GhostlyPersuasion

by Dena Garson

“Áine is not going to be happy,” Riona observed.

  “Yeah, but who is she going to take it out on? Us or her?” Katie indicated Etain with a flick of her thumb.

  “She’ll know who was responsible. Somehow she always knows.”

  “Get away from me!” Etain shrieked.

  Katie and Riona stared at each other blankly. If Riona was thinking the same thing she was, she was debating whether or not to risk looking out from under the table and finding out what was going on between Etain and Seamus.

  “Do you think I enjoyed watching my family grieve over me, never knowing what had become of me? Do you think I enjoyed watching them die of old age and not being able to tell them goodbye? I couldn’t even put flowers on my mother’s grave,” Seamus yelled.

  Katie’s heart ached.

  “And why?” Seamus demanded. “Why did I end up doomed to this half existence?” Katie could well imagine the expression on Seamus’ face. “Because I wouldn’t give in to your selfish demands as so many others did? Because I didn’t praise your beauty or worship at your feet?”

  The wind and the debris died down.

  “Why didn’t you?” Etain asked in a whiny, almost childlike voice.

  “Because I have never loved you and I never will,” Seamus said calmly and without reservation.

  Etain’s shriek was probably one decibel from shattering glass. It could be heard as she flew out of the dining room and down the hall. Katie guessed that Etain was headed right back to the battlements.

  Katie and Riona waited to see what would happen next.

  “She’s gone,” Seamus said. “You two can come out.”

  Katie pushed the chair closest to her out of the way so they could crawl out from under the table. She rushed to where Seamus floated.

  “Are you okay?” Katie studied Seamus from head to toe. She was relieved to see that he appeared to be unscathed.

  “I’m—”

  “What is going on in here?” Áine demanded.

  Riona dusted off her pants and looked to Katie. “I’ll talk with Áine. You make sure our avenging hero is okay.”

  Katie smiled her thanks and turned her attention back to Seamus.

  “Are you really okay?” She reached out to touch Seamus but stopped herself.

  “I am well. Etain did me no harm.”

  “I wasn’t sure whether or not she could.” Katie wrapped her arms around her middle. “I worried.”

  “I worried far more about you, Little Katie. Etain may be a spirit, but she has obviously figured out how to manipulate her energy over the years.” He shook his head. “Given her tendency for drama, I’m surprised she didn’t do more damage.”

  Katie looked around the room. “Looks as if she did plenty. I’m guessing the hall is not much better.”

  “I’m just thankful you’re unharmed,” Seamus admitted. “But it disturbs me that I was unable to do anything to protect you.”

  She automatically reached for him again. “You did enough. You faced her down and then distracted her long enough for Riona and me to get away and hide.” Katie smiled reluctantly. “Riona had to practically drag me under the table and sit on me to make me stay. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being hurt by the psycho ghost.”

  “Psycho ghost?” Seamus asked.

  “Etain. She’s crazy.” Katie tapped her head. “Psycho. It’s short for psychopath. Psychopaths are usually violent and have no remorse for people hurt by their actions.”

  “Ah.” He nodded his agreement. “That is probably a fair description.”

  “Well, at least she’s gone back to her favorite haunt,” Katie pointed out.

  “Yes and I don’t want you seeking her out again,” Seamus said sternly. “It’s not safe. Especially now that she knows I’m not dead and that you and I know each other.”

  “Okay,” Katie murmured.

  “I mean it. I don’t care about breaking the curse if it means putting you in danger. There is no… Oh. Did you say okay?”

  “I said okay, Seamus,” Katie said with a timid smile. His concern warmed her heart. If he worried that much for her safety it could only mean he cared for her.

  “Good. As long as we understand each other.”

  Katie would have laughed at his deflated rant but knew he’d be offended.

  The sound of Áine clearing her throat made Katie turn around.

