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“How are you?” Kelly asked, ushering them in.
Before Meg had a chance to answer, Ruth, who had been playing on the floor nearby, crashed into her knees, nearly knocking her backward. “Aunt Meg!” the little girl shouted, her red curls bobbing about. “You’ve come to visit at last!”
“Hello, Ruthie,” Meg said, scooping the child into her arms. “It’s so nice to see you.” She squeezed her as tightly as she dared. “How have you been?”
“Good,” Ruth answered, but soon she was wiggling away, her arms outstretched, shouting, “Uncle Charlie!” and Charlie took her out of Meg’s arms, laughing at her excitement.
“If it isn’t my little friend, Ruth. Have you seen any dolphins out your apartment window?” he asked, teasing her.
“No, silly,” Ruth said, wrapping her chubby arms around his neck. “There’s no water ou
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Ghosts of Southampton News
“Have you seen the papers?” Kelly asked, her face quite serious again, and Meg felt her stomach tighten as her friend stared into her eyes.“What papers?” Meg asked. “The ones about Titanic?’“No, the ones about you,” she replied, her eyes flittering to Charlie.“She hasn’t seen them,” he muttered, and Meg realized he must have read the newspapers himself.“What do they say?” Meg asked, feeling a bit of panic rising in her throat, wondering if someone had discovered where she was or had decided she’d committed some sort of violent crime or other atrocity.Kelly cleared her throat. “I have one. It’s weeks old, since it had to come across the Atlantic, and we all know how hazardous that can be.”“May I see it?”Kelly glanced at Charlie, who nodded at her, and then she crossed to her kitchen and returned in a moment
Ghosts of Southampton Ill
“Are you all right, Meg? You look a bit… green.”It was only slightly amusing to her that Charlie was so concerned about her coloring considering how many times recently she’d been worried that he had no color at all. “I’m fine, darling,” she said, quietly.“I’m sorry what was supposed to be a happy reunion has become so morbid and disconcerting,” Kelly offered. “Let me get you some water.”Before Meg could even respond whether or not she wanted any, a glass was thrust into her hand. She took a slow sip, and she vaguely heard Kelly going on about how lovely it was to have both cold and hot water from a tap in her very own kitchen, though she supposed it wasn’t really her kitchen since they were only living there on Charlie’s good graces, but it was still nice, as was the radiant heat and the bathroom facilities. They’d also met some lovely neighbors with a daughte
Ghosts of Southampton Rest
Charlie’s bed was large and plush, the sort of mattress you could sink into and never be found again if you tried hard enough. The furniture was opulent—much like the dining room table—and Meg wondered at how such a humble person could sleep surrounded by such finery. Surely, he hadn’t picked this décor out himself either.They were both fully dressed, the only parts currently touching were her hand and his forearm, though she would admit there had been some other contact earlier before he fell asleep. Carrie was seated on a settee just outside of the door, which was open, and she stood every once in a while and poked her head in, though Meg was well aware by her crooked grin they’d picked a chaperone more partial to their side than Mrs. Ashton’s. Nevertheless, when Jonathan arrived home from work, if he knew what they were up to, they’d both be scolded unmercifully if they had no chaperone whatsoever.Charlie had been a
Ghosts of Southampton Lawyers
Carrie stepped out of the way so that Charlie and Meg could follow Jonathan down the hallway toward the stairwell, and then the lady-in-waiting trailed until they reached the bottom of the stairs.“Are you certain you’re ready for this?” Charlie asked, pausing in the foyer to turn and face her.Meg nodded. “I assume it’s not the most difficult task I’ll be called upon to complete in the near future.” Thoughts of what it would be like if she had to testify against her uncle in court made her stomach lurch again.“True,” Charlie replied with a shrug. “You are planning on marrying me.”That was enough to make her giggle, and she playfully nudged him in the arm. “That wasn’t quite what I was referring to.”“Nevertheless….”“I’ll just wait for you here, miss,” Carrie said as she stepped out of the way.“You can hav
Ghosts of Southampton Trouble
“What sort of trouble?” Mr. Halsey asked Charlie.Rather than answer, he deferred to Meg, glancing in her direction to let her know he assumed she could respond for herself. “The papers are reporting he is being investigated for money laundering amongst other things.”The lawyers looked at one another for a few moments before Mr. Halsey cleared his throat and said, “Generally speaking, under such circumstances, a convicted criminal appoints someone to handle his finances. I would assume your uncle would choose your mother, in which case she would essentially receive all of the contracted amount.”Meg thought that would likely be the case, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. She knew she could simply wait a bit longer before marrying Charlie so that neither of them got any of the money, but that was becoming less and less of an option with every moment she spent with Charlie.“What other questions did
Ghosts of Southampton Word
Once they’d reached the hallway, Jonathan signaled for Carrie to follow them, which she did at a distance. Turning to Meg, he asked, “Are you well?”“I’m fine,” she admitted. “I must admit I’ve never sat in a room full of lawyers before.”“You handled yourself quite respectfully,” Jonathan assured her.When he turned to speak to her, Meg noticed more than the scent of mint she usually associated with him. There was another familiar smell as well, and she realized why he wasn’t quite himself. “Are you feeling well, Jonathan?” she asked.“Yes, of course. Why do you ask?” He held open the back door for her and she was happy for the cool breeze that brushed away the smell of whiskey, a scent she could’ve done without.“I don’t know,” she replied, taking his arm again. “You just don’t seem quite like yourself today
Ghosts of Southampton Reputation
Meg did find a way to doze off, and it was nearly supper time when Carrie finally roused her, insisting she get up now and get dressed or else she would be late for the evening meal. “Mr. Lane stopped by and said that it is important that you are well dressed this evening,” the brunette informed her mistress as she dragged her from the living room into the bedroom.Though her mind was still a bit foggy from her nap, Meg yawned and asked, “Why do you insist on calling him Mr. Lane? He is also in the employment of the Ashtons, the same as you.”Carrie was digging through the armoire and only turned to look at Meg briefly before shrugging and saying, “Everyone calls him Mr. Lane. He’s… more important than most of the other servants. Just as everyone calls Mr. Ashton’s second Mr. Pointer and Mrs. Ashton’s lady Ms. Dumont.”Sitting down on the edge of her bed and contemplating rolling over onto her side and
Ghosts of Southampton Plans
“We can have that lovely orchestra that Josie and Walter used at their daughter’s coming out party, what are they called? The Moonlight Waltz, or something or other. Oh, and when you officially propose at the engagement party, we can do it outside so we can use firecrackers, just like they did at that wedding we attended in France. It’ll be wonderful.”Meg’s fork was poised over her salmon, but her eyes were glued to Charlie’s across the table from her, neither of them even blinking.“Mother, I really don’t think all of that is necessary. At all,” Charlie began, not losing hold of Meg’s eyes.“Please, Charlie. My only son will only be getting engaged once,” Pamela insisted.Meg cleared her throat but said nothing, and rather than taking a bite she moved some of her carrots around on her plate so that it might appear as if she were eating.“Honestly, Mother, I appreciate t
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