Hosts to Ghosts Box Set

by Lynne Connolly

  “Can I help you?”

  The former Miss Lockwood turned with an acidic smile, her blonde curls artlessly bouncing against her cheek. “No, thank you. I wanted to see how well the house was run. The last time I visited, it seemed a little—uncared for. Now the house is well cared for.”

  There was no reason she couldn’t be frank about this. Only this, though. Cassandra took the pillowcase and folded it carefully, restoring it to the cupboard. She must not seem too eager to close the door. “My husband told me I could only take control of the household if I bore him a child. Well, now I am bearing him one, so he has allowed me a little more authority.” She closed the cupboard door. “He wants an heir.”

  “He has an heir!” The lady lost all pretense at friendliness. “My husband is his heir!”

  “For now.” Cassandra did her best to hide her contempt. “I may have a girl, but even then, I’ll have a claim on the estate.” She paused and moved away a little. “Don’t count your chickens, Mrs. Heatherington. I hope you married your husband for love.”

  To her relief the lady walked by her side, away from the cupboards where the precious crystal and china lay. “I did. He is an interesting man. He swept me off my feet. Did you marry the earl for love?”

  The corners of Cassandra’s mouth quirked up involuntarily. “In a way.” She quickened her pace. “I would like to see him happier and more settled in his life, however I have little influence over him at present. Perhaps, after the child has come, he may wish to visit more regularly.”

  “Why do you not come to London?”

  “He does not wish it.” Her mouth showed no inclination to smile now. For the first time she had no wish to leave Rustead Abbey. Vernon could not leave, so neither would she.

  Your devotion is admirable, my love, but there is no reason why you should not pay a visit to London if you wish. I will be here when you return.

  I need to speak with you every day. I need you close.

  His love warmed her all the way through.

  * * * * *

  Vernon slammed his tightly clenched fist into the door frame. It passed through without resistance and he nearly lost his balance. “I cannot touch her, she cannot feel me, she can only hear my voice! Why?”

  “I have no idea, my brother, but it must have been meant.”

  “Meant?” Vernon spun around to face Nathaniel as the two ladies walked away from them. “Who would be so cruel? I thought appearing to her, touching her would make us closer, I thought she would be able to see me, if not to touch me!”

  “Some mortals have not the power. I think she is such a one. The barrier between her thoughts and her powers is strong and she will not be able to reach them.” Nathaniel put his hand on his brother’s shoulder, the only being able to touch him.

  Resisting the urge to throw himself into his brother’s arms, just to feel something real, something solid, Vernon took a breath and regained control of his wayward emotions. It was something he wished he had done during his life. “I don’t know what I would do without your support, Nat. How would I cope without you?”

  “I feel the same.” Nathaniel removed his hand and turned away. “Perhaps one day we shall learn why we are here and how we can move on.”

  * * * * *

  Going down the stairs to dinner that night, Cassandra stumbled. The old carved wooden Tudor staircase, while beautiful, made far too much noise and some previous inhabitant had long since muffled it with carpet. The carpet was worn, but Cassandra had not the money to replace it, but it wasn’t yet in holes.

  She hadn’t realized the carpet was in such a bad way until she tripped and pitched headlong down the stairs. Panicked, she grabbed for the banister but the newly polished wood slid under her hand and she lost her balance. The plunging, sickening swoop increased the horrible feeling at the bottom of her stomach, until, at the bottom of the stairs something thumped the back of her head and she knew no more.

  When she came to, she lay on her own bed, Edward leaning over her, his bleary eyes for once filled with anxiety. “Are you all right, old girl? Quite a fall you took there.”

  Cassandra blinked, trying to get her balance, recover her equilibrium. It was important, but she didn’t realize why until she turned her head, wincing at the pain, and saw William on the other side of the bed. His wife stood at the footboard, like an avenging angel. Cassandra wet her lips.

  “The—the baby?”