  “Riona has explained the situation,” Áine said. “You have my sincere apologies for the trouble you have experienced here at Tullamore, Miss Ward. I have radioed my staff to see to the mess and ensure none of our other guests have been inconvenienced.”

  Voices and squeaky cleaning carts in the hallway caused all of them to turn and look.

  “Ah, here they are now,” Áine said.

  “I’d say someone was in a right state to do all of this,” one of the housekeepers in the hallway said.

  “Okay, enough gawking. Let’s get this set to rights,” the gray-headed matron in the group prompted.

  There were murmurs of, “Yes, mum,” and the crew descended upon the area.

  “I believe Mrs. Thatcher has things in hand. Perhaps we could all retire to—” Áine was cut off by one of the ladies Katie had seen working the front desk.

  “Ms. Byrne, you’re needed on two. The fire alarm in suite 201 is going off.”

  Three pair of eyes swung in Katie’s direction.

  “That’s my room,” Katie said in disbelief.

  “I’ll be right there, Mary,” Áine told the woman. “Perhaps you should stay here, Miss Ward.”

  “Oh I don’t think so!” Katie said as she shook off her shock.

  All four of them ran for the lobby stairs, slowing through the main part of the lobby after Áine mumbled something about not scaring the other guests.

  When they reached the top of the stairs, the smell of burning wood and paint was already rolling out from under the door along with the smoke.

  Katie started to slide her key through the lock but Áine stopped her. “Let me check the door to make sure it’s not too hot to be opened.”

  “Better yet, let me take a look and see what’s on the other side,” Seamus said then floated through the door.

  The sounds of raised voices could be heard. Without looking, Katie knew the screeching voice was Etain. What the hell was Etain doing in her room?

  Without giving Áine a chance to check the door, Katie zipped her card through the slot, but it wouldn’t unlock.

  She tried her key again. Still the light wouldn’t turn green, indicating it was open.

  “The lock may be overheating and not working properly,” Áine suggested.

  Katie beat on the door with her fist. “Seamus!”

  “Now you’ll never be free of the spell!” Etain’s voice carried through the door, along with the sound of her near-hysterical laughter. “Never!”

  “Seamus! You don’t need to be around her any more than I do!” Katie hit the door again. “Seamus!”

  Suddenly Etain sailed through the doorway like a blur, knocking Katie to one side as she passed.

  Seamus stuck his head back into the hallway. “You can open the door, but it’s rather smoky in here. Better get something to put out the fire before it spreads much more.”

  “Seamus said it’s okay to open the door, but we need something to put out the fire.” She turned to Áine. “Is there an extinguisher nearby?”

  At that moment, as if wishing for them made them appear, a couple of hotel staff ran up, carrying extinguishers.

  Áine blocked Katie with one arm and gently ordered, “Please let us, Miss Ward.” Áine slid her key card through the lock, got a green light then opened the door and motioned the young men with extinguishers to precede her.

  While the fire was being extinguished, Áine and Riona opened the windows to let the smoke out.

  All the fire and damage was centered on and around the fireplace.

  “I understand that Etain is pissed at me, but why would she try
to start a fire in the fireplace? Wouldn’t it be more effective to torch the bed or something flammable?”

  “Actually, ma’am, I don’t believe it was started in the fireplace. It appears to me some of the wood was pulled loose on the trim then the fire was started,” one of the young men pointed out.

  Áine, Katie, Seamus and Riona all moved closer to look.

  “I believe he’s right,” Riona said.

  “Hmmm,” Áine said thoughtfully.

  “But why—” It suddenly occurred to Katie what Etain might have been doing. Her gaze flew to Seamus then to Riona. “She was trying to destroy the mantel.”

  “The what?” Riona looked at the destruction around the fireplace. “You’re right,” she exclaimed.

  Katie looked at Seamus. His brows were furrowed as he watched the crowd of people in the room. She turned her back to Áine and the hotel workers. “What did your hearth look like?” she asked Seamus as quietly as possible.

