The stairs began to break apart and they literally had to leap the last few without getting injured in the process. They landed on their hands and knees and they looked up at the same time to see the stone with the symbol of the Kelpie. They crawled toward it in a hastened pace, until they were able to verify the small indentation where a key could be placed.
They had very little chance to investigate further when the sound of the horse hammered down what was left of the stairs. It landed and suddenly took the form of Henry. He looked down at his hands and he couldn’t quite believe that the spell had been broken.
“The hooves…the stairs…32 steps…32…that is what brought us here,” Jennie exclaimed.
“I won’t let you find peace, father.”
“I’ve been trying to tell you for years that I didn’t leave you with nothing. The ring was meant to fall into your hands.” His words materialized two other spirits holding hands. Amelia and Edward stood glaring daggers at Henry.
“I don’t believe you and neither do they. This is your way of trying to appease us. You’re afraid and you have every right to be.” Jemima joined the rest of her family as a united front.
“You don’t have to believe me and the proof is in their hand.” They all stood waiting and the key was finally turned to reveal that the stone could be removed. Inside was some money, but mostly it was jewels and gold.
“We thought…we were fools and what happened to us after you left wasn’t your fault. We see that now and we release you from your burden.” Jemima wasn’t the one that was speaking and Amelia was now taking center stage.
“The only thing that matters is that we are finally together. You have no idea how troubling it was to be tethered to my body and you having no idea what was happening. I became the Kelpie and being trapped with no way to talk turned me bitter.” Henry said with his arms folded around his family until they disappeared with a swirl of spiritual mist in the air.
“I suddenly feel better. I can explain it, but I no longer get this overwhelming need to sleep. They found what they were looking for in each other. We know how that feels. The treasure will never make us happy, but it will give us a safety net. I feel that it’s important to reveal this discovery. The professor is right to be concerned about scavengers.” Jennie said.
“We’re not going to keep this in the house. Once it has been recorded, then we will hide it within a safety deposit box for those rainy days. I want to do this with very little help from outside interference. We might need a professional to handle some of the more problematic areas of the house.” He motioned to the outdated plumbing and the circuit board that would need to be renovated with a breaker box.
“I want the same thing and this is supposed to be a labor of love. We could easily sit back and wait for the finished results. It just wouldn’t be the same as doing it with our own two hands. We know what we’re doing, but it’s nice to have that when the need arises.
The one thing other than the plumbing and the breaker box that we will need to address with a professional is the roof. I’m thinking of putting on a steel roof which will last the life of the house. We have the extra money which we can use at our discretion,” Jennie proposed that they use some of their newly acquired fortune to give the place a much-needed facelift.
“I think that it’s only fair that we search out any relatives.” Will felt it was the right thing to do and they would still receive a hefty reward for the return of the treasure.
“I’ve already done the research and the last of the Abbott house was Jemima. She never married nor had any kids. The poor unfortunate soul wallowed in despair. She died at the ripe age of 20 years old. They say that her heart gave out, but others believe that she died of a broken heart. There are no heirs to the family estate,” She quietly informed him while stretching her limbs and feeling 100 times better.
“It’s kind of sad when you think about it. Henry didn’t mean to die without being able to tell them where the treasure was. It was right underneath their nose and they had no idea. They could’ve lived in the lap of luxury with hot and cold running servants at their beck and call. I feel like we are robbing their grave. We did bring them together and that should count for something,” He said trying to make sense of a tragedy that didn’t have to happen.
They managed to use some floorboards to climb out with the treasure intact.
“I’m glad that they finally found each other after all this time. It was cruel to keep them apart because of some miscommunication. I don’t know what comes after, but I hope that you are there waiting for me. I will remarry and who wouldn’t want some of this,” She jested with a light hearted attempt to poke fun. Her hair didn’t have the luster it once did. Hygiene wasn’t on her list of priorities.
“That was right out of the pages of a Shakespeare masterpiece. I have to say that Shakespeare himself couldn’t have written a better ending,” He offered up his opinion while looking at the bounty after they had recovered all of it from the basement.
“There’s something that doesn’t fit. It doesn’t belong and yet it’s quite fitting when you think about it.” Jennie remarked with a bemused smile on her face. “I think I just found my smile. I’ve missed it.”
There was a book about flowers pristine like it was captured in a time capsule.
“Amelia did have a fascination with flowers and Henry must’ve thought it was silly,”
“Will, that shows just how much he was in love with her. He probably thought it was silly, but wanted to share her passion with her. I think it’s sweet and all of us can take a page from their book of romance,” She proclaimed the Abbott romance written for the ages and something that would endure even in death.
“We can only hope that our love will be as strong as what they had. I feel like I have to apologize for my behavior. In my defense, ghosts and spirits aren’t something that I have believed in the past. It did test our relationship, but we made it through better for it.” Will knew he would risk anything to be by her side for the rest of his life.
