Page 140 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
“Thank you for your help.” Laura and Jamie stood in front of the pantry. Mary went off and got halfway to the kitchen.
“There is something else.” Laura and Jamie stopped mid-stride near the pantry door and turned to face her. Heavy lines of concentration deepened along Mary’s brows and under her eyes. “I checked them both for any signs of life. There was so much blood everywhere.”
Mary stared at them, a haunted look about her eyes. Jamie stiffened at her side. Laura knew Mary didn’t see them. The woman was someplace else. “Evan was covered in blood. He must have dragged himself through the pool on the floor to reach her. I had little hope for him, but there wasn’t much on Angel. Only a little on the bodice of her dress. I thought, I hoped she was alive.” Mary’s eyes cleared. Agony was etched on her face. “She was also gone. When I picked up her hand, I saw skin under Angel’s fingernails. I thought she may have clawed someone. Evan’s face was clear. I checked his arms and hands. Nothing there either. I told someone who came into the room. Nothing came of it.”
“Could Angel have scratched herself? Her hands, face…?” Jamie asked.
“There were no scratches on her.”
“Thank you. I know this hasn’t been easy.”
“He didn’t kill her and he’s not a traitor to The Maxwell. I swear on my life.” Mary pulled on her apron, wiped her eyes, turned and headed toward the kitchen. “Celia, here are the herbs you wanted.”
“I’m getting anxious. Five days isn’t a long time,” Laura said as she fumbled for the pantry door key.
“Why don’t we divide and conquer. You look through the pantry. I’ll speak to Evan’s father. I saw him by the stable. Afterward, I’ll meet you here.” Surprised by his willingness to cooperate, she agreed even though she wanted to be with him at the interview.
She watched Jamie as he walked to the stables. For all his teasing he was a compassionate man. His rugged and commanding presence was compelling. She smiled to herself. Her heart lurched at the sight of him.
“Are you lost, m’lady?” Sonia came into the hallway and followed Laura’s gaze. “Oh, Lord Jamie,” she said with a knowing smile.
“What about Lord Jamie? He’s gone to speak to Lewis. I wanted to make sure he didn’t get distracted along the way.” Liar, she told herself licking her lips. She hadn’t fooled Sonia.
“He’s a good and trustworthy man.”
“Yes, but to him, I’ll always be Richard’s little sister.” Her voice was a whisper.
“That’s not what I see when he watches you when you’re not looking. I don’t think he sees your brother at all.” A soft curve touched Sonia’s lips.
Laura touched her necklace, her fingertips warmed by the beads. Perhaps the heat was from the flush that rushed up her neck.
“Mrs. Turner is coming. I must be on my way before she scolds me for dallying.”
“Go on. If she comes by, I won’t say anything.” She shooed the girl out the door. Sonia vanished amongst the people in the courtyard.
Laura slipped the key into the lock, slid the bolt and the door swung open. She wasn’t superstitious, but she needed a moment. It was easy to be brave when you knew what you faced, it was something else when you had no idea what to expect.
With the only light coming from the open door, she lit the lantern and hung it on the peg in the center of the room. The dim light revealed walls lined with shelves of tins and wooden crates. Large barrels were scattered around the room. Finally, she looked at the floor and let out a sigh of relief. Someone had scrubbed the stone floor, no signs of blood. Thank goodness.
She turned to face the darkest area, the back of the room, and squinted. The light barely reached that far back. Something glistened in the air. She gasped as the vapor throbbed and expanded. Out of the midst stepped a young man.
“Evan.” she remembered the footman.
His eyes widened and he gave her a respectful bow.
“Tell me, who murdered you and Angel?” The apparition said nothing. “Can you give me any help?” The boy sadly shook his head before he faded away.
Her first instinct was to rush to him and made him stay, but he was gone before she moved. Speechless. She’d have to think of a way to communicate with him, if he appeared again. She spent the next hour looking through the room and moved every tin and crate.
“Did you find anything?” Jamie walked into the room.
“No. I did see our ghost. It is Evan. He can’t speak.”
“Is that usual for ghosts?”
She spun to face Jamie. At first, she thought him sarcastic until she saw the playful smirk on his face as he leaned against the door jamb. She smiled and inclined her head.
“You’d have to ask Mother. She is the expert on ghosts. Help me move these barrels. They are the last things to search.” She leaned over, her hands on either side of the barrel’s rim.