  “I…” He shook his head as if he needed to clear it. “It was a simple thing. One of my first. Just a flat piece of wood.” His hands were splayed in front of him as if he were seeing the mantel in his mind and running his hands across the top. “I carved a design that looked like plait work along the front edge.” He finally looked at Katie. “I built it so I could add more later.”

  “We’re looking for a simple mantel. It has some kind of plait work on the front,” Katie told the group.

  “Do you mean some kind of knotwork carved into some wood?” asked the young man who was closest to the fireplace. He was looking at the part that was damaged the most.

  “Uh.” Katie looked to Seamus who nodded. “Yes, maybe.”

  “It looks as if there’s another section or another, older mantel behind this one,” the young man told them.

  Katie turned to Áine. “You said you were planning to remodel this room before long, right?”

  “That’s true,” Áine said cautiously.

  “Since this is already badly damaged, would you mind very much if we pull this outer section away so we can see what’s behind it?” Katie asked.

  Áine took a deep breath and surveyed the area. “Well. I don’t suppose it will do any more damage than has already been done.” Before Katie could let out a cheer, Áine added, “But! I insist that a member of our staff be the one to do it.” She raised a hand to stop any protest Katie was about to make. “I insist! You have nothing but your bare hands to pry that away. Let my people gather the necessary tools and return. I’m sure they will have that outer piece removed within the hour.”

  “Okay.”

  With a look, Áine set the two young men in motion. “Would one of you please notify Callum that he is needed?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they responded in unison as they headed to the door.

  “Now.” Áine faced Katie. “I believe the next order of business is getting you moved to another room.”

  “But I—”

  “Unfortunately I don’t believe any other suites are available, but we can certainly find another room that will satisfy your needs.”

  “No, really, that won’t be necessary.”

  “Of course it’s necessary,” Áine said as if Katie were daft. “I can’t have a guest sleeping in a room that is charred, smelling of smoke and potentially dangerous.”

  “If nothing else, you might want to move just so Etain doesn’t know where to find you come bedtime,” Riona pointed out.

  Katie’s eyes widened in alarm. Seamus mumbled something unpleasant under his breath.

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” Katie muttered. “I believe a new room will be just the thing. Thank you.”

  Áine nodded her approval. “I will take care of it immediately and return with new room keys.”

  “Oh here’s the one for this room.” Katie extended the key card to Áine.

  “Very good.” Áine took the card then breezed out.

  “How about I help you pack?” Riona offered.

  “Thank you. That would be great,” Katie said, feeling a little weary after the events of the last couple of hours. She pulled her suitcase from the closet and set it on the bed, open.

  Riona leaned closer and whispered to Katie, “What is he doing?” indicating Seamus with a tilt of her head.

  Katie looked to where Seamus was squatted next to the fireplace. “I think he’s trying to get a look at what’s under there. Not that I blame him. It’s probably his last hope for breaking the spell.”

  “God, I can’t imagine living for hundreds of years thinking there was little hope for changing a situation that wasn’t your doing,” Riona murmured.

  “I know. But if it turns out his mantel isn’t under there, I don’t know what he might do.”

  Katie’s fears were mirrored in Riona’s eyes.

  Chapter Eighteen

  By the time Áine returned with new room keys, Katie and Riona had most of Katie’s clothes packed. Seamus had taken his place at the window and appeared to be in deep thought.

  “I spoke with our handyman, Callum. He will be here shortly to look at the fireplace,” Áine told them.

  “Okay, good. I think we’ve just about gotten everything packed,” Katie said.

  “Excellent. A porter will be up to take your things to your new room.”

  Katie knew it would be pointless to argue, even though she was perfectly capable of moving her own suitcase.

  “I want to assure you, Miss Ward, that we will be taking steps to ensure a repeat of this situation does not occur,” Áine said.

  Katie and Seamus exchanged a glance. If his expression was any indication, he was wondering the same thing she was. How did Áine think she’d be able to control a ghost? Particularly a ghost who wasn’t quite sane.

