Free The Ghost House by Helen Phifer Page A

grateful for the help because she is forever moaning that Millie cannot cut the slack. One of these days I will ask her exactly what she means.
    The whole time I spent with my sleeves pushed up to my elbows, peeling dirty potatoes, I could not stop my mind from thinking about Edward. As much as I dislike him I have to admit he is so very handsome. I stared at the reflection staring back at me from the window. I still look like a girl although Cook made me blush two days ago by telling me that I was finally beginning to develop my womanly assets.
    Lady Hannah took me for a trip into town last week to buy some suitable undergarments and new clothes as I have grown out of everything that I own. We had such a fun time together and she was very kind to me, she even took me for lunch in the new hotel that opened last week. She told me that his Lordship was supposed to take her but he was so busy with work that he still had not got around to it, so it was to be our secret and I was not to mention it to any of the other servants because she did not want them to get upset or jealous. I swore to her I would tell no one and it was very nice being treated like a lady instead of a servant.
    I love Lady Hannah dearly. She has even begun to teach me to play the piano. One evening last week after his Lordship had retired and she had drunk three glasses of sherry after dinner. She told me that she had longed for a daughter of her own but it was not to be. She then said I was like the daughter she had always wanted but had never been blessed with.
    A loud scream pierced my daydreams. It was followed by a horrible thud. I ran behind Cook from the kitchen to the hall where the noise came from and was greeted by the most horrific sight I have ever seen. Lady Hannah was lying at the bottom of the grand staircase and there was a huge pool of blood seeping from the back of her head. Edward appeared at the top of the stairs.
    ‘Mother,’ he shouted, and ran down them so fast I was afraid he would fall and land beside her.
    Cook was crying into her apron. She ordered me to go and fetch Doctor Smith but I could not move. I felt as if my feet had been glued to the floor. I could not look away from the dark red blood that was staining the pretty white dress Lady Hannah was wearing; it was turning the soft silk crimson. Edward was bent over his mother sobbing.
    ‘Alice,’ screamed Cook.
    I finally found my feet and ran as fast as I could. I turned to see Edward looking at me and I could have sworn that he was smiling that awful, wicked smile of his. I ran to find Alfie who saddled up the horse and trap and drove me through the bitter winter’s night to the doctor’s house. By the time we arrived back with the doctor, Edward and his Lordship had carried Lady Hannah to her bedroom. I will never forget the huge pool of blood that lay at the foot of the stairs: I had no idea a person could bleed so much.
    Cook came downstairs and told me to get it cleaned up before his Lordship came back down and then everything went black. When I opened my eyes Edward was carrying me in his arms. He told me that he had caught me just before I hit the floor. He carried me into the nearest room, which was the library, where he gently laid me down onto the chaise lounge. I was scared to be so close to him but at the same time it felt nice to have his strong arms wrapped around me. I looked into his eyes and for once they did not seem so black, just sad. I asked him how her Ladyship was and he told me the doctor and his father were with her. He spoke in hushed tones, not wanting anyone to overhear our conversation. He told me it was very serious. The doctor was worried because of the amount of blood she had lost and he said she had shattered a part of her skull. There was no way to move her to the hospital because it was far too dangerous with her head injury.
    I began to sob uncontrollably and felt Edward’s hands begin to stroke my hair and dab at my eyes with his