LOGINShare
Kelly
Last Updated:
2021-02-25 01:34:35Meg’s eyes grew wide with dismay as Mildred scooted her chair out and tossed her napkin on the table in front of her, giving her daughter one last callous look as she did so. It had never occurred to her that her father would actually disapprove of what she had been doing. After all, she wouldn’t have been driven to do any of those things if he had still been there to protect her, to keep her safe from the monster and her own mother.
She kept her vow of not crying when there was any chance someone might see her and swallowed back her tears. The lumpy porridge looked completely unappealing now, and she was certain any toast she put in her mouth would catch in her throat and choke her to death. Since she’d heard Tessa go out the back a few moments ago, she knew the coast was clear to do yet another thing her mother detested, though it hadn’t been on the list, and she took her dishes out into the yard and fed the scraps to her uncle’s hounds.
Related chapters
Ghosts of Southampton Weakness
Giving the book another longing glance, she sat down at her table and pulled out her mathematics book. It was by far her worst subject, but she thought, if she wanted to impress a new governess, she should likely study it a bit more. Young women didn’t have to know nearly as much about calculations and sums as young men, but she’d be expected to know something about how numbers worked. She felt like such a failure every time she attempted to do a simple long division calculation. Whenever she began to court, she would make sure that all the young men she accepted invitations from could do their computations so that she wouldn’t have to.“That does not look very exciting at all,” Kelly said from just behind her. Meg hadn’t heard her come in and startled a bit at the unfamiliar voice. “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to frighten you.”“Not at all,” Meg said. Being frightened was a weakness, and she had
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Prepatory
New York CityThe view from his room in the New York Preparatory School was not nearly as appealing as the one in his study at home, which was actually quite helpful when it came time for Charlie to complete his assignments. Despite Walter’s constant invitations, he generally chose to stay indoors and do his work, even during the times when the young men were allowed to go outside and have a bit of fun in the yard. Today in particular, he was much more apt to stay inside and finish his history assignment. The temperature was near freezing and there was a thin layer of snow on the ground. However, Walter was persistent, and for some reason, Charlie decided that the only way he was ever going to stop Walter’s pestering was to finally give in and head outdoors, promising himself he’d only stay for a bit and would head back in as soon as he possibly could.Though his school didn’t have a football team, one of the other young men was fond of the spor
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Clean
Southampton“The curtains need to be cleaned,” Mildred Westmoreland instructed as she walked through the parlor, Tessa and a new girl, Sarah, close behind her. “Take them all down, take them outside, and beat them until the dust is all gone. Do you understand?”“Yes, madam,” Tessa replied with a nod.“How do we get them down?” Sarah asked, but a sharp elbow from Tessa silenced her, and if Mrs. Westmoreland had heard, the question was ignored.“This floor is never clean anymore. Sarah, if you must get down and scrub it, then do so,” the mistress of the house continued. “I’m tired of having ladies over for tea only to see them grimace at the floorboards.”“Yes, madam,” Sarah answered, learning her lesson from the last time.“When you are finished with that, come and check with me. I have a few other oddities that need to be attended to. I believe wh
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Explanation
Mildred let out a deep sigh and leaned back in her borrowed chair. Though she was still attempting to look bored and uninterested, Meg could see fear behind her eyes. “Your father and John Ashton were good friends. They were college roommates. I suppose Charles would like to meet you because his father must speak of your father often.”“This letter says, ‘I do hope that you will write me back soon. If we are to have a future together, I should like to get to know you as soon as possible. Since you’ve not answered my first several letters, I am beginning to wonder if I’ve done something wrong.’ What is he talking about, Mother?”“I honestly don’t know,” Mildred replied, straightening her back and looking down her nose at her daughter. “I suppose I could have your uncle look into it next time he journeys overseas….”“You have other letters from Charles to me, don’t you
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Delivery
“Mary Margaret,” Uncle Bertram called, rapping on the door and stepping in slightly. He looked at Kelly and then stopped in the doorway, as if he didn’t want the lady-in-waiting to see him enter Meg’s room.“Yes, Uncle,” she called, standing, her eyes on the floor.“Your mother asked me to give you these.”She glanced up to see several envelopes in his hand. She could tell from across the room that none of them had even been opened.Kelly jumped up out of her seat and made her way across the room to retrieve them. “Thank you, sir,” she said as she took them from him.While Meg wanted to ask why they were never given to her in the first place and why it was okay for her to have them now, she didn’t do so. “Thank you, Uncle,” she said, dropping her eyes back to the floor.She watched as his heavy shoes turned, thankful that he was leaving. But a few steps out into th
