Disclaimer: Crimson Peak belongs to Guillermo del Toro and The Lodgers belongs to Brian O'Malley.

Summary: Sean Nally was supposed to die that fateful night when he tried to help Rachel escape her fate. He was supposed to be the price of her freedom. So why and how did he find himself in Allerdale Hall, far from home, serving the Sharpes?

Author's note: Please note that my first language is not English, it's French. If you find any mistakes or weird sentence, let me know, so I can better myself. While I know I am almost fluent and while I do read after myself and use Grammarly to help, sometimes, a mistake can pass by.

Entwined Souls

Chapter 7

"Ah, Sean, laddie, there's mail for you!" William shouted as he arrived near the main door.

Sean put down his box and smiled at the old man. At least, he tried. He hadn't slept well at all these past few days. While he got on well with everyone around Allerdale Hall, William Finlay had that grandpa vibe surrounding him. Truth be told, he reminded him of his own grandfather, one he had few memories of as he had died quite early in his life.

"Thanks, Mister Finlay."

"Call me Will, Lad."

The young man smiled and checked the envelope. This was coming from County Wexford. From home. He opened it immediately, too excited at the idea of reading Kay or his mother's words.

It read:

Dearest Sean,

Mom and I are so very happy and relieved you are safe and sound, in a place that welcomes you and treats you so well. You can imagine our surprise when we received a letter from an English baronet! We've been the talk of the village for quite a while!

When everybody learnt you were there, working for nobility, the reactions have been a bit mixed, as you can imagine. I don't have to remind you of how you were welcomed home not so long ago. Mom and I have been anxious, you had disappeared so suddenly! Though Mom immediately knew it had to do with Rachel. She left the morning of your disappearance. We found a small amount of money for us at the post office from her, with a note. A start of payment for the debts she accumulated at the Nally's. There is absolutely no sign of her brother, we assume he's dead. No one dares going there and make sure he is though. I wanted to go, so I could give the poor soul a proper burial if he had passed away, but Mom forbade it. She said the house had claimed you and she didn't want to lose me. Truth be told, I think Mom is going mad. Indeed, I can't find a reason for your arrival in England. Even with the fastest boat, you couldn't have settled in Allerdale Hall so quickly! Mom states that, somehow, the house drove you there? In any case, both of us are overjoyed to hear that you are okay, with someone who treats you well. You should have seen Sir Thomas's letter to us! He wrote to us as if Mom and I had been royalty! There is a separate letter coming for him and Lady Lucille, to thank them for their hospitality and to let them know we'd be delighted to return the favour, in case they need one.

By the way, from what we know, Rachel went to England as well. I know England is wide and it'd be unlikely you'd cross path with her again. However, if you do, let her know I found her locket on her mother's grave. I allowed myself to put it in a small box and bury it under the tombstone. I didn't want anyone to steal it.

I hope you'll take time and write to us more often.

Your loving little sister,

Kay

"Good news?" William enquired

"From my sister. She says Mom and her are glad I am working for Lord Thomas." Sean smiled

"Sir Thomas." The older man corrected

Sean looked at him, confused.

"Isn't he a noble?" He asked

"He sure is. But even between nobles, there are distinctions. You see, Sir Thomas Sharpe is a baronet. He owns lands but he doesn't sit in the House of Lords. He's about the same rank as a knight."

The Irish man awkwardly looked at his feet.

"Then, I've made a fool of myself from the start."

William laughed.

"Don't say that! I'm sure Lady Lucille was delighted you called her brother a lord! And if Sir Thomas didn't say anything, then it means it's okay in his books. Telling you just in case we have a visit from other nobles. Don't want them going around, saying Irishmen have no education."

"Not many Englishmen would do that."

"Lad, we live in Allerdale. We're all family."

"Well said, William." Thomas' voice echoed from behind

They turned around and bowed.

"I see you've received your letter too, Sean." The baronet smiled. "Your sister seems like a sweet girl."

Sean proudly grinned.

"Could I have a word with you in private?"

He followed his protector inside and into the drawing-room.

" Sit. I haven't had the chance to properly speak with you since... The events from the other night." Thomas started

He didn't utter a word. There was nothing for him to say. His mind hadn't changed one bit. He found carnal relationships between a sister and a brother to be absolutely disgusting. However, this was a matter that concerned Lady Lucille and Sir Thomas only. They had been kind to him when they had no reason to. And on a more selfish note, he wanted to preserve his living. He had learnt, a long time ago, that if words were silver, silence was gold.

"I know Lucille keeps an eye on you."

"I am her employee."

"That's a very diplomatic way to say it. Also, if you write to your sister or your mother, I can almost guarantee Lucille will read it first. I'm against it but..."