  “Quite all right.” She didn’t imagine the bitterness in William’s tone. “It seems the child doesn’t wish to appear yet.”

  “Too early.” Her voice was thready and hoarse. She felt terribly weak, and her legs hurt.

  “You rolled the last few steps and hit your head on the newel post.” Edward straightened up, but she could still smell the brandy on him. “Shook me up, old girl. But you’ll be fine now.”

  “Yes. Don’t let me hold back dinner.”

  “Splendid!”

  Cassandra had meant it sarcastically, but her husband had no subtlety and he took her at her word. She watched, agape as Edward crossed the room and held the door open for William and his wife. With one last, venomous glance, Deborah Heatherington crossed the floor and left.

  A long sigh of relief left her when the door closed behind them. Her maid came through from the dressing room and bobbed a curtsey. “Are you hungry, my lady? Shall I fetch you something to eat?”

  Her first instinct was to refuse. Her head swam, and she wasn’t sure she could keep anything down. But she had to think of the baby. She forced a smile. “Thank you, Smith. A little broth or something of that nature, with some bread and butter and tea will do nicely.”

  “Would you like me to help you to sit up, my lady?”

  “Perhaps when you get back.”

  The maid left and immediately Cassandra heard his voice in her head. Are you sure you are well?

  If I rest, I will be. I won’t get out of bed for a day.

  I’m holding you, my love. I’m lying next to you, my arms around you.

  She choked back a sob. I want to feel you!

  I know, sweetheart. I want you to feel me, I want you to see me, but we have this. It’s better than nothing and perhaps, when I’ve visited you again, we will be granted another sense. Lie back, remember how it feels.

  She remembered. A solitary tear trickled down the side of her face. It was wonderful.

  It was. It is.

  She lay still, remembering that one night. Thinking of the night to come, still so far away. Vernon?

  Yes?

  Did you see what happened?

  He sighed. Yes.

  It wasn’t an accident, was it?

  There was a pause before he said. No. Someone had loosened a stair rod. It came completely away when you trod on the carpet.

  Her heart beat harder in her chest. She rested, knowing he was still with her, allowing her panic to subside. It was true, then. William and his wife had plans for her early demise.

  It would be good for them if you died before the babe was born, but with Edward alive, there is always the chance he will sire another one.

  William has been driving Edward towards the grave since our marriage. I never saw it before, that’s all. I thought Edward was driving himself there, but it has been all William, hasn’t it?

  Yes, sweetheart, it has. Edward was weak, but he had no debauchery in him before William led him there.

  She wanted to feel the safety of his arms around her, his broad chest supporting her head, the warmth of his body surrounding her. She did her best to imagine it.

  We will find a way to protect you. Do not leave this room again until they have left. Promise me!

  I promise.

  * * * * *

  Vernon strode the length of the parlor, spun on his heel and turned back. His brother moved aside to let him pass. In the world they inhabited, the parlor was as it had been in their time, hard couches softened by cushions, a bare floor, the walls paneled in dark oak. In Cassandra’s
time, the paneling had been replaced by paint and pictures, the furniture more comfortable and elaborate in design. Vernon wanted to be there, with her. “What can we do?” His voice lifted to an impotent howl of rage. “How dare they try this? I will destroy them first!”

  “There are ways, brother.” Nathaniel stood quietly, his hand stroking his shaven chin thoughtfully. “We can do some things.”

  “We will never leave her alone. We must be there at all times.”

  “We will.”

  Vernon stopped his restless pacing. “What can we do? What do you mean?”

  “I mean we have practiced our skills and they are improving. We must try to improve them further.” Nathaniel put his hand on his brother’s shoulder, gripping it hard for a moment before releasing him. “We have practiced moving objects. She can hear you, and perhaps in time she will be able to hear me, too. We can materialize to certain people. Perhaps we could try that.”

  Vernon stared at Nathaniel, new hope dawning in his eyes. “You think?”

