by Susan Conley
“I know,” Janice replied. “I’ve known ever since I met the baron. What’s happening here is between Lisette and the baron. It’s that simple.”
“What are you suggesting, Janice?”
“Help me convince Adrian that we must separate from the rest of you.”
Muriel pinched Janice’s fingers.
“My dear, that’s nonsense. None of us stands a chance alone. We must stick together.”
“But we won’t be alone. Adrian and I will be together.” Muriel’s frown deepened and Janice added quickly, “Don’t think I haven’t thought of the danger. But if this nightmare is to have an end, it will be because of me, of what I do. There’s no use lying to ourselves anymore. Lisette intends to free her soul and only I have the power to free all of you. Though we all skirt the issue, I am the key. Lisette needs me, needs my physical body.”
Muriel’s fingers pinched Janice’s again, her horror apparent.
“Surely you’re not intending to give yourself over to Lisette? That’s crazy talk. Though she seems a benevolent spirit, we could be misinterpreting her pain. She could be lying, preying on our goodness.”
“I wouldn’t really be giving myself over to her. When she comes, I don’t have any recollection of it. Whatever she makes me do, I won’t remember it.”
“And Adrian?”
“He won’t remember either.”
“I don’t like it!” Muriel scoffed. “For you and Adrian to sacrifice your bodies … I don’t like it!”
“If there’s another way, I’m willing to listen to it,” Janice commented. She saw Muriel’s frown pucker deeper.
“I don’t know any other way.”
“Then you’ll help me convince Adrian?”
“It’s useless, my dear. Adrian will never agree to it, and I say, thank God!”
“He’ll agree. He’s attracted to me physically.”
“And that’s just why he won’t agree to it.” Muriel argued. She gave Janice’s hand a sympathetic pat, meeting her baffled gaze straight on. “Can you imagine Adrian agreeing to make love to you knowing full well he won’t remember it when it’s over? He won’t do it. Mark my words.”
“He has to. Because he knows the same as I that if he doesn’t, he will put the rest of you in jeopardy. For all his jaded wit, I don’t think he’ll let that happen. He’ll agree — if you and Jasper convince him of it.”
A look of alarm crossed Muriel’s face at once and she lowered her voice so only Janice could hear her words.
“I can’t burden Jasper with this. He’s a man of the cloth. It’s his job to counsel unmarried couples to abstain from sex, not indulge in it.”
Janice felt a warm flush stain her cheeks. Heavens, she had never thought how perverse her suggestion might sound to a minister. Lord, had she lost all shreds of decency? Her hands sought the shelter of her lap once more and she stiffened her resolve. No, she’d not change her mind. No matter how sinful a minister thought it was. She was going to end this nightmare.
Across the way, Muriel shifted in her chair, remaining silent to allow Janice a chance to regain her composure. Pulling her thoughts back in line, Janice let her gaze drift back to Muriel, who took charge again.
“No, I won’t discuss this with Jasper. But I will talk to Adrian.”
Janice felt immense relief well up.
“Bless you, Muriel.”
A warning finger flashed before her eyes.
“I’ll talk with Adrian. But I won’t press him.”
Janice had a moment of indecision, but she stamped it down where it belonged. They were getting out of here alive. All of them. Anything else was unthinkable.
“I trust Lisette, Muriel. I know it’s foolish to believe a ghost, but I don’t think she will let any harm come to me. And I don’t think the baron will harm Adrian.”
“If we were just dealing with the baron and Lisette I should feel safer. But that fiend of a spirit intends harm to you. To Lisette.”
Janice brought her hands to Muriel’s and cupped them for a change.
“You let me worry about that horrid, spiteful ghost. Besides, what could you do to keep it from harming me this very minute if it wanted to? You saw it before. We were powerless to stop it.”
Muriel slipped her hands from beneath Janice’s.
“I hate it when you’re right.” She plucked at the collar of her dress. “That hateful ghost has made me quite cross. And I intend to tell it that if it dares to show itself again.”
