Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Family, Humor

Rating: M for sexual situations and language

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.

A/N #1: I just want to note that I don't know exactly the structure of law in England, I did do a little research into it but for rural law enforcement I may have taken artistic license with that since I needed it to fit my story.

A/N #2: The lyrics in this chapter are from the songs Same Time Next Year by Paul McCartney and Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy by Freddie Mercury, from the Queen album A Day at the Races.

A/N #3: It was great getting feedback that I did for the last chapter, so I'll go right into my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I loved seeing that you thought I wrote Castle and Beckett very well again; I do my best! And so happy you liked how I wrote Paul, I did love writing him into this story!) and

Mb (It was great to see you thought the introduction to Clara and Brennan's two adopted kids was beautifully written and sweet. I really wanted to make it that way since I felt it was a beautiful moment. And I'm glad that you were happy about them adopting the kids and Louis and Erin being happy and excited to get two new siblings. Though you're right, of course they would be! I was really pleased to see you mentioned you could feel the love of the families who adopt kids out of pure love as you could put it. And you see it how I see it, that they're not biologically theirs like Eliza and Erin are but the adopted kids are their children too, definitely! I was glad that you liked them riding, even though it wasn't for that long exactly. And I was so happy you thought the love scene was hot with Castle and Beckett being how they are and needing to be together fully as you put it! And I'm not surprised you picked up on the constable and guessing the holiday is about to be sidetracked, lol. You're welcome for sharing the first half! I was very pleased you thought the second half was a wonderful update as well! And it was great you loved the interaction between Castle, Beckett, Clara and Brennan too about their two youngest and newest kids. The same about them keeping it a surprise so they could surprise the kids once they get to the manor. And I was really happy to see you liked the flashback I had and thought that it was sweet too, I did want to show that Clara and Louis were close and show where that started after she and Brennan got engaged. I was glad to read that you liked Castle and Beckett making the most of their time together even if it was short. And it made me smile to see you mention they were down and dirty but loving, sensual and hot too which is what I'm aiming for of course! I had to laugh at you mentioning Castle and Beckett tempting fate by talking about a case, lol, and not surprised you think that might come to them. You're welcome for sharing the second half as well! Thank you also and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!).

Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them and appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #4: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Piggies by George Harrison, from The Beatles' eponymous album.

Clutching Forks And Knives

"Have they arrived yet?" Skye asked, she and Mary just behind Castle and Beckett walking into the dining room.

"No," Brennan said, smiling slightly when he watched Castle and Mary jump slightly since he was behind them. "We're meeting them in the foyer," he explained once the four had turned to him. "I don't know if you'd want to do that as well."

"I'll tell the others," Skye said as they could hear the others coming down the stairs. "Are you going straight to the dining room?"

"No, the parlour," Clara said, walking up to them. "And it's fine if you go there to meet the others," she said. "Come on Brennan."

"Which… way is the parlour?" Jackie asked slowly.

"We'll take you," Castle said. "Since we've been all over the house."

"Could you walk through the entire thing?" Paul asked as they were starting to walk. "And not get lost?" he then added.

"Not yet," Castle replied.

"Give us a few more visits and we'll be able to figure it out fully," Beckett said with a smile. When they'd reached the room, she saw the butler was there and she asked, "Are we having drinks?"

"An aperitif ma'am," the man said with a nod. "I am just making sure that everything is ready for your drinks."

After the man had left, Castle said, "It should be a nice dinner party."

"Skye mentioned that their cook was fabulous," Barry commented.

"She is, and a pastry chef," Castle told them. "So if we get dessert it'll be great."

"I think they're here," Gabriel then said.

"They are," Beckett said as she could hear talking in the distance. They waited for the others to come in, soon led by her cousin and Clara.

"I'm pleased to say that we're all here," the woman said once they were in the room. "Allow me to introduce everyone." Clara began with their American guests and the McCartneys before she turned to hers and Brennan's friends and she said, "First is Judge Angus Elliston, his wife Esther and their son Brenton. This is our local representative in Parliament, Morris Burns. And these three work with me in some of my charities. Cormac Barrett, his wife Cynthia and Terrance Lewin."

