Laura stared at her father. What was going on?
“No, no, that’s not necessary.” Jamie appeared as perplexed as she. He looked downright agitated. Why didn’t he want to take her to the castle?
“Jamie, you know I can’t leave Glen Kirk now. Nor can I stand by and watch my cousin suffer when help is easily at hand. Take Laura to Caerlaverock with you. If there’s nothing she can do, at least she will have a long overdue visit with the family.” Her mother’s tone and convincing words didn’t fool her. What was her parents’ hidden plan?
“Of course, Darla. I’m sure Herbert will be happy to have Laura visit and accept any help she is able to provide.” Annoyed, Laura scrutinized his reaction more carefully. The fact that he didn’t want to take her to the castle was evident in the death grip he had on the tankard. She lightly touched the top of his wrist and hoped he’d relax his hand before he crushed the cup.
His muscles jolted under her fingertips. He put down the tankard and tucked his hand under the table.
“I’m glad that’s decided,” her mother said.
“Ah, roast duck.” Wesley rubbed his hands together like a child at the holidays. “Has Herbert’s design solved the problem with the flooding? I was quite taken with his plans when I visited with him last. Unique, very unique.”
Lisbeth leaned toward her.
“Do you think Mother’s eagerness to get you away may have anything to do with Bryce being here?”
Laura chewed on her fruit fritter. She had conveniently forgotten about Bryce.
“You don’t think he had the audacity to come here and offer for me now, while we mourn Richard?” She knew the answer as soon as the words left her lips and disliked him even more.
“Yes, I do. And I think the sooner you’re safely away from Glen Kirk, the better.” Lisbeth straightened.
Laura swiveled and faced her sister. “Why won’t Mother and Father tell me? This isn’t the first time he’s offered. Why do they keep Bryce’s proposal from me?”
“I can think of several reasons. One, they don’t like or trust him. Two, they don’t want you to think you’re obligated to marry him. And three, these are tenuous times and they don’t want you in the middle of the politics.”
Ann brought in the spiced wine signifying the end of the meal.
“Don’t fret. Mother knows what she’s doing.”
Laura listened to Jamie paint a picture with words for her parents about the castle and how the stones glowed with the colors of the sunset. He went on and on and made Caerlaverock sound special.
“Come Wesley.” Her mother rose from her chair. “That’s enough about the castle architecture. You’ll forgive us. It’s been a long day.”
Laura watched her parents leave, their heads together in deep conversation. The talk at the table had brightened them both.
