With shaking fingers, I turned the letter over and opened it as carefully as possible. It would be better to open it wearing gloves and using a letter opener, the researcher in me complained, but I just couldn’t wait. The glue was old, so the seal broke rather easily.
Inside the envelope was a note, and my eyes immediately went to the bottom. This hidden gem was from Joanna Storm!
One day, you will come home—I will bring you home, and I will meet you. On that day, we will never be parted again, my darling. This is my promise to you.
All my love,
Joanna
A dried flower, a small rose that had once been pale pink, fell apart in my hand. I collapsed into the desk chair and put all the pieces of the flower in front of me on my desk. I stared at it for a long while. Who was this note for, and why had it been hidden here?
Yet another mysterious footnote in Joanna Storm’s biography. As if I needed one more to chase down. Boy, if Alex got a hold of this note, I knew how this would play out. I could see it now. I would have to write at least a whole chapter on this note in which I would guess who the mysterious recipient might be, and that just seemed wrong. Clearly Joanna (or someone) wanted to keep this private. It would be wrong to exploit this private moment. Yes, that would be wrong.
I tucked the note inside the drawer and collected the rose petals back in the envelope.
No, I wasn’t going to share this with Alex. Not now. Not when he was so busy booking my book tours for The Robin’s Cry. In fact, I could hear him now, talking loudly in the small room that he called his office just beyond the Great Room.
Hmm…maybe the outside of the envelope would hold some clue. I hadn’t really inspected it like I should. I picked up the paper carefully, but the light was too dim here to read the faded ink. I turned in the leather chair and held the envelope up to the natural light that streamed in through the nearby window. It was a bright, beautiful day out, too beautiful to spend in here with dusty books, but I had a job to finish. Most of the beautifully restored bookshelves were full, only a few left. And now I had this treasure!
I narrowed my eyes and stared at the faint script. Yes! There was something there. Faded letters. A name, perhaps. I stood up and walked closer to the window, but I didn’t have to go far. I could clearly read the name on the envelope now. I swallowed at seeing it.
To Paden.
But I’d known that, hadn’t I? Yes, I knew that only Paden would be Joanna’s darling. Not Dan. Not anyone but Paden. And that wasn’t merely an observation. I could feel it. Somehow, I could feel Joanna’s love for Paden. A deep love, the kind that transcends time. She’d always loved him, and she loved him still. Tears fell from my eyes as I let the envelope fall to the floor. I would never have that kind of love.
Alex’s loud voice faded; it sounded muted as if I were underwater. I couldn’t see Joanna, but I could feel her close to me. I smelled her perfume, a blend of rose and something spicy like pepper. She needed me to do this. I had to!
I walked down the stairs to the second floor. When I reached the landing, I could see Joanna’s dress disappear around the corner. On to the first floor now and to my own room. She needed me to do this.
Yes, Joanna. I’ll do it. I know you need me to. I will do this for you. I closed the door to my room and locked it. Squatting down in front of the armoire, I pulled out the cedar lined drawer and unwrapped the dress. Alex didn’t know I still had it; the antique garment was meant to be sent off for storage, but how could I part with it? Joanna wouldn’t like that. And I would never allow it!
The dress was my door back to her world. To her wonderful world. Yes, there had been sadness and tragedy, and horrible things had happened there, but there had also been love. Joanna needed me to go back. I slipped out of my jeans and t-shirt and shimmied into the Vivaldi. My bare arms felt cool, and the fabric hung perfectly from my frame. It was as if the dress were meant for me, Megan Pressfield. This was all meant for me.
I had to do this. Joanna needed me to. I had to find Paden, go to him and tell him…
Tell him what? I was not sure what I would say or do, but I knew I had to go. I waited, but nothing changed. There was no moving of the air or anything like I had experienced before.
Joanna? Where are you? What do I do now?
I heard a man’s voice. Not a loud, booming voice like Alex’s but a familiar one nonetheless.