Brennan was quick to say, "Would anyone like a drink before we head inside."

After they'd gotten small glasses of sherry, Castle and Beckett went to one of windows to take their first few sips before one of the other guests came up to them.

"I'm sorry to be… presumptuous," the judge said with a smile as he approached with his wife. "But my wife and I wanted to meet you since we've read your books."

"We enjoy them quite a bit," Esther said with a smile. "I had no idea you were related to Brennan and Clara."

"Let me call my son over," Angus said suddenly. "He's a fan of yours as well and would love to meet to you."

Beckett watched as the judge called the man over, tensing up as she saw the way the man was looking at her. She felt her husband squeeze her arm but didn't respond as the judge's wife was talking eagerly to them.

"We've read all your books and it's a pleasure to meet you," the woman said though her husband had said something close to that already.

"She's right, she couldn't believe you'd be here," Brenton said with a smile at the two.

It was Castle's turn to tense up at that, since the man's gaze lingered on his wife, and he did his best not to become too angry since he knew his wife was annoyed as well. "We're glad to hear that," he found he could say somehow. He turned his head rapidly to Skye when she was calling to both and said, "Excuse us please."

"Rick," Beckett said gently.

"If he leers at you like that again," Castle said, his teeth clenched together.

"I'll take care of him," Beckett replied easily in Irish. She stared at him pointedly once he was looking at her and they headed together over to Skye who was with Burns and Paul. Luckily they were able to have an easy conversation together before they were finishing their drinks and the butler was stepping inside to announce that dinner was ready.

Skye, touching Beckett's elbow before they could leave the room, murmured to her in Russian, "I asked your cousin's wife if the son was anywhere near where you were sitting. She said no."

"When did you ask that?" Beckett said in surprise.

"Before we started to mingle," Skye replied easily. She smiled briefly and said, "It reminded me of Agent Luis," having to say that in English though it didn't matter since by then they were the last ones coming out of the parlour.

"Thank you, but where is he sitting?" Beckett asked, continuing in English since they were talking low enough for the others not to hear.

"I'm not sure, but it's alright if he's by Mary and I," Skye answered before she blanched.

"Because I'm the only one he's looking at," Beckett said. When her friend mouthed an apology she squeezed her arm and said, "It's okay," before they turned their attention to their spouses as they were waiting outside the formal dining room.

"Mary told me," Castle said as soon as his wife was holding his hand.

"Skye told me, so we can enjoy our dinner," Beckett replied, smiling at him. They walked into the room last and went to their chairs, sitting down quickly though her husband was the last of everyone as he'd held her chair out. As Clara had told Skye the judge's son wasn't near them; at the other end of the table; and luckily on the same side so she didn't have to see him. She shook that from her head then, turning her attention to her cousin as he was telling them about the first dish.

"We'll start tonight with soup," Brennan began with.

"It's a creamy cucumber and avocado," Clara said with a smile.

"Oh wonderful," Skye said with a returning, genuine, smile.

"That makes us feel very much at home," Raj said. There was some laughter as their bowls of soup were being set in front of them and they were soon eating the first spoonful before he was making a sound. "Sorry," he said quickly. "It's delicious."

Beckett added her agreement to that and was about to joke about Lily wanting to take the cook back home to work at her restaurant when her husband beat her to it.

"At some point you know Lily's going to try and entice your cook over to the Hamptons right?" Castle said jokingly.

"She can try all she wants," Brennan replied. "Elise wouldn't go, she hates planes."

"There are ships," Skye commented jokingly.

Laughing with the others, Beckett waited until they'd calmed down before she got her cousin's attention before he leaned over to her. "I thought you said the constabulary was supposed to be here?"

"And his wife," Brennan said with a nod. "I forgot to tell you before the others got here he called me and said that he was getting a call."

"A case?" Castle asked.

"He gets different calls so it could be anything," Brennan replied warningly. "Not necessarily a murder."

"Are you involved in anything?" Beckett said, looking across the table at Clara.

