The Haunting of Crawley House (The Hauntings Of Kingston Book 1)

by Dorey, Michelle

  “What!” He jumped to his feet. “What are you saying!”

  She stepped back. “I’m sorry, sir! She’s gotten strange! She’d begin to tremble, and then she’d start shakin’ or something so she’d have to sit down! Once…” she furrowed her eyebrows, “No, twice last week, she collapsed to the floor!”

  “Why didn’t you tell me!”

  “I wanted to, sir! But when I mentioned them to the missus, she swore me to silence! She said it ‘twasn’t me place to discuss this!” She began to cry. “She said it’d be me job were I to tell ye!” She clutched her hands together and put them under her chin. “But sir! She’s carryin’ a bairn and has two wee ones! If she’s not taking care and I know but not be tellin’, I’d be guilty of murder!”

  “Murder! For the love of God, woman, you’re looking out for her!” He collapsed back into his chair at the kitchen table. Staring at the table top, he muttered, “More than she you, I’m afraid…”

  “‘Tisn’t the missus’ place to look out for me, Major Crawley! Don’t be cross with her over that. And if she decides to let me go for speaking out of turn, I wouldn’t blame her in the slightest.” She started to sob again. “I’ve betrayed me missus’ trust! I din’t know what to doooo!”

  “Bridey, Bridey…” the major rose from his seat and crossed the kitchen to where she was standing. He took her by the shoulders. “You spoke on behalf of a greater good, Bridey.”

  “She’ll hate me for it, sir! But I don’t care! I’m healthy and strong! I’ll be able to find another position as long as she’s well.” She cast her eyes to the floor. “I will miss the twins… that’ll be a hole in me heart a long time to fill back in…” another tear dropped from the corner of her eye. She looked back up to the major. “What will you do? Isn’t today that big meeting with the King’s son?”

  The major shut his eyes. “Blast! It’s his son-in-law, actually, but you’re right!”

  “‘Tis all ye’ve talked about all last week, sir!”

  The major nodded. “Yes.” He released her shoulders. “Come with me.” Going into the parlor, he went to the secretary’s desk which was beside the fireplace. He took a key from his pocket, unlocked the door and folded it down to become the writing table. Grabbing a pencil and paper from the work surface, he scratched out a note. Folding it, he handed it to Bridey.

  “Give this to Mrs. Crawley when she wakes up, Bridey. I’ll be home after luncheon and I’ll have made an appointment with the doctor for her.”

  “Yes, Major Crawley,” she held it in both her hands, eyes downcast and gave a slight curtsey.

  “Don’t do that, Bridey. Do not ever again curtsey to me. Let that remain an English tradition, all right?” She looked up and noticed the fleeting, harsh look in his eyes.

  “Aye, Major.” She smiled brightly behind her glistening eyes.

  He took her chin in his hand. “My wife is fortunate to have someone such as you supporting her, Bridey. I’ll make sure she knows that. You have a long future in this home if you want it.”

  She held his gaze. “As long as I’m wanted and needed, I’ll be here, Major Crawley.”

  They held each other’s gaze for three seconds too long and stepped apart. The major headed for the foyer. Before leaving the house, he said, “Make sure she gets that note immediately.”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied with a smile. When the door closed, she read,

  I’ll be home after luncheon. We have to talk.

  After luncheon. She’d have to move fast now.

  Chapter 9

  Bridget opened the bedroom door and struggling with the tray, came through into the master bedroom. The English crumpet was already awake and ensconced among her cushions.

  “Good mornin’, missus,” Bridget’s voice was soft as she put the breakfast tray on the top of the dresser.

  “It’s morning Bridget. You really must work on finishing each word.”

  “Yes’m.”

  Melanie sighed, and gave her head a small shake. “Why is my tray on the dresser? Could you bring it to me, please?”

  “Of course ma’am. May I have a word first?” She stood eyes downcast and her hands clasped before her.

  “Yes, of course. What’s the matter?”

  “I’ve learned I’m to be dismissed, ma’am.”

  Melanie’s eyes flew open wide. “What! How—” Then her eyes narrowed. “My husband has spoken out of turn, Bridget.”

  “Then ‘tis true, ma’am? Ye’ll be lettin’ me go?” Her hands knotted and tears sprang to her eyes. “What will I do, ma’am? I’ve done the best here anyone could!”

  Melanie held up a hand. “Now calm down, Bridget. It’s not as bad as all that.” Maintaining eye contact, she continued, “Your work is satisfactory, and that will be stated in the strongest of terms in your reference.”

  “Then what, ma’am! What have I done that was so wrong, I’m to lose me job?” A_TOCShe clasped her hands to the sides of her face, eyes wide in panic.