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Lilacs
SouthamptonMeg had found solace beneath the lilac bushes in the backyard. She hadn’t come here for years, though when she was smaller, on occasion, she would hide here. The sound of shouting from the house had driven her outside, and even though she knew it was for a good cause, the idea that someone else was being punished for what she had done was enough to make her sick to her stomach.She was fairly certain Kelly would find her soon, though she was still supposed to be studying with Ms. Cunningham. The sound of her uncle berating Wilma downstairs, and then obviously striking her, had sent Meg running down the back stair case. Ms. Cunningham was young and inexperienced—nothing like Ms. Strickland—and whenever Meg ran or hid from her, she never bothered to go hunt her down.A few minutes later, Meg watched as Wilma came through the back door, her tattered garment bag in one hand, the hand of her young daughter, Angelina, in the other. Even f
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Family
New York CityWith high school nearly at an end, Charlie was glad to be back at home for one final weekend before his end of term exams. Then, he’d have the summer off before he attended Harvard in the fall. Though it had been a difficult decision for him to make, his father assured him that Harvard’s business program was one of the best in the country, and if he wouldn’t be attending his father’s alma mater, then Harvard was the next best thing.Walter would be attending New York City University, and Charlie was a bit concerned about not having any friends at his new school, though he did know of a few others from his school who would be attending. It wouldn’t be the same not having Walter around, but his mother had recently taken ill, and he wanted to stay close to home. Charlie had also considered NYCU but in the end, he just didn’t feel there were many schools in the same league as Harvard, and NYCU certainly didn’t meet th
Last Updated : 2021-02-25Ghosts of Southampton Ball
SouthamptonMeg pulled up to the large estate in her uncle’s motor coach, which he insisted on driving himself despite her mother’s embarrassment at having Mr. Bitterly sit beside him in the front seat as if the auto was his, and stared at all of the finely dressed people.She had never been to a ball before, but now that she was fifteen, she would be allowed to attend, though there were certain rules she had to follow as she had not yet had her own coming out party. She absently wondered what the point of that might be since she was already promised to someone, but as she took the offered hand of a young man dressed in high-fashioned servant’s clothes and made her way out of the backseat of her uncle’s prized possession, her focus was on the people, the lights, the music, and the dancing.She could hear the musicians from outside. The house was lit so spectacularly, one might think it was daytime. Though the majority of the lighting was
Last Updated : 2021-02-25
Latest chapter
Ghosts of Southampton Love
She’d been in Charlie’s bedroom a few times before, but this time was certainly different. Butterflies fluttered around her stomach, some of the nervous variety, but most of them fueled by excitement.They were sitting on the edge of his bed, the door closed and locked, the drapes pulled tightly. She knew that there were a few servants elsewhere in the house, but they would leave the couple undisturbed at least until mid-morning. Glancing up at him, she could see that he felt much the same way that she did.“It turned out quite well, don’t you think?” Charlie asked, clearly meaning the wedding.“Yes,” Meg nodded.“Even though a few guests certainly had too much to drink.”She giggled, thinking of one older gentleman who had made quite a spectacle of himself trying to climb atop one of the tables to dance. He had been escorted out, but Meg was thankful for the diversion. For once, everyone wasn&r
Ghosts of Southampton Married
Ruth looked adorable in her pink dress, which hung to the floor, nearly tripping her as she danced around her parents. Kelly had stood beside Meg, along with Grace, and Charlie had been proud to have both Walter—who turned out to be every bit as silly as Charlie had described—and Quincy on his side.Now, it was all over, except for the reception. Then, Meg would return to Charlie’s house—the house they would share together—and embark on a new adventure, that of being Mrs. Charles Ashton.“Meg Ashton,” she said aloud, once the last of the well-wishers had moved along. “What do you think?”Charlie was already grinning from ear to ear, but his face brightened even more. “I think it sounds remarkable.”“That’s my name now, you know? Meg Ashton.”“What about Mary Margaret Ashton?” he asked, leaning close to her ear.“Heaven’s no. That&rsquo
Ghosts of Southampton Progress
Sitting next to Meg alone in the overly opulent dining room, Charlie couldn’t help but smile. Even though the voices still clung to him, he had a feeling Dr. Morgan could actually help. For the first time since he’d arrived back in New York City, he felt hopeful that he could return to his former self.“You look awfully chipper this evening,” Meg said, as she took a sip of her soup. “I suppose that means Dr. Morgan was helpful?”“It does,” Charlie admitted, noting how lovely she looked in the light blue gown she wore. It made her eyes sparkle. “He really does know precisely what to ask and how to ask it.”“Are you studying him as much as he’s studying you?” she asked, amusement pulling at the corners of her exquisite lips.He looked at her for a moment, his head tipped to the side a bit, seeing if she would break into a giggle. She did. “And what if I am?”&ld