  Nathaniel shrugged. “Why not? Go back to her now. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “No.” Vernon grinned tightly. “She is asleep. Go and watch over her for me. I will try. If I fail, I will come to you.” He turned back, his hand on the doorknob. “I want to do this, if I can.”

  He knew where William and Deborah Heatherington slept. He found them; sweaty bodies entwined, sheets tangled around them, and knew jealousy. He allowed the feeling to add to his fury and then channeled the energy, focusing all of it on the task in hand.

  “Awake!” he tried, but no sound emerged. He tried something else, remembering his brother’s words. A single candle burned on a small table by the bed. Next to it sat a tinder box. He concentrated.

  The box moved. With a crow of delight, Vernon redoubled his efforts, moving the box with the power of his mind.

  It hit the floor with a clatter, the tin it was made of making a substantial noise.

  William started awake and moved his wife away from him with an impatient shrug. “What was that?”

  “What was what?” his wife mumbled, pulling the sheet up over her body.

  Vernon moved forward and concentrated on materializing. Some people had the sensitivity that his Cassandra lacked, the ability to see spirits. Praying William was one of those people, he glided across the room to stand by the bed.

  “Who are you?”

  He hadn’t thought that William’s response would be irritation.

  Vernon smiled gently, and allowed himself to fade a little.

  William’s eyes widened and he shrank back against his wife. “Deb—Deb, wake up for God’s sake!”

  The urgency of his tone woke his wife, who blinked twice before staring up and through him. “What is it, Will? I never realized you were so fidgety at night! I’ll think twice before I agree to share a bed with you again.”

  Then she stared up at Vernon, her jaw dropping.

  Two of them. They stared, until William found his voice. Vernon moved around the bed, to stand next to Deborah, making sure the room was visible through his corporeal body. He spoke. “Leave this place before it is too late!”

  “Jesus!”

  Without a thought to his wife, William leapt out of bed and made a grab for his clothes. Sliding across the sheets, Deborah joined him. Naked, she seemed larger than in her clothes. She must have her stay laces drawn very tight, unusual in this era of soft clothes. Vernon lifted one arm and pointed at them. “You will be cursed!”

  Anything else he might have said was drowned in the screams. He watched them head for the dressing room, pushing each other out of the way to get into the room first, a grim smile wreathing his features.

  They left the next day, taking a confused Edward with them.

  Chapter Six

  By April Cassandra felt tired a great deal of the time and took to having afternoon naps. She lay in bed, secure in Vernon’s arms. She couldn’t feel him, a source of constant sadness to her, but she never allowed him to know that, never allowed herself the luxury of releasing her distress unless she knew for sure she was alone.

  Six months’ gone now and there was no mistaking her condition, but she hadn’t yet reached the elephant stage.

  You are so beautiful like this, my love.

  You would think so. It’s your fault I’m like this. Warmth seeped through her at his response to her gentle teasing. I’m huge and I’m tired all the time.

  This is the waiting time, sweetheart.

  Their gentle internal murmurs stopped when the door opened and the housemaid entered. She bobbed a curtsey. “The earl has arrived home, your ladyship.”

  Her heart sank. “Has he brought a very large party?”

  “He is alone, my lady.”

  “Very well. Tell him I’ll join him in a moment.” Ponderously she lifted herself up on her elbows.

  “No need,” said a voice from the corridor outside, and Edward entered the room, shoving past the maid. From behind him, the girl lifted her eyebrows and shrugged.

  “Tea up here, please, Smith,” she said, lifting herself up and reaching forward to smooth her skirts. She knew Vernon was sitting, also, but she was used to pretending now.

  Edward perused her closely, allowing his gaze to rove over her swollen body. “Blooming, my dear!” He smiled. “Not altogether useless then, am I?”

  She frowned. “Has someone called you useless?”

  He shrugged. “Frequently.” His smile returned, possession filling his gaze when he looked at her. “Glad you’re doing well. Sorry I won’t be here to see the birth.”