  “Bridget, it’s not your work.” She inhaled and blew out a strong breath. “It’s your language and demeanor.”

  “I’ve never once swore nor cursed under this roof, ma’am!”

  “No, Bridget… it’s… it’s the way you speak. The girls are picking up your speaking habits and it’s proving to be a terrible embarrassment to the family.”

  “But ma’am! It’s only how I was brought up! I didn’t have the advantages the good Lord gave ye! I’ve been at work in one form or another since me twelfth year!”

  “I understand, Bridget… but you see—”

  “The twins love me, ma’am! And I them!”

  “I understand, Bridget. And were the major earning a greater salary, we’d keep you on as housekeeper and have a governess to look after the children. But we aren’t able to afford such luxuries.” Her voice took a steely edge. “And for my daughters to speak and deport themselves in the manner you exemplify, their opportunities would be greatly lessened.”

  “I don’t understand ma’am! Ye need ta tell me in plain language!”

  Melanie clapped her hands together sharply. “Bridget! I won’t have my daughters talk and act in the common, shanty way you do!”

  The two women stared at each other.

  Bridey sniffed. “May I stay on until ye find someone else? Or shall I leave today?”

  “I’ll be putting an advertisement in the newspapers shortly, and I’d appreciate you staying on until I can find your replacement. After that, you may go back to doing the laundry one day a week here if that is your wish.”

  “Yes ma’am.” She gave a short curtsey and turned to go.

  “Bridget! My tea, please.”

  Bridey whirled in surprise. “Oh! Sorry ma’am! Me head’s a million miles away!” She placed the tray before Melanie and left the room.

  Closing the door behind her, she folded her arms and leaned against the wall.

  And smiled.

  Chapter 10

  Melanie doctored her tea with the milk and sugar and took a sip. Her lips pursed. The milk must be on the verge of turning. Bollocks! Well, she’d have just the one cup now and get fresher milk from the kitchen for her next one. It wouldn’t take long; with the caterwauling from Bridget, the pot had cooled off a great deal.

  She sat back onto her pillows and took another deep sip. Poor girl. She felt somewhat badly for Bridget’s plight, but the simple fact was she didn’t belong in this household at all. Her influence on the girls would only lead to further embarrassments at best, and public humiliations at the least. The new girl would have impeccable manners, no matter the cost. Her daughters would be visiting Buckingham Palace and there was a mountain of work to be done, for them to be presentable to the royal family.

  She drained the cup and as she placed it on the tray her arm took on a life of its own. It clutched the teacup’s handle instead of releasing it and as she watched horror-struck, it lashed out in front of her going from left to right.

  Oh dear God
, what was happening?! Her other arm began to tremble, but while she still had control, she flipped the serving tray from her lap and tried to get out of the bed. Her legs moved like oaken trunks and she couldn’t feel her feet! When she tried to cry out, all that came out of her mouth was a guttural croak.

  Oh God! What was the matter?!

  Her body slid off the bed and flopped to the floor, her nightgown twisting around her legs. She rolled side to side, trying to get to the door when it opened. Oh thank you, Jesus!

  Bridget stepped into the room, head tilted to the side, watching her intently.

  Melanie tried to speak, but only grunts came out. She couldn’t even open her mouth!

  “My God, Dierdre was right!” Bridget said in whisper. Her eyes filled with wonder. She stepped up to Melanie and bent at the waist. Her eyes narrow and glittering like diamonds. “I’ll be watching ye die, ye flamin’ bitch! I begged you for me job, but nooo… ‘Missus Oh-So-Special-La-Di-Da’ needs a proper lady to look after her little wretches!” She spat each word like an accusation.

  All Melanie could do was blink her eyes. She goggled them at Bridget and began to gasp. Her chest was getting tight. She’s killed me! She’s poisoned me! She felt her child in her womb begin to thrash as the poison worked its way to it. Oh God in heaven, my baby!

  “Aye, ye’re bairn will be goin’ to limbo an’ ye’ll be goin’ to Purgatory, ‘English crumpet’! Not so ‘Mrs. Fancy-That’ now, are ye?” Her eyes were black crystals, but shining brightly like polished stone. She squatted down and ran a finger down Melanie’s cheek. Lord, her finger was like ice!

  “And that’s not all, Melly. I’ll be havin’ the major’s heart as soon as he’s over ye; and I’ll be makin’ it me business he forgets ye soon enough!”

  No, no, no… Kevin!

