The Hawkthorn Ghost Plays Cupid

by Patty Deans

  "Sir, I can't just float into a bush."

  "Open the door," he demanded his voice growing stronger.

  She reached in, felt a knob and turned it. She heard a loud thump as the squeaky- hinged door swung in. Without any idea where she was headed, she turned sideways to squeeze between the scratchy bushes. The foggy figure led. She limped along a narrow, covered walkway, wondering where it might lead. Away from the winds that swirl in the maze, she felt warmer, yet she couldn't stop trembling with the cold. Along the side she felt a rail to hold as she descended the steep ramp. There were surprisingly few cobwebs. Above her head, the few rays of moonlight, that again hovered among the darkening sky's clouds, hazily shone through narrow windows. When she noticed a glint off the metal of a candlestick, she stopped and lit the candle. "Where are you, Sir," she called. No one answered.

  With a shrug, she limped onward until she reached a bend where a stairway rose ahead of her. Favoring her weak ankle, wincing from pain, she hobbled up the stairs studying the wood paneling to her left. She must be in the hidden stairway.

  After a long climb, she came to an area about four feet square with an outline of a door. The black leather handle looked worn. When she reached for the handhold, the Old Earl reappeared.

  She gasped. Never before had she seen him so clearly.

  He put his finger over his lips, and pointed to his ear. With his hand he motioned for her not to pull on the door strap, but to slide it a bit.

  Slowly she pushed at the door and when it moved to the side she leaned against the opening. The voice of Robert's governess sounded above her heartbeat.

  "My lord, Lady Julia told me she would stay with Robert and help him wrap his Christmas gifts. Lady Julia told me to pack. I'd been promised the Christmas holiday with me Mum in London."

  "That is as it should be." He cleared his throat. "As you know, Robert is a headstrong boy. Because of that I've hired a male tutor to be with him after Christmas."

  The governess drew in her breath sharply. "You are letting me go, my lord?"

  "No." Julia could hear James shuffling papers. "Robert needs you to read to him at bedtime and see that he eats properly. I'm only lifting some of your duties. Robert is too bright not to be studying Latin and Greek earlier than usual. Your position here is secure."

  "Thank you, my lord."

  "We are pleased with you, Miss Harper."

  "I came down to tell you that Robert is sleeping well and Lady Loretta is with him. Lady Julia arranged to have me taken to the stage coach stop in an hour.

  "We need you tonight, Miss Harper. I've arranged for one of the stable men to drive you to London tomorrow morning. He's visiting his family there and will arrange to drive you back. You need not take the stagecoach. You will be home for Christmas Eve."

  "Thank you, my lord. You're so kind. I'll be glad to sit with Robert all night."

  "Part of the night will be enough. Tell Ellis to let me know the minute they find Julia."

  "Yes, my lord." The sharp click of Miss Harper's heels echoed as she hurried down the hall.

  Julia eased the door open a crack and peeked into the room.

  James reached for the brandy, poured the amber liquid into a crystal snifter and turned toward the fire. "Oh, Julia, where ever did you run?" he murmured as he slumped into the chair.

  She pushed open the sliding door, walked into the library and stood quietly staring at James. "What has happened to Robert?"

  "Julia!" he dropped his glass with brandy on the carpeted floor. In a whiff he had her in his arms. "Are you all right?"

  "Yes," she muttered.

  He pulled the bell. Ellis immediately came to the door. "Lady Julia has returned. Signal the others."

  "Yes my lord." Ellis quickly shut the door behind him.

  Struggling to get out of James' arms, she said, "I believe we embarrassed Ellis. For propriety's sake shouldn't we open the door?"

  "Kiss me," he whispered into her ear.

  Just one more kiss before I leave. Just one last kiss to remember. She brought her lips within an inch of his. She could feel his warm breath, sweet with brandy, mingling with her own. Her skin on fire, her breasts throbbing, she rotated her body closer.

  Within a heartbeat, she no longer thought of the Old Earl, the memory of the maze or even Robert. She had lost her bearings. Her desire for James soared.

  "Open your mouth," he whispered, and she, beyond rational thought, obeyed him without question. The tip of his tongue persuaded her lips further apart, then he gently molded them to his own.

  Her eyes closed, she savored the passionate emotions she scarcely believed existed within her body. Julia continued to float on a cloud after the kiss ended.

  "James," she queried, confused.

  His hands tangled in her hair. "Kiss me again," he repeated softly with a little more force.

  Her hands spread out on his chest, but she allowed him to capture her lips. She melted into him, he released her and cupped her head with both hands, kissing her quickly and urgently.

  Then the blast of the pistol echoed. Julia lurched. "A shot..." The flame in her very soul suddenly cooled and fear embodied her every pour.

  "Just a signal we agreed on if you were found."

  "You were searching for me?" she whispered.

  He let out his breath, and laughed. "Where have you been? You nearly scared the life out of me, Julia."

  "Robert ran away," she whispered.

  "He ran to the brook and fell in!" He heaved a sigh. "One of the stable boys happened by and helped him out. Don't worry -- the boy is being rewarded, and Martha Martin is personally taking care of the lad. He will feast on love, warm milk and tarts. And as for Robert, if it hadn't been so cold, and I hadn't been so worried, I would have marched him back to the brook, dunked him back in right then and taught him to swim."

