My Lord Ghost

by Meredith Bond

  I needed some exercise. I needed to ride and think this through.

  I ran up to my room to change into my riding habit. As I was doing so, however, I realized that I might have a chance to stop this awkward party. If I hired someone, perhaps, what was his name? Joseph? The new man who had offered to work here as a footman the day before. Perhaps he could ride with a letter to intercept my sister.

  Of course! What an absolutely brilliant idea! With a clap of my hands, I returned to the study to quickly write out a letter, informing my sister that I had a severe... hmmm, what could I say? Outbreak of the pox? Influenza? Measles? No, if I told her I was ill she would come even faster in order to care for me.

  I sat down in the chair behind Marcus’ desk, slowly pulling out a piece of paper as I thought of what excuse I could make for my sister and her party not to come visit. An hour later, I had detailed for her the terrible state of the house and our appalling lack of staff.

  It was nearly the truth.

  “The day after I buried my mother, I left my wife and went to London to make arrangements for my journey to America to find my brother.”

  “What? I beg your pardon, Marcus,” I said, standing up. I had been sitting, relaxing as usual on the bench across from his portrait, but now I was up on my feet. I advanced toward the painting as if it were the real man. “I’m sorry, I must still be asleep. Could you please repeat that?”

  Marcus said again, “The day after I buried my mother, I left my wife and—”

  “Wait! You left your wife? I didn’t know you were married.”

  Marcus was silent for a moment. “We married on Christmas Day just a few days before my brother announced to me that he was going to America. He and Henry left just after the turn of the year, and Henry returned back alone in July. So, I’d only been married for about seven months.”

  “To Rachel?” I ventured.

  There was another pause. “Yes.”

  “Oh.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. There was clearly something more to Rachel than I was aware of. I mean, where was she? Why wasn’t she here, living in his home now?

  Dare I ask?

  As I mulled this over, however, Marcus continued with his story. I’m not certain if it was my imagination or not, but he seemed to get on with it again rather quickly—just in case I did ask about Rachel, I assumed.

  “When I reached London...”

  “I’m sorry, Marcus,” I said, interrupting him again. “You said you were married just seven months before? So you hadn’t even been married a year before you left her to go to America?”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “My God! What did Rachel think? How could she... She was a new wife, all alone since your mother had just passed away, and you left her?” I stopped my outburst. This was none of my business. “I apologize.” I could feel my face growing warm with embarrassment.

  “It’s all right. You are correct to be appalled. I treated her abominably, but what could I do? My brother had been taken prisoner by savages. I had to do what I could to save him.”

  “She must have been… must be,” I corrected, “a very understanding person.”

  “I don’t know,” he whispered. “I wonder, now, if she wasn’t rather relieved to see the back of me. My mother’s passing certainly didn’t distress her in the least. In fact, I’m sure she viewed it as a godsend—they didn’t exactly get along.”

  “Oh, Marcus, what a terrible thing to say!”

  “Yes, you’re right, it is, but on hindsight, I believe it is most accurate.” He paused. “You see, Rachel didn’t marry me for love, even though I loved her a great deal. My mother knew this as well as I. Rachel married me for my money, and in the hopes I would one day assume my brother’s title, since he showed no inclination to marry. I knew it when I married her, but it didn’t make any difference, just so long as I got to spend the rest of my life with her.”

  Little did you realize it was only going to be those seven short months, I thought to myself. I managed to keep my tongue firmly inside my head and not stick my foot in my mouth this time.

  “Well, as I was saying,” Marcus continued, “I left Rachel here, happily watching as I rode off. I traveled first to Yorkshire where I bought a trunk and filled it with a number of weapons of all sorts—guns, knives, everything I could think they might want—to exchange for my brother. I then went to London, acquiring more weapons along the way, so that by the time I boarded the ship to America, my trunk was completely full. Upon reaching American shores, I was met by a friend from university, who moved to the United States after graduation. Writing to him was the very first thing I did after I heard Henry’s story.”

