Page 145 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
Chapter Eight
In a fitfuldance, Laura either buried herself under the covers to get warm or threw them off to cool down.
Faces loomed before her, the innkeeper’s wife’s treacherous glare, Mrs. Turner’s watchful eye, Bryce’s down his nose scowl, bloody handprints on clean white linen, Mother’s concern, and Sonia’s anxious expression.
The touch of a cloth cooled her forehead, a trickle of water eased her parched throat, and a soothing baritone spoke to her even though she couldn’t make out a word.
She tried to rouse herself several times only to be pushed back onto the pillows and fall into a fitful sleep.
The thud of a falling log in the hearth startled her awake. Groggy, she took a deep breath and screwed up her nose at the nauseating odor that she couldn’t get out of her head.
In a misty daze, a movement by the door caught her attention. She lifted herself onto her elbows and forced her eyes to focus. Slowly, Evan’s ghost took form by the door. Another one way conversation. The poor boy looked different today, the troubled expression about his eyes screamed the situation was urgent.
“I don’t know what to do. We’ve spoken to everyone.”
He didn’t move. Did that mean he understood? That he forgave her for failing? She couldn’t fail. He started to fade.
“Don’t go. I must have more information. I vow I won’t give up until I know who murdered you and Angel.” She collapsed back onto the bed. Breathing hard, she glanced at him.
He shook his head. With a soft smile on his lips, he tapped his head with his forefinger.
“Think, what do you suppose we’ve been doing?” she moaned.
He grew larger or did he step forward? He tapped his head more insistently.
“Think?” She tried to sit up, but was too weak. “Are you telling me I have all the information?”
He nodded then faded away tapping his head. Her eyes too heavy to stay open, she fell into an exhausted sleep.
Laura looked atthe ceiling and worked to remove the cobwebs from her head. She threw her legs over the side of the bed and sat waiting for her eyes to focus. Finally, she got out of bed on wobbly legs and walked around the room with care. After a few minutes, she commanded the dizziness away. An hour later, feeling more like herself, she started to dress.
“Lady Laura.” The housekeeper rushed to her side in a panic.
“Help me finish dressing. Where’s Lord Jamie?”
“He’s in the solar. He’ll be glad you’re awake. I didn’t expect you to be out of bed after such a fever.”
“A fever? Have I slept long?” She held on to the back of a chair to steady herself as she slipped on her shoes.
“Three days.” Mrs. Turner straightened the back of her skirt.
Laura whipped around. “But—”
The housekeeper turned her back and draped a wool around her shoulders. “Let me finish.” Mrs. Turner fastened the wool with the black gem pin she found on the table. “There. You’re ready. I suspect you’re hungry. I left fresh chamomile tea and bread in the solar.”
The short walk down the hall tired her, but she refused to complain. Three days wasted.
“You look well this morning.” Jamie stood as she entered the room. Was that relief she saw? She straightened and took a moment to steady herself. He didn’t hover over her. His silent encouragement was a more powerful medicine.
Jamie, on the other hand, didn’t look his usual self. Dark patches circled his eyes and he moved a bit slower.
“Why did you let me sleep so long? Three days.” She forced her sluggish mind to function. How many days since they left Glen Kirk? “That means we must find the answer before… midnight tonight.”
Jamie’s disbelief was written on his face. It wasn’t worth arguing. That didn’t mean she was giving up. They stood at the window and watched the activity at the tinker’s wagon. She had no right to be disappointed. He let her know from the beginning he wasn’t a believer.
“We kept you awake until we were sure the effects of the poison had worn off. Then you came down with a fever. Lord Jamie kept watch by your side. He wouldn’t anyone near you,” Mrs. Turner said and poured Laura a cup of tea and left the room.
Laura turned to him. He gave nothing away although she thought he looked relieved.
