Ashes of Roses Read online

  Miles laughed. He apparently found that quite funny.

  “And what if you discovered I was that stranger?” he smiled.

  “I’d still barricade the door,” I replied. “You’re a stranger, who knows what you might do! Good luck trying to leave with it nailed shut. You’d have no choice but to stay.”

  Miles laughed even harder, at that.

  “Resorting to force will not be necessary, I assure you,” he smiled, but Miles’ voice wasn’t the only one I heard.

  I felt dizzy, and everything wavered in and out of focus.

  “Honey? What is it?” Miles asked in concern, but he sounded far away. He looked far away, too, then faded, as someone else grew more distinct. Then Miles was kneeling on the floor in front of my chair, anxiety lining his forehead, as he held my face in his hands.

  “That was—weird,” was all I could come up with.

  Miles looked cautiously relieved.

  “What happened? It’s like you were somewhere else, for a moment.”

  “Was I?” I frowned, and Miles’ eyebrows knit with fresh concern.

  “You never left the chair physically,” he said cautiously. “And again, what happened?”

  “I heard you, but I heard someone else too, saying the same thing. Then your image faded, as someone else’s grew stronger,” I tried to explain.

  That concerned Miles as much as it did me, and he rubbed his forehead.

  “I’m really wishing the dog was here,” he admitted. “Did you sense or feel any darkness, or anything like that at all?”

  “No,” I replied. “But… maybe it’s jet lag. It’s been a long day, and…”

  Miles wasn’t buying it, either. But, he was willing to pretend along with me.

  “Maybe,” he said, and gently kissed my forehead.

  I’m pretty sure he was hoping for signs of fever. He didn’t find any.

  “Was the voice male, or female?”

  “It was a guy’s voice,” I answered.

  “Did it belong to the image you saw?”

  “I can’t say for sure,” I thought. “I assumed it was his.”

  “Did you recognize him?”

  I thought some more.

  “The image was never as sharp as yours… his hair was different. He was wearing a suit, maybe. I’m pretty sure he had on a vest.”

  “Hm. What was it he said, exactly?” Miles asked. “The same thing I did, but what was that?”

  “‘Resorting to force will not be necessary, I assure you’,” I replied.

  Miles’ eyebrows knit as he pondered that.

  “You said his hair was different. Different than what?”

  “Different than yours, in style. I think the color was the same. It was hard to tell. He looked like you, sort of, but not. I wish I could remember. I was kind of in shock.”

  “I know the feeling,” Miles said.

  “It’s too bad this didn’t happen to someone else,” I frowned. “If they lied about it, I bet I’d get a lot more.”

  “But, you know not to try that, and risk injuring your ability,” Miles reminded me. “It’s alright, you don’t know that the memory would become clearer, if you did. Or that it even matters.”

  “That’s right, I am really tired,” I quickly replied.

  “It’s not unheard of for people to hallucinate when they’re sleep deprived,” Miles said.

  “That’s the truth,” I confirmed.

  “So first, let’s eat,” Miles proposed. “After that, we’ll get some rest.”

  “I’m all for that,” I agreed, and we hugged for several seconds. We both needed the reassurance. Miles kissed me, which was even more reassuring, then he loaded two plates, and I fixed two cups of tea. If not for my time at the estate with Grandma Polly, I’d have no idea what to do with the loose leaves. Or maybe I’d guess they belonged inside the hinged, slotted spoon. I was thankful I didn’t have to figure it out on my own, anyway.

  Miles moved his chair as close to mine as he could without stacking them, and handed me a plate. I handed him a teacup, and he took the opportunity to pray. There were lots of things to be thankful for, safe travel and food, to name but two. He also asked for wisdom in whatever we might encounter.

  I felt much better, after that. We both did. It was comforting, knowing we had the ultimate Superhero on our side.

  I had a feeling that once again, we were going to need Him.