"Being Lady Cotswold? No," the woman said, shaking her head. "Ages ago yes but not anymore…"

"He's come to call for certain cases," Brennan said with a smile. "Damage to estates or manors, historical site damages," he explained. "But when it's more serious he'll contact his supervisors."

"Let's not talk about this at dinner," Clara said, touching her husband's arm.

"Of course, so what else will you two do before you need to go to London?" Brennan asked his cousin as his wife started to talk to Skye and Mary and Castle was talking to Gabriel.

"I don't think we're going to plan anything," Beckett replied. "We just want to stay around here… unless you're asking since you want us to leave."

"To scram?" Brennan asked with a smile. "No," he said, laughing slightly before he calmed down. "Just out of curiosity."

Nodding Beckett said, "I understand. But we're going to stay around here most likely. And even if we did go anywhere you wouldn't have to take us, we can handle ourselves."

"Great," Brennan said simply before they were letting the workers take their bowls.

Turning back to her husband Beckett said, "Okay?"

"Yeah, I'm great," Castle said. "Did you want to go anywhere?"

Smiling, as she wasn't surprised her husband had still heard her conversation, Beckett said, "Not really, this is trip is meant to be a relaxing one."

"What about the band? And Paul," Castle said quickly, glancing at the singer across from them to the left of Mary.

"We'll see," Beckett replied as the next course was being set in front of them.

"This course Clare took care of herself," Brennan said with an obvious smile of pride at his wife.

"It's a salad of mixed greens with a goat cheese and honey vinaigrette," Clara began while the others were picking up their forks. "I poached some pears and peaches in champagne and candied slivers of almonds as well. I hope you'll enjoy."

"It's delicious," Paul said. "Very good pears and peaches."

"Thank you," Clara replied with a smile before she started to eat herself.

After their salad course they were served their main entrée, for Paul and Nancy a pasta and vegetable dish and the others pasta with salmon. They were talking together through that course until they were finished, the discussion going to children across the entire table as they were working through their dessert course.

"It would be interesting if your daughter continued to dance," Cynthia Barrett was saying to Castle and Beckett.

"She does want to try," Beckett said, the woman and the judge's wife having asked about Julia. "It's impressive you've heard about her."

"We've heard about Skye," Burns said with a smile. "And of course the two of you."

"Is it true you investigated murders?" Brenton asked, leaning over on the table.

"We did," Beckett said, trying to speak as civilly as she could as the man was staring at her.

"Excuse me for a moment," Brennan said suddenly when the butler appeared in the doorway from the direction of the entry.

Beckett turned to look as her cousin went to speak to the man and she could easily hear the butler saying, "Officer Mercer is here Brennan, he wishes to speak to you; urgently."

"Of course," Brennan said before he turned to his cousin.

Both Castle and Beckett stood and walked over to the man before the latter told him, "He did say just you."

"I'm just letting you know in case I need you to come along," Brennan said before he hesitated. "Come on, if he wants you to leave that's fine."

"Who is he?" Castle asked.

"Corbin Mercer, really nice man and I think he'll be alright with you there," Brennan said quickly. "For now at least. Corbin," he called to the man standing in the entry.

"Brennan, I am sorry," the officer said, shaking his hand. "I…" he started to say before he trailed off. He stared at Castle and Beckett before shaking himself and said in some relief, "Your cousins, wonderful."

"Do you have a case?" Castle couldn't help asking.

"Yes, but it isn't a homicide," Mercer replied. "We received word that someone was found along the edge of your property."

"Towards town?" Brennan asked with a slight frown.

Nodding the officer then said, "He's alive, just a bit shaken up. But the bizarre thing is this isn't the first of the night."

"There was another?" Beckett asked.

"Yes, similar circumstances," Mercer said, nodding his head. "It was Basil Worths earlier and I was investigating that so I called that I couldn't attend the dinner."

"Are you sure he's alright?" Brennan said in concern.

