by Daye, Elissa
The sound of paper crackling above her made her pause for a moment. Two books zipped off shelves that were close to the ceiling and zoomed through the air toward her. Malinda put her hands over her head in reflex. She was surprised when the books floated safely to the table in front of her. The pages started to turn slowly before her until they stopped on important sections.
The first book, with a large red binding, indicated that she could create wards that would keep the ghost from entering the room. She could use holy water created with the light of a full moon and splash the walls while reciting a powerful incantation. She could use her energy to shield the room as well, but that would be something she would need to do on a daily basis, and while she was capable of that there must be something more permanent. She could leave jars filled with salt near every window to keep any spirit from entering. She could also line all entrances with salt as well. When the positive energy vibrating off the salt wavered, she simply needed to put down another layer.
All of these things were temporary solutions, and while she would attempt them as soon as she made her way back home, she really was looking for something that would solve the problem permanently. She glanced at the smaller brown book and found text indicating that she needed to find the ties that kept the ghost earth bound. Once she had found what force was keeping the ghost tied to Wickford Manor, she should be able to help her cross over to the light.
Malinda sighed deeply. “So for now I have to settle for temporary solutions, until I find out more about Maria Timberlin and why she did not want to leave this realm.” She shook her head sadly and took another deep breath. She set her lips together in resolve and looked around the room once more. “If that is all I can do, then that is what I will do.” She closed her eyes and willed herself to return to her sleeping form. She felt a small jolt as her spirit returned to her body and sighed softly as she felt strong arms surrounding her weary body.
Chapter 17
Malinda awoke to the sun’s rays shining through the blue curtains that separated the bed from the rest of the room. It cast a light blue aura around the tousled comforter. A red flush covered her face as she remembered the hours she had spent with Grant, their limbs tangled up in each other. She had assumed that her dreams would be much better than reality, but her dreams had not even slightly measured up to the passionate man that she was fortunate enough to call husband. She yawned and stretched like a well-fed cat while she worked out the kinks that had worked their way into her body last night. Malinda had actually slept very little, but somehow she felt more energized than she had in a long time.
When a knock interrupted the silence Malinda sat up and yanked the sheets around her. “Come in.”
Gretchen entered carrying two buckets of steaming water, and her red curls bobbed as she curtsied in the doorway. “Lord Timberlin thought you might require a warm bath this morning.”
“How lovely!” Malinda rose from the bed, taking the sheet with her. She wrapped the ends around her body and walked to the dressing room that housed all their clothes to find a large silver tub. She watched as bucket upon bucket of water was carried in and poured swiftly into the tub. She had never had such luxury before. When she had lived in Tinley Faire she had bathed from a small bucket, using a rag to wash away the daily dirt and grime when she was not able to take a bath in the lake near their house. This was quite a luxury. Her green eyes glowed in excitement as the last bucket was poured into the tub.
“Please, let me help you in, my lady.”
Malinda let Gretchen help her over the sides of the bath and she clenched her teeth as the heat wrapped around her legs. She lowered her body into the tub, slowly acclimating to the hot water that was scalding against her skin. Within moments her skin had grown accustomed to the warmth and she let out a long sigh of relief. When she felt Gretchen’s hands start to scrub her shoulders, she shrieked in protest. “What are you doing?”
Gretchen dropped the soap in surprise and stepped back from the tub. “I was asked to assist you, my lady. Lord Timberlin insisted.” A small tear started to fill the corner of the young maid’s eye, and her mouth started to wobble slightly.
“Oh dear, girl. I’m sorry Gretchen. I must sound like a raving lunatic, for I realize you were just trying to help. I have never had assistance before, my dear. I’m unused to having so much help readily at hand. If you don’t mind, I would much like to enjoy this bath alone.”
A timid smile stretched across Gretchen’s face as she bowed politely to Malinda, but Malinda could still sense the tension in her shoulders when she walked through the door. She felt bad, for she had never meant to hurt the poor girl’s feelings. There was so much she would have to learn about being a lady, so many expectations and eccentricities, that it made her head spin. If she had been brought up differently, she would have found it quite easy to relate to the people at Wickford Manor, or maybe that was the problem. Malinda already related to them more than a real lady probably would have. She was cut from the same cloth. At least she could talk to Gertie about this. The cook was the one person that reminded Malinda of her grandmother. She was easy to talk to and understood that Malinda’s roots were humble. Malinda closed her eyes and let the warm water soothe the aches from her back and neck. She was so caught up in the moment that she did not hear the door open or close.
She felt his hand long before it touched the water, the same magnetic pull that coursed between their bodies eroding the space between them. She opened her eyes and turned to him, not missing the heat that lit his eyes. “Good morning, Grant. What are you doing?”
“I was informed that my wife would not accept help with her bath this morning, so I decided that I would have to come see to you myself.”
Without thinking, Malinda sat up in the tub to face him, and when she saw his eyes dart dangerously to the breasts that rose just above the line of water, she quickly folded her hands across them. “I’m quite capable of washing myself, Grant.”