“Everything makes sense, but I feel that we are missing something. It bothers me like a part of the mystery is still unsolved. I still can’t believe Kelpies are real. It does explain the strange sightings we have heard about. The old man did say that he witnessed Jemima in her grief roaming the lands. I can only assume she was chasing the horse,” Jennie said still wondering about the apparition of the horse. “Why do I keep thinking of that damn horse…the kelpie…and the tragedy?”
Over the next couple of weeks, they verified the treasure to be authentic and had their claim made public with the help of Professor Stevens.
Standing at the podium, the flashbulbs went off as the press got their first look at a treasure that had been buried in the very house that tragedy struck. It was a video and photographic proof with the necessary documentation to authentic the treasure. The ring was left to be displayed.
“It is with great pride that I’m able to bring you this latest discovery. I’ve been working with the owners. They came to me and together we embarked on a journey that led us here. This treasure can be seen only by the invitation of the owners. I am not at liberty to divulge their identities. I regret that we can’t have the actual treasure here in living color. I think you understand the reason why something like this needs to be handled with the utmost care. I will gladly take any questions on their behalf,” The professor said with a look of deep satisfaction blazing from his eyes.
“I think that he did an admirable job. I would rather not stick around for them to scrutinize us. It might be best for us to retire back to our home before someone puts the pieces together. It’s crazy to hear me describe it like that, but we’re going to make some amazing memories,” She uttered for only him to hear her words. “I still get this feeling of unfinished business.”
“This has been a roller-coaster ride and I’m glad that I have been sitting by your side the entire time. I had a hard time dealing with the way that you were unravelin
g before my eyes. I’m glad that it’s over and we can finally return to some kind of normalcy.”
“Will, I still feel there is something I’m missing. It’s a small intrinsic piece of the puzzle. It’s just a feeling, but I’ve learned to listen to my instincts. I married you when everybody said that it was a mistake. We didn’t listen to them and the three of us can start fresh,” She waited patiently and he was never quick to the draw. “I don’t want to blurt it out. I want to see his face when he finally clues in.”
They drove in silence thinking about the $25,000,000. It was 50,000,000, but they had given 25,000,000 to various charities around the globe. It appeased their guilt over profited from the Abbott family tragedy.
They arrived back at the estate and the transformation was becoming their pride and joy. They embraced and then he pulled back long enough to put his hand on her stomach.
“I think that we should name her Jemima,” She said when there was suddenly the sound of hooves coming closer. The horse emerged and its sights were set on the two of them.
“I can’t believe this is happening and I thought that this was over,” He said.
Jennie had an epiphany.
“I think I know what we have to do and you’re just going to have to follow my lead,” She ran grabbing his hand and making him follow despite his misgivings. “I knew there was something we forgot. I should have realized.”
They pushed through the overgrown bramble with the horse in hot pursuit. They stood in front of it at the lake and the horse stayed a few feet away patting the ground with its hooves. It got going under its own power and the thunder under their feet made them a prisoner of its advance.
“When I tell you, Will, I need you to move as quickly as possible,” She stated and then found him frozen to the spot. “The horse is going to trample over him. I need to do something.”
She had to tackle him to the ground. The horse continued its trajectory into the lake with them lying there covered in dirt and grass.
“What the hell was that about?”
“I thought it was self-explanatory. You know the old saying about being able to lead a horse to water, but not being able to make him drink. This time he needed to be led back to where he belongs. There are many tragedies at sea and he couldn’t be landlocked here,” She said while they were watching the horse splash across the lake before finally disappearing. “He’s needed elsewhere…as long as it’s not here…the mystery has been solved and the spirits put to rest…finally.”
There was fire brush all around them. It was a symbol of poverty, but this only made them laugh. They were one of the lucky ones and they counted their blessings. Spreading the wealth was made anonymously with only the initials H&A&E and J to indicate who the donors were. It was done in honor of the Abbott family.
They stayed watching the lake shimmer in the moonlight. It made them feel connected to the Abbott family. They believed they were looking down with smiles on their faces.
The End
The Haunting of Clanbourne House
Rosemary Cullen
Brent Spears
Copyright © 2019
All Rights Reserved
Chapter One
The Cliffs of Cornwall
Cornwall, England – Present Day
Emmaline Rodgers shivered as a brisk gust of salty air washed over her.
“Mrs. Rodgers, don’t be feeling too fagged yet!” The chipper real estate agent smiled in a businesslike way. “We’ve got just one more home for you!”
Emmaline forced a smile. “This is so beautiful,” she said softly. “But I’m sorry to say most of these places…well, they haven’t exactly been in my price range.”
The real estate agent’s smile stretched thin. “I see,” she said curtly. “Well, if you’ll allow me to take you just one more place, I think you may find it quite charming.”
Emmaline nodded. “Okay,” she said. “I mean, yes – I’d love to see what you have.”
As the two climbed into the real estate agent’s Mini Cooper, Emmaline wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.
The real estate agent laughed. “We don’t get many Americans seeking a home in Cornwall,” she said. She made it clear from her tone that she wasn’t overly fond of Americans like Emmaline. “May I ask why you’re looking here?”