"Oh he is, headed over to the Squire as soon as we finished with him for a pint," Mercer said. "But he did have a bump on his head and some odd markings on his wrist. I took a picture…"

"We all know how to be discreet," a voice suddenly said, walking into the entry.

"This is-" Brennan rushed to say.

"Ms. McDouglas, I know who you are," Mercer replied with a nod. "But I thought you investigated planes."

"She's worked on a few investigations herself," Beckett said for her. "Though it's not a murder Skye."

"Oh no, I heard," the investigator replied with a brief nod. "But I do have a degree in psychology so I'm here for help if you need that at all."

"Do you need our help?" Brennan then asked the officer.

"I may," Mercer admitted. "I'm not all that familiar with the citizens here," he then began. "But you are and… I suppose you're local celebrities now," addressing the latter to Castle and Beckett.

"Did Basil mention them?" Brennan asked.

"Yes," Mercer said.

Hearing the hesitation in the officer's voice, Beckett turned to her husband and saw he appeared uncertain too. She turned back to the man and said, "So you'd like us there because…"

"Brennan because you know these people," Mercer told him. "And you… three because the two men are saying they saw the same thing."

"What?" Castle and Beckett said at the same time.

"A ghost," Mercer said after a moment of hesitation.

"Who is the man that was attacked by your manor?" Skye asked Brennan.

"Gerry, well, we call him Gerry his name is Gerald," the man replied. "He's older, I believe sixty though he's still working at the Squire."

"Didn't Mercer mention that earlier?" Castle asked.

Nodding his head Brennan said, "It's one of the three pubs here. Basil works there as well; he plays fiddle in the band they have on weekends. He used to drink at the Orchard and Hive."

"Orchard and Hive?" Beckett asked.

"Welcome to England," Skye said. "And the other?" she asked as they'd eaten at the Squire after Christmas.

"The Flying Windmill," Brennan answered. "And I already know what you're going to ask, there's been competition but more friendly. Everyone knows everyone here and there's never been any issues."

"The local police?" Beckett asked.

"I've talked to them too," Brennan said. "There are four officers, but I've never heard anything reported about the pubs."

"It could be that fact is coincidental you know," Skye commented.

"She's right," Brennan commented. "The town is quite small." He stopped the car and said, "But we'll find out what's going on; especially about the ghost."

"I still don't understand why he asked you to join in," Skye said honestly once they were out of the car.

"No, it's alright," Beckett said quickly as she saw the shocked look on her cousin's face. "She means the ghost angle, not an investigative angle."

"Right," Brennan said with a nod. "I suppose we should all speak to Basil but let me talk first before I let him know about the three of you." After the others had agreed to that they joined Mercer and one of the local officers at the entrance to the pub before they went in and he paused with them before Castle was commenting behind him.

"I'm guessing they're both here," he said.

"They are, good guess," Mercer said.

"Would you want me to talk to them first?" Brennan asked the constabulary.

"Go ahead," Mercer replied with a nod. "They've spoken to me already; it'd be better you talk to them now."

Brennan nodded and then said to the others, "I'll motion when you can join us."

Watching him go Beckett said, "What do you think?"

"I'll need to see what they say," Skye said since her friend had been looking at her. She then smiled and said, "You're hoping aren't you?"

"No, I'm not," Beckett replied. "If they both ended up with knots on their heads that answers it for me." She glanced out of the corner of her eye at her husband and said, "Do not tell me it's from hitting their heads."

"Mercer said the town doctor said it was possible," Castle said simply. He had been about to add more the strange symbol on both men's wrists but stopped swiftly when he saw the way his wife's jaw was clenching. He turned his attention back to Brennan before seeing he was motioning to them.

"Ah, are these the Yanks then?" one of the men asked when the three were close.

"They are," Brennan said with a smile. "Kate, Rick, Skye," he began. "This is Basil and Gerry."

"Grand to meet you," Gerry said, the man who'd spoken as they'd approached.

"Lord Cotswold said you wanted to know about our attack," Basil then said to them all. "Have rozzers asked you lot to ask?"

"We've told them already," Gerry said.

"I told them you were with the police in the past in New York," Brennan said to Beckett.

