Page 11 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
Amelia thought about it for a moment. Thinking of ghosts not as something frightening, but rather simply as someone…somethingyearning to be heard was a point of view she had not considered before.
“You are quite brave, Anna. Not many would be so fearless in the face of ghostly tales,” Amelia pointed out.
Yet, beneath the surface of her words, a quiet wonder stirred within Amelia, a curiosity about the history of Ravenscroft Manor and the enigmatic family that had called it their home for generations.
As they continued to wander through the aged corridors, the conversation between Amelia and Anna continued to dance around the topic of ghosts. Anna, with childlike enthusiasm, shared anecdotes she had heard from the staff and local folklore, each story adding an extra layer of mystique to the already enchanted manor.
“Have you ever seen a ghost, Miss Wycliffe?” Anna asked, her eyes wide with curiosity as they passed a particularly dimly lit hallway.
Amelia chuckled, charmed by Anna’s inquisitiveness. At the same time, she didn’t want to reveal that she was more apprehensive about those stories of curses than she let on.
“No, Anna, I can’t say I’ve ever encountered a ghost. But I must admit, the stories do add a certain allure to Ravenscroft Manor. It’s as if the past is alive within these walls, telling tales of bygone eras.”
Anna nodded, her expression thoughtful. “That’s what I like about the stories. Even if they’re a bit spooky, they make the manor feel alive. Like it has a memory of its own.”
“A memory of its own,” Amelia echoed. “I like that explanation.”
“Grandmother used to tell me that,” Anna divulged. “She said as long as you have a good heart, nothing can harm you. Nothing of this or the other world.”
“Your grandmother was a wise woman.” Amelia smiled.
“She once told me about a ghost in the old ballroom,” Anna said in a conspiratorial tone, looking about as if someone might overhear them, and it was the last thing she wanted.
“Really?” Amelia’s eyes widened.
“Mmmhmm.” Anna nodded importantly. “A lady in a flowing gown, dancing alone in the moonlight. Grandmother said she is searching for her lost love.”
Amelia smiled, appreciating the vividness of the tales. “A ghostly dancer in the moonlit ballroom? That sounds like a tale spun from the pages of a romantic novel.”
“I have never seen her myself,” Anna admitted, sounding a bit regretful over it.
“There is still time,” Amelia comforted her, although she was not certain how much of this part of Anna’s curiosity she should befeeding into. She decided to leave that decision for later when it was known whether or not she would be the child’s governess.
As they continued to stroll through the labyrinthine corridors and opulent chambers of Ravenscroft Manor, the air remained thick with a sense of mystery. The tales of ghostly apparitions lingered in the back of their minds, casting a subtle enchantment over the unfolding exploration.
As they passed through rooms adorned with antique furniture and faded tapestries, Anna recounted more tales—of secret passages, hidden chambers, and the mysteries that concealed themselves within the very architecture of the manor.
Amelia found herself entranced by the tales, the grandeur of Ravenscroft Manor unfolding before her like the pages of a living history book. The stories seemed to breathe life into the aging walls, infusing the air with a magical quality that transcended the boundaries of time.
More and more, Amelia knew that she didn’t want to leave this place. She felt as if every corner of this manor house was beckoning to her to become a part of the enchanting tapestry that seemed woven into every stone, to become part of the story whispered from every aged page in the library.
She couldn’t shake the lingering uncertainty about whether she had secured the governess position. The prospect of becoming a permanent resident of the manor, surrounded by its mysteries,both thrilled and tantalized her. The desire to become part of Ravenscroft Manor, to unfold its secrets and perhaps add a few chapters of her own, intensified with each step.
“How about we go and have breakfast?” Amelia asked, feeling overwhelmed by everything that surrounded her.
“Of course,” Anna immediately agreed, taking her by the hand again and leading her to the dining room.
As they continued to pass through dimly lit corridors, the grandeur of the manor became both a beguiling dream and a question yet to be answered, leaving Amelia caught in the delicate tension between the allure of the unknown and the anticipation of what the future might hold.
Chapter 7
Sleep had become an elusive commodity for Sebastian, and the previous night was no exception to that rule. The dawn filtered through the heavy curtains of his chamber, hinting that the time for facing decisions had arrived.
Thoughts of Amelia, the governess who had entered his life like an unexpected tempest, had kept him restless throughout the night. He couldn’t deny the unsettling effect she had on him already, despite their brief encounter. With a sigh, Sebastian adjusted the cravat around his neck and donned the dark attire befitting his station. The polished reflection in the mirror betrayed the weariness in his gray eyes, a testament to the internal struggle that had unfolded in the quiet hours of the night.
As he descended the grand staircase to the dining room, the echoes of his footsteps resonated through the silent corridors. The anticipation of facing Amelia again, of delving into the decision that awaited regarding her potential employment, added a layer of complexity to his already burdened thoughts.
One thing was undeniable. Anna had already taken a liking to the woman. And it seemed that Amelia already knew how to handle a childlike Anna, a curious little bookworm who had so much to share with the world, but who felt burdened by the tragedies that marred her young life. He knew that he owed thislittle girl everything he had to give. She was his only flesh and blood, the only precious thing he had in this world to protect.