“Don’t hide. I’ve already seen every inch of you, my dear.”
Malinda felt the blush rising to her face and looked away. She did not understand how she could feel shy in the morning light, considering all the wickedly delicious things they had done the night before. At the moment it would have been very easy to run and hide, to shut out the light and let the darkness spill around them. She closed her eyes and struggled to still the emotions racing through her, but all that did was provide her with vivid flashes of their legs intertwining and their bodies moving to the same rhythm that pounded through their blood. She opened her eyes and bit her lip as she looked up at him. “Very well. Will you wash my hair?”
Malinda thought she was choosing the safest part of her body to wash first as she sunk further into the tub, but when his soapy hands started to massage the hair at her temples, she felt herself melt into the moment. His hands molded and kneaded her hair with fingers that were much more experienced than they had a right to be. She felt her head arching into him and her breasts rose from the water, her nipples puckering hard in arousal. She bit her lip as she heard the sharp intake of breath above her. She sank out of his hands and ducked her head under the water, rinsing off the lavender soap that he had meticulously worked into her scalp. Her head rose from the water, and she turned to face him. “Now what?”
“Hmm?” His eyes trained on hers for just a moment, before roaming over every inch of her body.
Malinda did not miss the desire that sliced through his eyes. She felt it vibrating between them. She held on to the feeling as his soap-filled hands descended into the water. She turned so that her back was facing him. He worked miracles with his hands as he glided the soap across her back. His hands reached around her back and he rubbed the soap across one nipple, then the other. He dropped the soap in the water and worked his hands in slow tantalizing circles across the tight buds of her nipples. It drove her so crazy that she thought she would lose her control, but he moved his hands before she had the chance. She sniffed outwar
dly in disapproval.
“Ah, ah. There is more to wash.”
There was a short pause and a swish of fabric as it fell to the ground. Then he gathered her body against the back of the tub, the top of his chest rubbing up against her back as he searched in the water for the soap. She felt his erect nipples against her back and she moved her shoulders back and forth against the tight nubs. She heard his intake of breath and smiled in triumph, but her triumph over him was short lived as his hand brushed up against the curls at the base of her legs. He ran the soap against her a few times before moving his hand away. She missed the contact immediately. A slight whimper of displeasure resounded around them and was followed swiftly by a soft chuckle. Then his hands ran down the length of her legs, moving the soap in tantalizing circles. When his strong hands reached her feet Malinda tried not to giggle.
When he had finished washing her from head to toe Malinda turned toward him, not knowing what question to ask, or if she had the right to demand he finish what he started. When she saw that he was indeed naked from his head to his toes a knowing smile trailed across her face. She stood up, and droplets of water slithered seductively down her body. Her eyes were glowing with longing and challenge when she reached out to touch his rugged chin. He ducked away from her and swiftly produced a cloth towel. He reached for her hands and helped her climb out of the tub.
Malinda was disappointed when Grant turned her around so that she was facing away from him. She yearned to be able to capture his handsome face in her hands before letting them travel the length of his amazing body, but he had cut her completely off before she had the chance. An annoyed sniff left her nose and another chuckle sounded, but he was forgiven the moment his lips touched her back. Malinda leaned into his mouth and he licked a trail of water from her shoulders. His hands and mouth both covered almost every inch of her back and, when she could stand it no more, his hands wrapped around the front of her. Grant rubbed the coarse towel in tantalizing circles around her nipples. The friction of wet and dry created a cyclone of ecstasy throughout her body and she soon found herself falling back into him, her legs suddenly weakened with desire.
Grant caught her easily, whisked her into the air, and carried her to the other room like a sack of cotton. He lowered her onto the bed and looked deep into her eyes. Once bright green eyes were now filtered with the smoky haze of desire and he wanted nothing more than to bury himself to the hilt within her heat. He ran his fingers down her legs, then probed gently at her opening. He groaned as she rode the length of his fingers, her core melting around him. “Mmm. So wet. That’s right, come for me, Malinda.”
Malinda could not resist the swarming energy that was building momentum within her. She could feel his fingers working their wonderful magic inside her and she was hungry for him. She felt the slight tingle that warned her of the explosion just beneath the surface. It forced every inch of her to move to the music he strummed deep within her and paralyzed her the moment before her passion was released from the tightly wound spring within her. Her guttural cry was cut off as his lips met hers to swallow the release that carried her over the edge. She rocked quietly, the ebb and flow of her orgasm still rippling through her. When he parted her legs and entered her she moaned deeply into his mouth.
Grant was engorged within her, his length running deep into her core, the fierce ride keeping her from thinking of anything else but finding blissful freedom in the wave of passion he created. And she did, over and over, until Grant could no longer hold himself back. Their bodies bucked together one last time before his shout of release shattered the silence. Malinda wrapped her legs around him and let her body swallow him whole, absorbing the heat of him until every part of her vibrated in release.