"I'll tell you what happened," Gerry said, grumbling in annoyance.

"Wait, I think it's best we go in order," Brennan said quickly before the man could continue. "Basil, tell us what happened first."

"I was walking in the woods, having a bit of a smoke," Basil said first. "Torrance just brought in some very fine cigars and the missus won't let me have them in the home you know."

"Of course, you were off the pond?" Brennan asked.

"Right, went there to have that cigar and enjoy the stars," Basil said. "And I walked back towards the pub since I'd agreed to meet my mates for a pint here."

"Did you notice anything strange while you were out there?" Beckett asked.

"No, nothin' but the breeze and owls and the like," Basil said, raising his hand. He sighed and then continued with his story, relating how he'd been watching a recording of a soccer game on his phone on the way out of the woods before feeling as if he'd been followed. "I could have sworn that it was Palkis; one of our mates. But… I saw something at the end, black and not a person. Was as if it were a ghost… and then I was hit."

"What about when you woke up?" Castle asked.

"Nothing around me, but I had been moved out of the woods," Basil replied. "And on the field over by Missus Worthington's. She helped me by calling the police and here I am for my pint."

"What about you Gerry?" Brennan asked the other man who was drinking from his glass at that moment.

"Well, I was walking along the trail by the Newcombs," Gerry replied.

"It's a home just off where the property ends at White Mount," Brennan told the other three swiftly.

"I'd gone there for dinner," Gerry said. "I'm on my own so my mates invite me at times. I was just strolling, without a car and I heard footsteps behind me. So I turn about; nothing there. Turn back and the bloody footsteps are in front of me now. I call out to Palkis; he's a great one for pranks he is; but of course I hear nothing in return. I continue and it all happens again. I don't know when it happened but when I turned in front of me again, I saw a mist that became a form and it was a ghost; Basil here is right. It floats to me and all I know is that I wake up on the ground from the trees."

"The lady knows these woods all around are haunted," Basil said then, Gerry nodding in agreement with him. "You know too there was a battle; Parliamentarians and the Royalists four hundred years ago. It's them, they didn't want us walking around there."

"Excuse me," Mercer said then to get their attention. "Thank you for talking to them as well, but please have someone drive you both to your home Mr. Worths." As they were leaving the two men he explained, "Since Mr. Donohue is on his own he'll be going to the other man's home."

"Was there a battle?" Skye asked once they were outside.

"Could we go see where they were when they were attacked?" Beckett said to the constabulary before her cousin could answer the question.

"Very well, there wasn't any evidence there anyway," Mercer said after obviously thinking that over.

When they were back in the car, Skye asked her question again before Brennan answered saying, "It was a skirmish, it's more local history than widely known in the books. I mean, it is in the history books about the war here specifically."

"Were there casualties?" Castle asked.

"Yes, but there's no definitive number about that," Brennan answered. They soon stopped and he said, "We're near the Orchard and Hive; I wonder why Corbin didn't mention it."

"I don't think it had any significance," Beckett said gently.

"It's why you're helping them," Brennan said with a smile across the car.

Nodding her head Beckett looked at the grass that was near the pond where they'd skated two months before and she said, "Where was he found?"

"Here, you can see the indentation of his body," Mercer said as he and the officer had joined them.

"So he was laying there for some time," Skye commented as they looked at it.

"It appears so. But Basil had no real idea what time it was before he was struck," Mercer said. "Though you should know I don't put much in store by the ghost idea."

Castle opened his mouth to comment before he felt his wife's hand on his arm. he looked over at her and was about to speak when she was asking about the two men.

"What about their state of mind when you talked to them," Beckett said.

"They seemed very clearheaded but they did admit to having drinks already at their home… well, their home in Mr. Worth's case and his friends' in Mr. Donohue's."

"You think that could have influenced them," Skye said.

"Are you… sensing anything here?" Brennan asked her hesitantly.

Glancing to the two lawmen Skye glanced around them again and said, "Not really… at least nothing that would manifest so to be honest I'm not entirely sure."