  “What?” Somehow she had assumed he would be somewhere nearby when his heir was born, even if he was drunk downstairs. Edward’s expression was full of meaning, though she didn’t know what that meaning was. She wouldn’t have been surprised had he tapped the side of his nose with a finger in the slightly vulgar knowing gesture common hereabouts.

  “Decided to repair the family fortunes, what? I helped to spend them, so I’m going to make a little fortune for the heir.”

  Apprehension gripped her heart. If it weren’t that the house and estate were entailed, she would have worried even more. “What have you done?”

  I’ll kill him.

  The grim statement reminded her she was no longer alone. A little of the weight lifted from her mind.

  “Joined up.”

  “What?”

  “Bought a commission.”

  Thoughts whirled dizzyingly through her brain. She couldn’t have heard right, could she? “You’ve what?” She desperately needed a few moments to get a grip on her thoughts, but there was nothing here.

  Edward tilted his chin and grinned at her. “I had quite a good run at the tables last week so I decided to invest. Got my horse, got my uniform and the price of the commission. I bought a captaincy. Figure I won’t need more than that.”

  Was she missing something here? “What do you plan to do?” Europe was in turmoil after the depredations of Napoleon, who had only just been sent to his exile on Elba. There must be years of reconstruction ahead.

  “Get my share of the booty, old girl. I’m attached to Wellington’s staff, near enough to be out of danger, far enough away to pass his notice. Going to ship over to Holland to join the regiment. I’ve joined the Guards.”

  She found some of her senses. “Are you completely mad?”

  Edward frowned at her and took a step towards the bed. She shrank back against the pillows, but then sat up again. He wasn’t inebriated, so he wouldn’t strike her. The few times he’d struck her were when he was drunk and he had been immediately sorry. Still, her first thought was for her child.

  He won’t touch you.

  She believed Vernon instantly. He would find a way to protect her and their child; she knew it without a doubt.

  Edward stared down at her. “I’ll forgive you, Cassandra, because you are only a woman, and you are not aware of such things. There’s booty to be had, and I intend to have some of i
t. It’s the best way to repair my fortune.” Even if he did, Cassandra doubted she would see any of it. “Napoleon’s safely under lock and key, and there are fortunes to be made.”

  A flash of understanding hit her. “Did William put you up to this?”

  He smiled without humor. “You’ve never liked old Will, have you? He’s coming with me, old girl. I only came to tell you because I thought you’d care.” He leaned back, watching her reaction.

  Cassandra carefully kept her face calm. She understood now. “Well keep yourself safe, Edward. I have your signature so I can look after matters for you while you’re gone.”

  “More important that you keep safe, m’dear. I wanted to send William’s wife to you while we were gone, but she’s devoted to William, won’t be separated from him. So she’s coming to Holland too.” He smiled. “Taking little thing. Full of fun.”

  Cassandra didn’t like to think what that might mean. It wouldn’t be the first time Edward and William had shared a woman. He made sure she knew that a bare month after his wedding, Edward had accompanied his cousin to a fashionable brothel. It had hurt terribly at the time, but Cassandra felt nothing but regret now.

  On an impulse she leaned forward and touched the back of his hand. “Take care, Edward. Come back safely.”

  To her surprise, his face creased into concern and he sat heavily on the bed next to her, his weight rocking the frame. “We’ve made a bit of a botch of things, haven’t we? When we married, I was very fond of you, Cassandra. Very fond.” He turned his hand and took hers in a warm clasp. “I don’t know what went wrong, but when I come back, I’d like to think we could have another try.”

  Oh if only this had happened before last Halloween! It had been what had kept her going for six years, the hope that one day Edward would tire of his dissipations and return to her. Now it was only too clear why he had not, and she knew William wouldn’t let go of him until he was ruined or dead. Last year she would have taken on the battle and fought, perhaps gone to Holland with him, but she had to think of the babe now.