  I watched as two strong men struggled to bring my trunk of weapons down the gangplank from the ship. It had to weigh a few hundred pounds at the very least.

  “Marcus! Marcus!” someone called out to me.

  I turned and there, striding toward me, was my old friend Robert Saunders, completely unchanged from when we’d graduated three years ago.

  “Robert!” I grasped his hand and shoulder as soon as he was within reach.

  “Marcus, it’s so good to see you!” he said, giving me a strong clap on my back.

  “And you! Thank you for meeting me.”

  “Not at all. Not at all. Happy to meet an old friend,” he said. He looked around at my luggage. “Come, let’s get home. You can meet Anne, my wife.”

  “You’re married!” I said joyfully.

  “Yes. She’s a real beauty but a handful, I can tell you. American, you know,” he said with a laugh.

  “I look forward to it.”

  We negotiated with the sailors to lift my trunk up into Robert’s carriage and then set off for his home.

  It was a lovely, little house in the center of Boston. Anne was all that he described and more, being extremely quick with both her wit and a laugh. I found her charming.

  I sat back after consuming an enormous meal. “That was absolutely the best food I’ve had in months,” I said, accepting the glass of port handed to me by my friend.

  “You are too kind,” Anne laughed.

  “No, truly, I am not kind enough, considering the swill on board the ship from London. But even my own dearest Rachel doesn’t serve as delicious a dinner as you, Anne. This was wonderful. Thank you.”

  “Tell me about Rachel and your mother. How are they?” Robert asked.

  “Rachel is well. You met her when you came to visit, did you not?” I asked.

  “Indeed. I remember her well. We had great fun with pantomimes over the Christmas holiday,” he said, turning to Anne.

  “Yes. She is the same,” I answered.

  “And Lady Bolingbrook?” Robert asked.

  “I’m sorry to say that I laid her to rest just before embarking on this journey,” I admitted with a heavy heart.

  “Oh, I am terribly sorry!” Robert exclaimed with all appropriate feeling.

  “Yes. The news concerning Peter was too much for her. Her heart couldn’t take it, I’m afraid.”

  “That is… well…” Robert began.

  “Just awful!” Anne said. “Just awful.”

  “Thank you. As you can imagine, I am more determined than ever to get started on this journey west. I need to find Peter and seek his release.”

  “Naturally. I have nearly everything that we’ll need for the journey,” Robert said.

  “We?” I couldn’t help but ask.

  “Yes! You can’t possibly think to go out on your own! This isn’t a drive up to Edinburgh. There are no paved roads where you’re going. In fact, there aren’t any roads at all,” Robert said.

  “This doesn’t surprise me. But I wouldn’t dream of asking you—”

  “But you didn’t,” Robert said, cutting me off. “I’m volunteering. Actually, the timing is very good. I have been meaning to go to Fort Shelby for some time now. Since they rebuilt it after the war, it’s been on my list of places I must visit—for my work, you know.”r />
  I nodded. “You mentioned that you supplied medicine to the army, is that right?”

  “Yes. My father-in-law has a rather large compounding shop here in Boston, from where he supplies a good number of drugs to the army. He’s been asked to expand to some of the further outposts but has been reluctant to do so, since it would necessitate a trip out there. You’ve given me a good excuse to go and bring some much-needed medical supplies.”

  “We’ve heard that they are having serious problems with dysentery and malaria, poor things,” Anne said.

  “Poor hygiene,” Robert added, shaking his head sadly. “I can’t imagine life is easy out there, but they’ve got to maintain basic standards.”

  “So we’ll bring them what they need?” I asked.

  “Yes, along with medicines to treat those who are ill,” Robert answered.

  I still felt a fair amount of trepidation. It must have shown on my face because Anne added, “I can’t tell you how happy I am that Robert has someone to go with. You know he was planning on traveling alone.”

  I looked in surprise to my friend. “You just said...”