"What was that?" Castle said in a whisper as he turned to the woods.

Frowning, Mercer grabbed a collapsible club and flicked his wrist just before the officer was doing the same next to him. They were all watching the foliage before he sighed when he saw the people that were approaching and he called, "We're with the constabulary, step forward."

"Whoa, we're not doing anything," the young man said as he was walking up to them.

"How long have you two been in there?" Mercer asked.

"We've only just arrived," the young woman with the man said softly.

Sighing again Mercer said, "Go on home, this is a crime scene and nearly time for curfew."

"Do you believe that?" Skye asked.

"I know these two," the officer said. "They do the same thing… repeatedly, around here. I may need to write them up if they don't stop."

"Can't," Mercer told him apologetically. "Unless they're on private property."

"Someday," the officer said with a frown.

"By the way," Skye said then. "You never told us your name."

"Officer Gorman ma'am," the officer replied.

"At least we know each other now," Skye said, nodding. "Now what?" she said, looking over at Beckett.

"Did you check around for any broken branches? And are you sure of where Mr. Worths was when he was attacked?" Beckett asked.

"We are because he dropped his phone," Mercer replied. "We've marked it here," he then said, pointing it out on the ground. "And the dragging starts here of course," he commented as they'd seen it walking up to the trail.

"Alright," Beckett said, glancing around. She sighed and then said, "I guess you couldn't say for sure if the attacker was the one to break any branches."

"Could you see anything caught on branches?" Brennan said. He looked at his cousin and said, "That's what would happen correct?"

"It is," Mercer answered before Beckett could. "And we had search lights here for a time; nothing that we could see. But I know it will be much better in the morning and that's why this trail is closed off for the time being."

"What about the one on my property?" Brennan asked.

"We can go there now if you'd like," Mercer replied. "There's nothing else of note here. At least not until we can get a clearer look in the morning."

As they were driving back towards the manor Beckett asked, "Is this trail we're going to public?"

"It's not exactly a trail," Brennan replied. "But it's available to anyone who needs to get to the main road into town; walking of course."

"Any problems with that?" Skye commented.

"Never," Brennan said. "Of course I haven't been here for as long as Clara, but I can ask her when I see her again."

"Do you have security cameras at all?" Castle then asked.

Shaking his head Brennan said, "Would be illegal. And I suppose since there aren't any already there's never been an issue with it." He peered out the windshield as they were slowing down and said, "Damn."

"What?" Beckett asked in surprise.

"This part of the trail, the skirmish took place from here to the west. If I'm remembering the local history the Royalists were camped close to the manor," Brennan explained.

"The haunting legend?" Beckett asked.

Brennan nodded and said as he parked the car, "I think the Parliamentarians were near the pond… so it's known by the town."

"Anything certain in these haunting legends?" Skye asked as they were stepping out.

"Just stories, it's why they're called legends," Brennan explained before they were walking over to where the dirt of the path was disturbed.

"Mr. Donohue fell here," Gorman told them. "And as you can see he was dragged through the grass over to that clearing. There's a home there…"

"Not one of my workers. White Mount land ends about thirty yards that way," Brennan said quickly. "The home belongs to Mort Sanderson. Good chap and a former officer in London."

"We've spoken with him," Mercer commented. "I've heard of him; he caught some bank robbers back in the nineties."

"The Harrods theft," Brennan said to the others. "It wasn't just a bank but Harrods as well though they only managed to get away with pounds from the bank. The news stuck with the Harrods name though I'm sure the store wasn't all that pleased."

"Did he notice anything?" Beckett asked.

"He heard Mr. Donohue yelling as he approached but nothing else," Gorman replied.

"We haven't really found anything of note either," Mercer said. "And really I just needed your assistance with the townspeople."

"Then why show…" Castle said. He glanced at his wife as he scratched his cheek before he looked at the constabulary.

"I don't think I would need much more help than this," Mercer said. "But if I should…"

"Please call on us," Skye said first. She smiled briefly when her friends looked at her and said, "We'll be ready to help."

