The tea concluded an hour or so later and she and her mother thanked their hostess and made their way back toward the gates of the cemetery. Just before they passed through, from the corner of her eye, she spied the same woman from before. This time she appeared to be shouting, though no sound could be heard erupting from her. Evelyn jumped at the sight and turned toward her mother. When she looked back over her shoulder, the woman was gone. An eerie unsettled feeling washed over her like the clouds that had moved in and covered the sun. Evelyn urged her mother’s pace as they retreated to their house and only when she was inside with the door closed firmly behind her did she let out a deep breath.
“Truly, my dear, I believe you are trying to wear out your poor mother. Was that pace really necessary? It surely was not lady-like.”
No, she supposed it was not lady-like, but she was not about to stroll along when she’d been so thoroughly spooked. Now inside her home with its tall windows allowing in bright sunlight reflecting on the brightly colored furnishings, she felt a little foolish. The woman was in distress; that was all. Perhaps she needed help and Evelyn was not sure how she could have helped, but perhaps she should have tried. She vowed that if she ever saw the woman again, she would offer to aid her in any way she could.
Chapter Two
Thunder boomed aroundher. She ran hard, but could not seem to reach the gate. The headstones loomed large around her as if to swallow her whole. With one fierce push, she jumped and finally landed at the foot of the gate. Evelyn reached for the latch, but could not grasp its cold iron promise of release from this place. Each time she tried it seemed to hold tighter to its position. Icicles of dread crept into her heart as she realized she was trapped inside the cemetery.
“I can help you if you help me,” a voice said from directly behind her.
Evelyn turned to find the woman from the afternoon before. She remained in the same state, but now her voice was clear. Rain poured heavily on her, drenching her from head to foot. The cold seeped into her bones without mercy.
“W-what do you want?”
“I only want to help you,” she said with a twisted smile as she tilted her head to the side.
The storm settled and the clouds slightly parted to reveal a bright full moon. In its illumination, the woman transformed into a beautiful young woman with delicate features and neatly coiffed hair. Her white gown showed no evidence of stains or tearing but rather was elegant, though it seemed from another time. Everything about her seemed from a long-gone time.
“Can you help me lift the latch on the gate?”
“You wish to leave? But it’s so lovely here.”
Evelyn looked around. The headstones were as they always were. A soft breeze passed through making the overhanging ivy and wisteria dance in its wake. The silvery hue of the moonlight cast across the pathways covered everything with an ethereal glow. It was beautiful.
Evelyn’s heartbeat steadied as she drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Though the place was not so terrifying anymore, she only wished to return to her home not even realizing how she’d gotten here in the first place.
“Please. I only wish to go home.”
“May I visit you there?”
Evelyn was at a loss. A proper house call usually occurred by formal introduction followed by an invitation. She didn’t know who the woman was and it was her parents’ choice with whom they extended that invitation.
“I-I don’t know.”
“That is disappointing, Miss Evelyn. I only wanted to have a friend. I become so lonely at times, you see. I was wronged and would not want the same to happen to you.”
“How were you wronged?”
“It is a long story that involved a man who promised love and a future. But he was false, like all men and like all society. Together they destroyed me and because I took my own life, I cannot leave this place. I would only wish to shield you from them if you will let me.”
Evelyn did not share that sentiment entirely. Sure, she’d encountered some with whom she would not engage, but surely they were not all bad. Her father was a kind man. She was sure her younger brother would be a good man too. No, she would not consent to this.
“I wish to return to my home.”
Evelyn turned to leave and waited. The latch lifted and the gate opened. As she stepped forward the woman grabbed her arm.
“You are certain?”
Turning her head, she said, “I am.”
Evelyn woke with a start and bolted upright. Her breathing was ragged and she was bathed in sweat. Tossing the covers, she hopped from the bed as though it contained burning cinders. She flung open the windows and drank in the cool night breeze. Gripping the windowsill, she drew deep breaths to settle herself.
After several long minutes, her heartbeat slowed and she calmed. Realizing it was just a dream was not enough. She paced the room as she struggled to make logic overtake her turmoil. How long she did, she was not sure, but as the sky turned from inky black to gray, she climbed back into her bed and hoped for slumber. When it came, there was no dream. Just blackness.
Evelyn was quiet throughout the day and into the early evening as she made to ready herself for the evening at the Clinton ball. Heaviness had settled into her heart as though she bore the burden of some great tragedy. Only her mother’s cheery nature kept her going as she chose a heavy, high waisted dark-blue gown “to match her eyes.” As she helped her into her gown, she touched the upper part of Evelyn’s arm. A stinging sensation began where she touched making her wince.
“What is this?” her mother asked. “You are bruised.”