Paden! I’m coming, my darling!
With shaking fingers, I opened the door and stepped out into the hall. I wiped the tears of joy from my eyes as I took in the scene. I knew I might not be able to go back. Was that what I wanted? What about Alex? I refused to allow myself to think for too long.
I stepped into the hallway and waited. There were others around me; lots of people were here at Morgan’s Rock today. I wondered why. I have to find Joanna! No, I am Joanna! That must be it! I was always Joanna.
The man was calling me now, “Joanna! Come here, quick!” It was coming from outside, from the stables. Paden!
I stood in the doorway of the house now, wondering whether I should make this last step. Surely I would never be able to go back. If I stepped through this door, I would not be able to go back to my own time. A shiver crept over me.
“Ma’am? Miss Storm, it’s too cold out for you to go about with nothing on your arms. Here, love. Here’s your wrap.” Emma handed me a shawl, a lovely shawl with long fringe and a butterfly design across the back.
I wrapped it around me. “Thank you,” I murmured as she vanished down the hall.
It’s now or never. Go now!
If I stepped across this threshold and nothing happened, I would know that I was meant to be here. That I was supposed to be at Morgan’s Rock in this time! I stepped across the threshold, but nothing happened. Nothing changed. The birds were chirping, and cheerful music played somewhere within the house behind me. I could hear the clinking of dishes; lunch was being prepared. Yes, this was a celebration.
Standing by the fence that led to the barn were Vivian and Danny. Vivian twirled a fan around her finger while cutting those exotic eyes at Dan. Yes, she always had a thing for him. She glanced up and smiled at me, and even though I knew behind that friendly smile and lovely eyes beat a dangerous heart, I waved at her. A small wave. A peace offering.
Dan glanced over his shoulder and waved too, but all his attention was on Vivian. And that was as it should be. They wandered off together, deep in conversation, and I turned my attention to the cloud of dust being kicked up in the yard.
It was Paden! My darling man! He was riding his gray horse, the new one he’d named Lord Marlborough. He was convinced that the gray would be a winner. A true racer, he called him. He saw me and brought the horse to a pace; when he reached the fence, he slid off the horse, handed the reins to a stable boy and strolled toward me. His mane of golden hair was wild today, for he’d been riding all morning.
“Joanna! Where have you been? It’s almost noon.”
I didn’t know what to say, but my heart welled up with love, Joanna’s love. Yes, I must be Joanna! How else was it that I could be here?
But you’re not. You’re Megan Pressfield, author and modern girl. You don’t belong here.
But Paden was here now, his arms around me. He smelled of horse and sunshine and life. I held on to him, and we kissed. This was how it felt to be in love! Real love. There were no contracts, no books to worry about. Nothing but Paden and Joanna.
But I heard another voice, a familiar voice, and it was calling my name. My old name.
“Megan? Where are you?”
Paden must have heard it too. His expression darkened as he looked toward the house.
Go away, Alex. This is where I belong. This is where I will stay.
“Take me away from here, Paden. Take me far away.” I buried my face in his chest.
“Shall we go by horse or by train?” He laughed softly as he touched my hair, his eyes still unsettled as he scanned the door. Would Alex come out her
e? Would he find me? I didn’t want to go back!
“Yes! Let’s go by horse! Take me for a ride on Lord Marlborough!” I walked toward the fence with Paden’s hand in mine. “Let’s go now before…please…let’s go now.”
Paden climbed atop the horse and reached down for me. Alex’s voice grew louder, but I refused to look behind me. I couldn’t and I wouldn’t. I wanted to stay in this moment, this one happy moment…forever. Nothing could steal this moment from me, not again.
I was in Paden’s arms, my eyes focused on the road that would lead us away from Morgan’s Rock. Maybe not forever, but at least for a little while. With every gallop, I said goodbye to Megan even though the thought chilled me.
This would be my forever.
I am Joanna Storm.
