Page 77 of The Legend of Lovers Hollow
“I think I can answer that.” I hold my hand up. “Our ghosts said that the, um, place in charge of ghosts?—”
“The higher powers?”
“Um, sure.” I blink. “Let’s go with that.” I’m not certain if I’m allowed to talk about the Bureau of Domestic Hauntings, even if it is to someone who knows about ghosts. “Anyway, our ghosts said that the decision was made by the higher-ups to put the ghosts into a kind of sleep? I think. I’m not sure exactly, but it basically meant they were dormant and couldn’t interact with the living or their surroundings. But there is some speculation that they were kinda conscious…”
“So essentially, they were imprisoned for over three hundred years.” Sam brushed his thumb over his lower lip thoughtfully. “Man, no wonder they’re pissed off. I would be too. As if it’s not bad enough suffering a violent death, to then be locked up by the very people who are supposed to help them resolve their unfinished business and move on.”
“Um, I don’t think we’re talking about the same higher powers.” Morgan frowns. “The ones you are used to dealing with may want to help souls cross over or whatever. The one we’re stuck with seem to want to regulate the haunting aspect of the whole business.”
“Kinda like different departments,” I supply helpfully.
Morgan huffs. “Yes, and like any governing body, one department doesn’t seem to want to communicate with the other.”
“I can tell we’re going to have a fascinating conversation when this is over,” Sam says, “but right now, you’ve got three very angry, newly awakened ghosts and a houseful of guests who want to party with them because they don’t realise the danger.”
“Are they really that dangerous?” I ask worriedly. “We’re so used to our ghosts, who are sometimes a little OTT, but their hearts are in the right place. The other ghosts wouldn’t actually hurt anyone, would they?”
“It’s not unheard of,” Sam replies. “But even if they’re not targeting the living in the house, it doesn’t mean people won’t get hurt in the crossfire. Doesn’t help that you’ve got an actual notorious ghost-hunting team here to video your greatest hits.”
“What should we do? Should we cancel tonight’s party and ghost hunt?” I wince. “I’m not sure how well that would go down, but we don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
“It’s up to you of course, but I think these ghosts are going to put in an appearance either way.”
“Tonight is the anniversary of the night they were all killed supposedly,” Morgan says.
“Of course it is.” Sam sighs. “If you can round up all the guests and staff and put them together in one place, at least, I suppose it’ll be easier to keep an eye on them. If I’m right, your ghosts are going to make an appearance tonight. If we can find them, maybe we can talk to them, help them cross to the other side or something. I don’t really know. This is usually Tristan’s gig, but in a dire emergency, I do have backup I can call.”
“Oh, you mean Dusty the Drag Queen?” I say.
“Um, not exactly,” Sam hedges. “Anyway, how posh is this party of yours tonight?”
“Why?” I reply.
Sam grins. “Because I’m gonna crash it.”
* * *
“The ballroom looks lovely, Ellis dear,”Essie coos at me from where she’s standing arm in arm with her sister.
“It certainly does,” Martha agrees. “I should be surprised at how quickly you managed to fix the mess that was made last night during the play, but then again, I’ve learned to never underestimate you, Ellis. Your staff may be small, but my goodness, you do a good job with this place.”
“Martha’s right.” Essie nods enthusiastically. “It really is quite the best place we’ve ever lived. In fact, we were talking about maybe joining Bertie and the others when our time comes, so you’d better put us down for a spot in that charming little graveyard beside the chapel.”
“Oh, um, right,” I reply.
“Ellis, are you quite alright?” Martha asks in concern. “You seem distracted tonight.”
“I’m fine.” I give them a smile. “Just lots to oversee.”
“Oh, of course, dear. We won’t keep you.” Essie pets my arm, and the two of them move off. They look very sweet in their matching party dresses, Essie in pink, Martha in yellow. I should have told them how pretty they look.
I shake my head. My brain is all over the place tonight. The party has barely started and I’m already having visions of rampaging ghosts and headless horsemen bursting into the ballroom to terrorise the guests. I’m not sure where the image of a headless horseman comes in, but I’m so jittery and it’s not like me at all.
“Relax,” I hear Morgan’s voice say close to my ear. I feel the heat of his body as he steps close. “Stop worrying until we have something to worry about.” I turn to look at him.
If I had been a cartoon character, my tongue would have rolled out of my head and covered half the ballroom floor while my eyes beat little hearts. God, he’s gorgeous, and he smells so sexy. His tux must be hand-tailored because it fits him like a second skin, and I don’t know what he’s wearing, but I want to roll all over him and rub his scent into my skin.
“You look amazing,” I whisper as my eyes drag down his body.