Page 11 of Mistress of Darkness

In the backof the kitchen, the servants sat at the wooden table that kept them far from the ears of the master and mistress. As usual, the mysteries of Dredthorne Hall were the topic of animated conversation. Parks sat listening as Agnes, Jonathan, and Frances gossiped over their tea and biscuits.

“And I say,” Agnes continued, “that this ghost business is nonsense. My parents worked here and my great uncle and none of them ever went mad or were struck deaf, dumb, or dead.”

Jonathan shook his head. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. There ain’t no spirits in the stables, but I have seen and heard enough things in this house to make me wonder. Stranger things in Earth and Heaven than… Well, you know what I mean.”

“It’s what I have been saying all along, isn’ it,” Frances said. “There are times on the upper floors when I hear the strangest sounds, like a sob, or a groan–”

“Or the wind,” Parks put in. “Really, the lot of you. You sound like frightened school children.”

“Well, it’s not just us,” Frances countered. “Miss Gwen hears something too sometimes. She gets that strange tilt of her head, like she is listening for something just beyond hearing. And…” Frances leaned forward and lowered her voice. “When I came to dress her for dinner the other day, she was covered in dust and cobwebs and dirt. I think the ghosts are leading her deeper into the hall.” She looked at Parks. “Explain that one, Mr. Parks.”

He scowled at her over his tea and finished sipping before he answered. “How many ways are there for a dress to get dirty, Frances? Really. Some of the rooms in the hall have barely been opened and cleaned. You see how she explores and supervises the repair work.”

“It’s all hogwash,” Agnes agreed. “You’re letting your imagination run away with you. I say there is nothing in this hall but a few loose fixtures and rat’s nests. You’ll see, once it’s all fixed up.”

“Exactly my point,” Parks agreed. “We’ve just made a start. Why do you think we hear nothing here in the servant’s rooms? Because we’ve made sure that everything here is ready and working.”

Jonathan took one of the freshly baked biscuits and took a decisive bite as he stood. “Well, I’ve got to get back to the stables.” But Parks heard him tack on under his breath, “Thank goodness.”

“Well I say thank goodness that it’s not the servants that have anything to fear from the curse on this hall,” Frances said, watching him go. “It’s the master’s true love that is undone by its evil eye, someone he marries.”

Agnes nodded. “That much is true.” Then she winked at Frances. “I’m just glad Mr. Sheraton has never taken a fancy to me. Frances here would be more to his taste.”

Frances choked a bit on her tea. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“Never mind, Frances,” Agnes said. “I’m only teasing. It’s plain to see that the master only has eyes for his lady guest. If the hall is calling to her, showing her things, than I can only hope she never marries him no matter how much he dotes on her.” A mischievous grin spread across her face. “In her younger days, she might have looked a bit like you. Better be careful if you start hearing things too.”

As she sipped her tea, Frances sputtered and coughed.

Parks took out his pocket watch. “Enough idle chit chat. We must see to dinner.”