Chapter 6
Hugh focused the tiniest bit more energy into his form to hold it firm. Never, in all his years of haunting, had it been necessary for him to put forth so much effort.
It was these blasted Americans. First, the parents and the oldest son were unbelievers, but the others ... he did not know if it was because they believed too much or if they were too crafty. Either way, none of them feared him enough to depart. Not since he had lost his little Maire had he been around so many people.
Even so, he found them entertaining to watch. As with the couple a few days earlier. Young women of this time were quite forward. Her overtures to the big man had been obvious to Hugh. Had he been the receiver of them, he would have thought it akin to being knocked in the head with a cudgel.
In his time, no daughter of good family would have consorted with the servants. Yet the young man was more than the gardener. He had been to university, and these Americans accepted no titles.
In Hugh’s time, courtship had been so much simpler. All his friends’ wives had been chosen by their parents. But he loved Alana from the first day he had set eyes on her.
His Alana.
She had traded her health to give Maire life. He would never forget kneeling by his beloved’s bed, holding their young daughter so Alana could touch her one last time. Even now, his chest constricted. As though he still had a heart.
Alana’s dying words had evoked his promise. He would keep Maire safe, guide and protect her, see that she lived a long, full life.
Hugh had given his promise, and he had failed them both.
Lia
I DIRECTED THE GUY WITH a stack of plastic chairs over to the canopy where my mom reigned with her notepad. News about the Fourth of July event had spread, and people from as far away as Bellingham had signed up in droves.
Mom and Dad said the event’s novelty drew the people, but Ezra and I agreed the curiosity to see the citadel drove the success. Only those who’d signed up for the tea, however, would get inside the place, and then only the ballroom, since we could accommodate wheelchairs there. Either way, with hopes to make it an annual event, my parents wanted our guests to have a good experience for next year.
Next year.
Taylor had texted last night that her father might have a lead on a good shop location coming open. Her father had promised to help us set it up, but he wanted us to have enough money saved to stay in business a year without a profit.
I heard my name and turned. In the distance, Coop headed toward me, making his way through the obstacle course of chairs, tables, canopies, and people.
“Lia,” he said, a little breathless when he reached me. He gave me a chaste kiss on the forehead and slid a flower picked from his garden into the bun on top of my head.
“I’d have texted you last night,” he said, “but it was pretty late, and I knew you’d be up early. I found a folder with a bunch of records Miles’s grandfather had filed away. Sir Hugh washisfather. Anyway, as I read through the papers last night, I had an idea. I’d like to show you something in the library.”
“Right now?” My head swirled with everything on my mom’s to-do list in the phone in my pocket. And I still had to assemble my cucumber sandwiches and stage the ballroom.
“Later, when you get a break,” Coop said. “Today—before the boys set off another big trap.”
I’d have loved to toss everything aside and go with him right then and there. In the distance, my mother called directions to some workers.
“Lia, listen.” Coop ran a hand through his hair in his now familiar and endearing agitated manner. “I know they’re planning something big.”
“Is it bad?” My dad had threatened them about the pranks but had been juggling too much to come down hard on them. “I’m impressed with how sneaky they’re getting; they’re more discreet.” Unable to help myself, I grinned. “I honestly think their traps have been holding the ghost back.”
“What if it only makes him mad, desperate?” Coop took hold of my hands. “What if he decides to get even with them by ruining this party?”
An image of all my delicate pastries being tossed around a crowd of screaming guests flashed through my mind, and I had to fight a wave of nausea. The boys had told me they were sure they could catch Hugh when he wasn’t see-through. I think they’d come close a couple of times, based on the racket.
What the boys thought they’d do if they caught the ghost, I had no idea. Did they have some kind of containment unit— I let go of that image. It didn’t bear thinking about, or I’d never sleep at night. We had to figure this out soon.
“I promise I’ll make it quick.” Coop pulled me from my unhappy musings by lifting one of my hands to his lips. Our eyes met for a second, and the intensity of his look made my knees go a little shaky.
“Okay,” I managed to get out. Behind us, Mom called something out to the workers again, and I pulled myself together. “I’m meeting my mother now to set up for the tea. Is it okay to slip away while she’s there?”
“I ….” Coop’s eyes darted toward where my mother directed workers, but he didn’t turn his head. “Best not.” He pressed my palm against his lips again, sending a shiver through my entire body.
“If you don’t stop it, I’m going to pounce on you,” I whispered. “Right here in front ofherand everyone.”