Janice did smile then, knowing full well Muriel wouldn’t do any such thing. For all their bravado, each of them was sufficiently kowtowed by the spiteful cloud.
Muriel gave a busted sigh, bringing Janice’s attention back to the matter at hand.
“Well, sitting here won’t get the thing done,” she remarked, rising. She padded across the carpet and was gone before Janice could offer a heartfelt thank you.
Leaning back, all bravery gone now that her task had been accomplished, Janice sighed. It would soon be over. They’d be going home. A tear welled up suddenly, saturating her lower eyelid. No tears, she chastised herself, swiping at the bead. The time for crying is long past. Another tear followed the first and soon Janice found herself continuously dabbing at her wet cheeks. Janice Marie Mignon Kelly, you are the stupidest of fools. Just because you have to sacrifice every shred of decency in you and make love to the handsomest, most infuriating man you’ve ever met … her thoughts derailed instantly. Heavens, that wasn’t why she was crying at all. She wasn’t crying because of what she had to do. She was crying because she wouldn’t recall one wonderful minute of doing it.
• • •
“Driving yourself this way is foolish, Adrian.”
Warm fingers descended on Adrian’s collar and probed the cords along his neck. Adrian dropped his head forward, enjoying Muriel’s fingers as they massaged a knotted ridge along his upper back.
“I feel so useless,” he stated. He stole a peek at the comatose woman alongside the ottoman where he sat. “I know she can’t see or hear me, but I at least have to prove to myself I didn’t abandon her.”
The fingers dug deeper into his flesh, massaging a stubborn kink.
“Ginger knows, Adrian. She trusts you completely.”
Adrian raised his head at the comment, his lips curling to a sneer.
“She’ll never speak to me again when this is over. And she’d be a fool if she did. I had no right to bring her with me. I just couldn’t face this reunion alone. Damn my egotistical pride!”
The fingers on his neck paused and soon, Adrian saw a flash of pink. When he looked up, Muriel was settling in a chair in front of him.
“You brought Ginger along to entertain Lloyd’s guests. It was exceedingly smart on your part to do it. So if you want me to feel sorry for you because things haven’t turned out as you expected, let me tell you right now, I won’t do it. None of us had any choice in this arrangement. We were all called to this moment, for good or ill.”
“One of God’s never-ending jokes on mankind,” Adrian quipped, then fell silent as a disapproving frown appeared on Muriel’s brow. He inspected her clouded expression closely. He hoped his own was guarded because he didn’t want her to see how worried he was by her appearance and words. She looked drained. The wrinkles along her cheekbone seemed more pronounced than he remembered. Take a look in the mirror, he chided himself at once. You might be surprised by your own face. Living through hell on earth tends to age one quickly, he informed his alter-ego. Still, he hoped his face wasn’t as easy to read as Muriel’s. Something was on her mind. She was staring at him with the same intensity as he was at her.
“Has something happened?” he asked, when Muriel continued to keep her own counsel.
“Janice wants me to convince you it is necessary fo
r you and her to separate from the rest of us.”
Adrian felt a tremor explode deep in the pit of his stomach.
“Has the woman gone completely insane? We can’t split up. It’s out of the question.”
“Is it because you are afraid to be alone with her, Adrian?”
“What!” Adrian barely kept his seat but managed to put a leash on his temper. What was Janice concocting against him now? He had apologized to her for being a surly bastard. What more did she want from him? He shot Muriel a heated glare. “Has Janice been black mouthing me to you, Muriel?”
“Of course not. You know she never would. I merely asked that question because Janice sincerely thinks that if you two separate from the rest of us, Lisette will follow and the rest of us will be safe.”
“She’s right of course. That will happen. But that also leaves both of us in a potentially dangerous position.”
“Yes,” Muriel agreed. “Janice believes the ghosts will quickly take over your physical bodies. She believes Lisette intends to consummate her love for the baron, thereby releasing both their souls.”
