Page 36 of Grave Expectations
"He's smart enough to hide himself beneath a hat and clothing."
He glanced up at the door again. "S'pose it's worth a try. I'm still goin' up though. I'd feel a right idiot if the door was unlocked the entire time."
"Be careful."
I watched him as he hopped up on the first step, paused, then hopped onto the second. It would take a while for him to reach the top, but at least he was doing something. I couldn't sit idly by either.
"Gordon Moreland Thackery, I summon you here. Gordon Thackery, it's Charlie Holloway. Please come. I need you."
The white cloud slipped through a crack in the brickwork and swept across the room. I didn't flinch as it washed through me and came to a stop near the bed. The familiar face of Thackery broke into a grin.
"Miss Charlie! I never thought we'd meet again." Even in spirit form, the ravaging signs of the opium that had taken his life were evident. While his eyes were clear, they were sunken into his skull along with his cheeks. He looked much older than mid-twenties, the age he'd been at his death, but his cheerfulness made up for it.
"We're in a spot of difficulty." I turned so he could see my bound hands.
"Having another adventure, eh?"
"Gus and I were kidnapped."
He glanced at Gus, who'd paused in his laborious progress up the stairs when I began talking. Gordon nodded but Gus couldn't see, and he jumped up to the next step.
"I can't untie you." Gordon held up his ghostly hands.
"We were hoping you'd find yourself a fresh corpse and come back and rescue us."
His brows arched. "A fresh corpse?"
"I know it's gruesome, but we're desperate."
"So I see. I'm happy to help." He glanced around the room. "Where are we?"
"I don't know. We were brought here while unconscious. The walls must be thick, or we're deep underground, because I can't hear a thing."
He circled me then drifted up to the ceiling. "I'll get you out. When I do, I want a full account of all the adventure I missed out on."
"I promise. Now please hurry."
He disappeared and I blew out a breath. I felt more at ease now that Gordon had been enlisted. Although I'd never known him during his lifetime, I trusted him. He'd not only proven very capable in the past, but also loyal and rather sweet. I liked him.
A key tumbled in the lock and Gus and I glanced at each other. The door opened and Mrs. Webb appeared like a black raven about to swoop. A few steps down and too far away to tackle her, Gus groaned. He slumped against the wall.
"An admirable attempt at escape, but it wouldn't have worked." She held up her lantern, illuminating that pale, ethereal face. She looked as ghostly as Gordon. "The door was locked and it's too thick to break down, even if you had a run at it. Return to the bed, Gus. You too, Miss Holloway."
I considered defying her, but decided against it. Escape was now a matter of biding time until Gordon returned. If we protested in any way, she might hurt us, and then we wouldn't be in any shape to get out.
"Do as she says," I told Gus.
He scooted down the steps on his rear end and hopped back to the bed. We both sat down. Mrs. Webb stood at the bottom of the staircase, well out of reach.
"I trusted you," I spat. "I allowed you into our home!"
She lifted her chin. The effect was one of entitlement and poise, not of a humble housekeeper. I couldn't believe I'd been so easily fooled. "There was no other way. I would apologize, but your immorality makes me disinclined to do so."
"My what?"
"Your living arrangements are disgusting. Lichfield Towers is a den of vice. A young woman living unchaperoned with an older man in his house…it's unthinkable." Her voice had become louder and more aggressive as she spoke, and her lips pursed into a tight O.
"We're not sleeping in the same room! Mr. Fitzroy is a gentleman, and your implication that he is not shows more about how your mind works than his or mine." I lifted my gaze to the ceiling. "I can't believe I'm arguing about morals with someone who abducts people and ties them up in her cellar."