"Lady Lucille is only looking out for your safety."

Thomas looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

"You really should become a diplomat."

"I have nothing to hide. I know what I can or can't say. I promised Lady Lucille I would keep quiet and I will."

"I know you will. Thank you for that. Sean, are you okay?"

The young man looked very pale and as if he was suffering from a migraine.

"I have troubles sleeping these days. Nothing that should worry you." He tried to explain

"You should have told us, we have tea for that. Also, if you have things on your mind, feel free to talk to me. You indeed work for this family, but I like to think we could become friends. Truth be told, I could use one."

Sean offered him a smile.

"It's about Rachel, isn't it?" Thomas tried "I know you two are close."

"I know my place, Sir."

What he had told her on the night they had reunited was painfully true. He couldn't stop loving her even if he tried to. He had tried convincing himself it was just a crush, they never said "I love you" to one another. He had told himself she was of noble birth, he was an Irish peasant, she was with her family now, surely she'd marry into the aristocracy, as it was expected of her if she decided on not remaining a spinster for the rest of her days. She was out his league, all he could offer her, all he should offer her really, was his friendship and respect. He had wanted to say this to her so many times but in her presence, the words got lost in his throat, almost strangling him. Whenever she appeared, he felt his resolution crumbling away. The headaches had started when he had considered telling Rachel they should just remain friends. They grew worse each night, at every twist his heart made to make him walk the path of duty. They were so bad they kept him awake most of the nights and too weak to get up and walk around. The ghost of Beatrice, or he assumed it was Beatrice, didn't reappear to him ever since he had learnt of her children's nasty affair. And all he could do was to keep quiet. Thomas and Lucille would never believe him if he told them he had seen their mother's ghost. It was a miracle already that they didn't pry further into how he got into their clay tubs in the first place. And he couldn't bring himself to tell Rachel the place was haunted. She had left her family manor, occupied by the spirits of her ancestors, hoping to find in Allerdale Hall a safe haven. He didn't want to destroy the peace she was slowly building for herself. Thank goodness, Thomas seemed to understand as he didn't press the matter more than he did.

"Can I ask you a question?" He changed the subject

Sean nodded.

"Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?"

He sounded so serious it got him worried for a moment. He knew the Sharpe family certainly had more secrets up its sleeves but Thomas sounded almost defeated.

"I believe in redemption, yes." He carefully replied

"But do you believe everyone deserves a second chance? Even if they did something unspeakable?" Thomas asked again

"That depends." The young man answered. "What did the man do?"

His tongue was burning, he wanted so badly to know if he meant sleeping with his sibling. But he saw no way of bringing this naturally and elegantly. His place there wasn't secured, he was still walking on eggshells, even more when he now knew his correspondence would be watched before sent to the post office then to Ireland.

"If a man helped in the murder of someone who trusted him and loved him but regretted it, could he have a second chance?"

"A lawyer would ask if the man had special circumstances."

"Then, be that man's lawyer."

"Is that man under the influence of another person? The one that actually committed the murder? Is that person under blackmail or a threat against his life? How much did he help in the murder?

"He is under influence, yes. But he still has a brain. He could have put a stop to it before it was too late. After all, he was the one helping with the murder weapon."

"That's a good thing your man realizes it. But it doesn't diminish the influence he's under."

Seeing Thomas lost in thought, he added:

"If that man manages to break free from that influence and is genuine in his guilt, I see no reason he shouldn't be given another chance, so he can make amends and live a better life, growing from that experience. The world is a dangerous and nasty place to live in. Still, we have to try our best not to get too tainted by its darkness."

" So, you believe there is hope for that man yet?"

"I believe that man isn't as horrible as he thinks he is. He bears the weight of the life he helped taking, he understands what he did was wrong, he wants to end the cycle and better himself. In my books, that's a man I could be rooting for, if sincere."

For some reason, the baronet seemed relieved.

"Thank you, Sean. Really. I appreciate it."

"All those fancy words and you can't even apply them to yourself!" A voice echoed

Sean frowned and from Thomas' expression as he was pouring himself a drink, he hadn't heard anything.

"You are such a hypocrite!"

The voice was familiar, too familiar. He shivered. That voice... was the one he had heard back when he was under Loftus Hall, the male voice speaking to the raspy one who had declared Rachel had been saved.

"You definitely don't look good!" Thomas worried "Go to your bedroom and rest, I'll have a doctor come later if you are still unwell."

"I'll be fine, besides, there is work to do..."

The young man tried to rise from his armchair, his leg trembling. He felt his head was about to burst, the pain throbbing against his temples and forehead. He was getting dizzy, the world blurry. He heard Thomas call his name again.

Until he couldn't see, nor hear, no feel anything anymore.

To Be Continued