  Riona saw the exchange. “Don’t worry. I’ll ward your new room so Etain will not be able to enter.”

  “What about…” Katie waved in Seamus’ direction to finish her question.

  “I can create the wards so they only affect Etain. It’s a little more difficult, but possible,” Riona assured her.

  Katie looked at Seamus with eyebrows raised in question. She wanted to make sure he would be comfortable with Riona casting spells around him.

  “If it keeps you safe,” he said with a nod.

  She turned back to Riona. “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.”

  A rap on the door caught everyone’s attention.

  Áine went to answer the knock. “That will be Callum.” She stepped back to admit six feet of muscled, male perfection. He had dark hair that curled over his ears and along the back of his neck. The razor stubble along his chin and over his lip added a rugged, edgy look. His vivid, blue eyes were a sharp contrast to his deeply tanned skin.

  Katie’s jaw fell open and she stared.

  “Callum, this is Miss Ward,” Áine said. Callum tilted his head in Katie’s direction but didn’t say anything.

  “And you remember Riona,” Áine added.

  “Riona,” Callum said, rolling the R across his tongue. The way he said her name made Katie think Riona and Callum were more than passing acquaintances. Interesting.

  Seamus floated over and stood beside Katie. When she looked up, he was frowning. Hard.

  Katie mouthed to Seamus, “What?”

  “You were staring,” he said as he crossed his arms across his chest.

  Katie smiled to herself. He was jealous.

  Áine directed Callum to the fireplace. “We need you to remove the mantel and the trim.” Callum crouched next to the charred wood and looked at the damage. “If you can’t take it off completely, we at least need you to pull it up or down or aside enough so we can look behind it.”

  “Does it need to be in one piece?” Callum asked, his voice a low rumble.

  “I am not concerned with preserving this outer piece,” Áine said.

  Callum looked at Áine over his shoulder.

  “We have reason to believe there is something hidden behind the mantel,” Ái
ne explained. “So if you would use care with the wall or whatever else may be back there, we would appreciate it.”

  “Anything else I need to know?” Callum asked as he stood.

  Áine, Riona and Katie all exchanged looks. Katie shrugged. Riona shook her head.

  “If we think of anything, we’ll tell you,” Áine answered for the group.

  Callum grunted in response then strode to the door. When he returned he was carrying a large bucket and a toolbox. He put both on the floor not far from the fireplace then pulled out a large hammer and a crowbar.

  After surveying the fireplace and the damage once again, he went to work removing the decorative trim around the main part of the mantel.

  All three ladies were mesmerized by the play of muscles in Callum’s shoulders and back as he worked. His tightly fitted t-shirt allowed them to see every rippling muscle and his snug jeans hugged his ass as if they were made for him.

  Katie leaned closer to Riona and whispered, “Do you think he’ll be able to get that off without much trouble?”

  Without taking her eyes off Callum, Riona whispered back, “Not that I don’t want Seamus to find what he’s looking for, but right now, I’m hoping it will take all night.”

  Katie’s eyes shot to Seamus. His arms were folded across his chest and he kept throwing dark looks at Callum. Seamus looked less than pleased with their reaction to the handyman.

  She was going to have to smooth his ruffled feathers later.

  Truth be told, as lovely as Callum was to look at, he didn’t make her blood heat the way Seamus could with a few words whispered in her ear. And every time she thought of their episode in the elevator, her body temperature rose at least five degrees. Most of the heat was centered between her legs.

  “Well.” Katie cleared her throat and the thoughts whirling around in her head. “I think I’ll finish packing my things.” She hurried to the bathroom to escape.

  Without fail, Seamus followed her into the bathroom, wearing a scowl on his face.

  “Not pleased with how things are going out there?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

  “Don’t know why they couldn’t have gotten Ol’ Pete to do that.” Seamus flicked his thumb at the door.

  “Perhaps Ol’ Pete wasn’t available?” Katie suggested.