  “It’s dangerous but possible,” he said with a shrug.

  “But not safe! With you along, though, I won’t have to worry so much. You’ll look after him, won’t you, Lord Marcus?” Anne asked.

  I could only laugh. “More likely that he’ll be looking after me.”

  “Then you’ll just have to look after each other,” she said, looking at us both.

  “How long do you imagine it will take for us to get there?” I asked, allowing my anxiety to show just a touch.

  Anne placed a soothing hand over mine and gave me an understanding look.

  “It doesn’t usually take longer than a week to ten days, but we’re coming on to winter, so it might be a bit slower going,” Robert admitted.

  “We’ve already had our first snowfall, if you would believe. It didn’t last long, but it was cold enough,” Anne said.

  I nodded and then said to her, “I’ll do everything in my power to return your husband to you in good time.”

  “And your brother,” she said, giving me a warm smile.

  I agreed. “And my brother.”

  “I’ve got a few more items to add to my trunk, and then I’ll be ready. We can leave as soon as you like. Although if you’d like to spend few days visiting Boston, that would be fine as well,” Robert said, sitting back from the table and lighting up the cheroot I had declined.

  “Tomorrow would be perfect,” I said. “I want to find and free Peter as quickly as possible. Already he’s been held there too long.”

  “I still can’t believe the Native Americans refused to let him leave with his companion,” Anne said. “I’ve never heard of them taking hostages before.”

  All I could do was shrug. “I suppose they finally got fed up with the British and Americans coming and bringing them liquor.”

  “Is that what they were trading?” Robert asked.

  “Apparently. The Indians wanted weapons, but all Peter and Henry had brought was whiskey,” I said, taking a sip of the remarkably fine brandy that had been poured for me.

  “Well, good for them for not succumbing to the lure of the alcohol,” Anne said.

  “Yes, but the fact they want weapons could mean trouble for the Americans at Fort Shelby,” Robert said, a worried tone to his voice.

  “Yes, that is true,” Anne agreed.

  “I honestly don’t care what they do with them. I’ll leave that problem up to the Americans to solve,” I said.

  “Do you have what they want, then?” Robert asked with a lift of his eyebrows.

  “Absolutely. A whole trunk full of knives, guns, ammunition, everything. I was not going to go and ask for my brother without bringing what they’d said they wanted in exchange. I will be returning to England with Peter.” I refrained from hitting the table in my determination, but my fist clenched all the same.

  “So long as they don’t take what you’re bringing and then kill you both,” my friend said.

  “Oh, Robert! What a dreadful thing to say,” Anne objected.

  “Well, you don’t know how honorable these people are, now do you?” he responded.

  “No, you don’t. I can only hope that they will do as promised,” I agreed. With that thought, I turned in for the night.

  Chapter Twelve

  Two days later, I had just returned from a visit to the village, when I turned to see a carriage making its way down the drive. Who could this be? I dreaded another visit from Lady Hollingsworth and her daughter. Two had been bad enough, but to have to endure another again so soon would just be...

  But no! I recognized the crest on the side of the carriage door as it stopped and the footman who jumped down from the box.

  “Rose!” I said in shock as my sister stepped down from the carriage.

  “Laia, it’s so good to see you again! Oh, but I’ve been so worried about you.” My sister practically ran to me and took me into her warm embrace. The perfect chestnut curls framing her face tickled my cheek.

  “Did you not receive my letter?” I asked over her shoulder. I watched in horror as my brother-in-law climbed out of the carriage, followed by Lord and Lady Huntley, and then even worse, Pip Haston. Pip Haston! What in the world was he doing here?

  In all of the clatter and bustle of their arrival, and the arrival of a second carriage filled with their servants and trunks and a great deal of running to and fro, my question never got answered.

  There were no bedchambers made ready for them, as I hadn’t actually thought they would come. I wasn’t entirely certain there was even enough food in the house for so many people.