The Hall of Shadows
Morgan’s Rock Series
Book Two
By M.L. Bullock
Text copyright © 2019 Monica L. Bullock
All Rights Reserved
Dedication
This book is dedicated to sweet Aunt Annie.
There she sees a damsel bright,
Drest in a silken robe of white,
That shadowy in the moonlight shone:
The neck that made that white robe wan,
Her stately neck, and arms were bare;
Her blue-veined feet unsandl’d were,
And wildly glittered here and there
The gems entangled in her hair.
I guess, ’twas frightful there to see
A lady so richly clad as she—
Beautiful exceedingly!
Excerpt from Christabel
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1797
Chapter One
March 1922
“Thank you for coming, Danny. She always loves hearing you play.” I fixed my headscarf in the mirror. I was supposed to look like an Egyptian princess, but my headdress wasn’t cooperating.
“I wouldn’t miss your mother’s birthday. We all love your Zea, Joanna. Say, what do you have going on here?” He laughed softly as he tried to help me with the thing, but it didn’t do any good. My Egyptian-style headdress looked more like a towel wrapping. Oh well, it was too late now. To make matters worse, at least for me, Vivian’s costume gave her the appearance of an enchantress, a beautiful enchantress from some magical land. Dan did not fail to notice her beauty either. What did I care? I had no romantic interest in Dan Petit, did I? Yet the familiar jealousy rose up within me and threatened to make me sick. What was wrong with me? Vivian Kemal was no threat to me. She was an unnecessary member of our household; little more than a servant, really. I hardly understood the bitterness I felt toward her, but I had been feeling it for so long, even before Father’s death, that I gave up trying to justify it—even to myself. And for her part, Vivian had given up trying to befriend me. Much to my relief. Bringing Vivian here to Morgan’s Rock had been my father’s idea, and now that he was gone, I could think of no reason for her to stay. Once Mother was feeling better, I planned on bringing up the subject again. But for now, we would all smile and pretend to love each other…for Mother if for no one else. Yes, Joanna. Remember, this is supposed to be a birthday party, after all.
“Well, you certainly look the part. I swear you could pass for an Egyptian princess. One who just stepped out of the shower and wrapped a turban around her head,” Dan joked as he touched his collars in the mirror behind me. “There, there. Don’t fuss, Joanna. This party is for Zea Storm. A nobler lady I’ve never met, and she needs a distraction. Now be a good pharaoh and lead the way.”
I frowned at him, but I wasn’t sure he noticed my look of disapproval. I was wearing far too much eyeliner for any type of expression besides condemnation. That suited me just fine and perfectly portrayed my current mood. Vivian waited by the door and opened it for us as if she were an enchanted servant. I was glad she wore that dark blue veil tonight, the one with the silvery stars and moons painted all over it. The veil partially obscured her lovely face and the distant expression that seemed to enchant Danny so easily. I stepped in front of her and led our trio into the Great Room and greeted my mother, her few friends and our servants with a brief curtsy. Vivian curtsied as well, Dan gave a courtly bow, and the three of us stood in the center of the room near the piano. This was a small but excited audience, as they demonstrated with their polite applause. Mother’s face was paler than normal—even her lips had a strange faded color—but she managed a half smile, which showed quick glimpses of her sunken dimples. Seeing them did not do my heart good.
“Ladies and gentlemen…oh my, there are no gentlemen here except our pianist, Dan Petit. Would you please give him a round of applause, ladies?” The tiny gathering obliged us, and I waved my hand halfheartedly to Vivian. “After our pianist, you will be entertained by our mysterious guest whose name escapes me.” I laughed in mock politeness. I truly couldn’t remember what name Vivian told me, but she wasted no time in speaking for herself.
With a dramatic wave of her arm, she announced, “The Great Kemaldi will present the Seven Wonders of the World.”
As the applause faded, Vivian and I took a seat on the front row as Dan sat at the grand piano. After arranging his tails and settling into the correct position, his fingers raced over the keys. And in a few minutes, he had carried our souls to faraway places with the greatest of ease. No one played the piano as beautifully as Dan Petit. Neither Vivian nor I was any competition to him in that regard.
