Miss Grey inclined her head. “There are no lies beyond the veil, my dear. Duplicity is purely a mortal trait.”
Miriam winced. “There is a reason for my deceit, Miss Grey.”
“The fear of being found out by your guardian? What is he to you? I couldn’t quite grasp it.”
“He is my stepbrother,” Miriam replied. “I threw myself on his mercy when Mama died. A man of the cloth possessed of an ugly temper.”
Miss Grey sighed. “Yes, I sensed your mother’s dislike for him as well as her desire to protect you. Maternal protection is one of the strongest forces under Heaven on both sides of the veil. However, I also sensed her chastisement of you. Coming here, albeit with good intent, is a risk she doesnotwant you to repeat. Your guardian, if he found out where you’d been this morning, would be angry.”
“He’d be furious,” Miriam replied. “I am not deceitful by nature, Miss Grey. I changed my surname because I feared he might come to hear of my participation in the scéance. I just wanted to know Mama was still with me. Without her, I feel completely alone.”
“Rest assured, my dear, you are not alone,” Miss Grey replied. “Your mother is always with you. Nor did she make her presence known to me simply to scold you. She actually had amessage for you, though I confess I don’t quite understand what it means. Perhaps you might make sense of it.”
Miriam tensed. “What message?”
“That each morning you must go to where she rests and wait for the angel to appear. You will then be afforded protection.”
“An angel?” Miriam shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Nor I,” Miss Grey replied. “But I trust it and so must you.” She paused. “Who is Alice?”
“Alice.” Miriam pondered. “I cannot say. The name means nothing to me.”
“Hmm, well, it was a vague presence. In the background, so to speak. I heard only the name, but it seemed to be connected to all of this. Where does your mother rest?”
“Highgate Cemetery. And I already visit her most mornings.” Miriam heaved a sigh. “I must say, Miss Grey, I really didn’t know what to expect today, but it was not this. Nor can I begin to guess what Mama means by it all.”
“It is unusual but, like I said, you must trust it.” Miss Grey cleared her throat. “There is one more thing, Miss Sinclair.”
Miriam raised her brows. “Yes?”
“Your mother asked that I return your silver crown. It has sentimental value, I believe.”
“Oh! Yes, it does, but to return it would not be fair to you.”
“I shall return it, nevertheless,” Miss Grey replied, “but my fee will then be a debt owed and has a stipulation attached to it.”
“A stipulation?”
Miss Grey nodded. “That you keep me informed about the outcome of your mother’s demands and the meaning behind them. I confess, she is one of the most fascinating spirits I have ever encountered.”
“That is very kind, Miss Grey, but the crown is all the money I had. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to pay you back.”
“When you are able is all I ask.” Miss Grey leaned over and squeezed Miriam’s hand. “Your mother loves you very much, Miss Sinclair. You were her greatest joy in life, and I cannot wait to find out what all this means.”
Chapter Two
There was somethingoddly peaceful about fog, Daniel mused, as he wound his way along the cemetery path. It dampened the sound of the city and accentuated the stillness of the air. Of course, if one were to look on the bleak side, it also distressed the lungs and shielded potential dangers, nefarious and natural, but Daniel shrugged the bleak side away. On this particular morning, here in Highgate Cemetery, the fog created an atmosphere ripe for claims of ghostly sightings. Not that such unearthly things bothered Daniel. He was of the same opinion as his mother.The dead cannot hurt you. Only the living can do that.
Even as the thought passed through his mind, his heart skipped a full beat at the sight of a small, dark figure seated on the bench across from his mother’s grave. A woman, seemingly lost in thoughts of her own, not yet aware of his presence. As much as the sight of her had startled him, Daniel had no desire to reciprocate. Slowing his step, he cleared his throat by way of an introduction. Despite his intention, however, the woman gasped, shot to her feet, and turned to face him.
“Forgive me, miss,” Daniel said as he drew near. “I didn’t mean to frighten…” His voice trailed off as he regarded the woman’s face. As he struggled to breathe, all he could hear was the sudden thud of his heart in his ears.
Dear God! It washer. The one who’d been haunting his dreams of late. Dreams that held no color, only gray and black images, all of them blurred and obscure. All of them except forherimage, which remained totally clear. A pale face set with wide dark eyes, her loose hair darker still, her mouth unmoving as she silently begged him for protection, for sanctuary. She spoke, not in words, but in thoughts. Protection from what, or who, he didn’t know.
While the surrounding fog emulated the blurred background to his dream, some color revealed itself. The woman was just as pale in reality, but her hair, what he could see of it beneath her bonnet, was not as dark as his dream had suggested. It appeared to be a lighter shade of brown, while her black attire was indicative of mourning. Though notexactlylike his dream, it was close, except the young lady didn’t appear to be seeking his protection. If anything, judging by her alarmed expression and the fact she’d just taken a step back, she feared him. Even as he studied her, she took another step back. His continued silence, he realized, was adding to her apprehension.
Speak, damn it!
