Page 88 of If I Stopped Haunting You

Neil frowned in thought. She was right, they were missing something, something integral to Georgina and Archie’s romance. Maybe he’d been sent away, maybe he needed the money to marry her, to prove he was more than just the groundskeeper’s son.

He sifted through the letters, scattering them over the wooden surface. Squinting, he began to unfold them, peering at the dates.

“Help me organize these chronologically?”

Penelope nodded. Bending over the table, they began to sort the letters, swapping the stationery back and forth, watching as the story began to take form. “Me” quickly turned to “you,” and then “we,” and finally “us.” Georgina grew desperate and scared, her letters messier in the autumn months, ink splotching in the corners as if she’d written them in the dark when no one watched.

Georgina was clinging to a fairy tale, and her prince had been sent to his death.

“Neil,” Penelope whispered. “Look at this one.”

She held out a letter to him, this one marked October of 1815, and he took the delicate paper in his hand, squinting down at the words.

I promised myself to you in the dark of the crypt beneath the glow of a full moon. In turn, you promised to be mine. Pray, tell me, were you lying? Have you deceived me from the beginning, all to take something with which I can give only once? Do you not care about us? It is nearly time, and there is still no word from you.

Archie, do not leave me, do not leave us. Please.

“What are you doing?”

Neil and Penelope let out a loud screech.

“Would you two please stop screaming?” Laszlo hissed, crossing to them.

To Neil’s left, Penelope pressed a hand to her chest, coughing. “You scared the living shit out of me.”

Neil dropped the letter on the table and Penelope swiveled toward their tall friend, hiding the stack behind her as he stepped into the kitchen, frowning.

Laszlo shook his head. “God, between the loud sex, the throwing of the boot, and you two walking in on Daniela—”

“Now,thatwas a complete accident,” Neil said, holding up a finger. “We thought it was…” He trailed off, meeting Penelope’s pointed stare.

“As for… theotherthing,” Penelope went on, blushing, “I didn’t realize we were being so loud.”

Laszlo stared between them. “I’m unfortunately a light sleeper. I can’t help but hear everything. Although I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you two finally got together. I figured it would happen eventually, just didn’t think I’d be privy tothe details.”

“Sorry,” Neil gasped, pressing a fist to his mouth to keep from laughing.

“Did you bet against us?” Penelope asked.

“I betforyou. I always bet for you, Pen.”

Silence fell between them, and Laszlo crossed his arms, watching them. Waiting. He knew something was up, Neil could tell, but what was the point when there was no way in hell Laszlo would believe them?

“Laszlo,” Penelope ventured, “have you truly not seenanything?”

“Like ghosts?” She nodded. “Can’t say that I have.” He looked between Penelope and Neil. “Why, have you?”

Neil shook his head. “No, no, we haven’t.”

“It is creepy, though, you know? I have this weird feeling, and it makes me want to run, as odd as that sounds. Not that I believe this castle is haunted, but every time I close my eyes, I think of those stories Fanny told us, of the woman in black and the protector in the cellar. But they’re not real, right? I haven’t seen or heard anything, neither have any of you. Besides, the van won’t start, we’re snowed in, and we have no signal. We’re already here, and there’s no harm in a creepy place, you know?”

“Totally,” Penelope squeaked.

“Absolutely,” Neil agreed.

“I’m gonna shower and change.” Laszlo raised a brow and pointed between them. “See you down here in a bit for today’s activities? We’ll be reading some work and giving feedback.”

“Yeah, for sure,” Neil lied.