  Chapter 5

  I woke to the quiet patter of rain against the windows, and the hiss of the radiator. I hoped that meant it was working, and that the room no longer felt like a freezer. Curled up against Miles, buried in blankets, with the bed curtains pulled shut, it was impossible to tell one way or the other.

  There was a faint tapping sound, and I strained my ears. Did radiators do more than hiss?

  There it was again, a little louder this time.

  “I think someone’s at the door,” I said quietly, and Miles stirred.

  “I’ll check,” he replied, as he sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. Not because he was stressed, but because we’d been asleep for the past couple of hours.

  “Wait,” I said, as I grabbed his arm.

  His eyebrows knit.

  I looked back at him solemnly.

  “You answer that door, they’ll know you strayed from your space, into mine.”

  Miles laughed. He also rolled his eyes at me, and went anyway.

  It was freezing outside the covers, compared to underneath. If the room was any warmer than before, it wasn’t by much. As I followed after Miles, I was tempted to reach for my coat. I rubbed my arms, instead. Between that and the sweater I wore, maybe I could manage without.

  There was indeed someone knocking, because they did so again, as we reached the door. Miles opened it. On the other side stood a young woman in a dark dress, white apron, and cap. She curtsied slightly, and looked to me.

  “Perhaps you’d care to have some ironing, before you dress to meet Sir Edmund and Miss Fairgrave,” she said politely.

  “That would be great,” I replied. I also took her by the elbow, guided her inside, and shut the door. “I’m Anika, and this is my husband, Miles. You can relax, unless there’s a video camera we know nothing about, then I guarantee none of us will. We don’t have servants, we have staff, and they’re extended family as far as we’re concerned. We’ll go along with the house rules while under scrutiny, but would just as soon drop the formal act when no one’s around to keep tabs. So… what’s your name?”

  “Liz,” she replied, and relaxed slightly. “I do hope you won’t be callin’ me by name when the mistress is ‘round. Her, nor Mr. Giles. That’d be the butler. They’d know for sure I told you, if you did.”

  “What about Sir Edmund?” Miles asked.

  “And Miss Fairgrave?” I added.

  “They’ll not be mindin’,” Liz waved away that concern. “Do as you like, and they’ll not be holdin’ us accountable. They’re not so formal theirselves, when it’s just the two of ‘em.”

  “Good to know,” I replied, as I led the way to my suitcases.

  “I’d better unpack also,” Miles said, and kissed my cheek before turning toward the door.

  “Alright, but don’t get too comfortable,” I warned. “I expect you right back in here.”

  “Yes dear,” he smiled, then exited via the bathroom corridor.

  “Are all the rooms split into his and hers?” I asked Liz, as I located the suitcase I wanted, and opened it.

  “Not quite all,” Liz replied. “Only those as were redone, back in the day in which we’re all strivin’ to emulate.”

  “What period would that be?” I asked.

  “Edwardian, I believe it is. I do wonder that this wasn’t first choice when it came to assignin’ rooms, what with it bein’ authentic, and all.”

  “I gathered there was a last minute room change,” I prompted.

  “There was, at that,” Liz confirmed, as she set to work industrious
ly filling the wardrobe with the clothes I packed. “l’ll see all these are ironed before you’re finished dinner. That could be midnight or later, it’s quite formal, you know, and sedate, really. This one’s lovely, you should be wearin’ it tonight.”

  “Thanks, I will,” I replied, and got back on topic. “What was the reason for the room switch?”

  Liz’s forehead furrowed as she lay the dress aside, and hung several others.

  “I really can’t say,” she replied.

  “Is that because you don’t know, or something’s preventing you?” I asked.

  “There was work bein’ done at that end,” Liz replied. “I suppose it’s not ready to be occupied, just yet. All this week’s room assignments were moved this afternoon.”

  “Well… I do like this room,” I said. “I might love it, if it was warmer! Is the radiator actually working?”

  “Not much, I’m afraid,” Liz said regretfully. “I’ll ask Jack to have a look at it, if you like.”

  “That would be great,” I replied. “How about the fireplace? Does it work?”

  Liz looked concerned.

