The Ghosts of Ravencrest (The Ravencrest Saga Book 1) (39 page)

Eric’s hand found the back of her head, cradling it as he returned the kiss with a hunger that rivaled her own, and then let it trail down her back, lingering at her waist.

Her own hands traveled the expanse of his arms. She was certain she felt every hard muscle, every vein beneath his smooth tanned skin. She pressed her body harder into him, and he mirrored her. He cupped her buttocks and pulled her hard against him until she felt the hot, rigid swell of his excitement against her.

There was a click of the door and sudden voices.
The children!
 

Eric and Belinda shot apart in a blast of splashing water.

Cynthia and Thad stood at the edge of the pool, looking down at them.

“What are you
doing
?” asked Cynthia.

“I, er, uh …” Eric wasn’t as quick on his feet as Belinda had hoped.

“I’m afraid I’m not a very good swimmer,” she explained. “Your dad just saved my life!”

Thad broke into giggles. “You can’t swim
and
you get lost in the house!”

Belinda nodded, grateful that he accepted this ruse. Cynthia however, appeared more skeptical. She crossed her arms and pursed her lips. “You said you were a good swimmer.”

Belinda thought fast. “I, uh, I thought I was, but it’s been a while. I guess I forgot how.”

“I’m giving her a refresher course.” Eric nodded with great enthusiasm. He turned to face Belinda. “And she’s a very good student.”

“Oh, yes,” said Belinda. “I’m sorry I worried you but I’m so glad you were here.” Unable to bear any more humiliation, she pulled herself out of the water.

“We want to swim now, Daddy,” said Thad. “It’s our turn. Get out!”

Eric looked panic-stricken and Belinda saw him glance down at himself. “I’m, uh … I can’t get out right now, son. I still have some laps to do.”

Mortified, Belinda understood his situation. “I have an idea,” she said. “Why don’t you kids go wait by the outdoor pool, and I’ll come watch you swim in just a few minutes. Okay?”

Thad nodded and smiled.

Cynthia huffed. “Fine,” she said. “Come on, Thad.” She stomped away, stopping only to say, “
We
know when we’re not wanted.”

Thad tried to adopt his sister’s offense. “Yeah,” he said. “I don’t like this pool, anyway. It’s creepy!”

They disappeared.

Belinda had a hard time meeting Eric’s eyes as she sat on the pool’s edge, her feet dangling in the water. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Nonsense. You were frightened. So was I. These things happen in extreme moments. Think no more about it.”  He looked up at her. “What happened? I know you’re a strong swimmer.”

She was relieved and sorry that he so easily wrote off their encounter. “You were underwater so you didn’t hear that horrible scream.”

“Another peacock must have gotten in,” he muttered.

“It wasn’t a peacock, Eric. You know that, right?”

He said nothing and his nod was almost imperceptible.
 

“I heard a horrible shriek and then something grabbed my ankle and pulled me under. As it was happening, I think your … I think Isobel jumped in and tried to help me.” She paused. “I’m sorry, that sounds insane.”

“Not to me.” He hesitated. “Did you see who grabbed your leg?”

“It wasn’t a who, it was a what. I didn’t see anything until you got there. It was all … invisible.” Her ankle still hurt so she lifted it out of the water and caught her breath. The skin was mottled red and scratched, and bruises had begun to form.
 

Eric gasped and gently took her foot in his hand and examined her ankle. “There was nothing wrong with it before you got in the water?”
 

“No.”

He let go and made ready to push out of the pool. “Can you walk on it?”

“I think so.”

“Let’s find out.” He lifted himself out of the water then helped her up. “Put your weight on it.”

“It’s fine,” she said, after taking a few steps toward Poseidon.

“I don’t know what happened, but I don’t want anyone swimming in here until this is sorted out. I’m going to lock it up so the kids don’t sneak in.”

“That’s a really good idea.” Belinda slipped into her cover-up then looked at Eric, who already had his red T-shirt and sandals back on. “There’s something in there. In the water.”

Eric nodded. “You might tell Grant what happened. He knows things …” He paused. “But don’t tell him
everything
, all right?”

It took her a moment to realize what he meant
.
“I won’t.”

Eric’s smile melted her resolve, and she had to fight her desire to kiss him. He bent and chastely kissed her cheek. “We’ll keep
the rest
to ourselves.”