“And do you believe that?” Adrian asked, surprised to find himself banking on her answer. No, he chastised himself, he was really seeking her approval.
“The idea has merit, although I wouldn’t admit as much to Janice. She’s quite the bravest woman I’ve met in years. It’s not every woman who would sacrifice herself to a man to save people who were unknown to her only several hours ago.”
Adrian’s mood blackened and a deep scowl etched his eyebrows.
“Don’t you mean it’s not every woman who would sacrifice herself to me to save lives?”
“No, I didn’t mean that at all,” Muriel intervened. “I think you are quite the bravest man I’ve met next to Jasper.”
Adrian felt his lips twitch unexpectedly.
“Well, at least I’m in good company.”
“Be serious, Adrian. I need to know what you think. I’ve told Janice you won’t do it.”
“And I won’t.”
“Yes,” Muriel nodded at him. “You strike me as a man who relishes the feel of a woman. I don’t think your manly pride could stand making love to an unconscious woman.”
Adrian’s lips twitched to a broad grin.
“Guilty on all counts.” He found himself sobering suddenly. “And I don’t relish making love to a woman when I don’t know I’m doing it.”
“Exactly,” Muriel concurred, “then we’re both agreed. You and Janice will stay with the rest of us.” Adrian found himself nodding, although he wished he hadn’t when Muriel’s next words washed over him. “You’ll have to tell Janice. I haven’t the heart. I don’t think she will take it well. She seems sure that this is the only way to end this predicament. I’m not sure I don’t agree with her.”
“I’m not making love to Janice,” Adrian stated flatly.
“Yes, I can see you’ve quite made up your mind.” Muriel eased herself from the chair and Adrian came to his feet, gently taking her elbow. As he did so, she slanted a peek at him. “You know, of course, when you tell her, it will end any chance you have of winning her?”
“Winning her? “ He looked down at the eyes boring into his.
“She’ll never forgive you. And when the rest of us become victims like Ginger, she’ll do everything in her power to see that you pay for it.”
“Is she as bloodthirsty as all that?”
“This is not a laughing matter, Adrian. Think carefully before you turn down Janice’s suggestion. If, as she says, we are taken down like Ginger one by one, the result will be the same. You and she will be left alone to face Lisette and the baron.”
Adrian gripped Muriel’s elbow tighter.
“I’ll talk to her. I’ll judge for myself whether she’s got a point or not.”
“And if she does?”
“We’ll separate from the rest of you.” A long sigh emanated and Adrian sucked in his own breath. “No promises, Muriel. I think my answer will be the same. I’ll not make love to Janice.”
“Not even to save my life or Jasper’s?”
An ice-cold chill trickled up Adrian’s spine. Put so baldly, his words proved him to be a horse’s ass, uncaring and unfeeling. Did Muriel think him that way?
“I don’t intend you or Jasper to come to harm, Muriel. You have my word on it.”
Muriel gave a grave nod.
“Janice knows you far better than you realize. She said you’d do the right thing.” Adrian chuckled, and hearing his amusement, Muriel urged, “Now, don’t make me cross, Adrian. My part in this discussion is ended. You and Janice must make the decisions from here.”
“You’re washing your hands of us, eh?” He stepped forward and Muriel did the same.
“I should say so. Old folks should leave young folks to work out problems by themselves.”
“Yes, Grandma,” Adrian mocked. “Well, let’s go and see if we can convince Janice to give up this hysterical crap she’s suggesting.”
“I hope you’re going to be more subtle than that with her.”
“Of course.”
He saw her skeptical glance and pinched her arm good-naturedly.
“Trust me, Muriel. I’ll be discretion itself. C’mon.”