  Bridget gave a small laugh. “Yes, Kevin will be my Kevin!” Her face took on a dark, loathsome cast. “But don’t worry, I’ll not be tryin’ to replace ye in the heart of your twins! Oh no, ‘dat wouldn’t be proper now would it?” Her voice softened almost to a singsong. “Nae, I’ll not be replacing ye in their hearts, girl.” She tapped the side of Melanie’s face, then gave it a sharp, stinging slap. “I’ll be sending them ta join ye as soon as I’m able!”

  Alice! Agnes! No, no, noooo! Oh sweet Mother, not my girls! No! Her chest froze and she felt her child within, go still. She stared at Bridget as a buzzing filled her ears. The edges around Bridget began to darken, first a thin gray, then a deeper charcoal until the edges became black and began to grow in toward the center. I’ll not leave the twins with you! I’ll not leave!

  ***

  Bridget watched and waited until there was a long while since she saw a last breath. Deirdre wasn’t the only one who was right. Devlin was right as well.

  Killin was easy peasy. She smiled and whispered, “Of course.”

  Chapter 11

  Good things come to those who wait. Bridey bided her time.

  She became indispensible to Major Kevin since the day of Melanie’s tragic seizure. She summoned him home right away, and when he came in the door she wailed and keened in grief and sorrow, blaming herself for not informing on the missus earlier. Had she done so, she would be alive today!

  She completely lost control and began to tear at her clothing in grief and guilt. The major at first seized her by the shoulders in an effort to calm her, but she would have none of that. She shoved him away, and began to tear at her hair, crying over and over that she had killed the missus!

  She took care to not grab fistfuls, but enough wisps of her dark hair to highlight her own grief and guilt.

  “I’ve killed her! She’s dead because of me cowardice! Oh would the Lord take me instead!” She bent at the waist, pulling out the hairs.

  “Bridey! Stop!” The major again seized her by the shoulders and straightened her up.

  She looked at him wild eyed, her grief and guilt slipping to madness. When she let a trickle of drool slip from her mouth as she keened again, he slapped her.

  “Come to your senses, woman!!” he roared. “We need you sensible!”

  She wailed in response and he slapped her again. “Bridey!”

  His fear for her mixed with his grief and shock. She went still and stood straight, feeling a trickle of blood escape down the corner of her mouth.

  “Thank you Major Crawley. I needed to be brought to me senses.” Her voice was shaky, but her tone steady. “What do we do now?”

  ***

  From that moment on, every waking moment of Bridey’s life was filled with the singular determination to be the helpmate Major Crawley needed. His daughters were heartbroken at the loss of their mummy of course, but children were more resilient. Keep them fed, warm and entertained and their memory of Melanie would fade soon enough. No, it was Kevin who needed the help and support, and Bridey was determined he would have it.

  Her first opportunity showed itself a month after the funeral. She had put the children to bed and came into the parlor where the major was sitting by the front window. He had in his hand a sheaf of papers. From the look of the impressive letterhead, she knew it had to be official business.

  “Excuse me, Major Crawley, the girls are in bed, and I’ll be saying goodnight.”

  He glanced up at the clock in the room and back to her. “So early, Bridget? It’s just seven now.”

  “Aye, sir. I have a novel I’m reading, but to tell the truth, I’m tired.”

  “Am I working you too hard?”

  She gave her head a small shake. “No, sir, ‘tis just the burdens, sir.” She glanced down at her feet and lifted her head to him. “Ye and the children aren’t the only ones missing Missus Crawley, sir, that’s all.” She gave a sigh. “I know it will pass in time, aye; but the road to that is a hard one…”

  “Aye Bridey, ‘tis.” His voice was soft and forlorn. He gave a small start. “Excuse me, I meant to say, Bridget.”

  “No, Major Crawley, ‘tis music to me ears to hear it from your mouth. When you say it, your Irishness comes out a wee bit; soft and steady. Reminds me of home and a favorite teacher from back then.”

  “Then Bridey it shall be, henceforth.” He gave a small nod which she returned.

  The silence hung in the room and she turned to leave.

  “Wait, Bridey, I would like your opinion on something.”

  She turned back and cupped her hands before her at the waist. “Of course, Major.”

  He held the sheaf of papers before him. “My orders have come through for my departure to London.”

  “I see… how may I help?”

  He fingered a small note fastened to the top of the sheaf, held by a paperclip. “With them came a personal note from General Abbot. In it, he states that while he feels I’m most suitable for the task at hand, if I would instead prefer to withdraw my name, he would go in my stead.” He sighed.

  “Oh? I don’t quite understand, Major. Is the general’s offer genuine?”

  Major Crawley gave a snort of laughter. “Oh, it’s quite genuine indeed! He would be over the moon to take my place! His wife craves him to have that position quite strongly.” He tapped the papers on the table. “And I must admit to you, that since Melanie’s death my own enthusiasm has faded…”