  Julia drew in her breath and screamed, "Oh, God, is he ill?"

  "Physically he is fit. He is enjoying the care, the love of the staff and Aunt Shredda. Where have you been?" James demanded.

  "In the maze."

  "Robert insisted you were afraid of the maze and would never go there."

  "I thought Robert ran into the maze. I needed to talk to him."

  James stared into her eyes. "What about?"

  "Robert misunderstood...you know children, they demand impossible promises."

  "He told me you planned to leave, that you decided not to marry me. Pray tell me, who you plan to marry?"

  "Didn't anyone ask to marry me?" she blurted out.

  "Seems they thought you were spoken for."

  "I tried to attract them. I flirted. I never claimed to be engaged," she sounded almost pleading.

  "They heard it from my own lips." His hair looked tousled in the candlelight. "You are not immune to my charm, Julia." His voice turned soft and alluring, "I'm not immune to your charms."

  Her breathing became shallower, she needed to get control of herself. But as she studied him her pulse began to pound.

  "Don't I meet with your approval?" His lips twitched with amusement.

  She could feel the heat stealing into her face. "You are quite handsome, my lord."

  He picked her up and tumbled her into his lap and his lips hovered over hers. She swallowed and in a raspy voice asked, "Won't the ones you signaled be returning?"

  "Ellis knows we need privacy to settle our differences. No one will be allowed near this library. His hand brushed the swell of her breasts. He ignored her sharp intake of breath.

  She did not struggle to free herself from his embrace. Later would be soon enough.

  He very softly whispered into her mouth, "You belong to me."

  "I know. I'm your ward," she murmured, closing her eyes. His hands made her body tingle. She never wanted him to stop.

  "I say! You know exactly what I'm talking about." He kissed her neck and ran his finger lightly across her breast.

  Her nipple hardened and she felt breathless. She meant to pull away but
her arms, with minds of their own, clung to him.

  Then he whispered, "I've been waiting for you all my life. I'm not what I wanted for you. But I love you with all my heart."

  "You won't love me when I tell you everything."

  "You have a hidden beau?"

  "No. I heard a noise outside my window the night you first arrived. It frightened me. I hid behind the curtains. I promised Robert I would entice you to marry me so I could stay at Hawkthorn and raise him. Protect him from the Dragon."

  "I know -- "

  "I slipped into the bed just before you woke up," she interrupted. "It took me all night to get up enough nerve. I knew I had only a few minutes before Aunt Shredda would be at the door. She is a woman with habits you can set a clock by. She diluted the cocoa with laudanum, but I didn't drink it."

  "I guessed..."

  She pulled in her breath and continued, "The sun started shining into the room. When I heard Aunt Shredda's footsteps coming down the hall, I slipped into your bed and pulled the covers over me. I tricked you. I cannot let you believe you compromised me."

  She brushed a tear from her eyes. "No one wanted to marry me. I thought someone might want me, maybe in London. I know you have a kind heart and I could not bear to force you to marry me. You should marry a lady you love and respect. Someone you have chosen yourself."

  "I'm delighted to know Aunt Shredda didn't concoct the scheme. She seemed so innocent, and you were always the clever one." He kissed her neck. "I choose you. I love you, Julia, and I want you to marry me."

  "Oh, James, please don't lie to me." She tried to hold back her tears, and push away.

  "I'll tell you the truth." He heaved a sigh and pulled her closer. "I cannot sleep, for I want you in my bed. I cannot eat when you are not with me. I don't deny, you drive me wild. But your mind keeps me alert, and you make everyone happy. Robert loves you. Aunt Shredda adores you. The staff dote on you and protect you from everyone -- including me. The tenants believe you are an angel, and want your blessings. But the most compelling reason of all is, I cannot live without you."

  A warm feeling came over her, she whispered, "I love you."

  He snuggled her deeper into the security of his arms. "The vicar has seen my special license and will marry us tomorrow afternoon before the ball. A special wedding dress arrived today."

  "A wedding dress?"

  "Aunt Shredda thought you should have one."

  "But she promised not to mention we were engaged."

  "She simply reminded me you needed a wedding dress and the address of the dressmaker who had your measurements."

  "How could you...without asking me?"

  "You are my ward. I heard you admit that."

  With her eyes half open, Julia noticed the Old Earl watching. "The Old Earl captured you for me," she whispered.

  "Seems fitting the present earl not let you go," he whispered in her ear and kissed her again and again until his mouth reached her lips. The kiss grew more passionate and she more breathless. While she clung to him, he added, "Robert told me of the Old Earl. Such nonsense must come from your aunt's side."

  "Perhaps the Old Earl only talks to me and Robert. He has a right to haunt the manor, but I don't need any advice from a little boy or a ghost to know my own heart."

  She pulled James closer. Not taking any chances she slid one arm around his back. Her other hand pulled his head down to her lips. Never would she let James go. She winked at the Old Earl who merely nodded before he faded away in the mist.

  "Oh, my Julia, I love you." James whispered in her ear.

  "Forever and ever, my love."

  The End

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