Chapter 19
SATURDAY — 4:30 AM
What was keeping Muriel? Surely a simple yes didn’t take a full five minutes. He was refusing to agree to her plan. That was all there was to it. Janice choked back a despairing sob, willing herself not to cry again. What would she do if Adrian refused? Lord, she hadn’t figured on that. She’d strike out on her own, that’s what. Then Adrian would have to follow her. Her runaway thoughts stopped in midstream as Janice felt nauseous at the thought of traveling the house alone. No, she wasn’t going anywhere in the house alone. No one could make her. As if to prove it, she snuggled deeper into the folds of her chair. Absently, she began to pluck at the textured arm. There had to be a way to convince Adrian she was right.
“How long have you been playing nursemaid?”
The crabby question startled Janice. Her head shot up and whipped around. Probing eyes met hers and she immediately sprang from her chair in relief. Across the way, Jasper shot to his feet, charging around the bedpost directly opposite her. In a flash, he was bending over Lloyd.
“How are you feeling?”
“As if the top of my head has been sawed off,” Lloyd exclaimed. “How long have I been out?”
Janice’s hand glided through the air to his shoulder.
“About thirty minutes.”
He gave another muttered groan and let his head sink deeper into the pillows. Janice knew he was experiencing the same feeling of disorientation and time lag as the rest of them.
“Feels like a century,” he remarked. He swiveled his head to keep Janice in view. A bleak look came into his eyes and he raked his fingers through his hair as if trying to push something aside. Seeing the movement, Janice tensed, steeling herself for the possibility of a recurring attack of madness. Madness was tricky, she knew. It could come and go at will, like the cushioning silence of fog. “Did I hurt anyone?” The question was sane and sensible and Janice felt an instant spark of relief. Lloyd couldn’t be going mad if he was worried about harming them.
“No,” Janice assured him quickly. “No one is hurt.”
“Thank God!” His relief was immense and so was Janice’s. For a brief moment, she felt invincible. Lloyd had beaten the evil mist at its own game, and if Lloyd could come back from the brink, there was hope for each of them when their turn came.
“Do you remember anything at all?” Jasper asked, dropping onto the edge of the bed and studying Lloyd’s face.
“I heard a snap in my head, followed by a tremendous flood of hate and an insatiable desi
re to kill someone … anyone … everything goes blank from there,” he finished.
“Are the voices still bothering your head, Lloyd?” Janice asked, trying to keep the conversation light and away from murders and mutilations.
“No, they’ve gone.” He rolled over and propped himself on his elbow and Janice saw him survey the shadows again. “I’ve got to see Ginger,” he muttered, suddenly. Again, Janice pushed him down into the pillows.
“Ginger’s fine, Lloyd. She’s in no pain.”
“It’s all my fault,” he stressed, grasping her fingers and pushing them away from his chest. “Don’t coddle me as if I need babysitting. I’m back among the living again. I won’t hurt you.” He struggled to a sitting position and Janice took a step back, stung by his sharpness.
“I never thought you would, Lloyd.”
He didn’t believe her. Janice could see it in the set of his chin and the scrutiny of his gaze on her face. His next words confirmed it.
“I’m no fool. You all think I planned this damn insanity — brought you here for it.”
“Lloyd, I assure you none of us believes that for a moment,” Janice stated.
“Janice is right,” Jasper added. “None of us believes this is your fault.”
“Lloyd, how wonderful to see you awake.” Janice turned, suppressing a sigh as Muriel breezed through the doorway and charged the bed, pleasure written all over her face at the sight of Lloyd sitting up and chatting. Rounding the bedpost, she flicked her fingers at Janice, who slid gracefully from the bed. “You’re looking much better, Lloyd,” she said. “We were so frightened for you. How are you feeling?”
He was ready with a curt reply.
“Spaced out.”
“Yes, well, you have a right to be. Your mind has certainly taken you for a ride.”
Janice saw Lloyd nod again and his shoulders slouched as he commented brusquely.
“I’m tired.”
“Of course you are,” Muriel soothed, “that’s why you’re going to take another short nap.” She reached for the coverlet and he started to object but her clucking defiance cut him off. Capitulating, he dragged his body back to the center of the bed, gave them all a brief smile, turned his head and closed his eyes.