  “I’m afraid most chimneys’ve been blocked.”

  “Wow, that’s too bad. Is it true you’re expected to face the wall if you see the Carlisles, and their guests?”

  “Oh yes, that,” Liz laughed. “It took a bit of gettin’ used to, but it’s second nature, now. Turned my back on my Mum, I did, last time I visited. She took it well, I’m glad to say, knowin’ all about the rulebook. Had a good bit of a laugh over it, we did.”

  “There’s a rulebook?” I asked, as I lifted the last of the clothing out of the last of the suitcases.

  “Oh, yes,” Liz declared. “We’d none of us know our places otherwise, it not comin’ natural in this day and age to be so subservient, and all. It’s right thick with all the do’s an don’ts, an not only for those of us as are here servin’. The family, an guests too, there’s rules enough to go around, an then some.”

  “What are the chances we’ll find ourselves the recipients of one of these rulebooks?” I asked.

  “So long as you play the part, you’ll see hide nor hair of it,” Liz assured me. “The countess, now. There’s one as won’t. Aloof, she is. Can’t be bothered to acknowledge much of anyone, certainly not those of us as are only workin’ here. Just be ignorin’ us as though we’re quite invisible, and don’t be feelin’ you need to be thankin’ us for anythin’. No one’ll be takin’ offense. You’re playin’ a role, same as all of us. If you forget, you needn’t worry Lady Carlisle’ll be callin’ you out on it. She’ll be real polite, which is even worse, if you ask me. Not that I’m speakin’ from direct experience, mind you. That’d require her ladyship acknowledge the existence of a lower servant, an that’d be breakin’ master an family rule number five, I do believe. It’s Mr. Giles does the communicatin’, which sounds more pleasant than it is, more often than not. He’s that serious, I feel as though I’m facin’ the gallows when he finds I need correctin’. Born in the wrong century, he was.”

  Miles returned, a formal suit and white shirt draped over his arm.

  “I’ll see to that as well, if you like,” Liz offered.

  “Thank you, I’d appreciate that,” Miles replied, and handed it over.

  “I won’t be a minute,” Liz declared, and promptly left.

  It was just an expression, but I heard the truth anyway. She would be back in the time it took to steam our garments, which meant we had about thirty minutes. It was a long walk to the laundry, and back!

  That gave us time to move Miles’ suitcases to the room now known as ours, get him unpacked, and answer the door when Jack knocked. I don’t know what his job title would’ve been in the Edwardian period, but by the time he left, the radiator was wrangled into submission and beginning to take the chill from the air. We thanked him profusely, to which he grinned his pleasure, and asked us to pretend we didn’t know him, should Mr. Giles and Lady Carlisle be within earshot. As he was on his way out, Liz was on her way back in, with our wrinkle-free evening attire in tow. More thanks were said, then it was time for us to dress for our before-dinner meeting with Sir Edmund, and Ashley Fairgrave.

  The air no longer felt chilled, but I appreciated the warmth of the velvety, dark green fabric of my fitted, calf-length, wrap bodice dress. I smoothed the long sleeves, and felt satisfaction. The matching wrap was an additional layer of protection, should the lounge and dining room prove too cool for comfort. I slid my feet into the closed toe, velvet heels that matched my dress, and admired the glitter of their diamond accents. My bracelet also sparkled in the light, as did my diamond cluster earrings, as I removed them from my jewel case. Under ordinary circumstances, I can’t imagine feeling comfortable traveling with such priceless family heirlooms, but with Miles and his extremely handy force fields, there was no risk of loss by any means. The diamonds and rubies in my wedding and engagement rings cast rainbows of light across the vanity, as I unlatched the case containing my diamond cluster necklace. Not even a brightly lit chandelier could come close to achieving the level of brilliance achieved by the Bannerman heirloom jewels.

  “Need help?” Miles asked, as he finished fastening his cuff links.

  “I would love some,” I replied, as he reached for my necklace, and fastened it around my neck.