After the others had said the same Mercer thanked them and said, "I might not need it but I'm glad to know you will."

Saying goodnight to the two men, Beckett walked with her husband over to the car before she said, "Did you think he'd need the help?"

"You heard what Brennan said," Skye said swiftly before they got inside. "There's nothing going on between the pubs… what about the two men and the Newcombs?"

"I've never heard anything, I would have let Corbin know," Brennan said firmly. He started the car and then said with a sigh, "I just hope it doesn't happen again."

"Hopefully," Beckett said. "Because if this is someone intent on attacking the elderly…"

"Yes, horrifying thought," Skye said with a frown. "I just hope the idea of a ghost doesn't run wild, not without any proof. It would make the townspeople a bit barmy I think."

Beckett; after her cousin had agreed; didn't say anything and wasn't surprised when her husband didn't either. She didn't think there was anything to that part of the story; just the shock of the men; but decided to wait and see if she would need to voice that at all as they made their way to the manor.

"Okay?" Castle asked his wife a short time later once they were getting out of the car at the home.

"Yes, but let's leave the investigation to the police please," Beckett said firmly.

"Unless they need us," Castle said as he nodded his head.

"Of course," Beckett said simply before she and her husband went over to the steps up to the front door where Skye and Brennan were waiting.

"What will you tell Clara?" Castle asked as they were going up to the door.

"The truth, just her though," Brennan replied.

"And the other guests?" Skye asked.

"Clare told them that there may be a trespasser on the property and we were going to look for them," Brennan answered. He then said, "I don't know if they'd believe it but it's something I'd do as the… man of the house," he finished with, making a face.

"And us?" Beckett said.

"It's believable there," Brennan said immediately as he unlocked the door. "Thank you, Sutton," he said as the butler was walking up to them quickly. They took off their coats and once the man had them he said, "But for now everything's settled and we'll see how much longer they stay."

"Angus and Esther are staying," Clara said as she walked into the entry then.

"And Brenton?" Brennan asked with a frown.

"Him as well," Clara said. "Remember they said they might."

Nodding Brennan said, "I forgot to mention to you that the family was thinking of doing that, staying until the ball."

"Are the others?" Beckett asked, hoping they wouldn't start worrying about her.

"No, they'll be back for it but they're returning to their homes," Clara said. "I'm s-" she started to say.

Shaking her head Beckett said, "I'll be fine. Rick and I will probably spend time out of the house anyway."

Glancing at his wife; since they hadn't really talked about that; Castle then said, "What are you guys doing now?"

"They're just in the parlour," Clara replied. "Talking and having drinks."

"I suppose we should do the same," Skye said before suddenly leaving them.

"Mary's been looking for her," Clara said with a smile as they watched the woman going. "So what happened." After the three had explained to her what they'd discovered, she frowned and said, "Hmm, he's right that legend's been around for ages," speaking to Castle and Beckett then.

"Then it could be mass hysteria," Beckett said.

"I'm not sure, the men and women that work at the pubs are very levelheaded," Clara said. "And they wouldn't really have any reason to make that up."

"Maybe because it's at night they're seeing a trick of the light," Beckett said.

"What light?" Castle asked, not surprised his wife shot a glare at him.

"Lack of light, whatever you want to call it," Beckett replied firmly. "But that was as much as we could help them with," she continued.

"But we did offer to help him again if he needed it," Castle said.

"I did as well, I imagine he needs my help with the people of the town," Brennan began. "If he does of course."

"Then will you come and join us?" Clara asked.

"Of course, lead the way," Brennan told his wife.

Castle reached for his wife's hand as soon as the other two were walking together and they followed them to the room. He wasn't surprised when some of the dinner guests were asking about the trespassers or Brennan's response.

"Everything is fine, it was a local man from town walking along a path far off towards home," Brennan replied. "A bit dark tonight so my groundskeeper was mistaken."

"He's a good man to have contacted you," Esther said seriously.

"He is," Brennan said with a nod.

"Well, since we're all here would anyone enjoy a cup of coffee or tea?" Clara said, going to the doorway where there was an intercom there.