Chapter 20
Veronica watched Montgomery leave the room, then turned to Mr. Kerr.
“Can we try to contact another spirit?”
Mr. Kerr nodded. “Who, Lady Fairfax?”
“Caroline,” she said, speaking the name in a whisper. She didn’t explain. Nor, to her surprise, did Mr. Kerr ask about Caroline’s identity. Again, she wondered if Montgomery had divulged more to his solicitor than he had to her.
Mr. Kerr held out both his hands. Veronica grasped his right hand while Mrs. Brody took his left. They were linked by their joined hands, as each of them stared into the flickering candle flame.
“Come forth, Caroline,” he intoned, then repeated the request a number of times. As before, no sign appeared of the requested spirit.
If Caroline had chosen to appear, what would Veronica have said to her? Who are you to my husband? Why does he grieve for you so? Or finally, and more important: will you go away and leave him alone?
“The spirits are not willing to listen tonight,” Mr. Kerr announced nearly an hour later. They disbanded, with some discussion of meeting again at a more propitious time.
To her surprise, Montgomery was outside the Armory and escorted her to the family dining room, where they were joined by Mr. Kerr.
“Have you finished communicating with the dead?” Montgomery asked.
She nodded, hoping Mr. Kerr didn’t mention Caroline’s name.
“Any revelations?”
“No, they weren’t in the mood to communicate,” Mr. Kerr said, his look making her wonder if he blamed Montgomery’s entrance for their failure.
“Do you really believe in such things?” Montgomery asked.
“It has been scientifically proven,” Mr. Kerr said, his voice prim, as if he resented Montgomery’s doubts.
“The dead don’t speak,” Montgomery said.
The remainder of the conversation between the two men consisted of Mr. Kerr enumerating the many tasks he’d amassed for Montgomery to perform and Montgomery’s utter disdain for each one.
Montgomery didn’t seem to like being Lord Fairfax at all, given his disinclination to participate in any activity honoring him. He outright refused to attend the summer celebration held by Doncaster Village or the crowning of the Summer Queen in Lollybroch.
When she excused herself from the table, Montgomery was still ignoring Mr. Kerr, who was refusing to be silenced. She darted into the kitchen to thank Cook for a lovely meal, spoke to Mrs. Brody, and released Elspeth for the night.
She returned to her chamber, surprised to find the door to her sitting room open.
Montgomery was sitting there in the dark.
He turned his head when she entered and lit the lamp. Slowly, she closed the door behind her and turned to face him.
His fingers curled against his chin, finger resting on his cheek, pointing to his temple. A contemplative pose, one of judgment, as if he studied her and found her wanting.
She sat on the adjacent chair, conscious her insides trembled. Why was he waiting for her? Had he discovered she’d summoned Caroline after all? She prepared herself for his anger, surprised when he didn’t say anything.
Gradually, the silence became peaceful, as if he were simply content with her presence.
“Do you pretend I’m someone else?” she finally asked. “When you lie with me, Montgomery, is Caroline on your mind? When you touch me, is it her you feel? When you kiss me, do you pretend it’s her?”
She bowed her head in an agony of waiting. When he didn’t speak, remaining silent, she dared herself to look over at him. He was staring at her.
“How do you know about Caroline?”
“You were talking to her on our wedding day, remember?”
