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It takes a moment for Edward’s words to sink in. “You mean, you saw Ambrose hide this when he wasalive?”
Edward nods miserably.
“You knew this manuscript was here all this time?” I stare down at the neat rows of letters in my hands, my stomach twisting in knots. “If this is Ambrose’s unfinished business, he could have crossed over earlier if only you’d told him about it.”
Edward nods again.
“Oh,Edward.”
“I didn’t want him to leave,” he says quietly. “I never had a real friend before. Well, I suppose I have Pax, but our friendship is…”
“I get it,” I smile. Pax and Edward have always been at odds with each other, friends due to circumstances rather than a genuine desire for each other’s company. Their affection for each other is genuine – otherwise, Edward would not have dived inside the Ripper to save Pax’s life – but Grimwood Manor has been shaken to the foundation by their disagreements over the years. But Edward and Ambrose are different. Edward sees Ambrose as a kind of corruptible younger brother whom he can school in the wicked ways of the world, and Ambrose is endearingly oblivious to Edward’s more annoying traits. “I don’t like that you lied about this, but I can’t say I’m sad that Ambrose wasn’t able to cross over. And now…”
As I stare down at the manuscript, a fissure of pure joy rockets through my weary veins.This is the key, I know it is.
This is what I need to bring Ambrose back from the dead.
“Oh Edward, thank you, thank you for finding this.” I throw my arms around him, forgetting in my joy that he’s a ghost. My hands settle on him for a moment, but then he jerks away before I can fall through him.
Edward trembles with horror as he backs away from me. “You cannotthankme. I don’t deserve thanks. I never should have kept it secret. I wish there were some way I could make it up to him.”
I look up, into the dark, fathomless eyes of my dark prince. “Perhaps you can. How long did you say Ambrose and Pax would be out?”
“They were not to return until nightfall, lest they should be forced to listen to my morose rhymes.”
“Excellent.” I tuck the manuscript safely under my arm and reach out to Edward. “Come with me, I have a plan. But we’re going to need some help—”
9
Bree
“Bree? Edward? Are you here? Pax and I have exhausted our mandated banishment activities. Is it okay if we come in?”
Ambrose’s cheery voice calls through the empty house. I set down the manuscript. After washing the Father Bryne’s sheets, calling the charity to apologise for his abrupt departure, cancelling the rest of his booking on our B&B website, and doing all the things with Edward today, I sat down to read a few chapters. I’m in awe at Ambrose’s brilliance. He could make even the most mundane travelling narrative an adventure. You felt as if you were right there alongside him. I couldn’t wait to discuss it with him.
But first…
Beside me, Edward goes even paler, if that’s even possible. I reach across and squeeze his hand, my fingers slipping a little into his. His features soften. I hope if he’s seeing a memory of mine, that it’s a happy one.
“How many views do we have now?” Edward whispers.
I check my phone. “Over twenty thousand. I can’t believe it. Are you ready for this?”
“No, but today is not about me.”
“We’re in the guest sitting room,” I call out and I head toward the hallway, Edward dragging his feet behind me. I’m dragging my feet too, if I’m being honest. We’ve been on the go all day while the other two have been out, except for a brief moment at lunch time when Ambrose’s ghost mojo ran out and he popped back home for twenty minutes to recharge (that’s a thing we discovered – hanging around me can mean the ghosts can go a little further from Grimdale for a longer on their own). I have to hope it’s been worth it.
In the entrance hall, Pax holds the door open for Ambrose, who floats right through the darkened patch of dried blood on the flagstones. I reallyshouldclean that up, but I’ve been a little distracted today. I’m still so tired, and it’s not as if we have any new guests arriving. It can wait for this.
“We went to the Roman Museum,” Ambrose explains, waving his hands around with enthusiasm. “Alice was there working on her exhibit. Pax apologised for smashing the glass case and helped them to repair it. And then Alice let him arrange his bones.”
“She did?”
Pax nods. “It was fun. I am a very handsome skeleton. Alice said so. She told me all sorts of things she knows about Ancient Rome. She thinks Romans are very cool. Those are her exact words. I am very cool! The gods will smile upon her.”
“I’m glad you both had a good day.” I grab Ambrose’s hand. His fingers tingle against mine. “Come with me. Edward and I have something to show you.”
I lead Ambrose into the guest lounge. Edward’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the battle raging inside him. The corner of his mouth turns up into a sad, knowing smile.