Malinda focused on stilling the rapid beating of her heart and the breaths that were coming out in fast shallow puffs, but her body was still overcome with their passion. When she finally got control over her racing emotions she looked up at her husband and smiled. “I never knew a bath could be so enjoyable. But somehow, I doubt Gretchen could measure up to that experience.”
Grant laughed aloud before nipping her shoulder gently with his teeth. “Minx.”
Malinda wrapped her arms around his neck and persuaded him down closer to her. His shaft was throbbing mysteriously inside her and she coaxed him closer to her with her legs. She nibbled hungrily on his lips and ran her tongue across them. When he opened his mouth and took her tongue inside his mouth she arched into him. Malinda felt the length of him harden within her and she rotated her hips from side to side as she teased a response from him. Soon they were tumbling into each other again, their heat unquenchable. Malinda fell asleep in the crook of Grant’s arm, but not until she had been completely satiated.
Chapter 18
When Malinda finally made her way to eat it was well into lunchtime. She avoided the gazes of the maids around her, for she knew they had to have known what she and Grant had been up to. She expected to find judgment in their eyes, but when she did have the courage to look at the inquiring gazes around her she found warm accepting smiles. It was as if they were pleased that she had caught their lord’s eye.
Grant and Sophia were both missing from the table when she came down, but Malinda decided not to let that bother her too much. For all she knew they could be spending some much-needed time together. Malinda missed having company at the table, but she ate her food as swiftly as she could manage. She made a list in her mind of what she hoped to accomplish today. If she remembered correctly, there were small glass vials in the attic. She had seen them yesterday when she had been looking for things for Sophia’s room. She would ask Gertie if she could borrow some of her salt. Then she would make the glass vials to hang in Sophia’s room. She would do whatever she could to keep Maria’s ghost from haunting Sophia’s life and, even if these vials were only a temporary solution, at least it would give a little solace to the girl.
After she finished her meal Malinda quickly gathered the vials from the attic, then went down to get salt from the kitchen. Gertie was nowhere around so Malinda helped herself to the salt stores. She filled three vials halfway with salt and sealed them with small corks. The small white sprinkles gleamed in the sunlight. Malinda carried the vials up to Sophia’s room and busied herself with tying strings around the bottles so that they could hang from the top of the windows. When she managed to tie the strings to the top of the window they hung like dream catchers that caught the sunlight that shone through the glass. She hung one in Sophia’s bedroom, then went to the nursery to hang the other. She should not have been surprised that Sophia was not in the nursery either. With a beautiful day like today she hoped that Sophia would be outdoors enjoying the warm breeze that swept over the hills.
Malinda went to her room to hang up the last vial and then decided to sprinkle salt in the entryway. She had no problem dealing with the specter in other areas of the house, but their bedchambers would be off limits. She did not need to worry about prying eyes when she was being intimate with her husband. It had been awkward the night before. No virgin should ever have to share her first experience with anyone except her husband, and it was something she never would let happen again. End of story.
She wanted to feel hate for the woman that had come before her, but the emotion escaped her. She instead felt sorrow for her, for if Malinda had passed, leaving behind her small child and husband, she would not find an easy resting place on the other side. Her spirit would be bound to the Earth until she was sure that her loved ones were being well taken care of, but Maria was different. There was something terribly off with the ghost. She did not come back to watch Sophia grow into a fine young woman. She was haunting the poor thing. If the ghost of her mother had haunted Malinda her entire life she would probably not have made it very far and would not be nearly as well adjusted as she was. It was no wonder that the child was too afraid to speak. Malinda would do whatever it took to bring some peace to Sophia. She would not stop until the little girl’s blue
eyes were mirrored with innocence, laughter, and joy.
When her task at hand was completed Malinda decided to go outside to find Sophia. When she let the door close behind her she could hear a childlike laughter carried on the wind. She walked to the sound, a warm smile upon her face. She found Sophia chasing after Mule. Shrieks of joy escaped the little girl as she followed the dog with his lopsided tongue hanging from his mouth. Malinda sat under a tree near the pair and Desiree joined her.
“Good afternoon, my lady.”
“Hello Desiree. I see you are enjoying the sunshine. A marvelous idea.”
“I could not keep her inside on such a beautiful day.” Her blond head barely turned to look at Malinda.
“You are very good with her, Desiree.”
Desiree turned to her with a warm glow on her face. “Thank you, my lady. She’s such a wonderful child.”
“I think so, too. I know her life has not been easy.”
The maid turned away cautiously and looked back as if there were more to say. “Perhaps not.”
“Desiree, you may speak freely. Trust me when I say I do not scare easily.”
“Have you seen her, then?” Fear marred her young face.
“Yes, Desiree. I have seen Maria and I am not afraid of her.”
“But she’s a—”
“Ghost? I’m aware. And I assure you, I’ll do everything within my power to help her pass on. Does Lord Timberlin know about his departed wife, Desiree?”
“Why do you ask, my lady?” She looked away from Malinda as if she were trying desperately to avoid talking of Lord Timberlin.