  I started to wring my hands when Lady Huntley grabbed a hold of them. She was as beautiful as always. Blonde with sky blue eyes, and a perfect peaches and cream complexion, she reminded me of a china doll. Men always exclaimed at how petite and delicate she was, but we were of a size, so I only noticed when she stood next to her tall, dark, and handsome husband. They were such a striking pair, and yet so well suited.

  “What a lovely house!” she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “How wonderful to see you, Laia.”

  “Thank you. Welcome!” I said. What else could I say?

  I showed them into the formal drawing room, but Fungy and Huntley had gotten caught by the sight of the armory on the far wall of the entrance hall.

  “Now that’s impressive!” Lord Huntley said.

  “Downright terrifying, if you ask me,” Fungy said with a laugh.

  Mr. Haston just gaped, open-mouthed at the display, his small, brown eyes wider than I’d ever seen them.

  “Absolutely fascinating!” my sister exclaimed, pausing along with the men. “They are real, are they not?”

  “I have been assured that they are, but that they haven’t been used for some time,” I told them.

  “Well, I should hope not!” my brother-in-law exclaimed.

  With a laugh, I ushered them into the room. “I hate to be rude, but would you give me a minute to speak to the housekeeper?” I asked.

  “Oh, of course!” Lady Huntley said immediately.

  “Do you need help?” Rose asked.

  “No. Thank you. I’ll just be a moment,” I said, slipping back out the door.

  Mr. and Mrs. Barker were standing just outside the front door, watching the various maids and valets see to their respective employer’s luggage.

  “I am so sorry!” I said to Mrs. Barker. “My sister wrote, but I told her not to come! I don’t know why she didn’t listen.”

  “It’s all right, Miss. We’ll manage,” the housekeeper said, giving my hand a calming pat. “We’ve lived through worse, haven’t we, Mr. Barker?”

  “Not for some time. Not since her ladyship...” His words trailed off in sadness.

  “I’ll send the daily to the village, along with Charlie from the farm, to hire those people I was telling ye about and to pick up provisions. We’ll manage
. Now you go and see to yer guests, and we’ll get their rooms situated as soon as may be.”

  Stephanie, Rose’s maid came up to us. “Don’t you worry, now, Miss Grace. We were told that things would probably be in some state of disorder. We’ve come prepared to work.” She turned to Mrs. Barker. “I’m Stephanie Cox, Mrs. Fotheringay-Phipps’ maid. You must be the housekeeper.”

  “Yes. Mrs. Barker.”

  Stephanie gave her a curtsey. “Pleased, I’m sure. If you would direct us, we’ll get started doing what’s necessary to get everyone settled.”

  “Rooms need to be aired, I’m afraid,” Mrs. Barker said.

  “No worries now, Mrs. Barker. We were prepared for the worst, but I’m sure it won’t come to that,” Stephanie said.

  Amazed at the servant’s more than reasonable expectations, and their willingness, if not eagerness, to help get everything cleaned and ready for their employers, I went back inside to join the others in the drawing room.

  “Is everything all right?” Rose asked as I came into the room.

  “Yes. Incredibly so,” I said. “You told your maid that she would have to help ready rooms for you?”

  “Well, I told her that it would be a possibility,” Rose said, nodding.

  “I told all the servants accompanying us that they would have to help out with everything, possibly down to the cleaning,” Lady Huntley said from her amble around the room. She ran a gloved finger across the mantle. “And it seems I was right,” she continued, wiping the dust off her finger.

  “I’m afraid it’s just Mr. and Mrs. Barker here, and a daily who comes in to help out a little,” I said, embarrassed for the state of the house.

  “And that’s why we’re here,” Lord Huntley said happily.

  “It is?” I looked to my sister.

  “Yes! That, and to give you some company.” She came over and put an arm across my shoulders. Giving me a loving squeeze, she said, “After your letters detailing the state of the house and that nasty Lady Haverworth, I knew you would need us.”