Drawing Room Ghost (an excerpt)
Here’s a spooky story excerpt, set (like many of my stories) in a slightly different 1820s England.
I set down his teacup. The other two blinked as it clinked against the saucer. “Would you be so kind as to show us where the ghost is located?”
“Yes, certainly.” Percy shifted. “It is the drawing room, of all places.”
Echoing my thoughts, Margot said, “The drawing room we have occupied countless times? We were there a fortnight past and sensed no spirits.”
Percy nodded. “Dashed nuisance, really. It was my favorite room until guests started shrieking and running out of it. I do not know what is all the fuss — it is not as though ghosts can harm people.”
“Some can.” Margot rose from her chair.
“Is that so.” Percy raised his fine, pale eyebrows. I grimaced at a disturbing memory and nodded; I hoped to never again see a malignant ghost tear a child apart. That was the only ghost that ever gave me nightmares.
Percy waved a hand toward the door. “Here, let me take you to see this deuced annoying spirit.”
I nodded. “Yes, please lead the way.”
Percy did so, with Margot strolling behind him. With the tantalizing prospect of meeting a new ghost, I gladly followed them across the threshold and into…