‘I mean it, Miss Lucas.’
‘Of course,’ she replied archly.
He watched her retreat with narrowed eyes, looking entirely unconvinced.
Chapter 24
Lord Stanley had stationed two footmen upon the third floor. She frequently spotted them pacing the corridors outside the nursery, and though their presence might once have frightened her, it now felt oddly reassuring.
That evening, Sarah sat sewing beside the fireplace, though the smile she offered looked strained.
‘What is the matter, Sarah? You look anxious.’
Lowering her voice to a whisper, Sarah glanced uneasily towards the walls. ‘It is this house... it is creepy. I am not one for superstition, but... the servants say the late Baron was murdered, and that his spirit roams the halls at night seeking vengeance. Last night I swear I heard footsteps inside the walls. And knocking.’
A soft chuckle escaped Charlotte.
‘You sound like that frightened maid downstairs. It is nonsense, Sarah. Houses this old are forever creaking and groaning. It was likely the dumbwaiter—or some pulley hidden within the walls.’
‘I suppose,’ Sarah muttered unconvinced.
‘If you are truly afraid, bring a trundle bed into Tom’s room tonight. There is plenty of space, and I know he would be comforted by it. His nightmares have become more frequent lately.’
Sarah brightened immediately.
‘I think I shall.’
A faint smile touched her lips.
‘There now. Problem solved.’
By the time the household settled for the night, Sarah had installed herself in Tom’s room and fallen asleep almost instantly.
But sometime during the final hours before dawn, a scream shattered the silence.
Charlotte jerked awake, heart leaping into her throat. Snatching up her wrapper, she rushed into Tom’s room. The two footmen stationed outside had already burst inside ahead of her.
Sarah sat upright in bed, deathly pale and trembling so violently the blankets shook around her. Tom huddled beneath the covers, wide-eyed with terror.
Hurrying to Sarah at once, she gathered the trembling maid into her arms.
‘What is it?’ she asked breathlessly. ‘Did you have a nightmare?’
Sarah pointed shakily towards the corner of the room.
‘Over there,’ she whispered.
Following her gaze, she saw nothing.
Turning towards the footmen, she asked, ‘Did either of you see anything?’
One shook his head.
‘Nothing, Miss Lucas. We were right outside.’
Sarah’s tears flowed freely.
‘There was a man. In a hood. Standing there. I swear it.’ Her fingers dug painfully into her arm.