She nodded, wondering just what he meant.
Does he want to kiss me again? Or are we going to pretend it never happened?

“Go ahead and watch the children, won’t you? And make sure they’re wearing sunscreen.” His voice was all business.

“Of course.” Her heart sank.

Eric flashed another smile. “Are you sure your ankle is okay?”

“It hurts, but it looks worse than it is.”

“I can carry you back to the house if you like. One of the maids can see to the kids.”

The thought of Eric Manning carrying her was tempting, but she was a lousy liar. “I’m fine, really.”

“Very well, then. Shall we?” He nodded at the doors.
 

When they reached the exit, he pulled one door open and held it for her.
 

She passed, her cheeks burning with …
With what? Excitement? Rejection? Shame?
She couldn’t be sure.

“We’ll do our laps in the outdoor pool tomorrow.”

These words reignited Belinda’s hopes.
At least he isn’t going to avoid me.
Beyond that, she had no idea what he was thinking.

Revelations

“Cordelia outdid herself,” Grant said as he and Riley examined the Greek statues Belinda had seen in flagrante delicto from her bedroom window. He bent and picked up crumbles of granite at the edges of Demeter’s feet. There were similar masses of crumbled stone around the others as well, but their feet were perfect and untouched. Only their bases looked rough and damaged, if ever so slightly.

Riley had been kneeling, examining the grass around the statues. “There are bits of granite everywhere.” He stood and pointed to an area of lawn ten feet away. “And over there - the grass looks like someone has crushed it with heavy machinery.”

“Or stone feet,” Grant said.

Riley, his face solemn, nodded. “Do you think she’s powerful enough to do this?”

“I didn’t, but I don’t think she expected this to happen, either. It’s really put her tail in a twist.”

Riley smiled. “Good. Do you have any theories?”

“I’m still researching. We’ve seen her attempt this glamour before and I think that’s all she was doing the other night. No doubt trying to give Belinda nightmares.”

Riley nodded. “She really has something against her.”

“She has had, since she entered this house,” Grant said. “It baffled me at first.”

“Eric obviously finds Belinda attractive and Cordelia is as jealous as Zeus and Hera combined.”

Grant laughed. “You’re right, but there’s more, and I think Cordelia picked up on it very quickly.”

“What?”

“Belinda has the Sight.” He paused. “And she looks very much like Alice Manning. Have you noticed?”

“I have. You must admit, though, that both are simply attractive young women with lots of dark hair and a certain innocence of feature.”

“True, but if you look closely, their faces share similar bone structure.”

“Belinda’s nose is-”

“What about my nose, Riley?”
 

Both men turned as Belinda Moorland joined them.

“We didn’t hear you, dearheart,” Grant said with a smile. “How did you manage to sneak up on us? Magic?”

“My ears were burning.” Belinda laughed. “But what about my nose?” She turned concerned eyes on Riley. “Seriously? Why are you out here discussing my nose?”

“Your nose is just like Alice Manning’s. Have you noticed?” Riley came close and bent, studying her face, a grin on his own.

“I haven’t, but thank you, she’s very beautiful.”

“Belinda?” Grant asked. “You’ve turned pale. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, just about everything.” She paused. “I mean, nothing, but I’m very confused.”

“About your nose?” Riley asked.

“No, I don’t know.” She looked at the statues. “Are you trying to figure out what happened?”

“Yes. I suggest you don’t wander the grounds at night for the time being.”

“Why?”

“They got loose of their bases, love, and they did have a bit of a party.”

Belinda stared at Riley. “You’re joking.”

“He’s not joking,” Grant affirmed. “Promise me you won’t leave the house at night.”

“Oh, I won’t.” She gestured at the statues. “Even without what I saw last night, I wouldn’t come out here after dark. Too many weird things happen.”

“Oh?” Grant asked. “Such as?”

“I’ve seen someone digging in the gardens a couple of times.” She paused. “You must have a gardener who’s
really
a morning person. He comes out before dawn.”

Grant and Riley exchanged glances, then Riley spoke. “I’ll look into that.”

“Belinda, you have something else on your mind,” Grant said. “What is it?”

“I, uh, think it’s one of those things we should discuss on hallowed ground - or in town.”