Emmaline pressed her face to the window. The car climbed higher and higher, and she felt her stomach swoop with the exhilarating feeling of a roller coaster.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Emmaline said quietly. “And to be honest, I was…well, I was looking for a change of scene.”
“You’re from New York, yes?”
Emmaline nodded. “Yes.” She swallowed. “I have a friend in London, but I was really looking for a chance to get away from the big city.” She hesitated.
“And why is that?”
“My husband,” Emmaline said sadly. “He…he recently died, at sea. He was lost.”
The real estate agent tutted and reached over to pat Emmaline’s knee. “Oh, you poor child,” she said. “Although I must say, if you’re looking for another man, I’d advise you to look elsewhere. Cornwall isn’t exactly a bustling hive of activity.”
Emmaline shook her head. “No,” she said. “I couldn’t ever do that.”
The conversation fell to a halt as the real estate agent began navigating a series of twists and turns that left Emmaline feeling nauseous and anxious. She kept her face pressed to the glass, watching the tumultuous sea below as it tumbled and crashed against the sharp rocks.
As always, when silence fell around her, Emmaline’s thoughts turned to Jack. Her heart ached in her chest as she closed her eyes and remembered his warm smile, his dark eyes that were always shining with love for her. While she and Jack had shared a passionate relationship, things had never been rocky or overly dramatic.
It had been love at first sight. Jack and some of his fellow Merchant Marines had crashed a gallery showcasing Emmaline’s work. The gallery owner had thrown them all over, but not before Jack emptied his wallet, buying two of Emmaline’s biggest paintings. When she’d chased him outside, Jack had grabbed her hand and told her that he somehow knew she’d be in his life forever.
But forever didn’t last very long, Emmaline thought sadly. She suppressed a sob. Only a couple of years after the wedding, Jack had disappeared at sea. His body had never been recovered, but he was presumed dead. Emmaline had grieved for six months, barely taking the time to eat, shower, or leave the house. She’d been shocked to discover that Jack had taken out a life insurance policy on himself years ago – and as soon as she’d received the money, she’d fled America for the safety and austerity of Cornwall, England.
The real estate agent cleared her throat. “Love, we’ve arrived.”
Emmaline opened her eyes and gasped. She was shocked to see a large manor house, looming over unkempt grounds. There was an elegant granite and marble fountain, covered in tangles of weeds, placed in the middle of the grand yard.
A chill ran down Emmaline’s spine as the real estate agent pushed the car into park.
“I…I don’t know that this is in my budget, either,” Emmaline said. She couldn’t resist adding: “But it’s so beautiful.”
The estate agent nodded.
“Yes,” she said. She winked at Emmaline. “And you may be surprised to find the cost. This is Clanbourne House, from the late seventeen-hundreds.”
All thoughts of Jack were momentarily pushed from Emmaline’s head as she climbed out of the car, gazing around and feeling stunned.
“The manor house was completed in 1787 or 1788,” the real estate agent said, reverting to her previous businesslike manner. In fact, this was home to one of Cornwall’s most aristocratic families, the Dunravens.”
Emmaline nodded, following the real estate agent through a thicket of grass and weeds.
“It may need a bit of love and work, but I firmly believe Clanbourne is one of the most beautiful homes. The property is
ninety-seven acres. The grounds include a small private beach.”
Emmaline shielded her eyes from the sun, glancing over the granite and slate-stone mansion. It was bigger than anything she’d ever seen – even some of the buildings at the school where she’d studied painting.
“It’s beautiful,” Emmaline said. Something inside of her was strangely drawn to the home, and despite knowing she’d never be able to afford something so luxurious, she felt an odd sense of possession growing in her chest.
“’Tis,” the real estate agent said with a smile. “So, you’ll be wanting to know how much it costs, won’t you?”
Emmaline flushed. “I really don’t think—“
“Well, it can be yours for the low sum of five hundred thousand pounds.”
Emmaline gasped. “That must be a mistake,” she said softly. “That’s so low!”
The real estate agent nodded. “Yes,” she said simply. “Truth is, I believe the local bank holding the deeds is sick of people buying, then selling Clanbourne so quickly. They want to make sure the right owner finds this property – someone with enough love to restore it.” The real estate agent peered over her glasses at Emmaline. “And it sounds like you would have just the time and heart to do it.”
Emmaline nodded mutely. She ran her hand over the side of the home and sighed. Everything inside of her was jumping, craving this home – like almost nothing she’d ever felt before. It reminds me of how I felt when I first met Jack, she realized. Like I knew my life was going to change.
“I would,” Emmaline said finally.
“So, are you interested?”
Emmaline nodded.
“Yes,” she said slowly. “I have just enough – and a little left over, for immediate repairs.”
The real estate agent nodded. “Smashing! Now, the last owners were back in the seventies. They did a lot to modernize the manor – including indoor plumbing – but I must tell you, it’s a bit rustic. There’s currently no heat, and you may need to check for structural damage…but overall, I think you’ll find it quite charming.”
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