Ghosts of Southampton Help
Dr. Morgan’s office was on the third floor of a five story building, nestled between two similar looking offices, and Charlie attempted to be discreet as he slipped inside for the first time. He knew that the field of psychiatry was growing in acceptance, yet he didn’t necessarily want to make an announcement to the world that he needed help. However, the accompanying chorus of voices that stepped off of the elevator with him was a reminder that he hadn’t been capable of getting better on his own.The receptionist was an older woman with a nice smile. She asked Charlie to wait one moment while she informed Dr. Morgan that he was there, and though there were a few leather bound chairs to choose from, Charlie chose to stand instead. He peeked beneath the curtains at the few autos and pedestrians traveling about below and wondered if any of those people belonged in here as much as he did.“Mr. Ashton!” Dr. Morgan said, his quiet voice still s
Ghosts of Southampton Gown
Meg sat on a plush sofa in Maurice’s shop near Columbus Circle. From here, she could see the people outside bustling by on a warm June day, and she wondered where they were going and if any of them would mind if she went along. She’d rather be just about anywhere else.“I like the taffeta,” Grace was saying, “though with that tulle underneath, it seems a bit too… poofy, don’t you think?”It wasn’t Meg she was speaking to, so she remained silent, watching a plump, older woman proceed down the sidewalk with a little boy who she believed might be the woman’s grandson. He seemed reluctant to walk, and Meg imagined they must have had a disagreement. Perhaps he wanted a snack from one of the many street vendors, and Grandmother had said no….“Meg? Are you listening?”She turned her head to see Pamela addressing her. “I’m sorry—were you speaking to me?”
Ghosts of Southampton Analysis
“The brain is still quite a mystery,” Dr. Morgan was saying as he sat across from Charlie in a plush velvet chair, Dr. Shaw seated nearby. Circles of smoke lingered around them from the cigars of several dozen gentlemen seated in similar groupings, discussing business and other inconsequentialities. Jonathan and Edward were sitting across the room, and Charlie glanced in his friend’s direction every once in a while, noting that he seemed unusually amused about something.“I’ve been reading Freud’s theories of psychoanalysis,” Charlie said with a nod. “Do you think there’s any truth to his findings? Particularly regarding the unconscious mind?”Dr. Morgan nodded. “I can’t say that I completely agree with all that Freud has to say, but I do with his theory that the unconscious mind plays a larger role in our actions than we previously understood.”“Do you believe memories can be tr
Ghosts of Southampton Encounter
The First Class dining experience aboard the passenger liner they’d booked the next day to take them home was nothing compared to Titanic, and the ship was much smaller, which made the rocking more obvious, but as Meg sat next to Charlie at dinner, she was just happy to have him with her. She had been right in thinking he’d be more at ease on the way home.They’d insisted on having Jonathan and Carrie accompany them, and no one had objected. Dr. Shaw belonged there with them as much as anyone else, but Meg enjoyed watching Carrie’s face as others served her for a change, and Meg thought she looked lovely in one of her gowns.They’d spoken at great length about all that had transpired, and yet, from time to time, someone would still muse aloud, bringing the most astounding topics back to the conversation. Meg hadn’t allowed herself to shed a single tear for either Bertram or her mother, and she was hopeful that Ezra would get
Ghosts of Southampton Over
Mildred only raised her eyebrows at Charlie but didn’t say a word about his blunt statement of what Meg certainly saw as the truth. “I shall go upstairs and fetch Bertram for you,” Mildred said, glancing at the detective before she turned to ascend the stairs. “It will give me the opportunity to say goodbye to him privately.”Meg was certain that last comment was a jab at her, her mother implying what Meg had always known was true, that the relationship between her mother and uncle was more than either of them were ever willing to admit to, but Meg ignored it. The emotions running through her mind were too much, even for her carefully guarded compartments, and she felt like she might begin to crumble at any moment.“Miss Westmoreland, we are prepared to take your statement whenever you are ready,” the detective said quietly, a weak smile pulling at one corner of his mouth out of politeness.“Give her a few moments,
Ghosts of Southampton Considerations
They began to make their way through the kitchen, and Meg noticed Tessa had moved on to some sort of baking. She offered a smile but said nothing as they passed through. Meg made a mental note to make sure that Tessa received enough money that she wouldn’t have to work anymore. It was the least she could do for the woman who’d served her mother and put up with her uncle for so long.Mildred was standing in the foyer speaking to an officer Meg didn’t recognize. The other officers Det. Weber had mentioned must have arrived, because several men in uniforms stood both inside the entryway and on the porch. Officer Brown was speaking to the ones on the porch, and Meg decided to wait for him to notice her rather than announce her presence and be forced to get on with her report of what happened with her uncle any sooner than necessary.“Mary Margaret,” Mildred said, turning to face her daughter. “You’ve returned. Did you get everythin