  “Mm, you smell so good,” I almost swooned, and he laughed as he caught me. I turned in his arms, and looked up at him. “You look good, too. The color of my dress brings out the green in your eyes.”

  “Then in order to look my best, might I suggest you stay as close to me as possible,” Miles said, with one of those melting looks he’s so good at.

  “I absolutely will,” I melted.

  All too soon, my phone’s alarm reminded us we best get back to getting ready. We reluctantly put off further kissing for later.

  Miles reached for his jacket, and I sat at the vanity to put the finishing touches to my hair and makeup. As I did so, I admired the highly polished surface of the beautiful antique, and the delicate roses and trailing vines carved around the beveled mirror. How many Bannerman women sat here over the years, just as I was, now? I grew dreamy as I imagined visiting long ago, dressing for dinner, or a ball.

  “If I neglected to say so earlier, my darling… you are absolutely breathtaking,” Miles said, and I smiled back at his reflection.

  “Indeed you did say so, once or twice or more, but do not let that stop you from doing so whenever the fancy takes you.”

  Miles laughed softly.

  “Then I fear I shall say little else.”

  I smiled, and turned back to my reflection. But the brown eyes looking back at me, weren’t mine.

  I gasped and scrambled backward, my tight skirt impeding my getaway, and fell right over the back of the stool. Miles, his quick reflexes, and superpowers, spared me an unforgiving landing on the hardwood floor. He reached me almost instantly, and assisted me in scrambling further away from whoever that was! Or whatever! I had no idea!

  “Honey, what?” Miles exclaimed in alarm, as he clutched my shoulders, and followed my gaze.

  “There’s somebody in there!” I gasped, as I gripped his jacket, and my heart offered to speed right out of my chest. “Oh my goodness, there’s somebody in there!”

  “Who?” Miles demanded sharply. I wasn’t the only one freaking out here! Because this was freaky!

  “I don’t know, she had brown eyes,” I answered, because… she was gone. The only faces looking back at us now, were ours.

  “What else?” Miles prompted.

  “She was about my age, long brown hair, all pinned up. She was dressed like she lived a long time ago!”

  “But she wasn’t you,” Miles wanted clarified.

  “No, it wasn’t me!” I declared. “Different eyes, different hair, different outfit, and I’m pretty sure after all these years, I know my own face!”

  “Okay, but something very strange is going on here,” Miles replied. �
��What you saw and heard earlier, and why did you say what you did? The way you said it?”

  “I don’t know, why did you say what you did, the way you said it?” I fired back.

  “I don’t know, habit? It’s how I talked for over a hundred years, and something about this place is bringing it back. The accents, probably. What was her expression? Troubled, scared…”

  I frowned as I tried to recall the memory that was dulled by panic.

  “Happy,” I remembered.

  “Happy,” Miles replied. “Would that be in a good way, or bad?”

  “She didn’t look sinister,” I was glad to realize. “I’m not sure she saw me.”

  “Really,” Miles said, and we both relaxed slightly. “But—you really did see something. You’re sure.”

  “I wouldn’t fling myself backwards off a stool at all, certainly not in this dress, if I wasn’t,” I replied as I felt of my skirt, and wondered how easy it would be to locate a stapler around here. I was thankful to find my seams were still intact.

  “Okay. What about earlier? Did the guy you saw, see you?”

  “I… don’t know that he didn’t,” I said. “I don’t know that he did, though.”

  “Okay,” Miles relaxed a little more, and we hugged each other. “Whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out.”

  “In the meantime, sharing a twin size bed is sounding better and better,” I shivered.

  “Right… although, the wardrobe in the other room has a much larger mirror than this,” Miles pointed out.

  I frowned as I considered that.

  “You’re right. It’s big enough, someone could step right through.”

  Miles raised an eyebrow.

  “I never thought of you as cruel, before. Not very.”

  I couldn’t help laughing a little, which relieved my nerves, somewhat.

  “Nothing can break through your forcefields,” I reminded him. “Except Trixie.”