Mother appeared moved by his performance, dabbing at her eyes with her blue handkerchief. I certainly hoped that Dan played something more cheerful soon. The goal of this evening’s birthday celebration was to take her mind off her grief and sickness—not bring them back to the forefront of her mind. For I knew that like me, she grieved for Father daily.
As if he read my mind, Danny began playing a jolly little tune I knew well. He cocked his head and flashed a grin, a clear invitation for me to dance along. I wasted no time doing so. There was nothing I loved more than dancing except maybe acting. My feet began to move immediately, and I swung my arms in perfect time. Danny was a madman on the piano. Unlike some of the ladies at the party, Mother wasn’t shocked by my behavior. She smothered a cough behind her handkerchief and then clapped her hands along to the Charleston. With a weak smile, she cheered me on. Danny and I hadn’t planned on this kind of performance, at least I hadn’t, but I danced my heart out nonetheless. I swung my arms wildly and invited Vivian to join me, but of course she did not. She did not know how to dance the Charleston. I laughed aloud as Danny whistled at me and continued banging on the piano. Once the song was over, I let the applause wash over me. I couldn’t help but smile despite the fact that my eyeliner was undoubtedly running down my face. After all those nights at the dance hall, I had finally become a master of the Charleston, the Green Apple and a few other dances. I was proud of my accomplishments.
Danny and I had visited Magnolia Dance Hall quite frequently these past few weeks. It was Rockville’s only ballroom, and several days every week it was open to the younger crowd—the jet set, as we liked to refer to ourselves. Going to Magnolia Dance Hall had been my only escape from Morgan’s Rock since the death of my father. And it was the only place that I could get away from Vivian and her constant lurking.
No matter where I went, she seemed to be around every corner. She watched me constantly as if I were a thing to be studied. I made it plain to her that I had no intention of becoming her friend and had no desire to do so, but that didn’t stop her from lurking. Clearly, she was unhappy about our performance now, but she politely applauded too. Finally, I’d bested her. And that gave me the greatest pleasure of all. Mother clapped along happily and asked for an encore. To my surprise, Mother’s friend Miss Bee joined me on the carpet, and we had a grand old time as Danny played the Charleston again. Then he begged off another round and said he needed some refreshment. I brought him a cup of punch for a reward. Mother kissed my cheek and patted my hand. I pretended that I didn�
��t feel how shaky her hands were.
“Your turn, Vivian,” I announced as I sat beside Mother. Vivian rose and pulled back her veil to reveal her perfect face. “Entertain us, Great Kemaldi.” I clapped politely as she began weaving her story, an extensive monologue about an adventurer who travels to the Seven Wonders only to realize that the greatest wonder of all had been the love she’d left behind. It brought Mother to tears, and I had to admit that Vivian did a marvelous job telling her original tale even though it was incredibly long and included far too much detail. If I allowed her to continue through all of the seven wonders, we would be here well into the night, and I had yet to make my performance.
Just as she was about to lead us to the fifth wonder of the world, I rose to my feet and clapped my hands. With a smile, I walked toward her and immediately turned my back to her while keeping my smile on my face. “Isn’t she wonderful? Thank you for such a fantastic story, Great Kemaldi, but I think you should save some of your Tales of the Orient for another night. Time is getting away from us. Please, have some refreshment.” I tried to avoid looking at Dan, who clearly disapproved of my interruption. Vivian let out an awkward sob and hurried out of the Great Room with Dan on her heels, and I stammered and stuttered for a few seconds. Everyone clearly saw what happened, and I felt terribly embarrassed. I should have sat quietly and waited, but it was too late. Well, at least the stage was mine now. It would be up to me to bring a smile to my mother’s face and help her forget the heartache we’d experienced.
The Haunting at Morgan's Rock Page 12