Grant consulted his watch. “It’s lunch time. Are the children waiting on you?”

“No. They’ve left for an overnight at a friend’s. A birthday party.”

“Then, Riley, I think I need to take this young lady out for a bacon cheeseburger.”

“You kids have fun.” Riley grinned.
 

“Care to join us?” Grant asked.

“Not today. I have a lot of work to do on the farm - starting with remounting Old Peckerhead - he’s not on his pole.”

Belinda’s eyes widened. “You don’t think he-”

“Went looking for a lady scarecrow?” Riley grinned.

She nodded.
 

“Nah, Peckerhead just falls down now and again. Drinks too much, you know.”

“Okay …”
 

“He loves his corn liquor.” Riley’s eyes twinkled.

“Indeed.” Grant smiled. “Meet me in twenty minutes. I’ll pick you up at the front door.”

“I really appreciate it, Grant.” Belinda said.
 

“Nonsense. My pleasure.” He turned to Riley. “Would you like me to bring something back for you?”

“How about half a dozen of those cheeseburgers?”

“With bacon?”

“Of course.”

Belinda stared. “Six? I could barely finish one!”

“Riley’s appetite belies his trim figure,” Grant said. “It’s actually quite astonishing.”

Riley grinned, pulled a baseball cap out of his back pocket and slung it low over his eyes. “I’m off to see to Old Peckerhead. Later.” He started trotting away as if untouched by the heat of the July day.

“I’ll see you in a few minutes, Belinda.”

“Great.”
 

Grant waited, watching her walk toward Ravencrest’s kitchen door. She paused near the persimmon tree, shading her eyes with her hand and looking toward the garden they called the farm. He looked, and Riley was nowhere in sight. “Damn it, Riley,” he muttered.
 

***

Belinda froze. In one moment, Riley was there. The next, he was gone. It wasn’t possible. From the corner of her eye, she saw Grant. He was looking right at her, and even from this distance, she could see the strained expression on his face, the worry in his eyes. His weak smile gave her a chill. She nodded, trying to appear casual, then turned and headed toward the manor.
I know what I saw. He couldn’t have disappeared that fast. Impossible.
As she walked, she felt Grant’s eyes on her back. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure the friendly butler and his husband were everything they seemed to be.

No one here is what they appear.
She entered Ravencrest feeling disoriented, and unsafe. And more like Alice in Wonderland than ever.
 

***

Belinda’s silence during the trip down to Devilswood worried Grant, but he waited to question her until they were seated in Luncheon Town and their food was on the way. “Belinda, what’s wrong?”

She stared at her hands. “Riley disappeared before my eyes.”

“Riley’s good at that. In his youth he worked as a magician and he still likes to pull some of his old magic tricks.” He smiled. “Just don’t let him talk you into letting him saw you in half.”

Belinda didn’t smile. “It’s just that … the statues, the ghosts, the pool this morning ... And then he vanishes and, well, I guess that was just one too many weird things for me.”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes and Grant knew his credibility had been tarnished. “There are a lot of things you don’t understand, Belinda. Things I can’t really tell you.”

She searched his face. “Why?”

Grant shrugged. “Some of the stories just aren’t mine to tell.”

“Is he a ghost, too?”

Grant cocked his head. “What?”

“Riley. Is he a ghost?”

He laughed. “No, dearheart. Nothing like that. I assure you, Riley is very much alive. More alive than most of us.”
 

She watched him and he could see the doubt in her eyes.

“I can trust you, can’t I?”

Grant drew his brows down and placed his hand over hers. “Of course, you can.”

“If I thought I couldn’t trust you, I’d go mad, Grant.” She brought her green eyes up to his. “You can understand that, can’t you?”

“You can trust me, Belinda. You can, I promise.” He patted her hand. “I just can’t tell you some things. At least not yet. Do you understand?”

“No, not really. But I’m willing to wait a little longer if you promise to tell me everything eventually.”

“It’s a deal. Now, what happened at the pool this morning?”

She was silent a long moment. “The diving board. Someone dove off of it, and this time, I saw the board move.”

“Are you certain?”

She nodded. “Why is that so surprising?”

“I’ve just never seen that happen. I’ve heard the board and the splashes. And the scream, for that matter, but I’ve never seen any movement.”