Chapter Eight

The Mistress Of Gull Cottage

Several days later:

Daniel was slowly learning to control his new existence and his times spent in his physical state gradually began to lengthen. It took concentration to achieve it and he needed to limit his use of the new power for fear of exhausting himself until he could fully control it. To his immense relief, he'd found he still retained all his ghostly powers, whenever he returned to the spirit side of his newly enhanced form.

But this new physical state was now leading his mind back to the inevitable question that had begun to torture his periods of rest. He paced the wheelhouse often, grappling with all the implications of this new impediment.

Wasn't he breaking his own strict moral and ethical code by remaining beneath the same roof as a beautiful young widow who loved him? Who would love him completely, if only he would allow it.

He hesitated to discuss the whole truth with Carolyn until he was sure of his ground. He would confess all only when he was certain they could have a future together, in this life.

He shook his head. "And I thought simply being alive again was difficult enough."

Recently a bold new idea had begun to form in his mind. A daring plan that had snatched his breath away the moment it had occurred to him. Could it be possible? There was only one way to find out.

But first, there was a very large hurdle to face before they could all settle down in peace. Carolyn's parents were arriving tomorrow afternoon. Daniel's love was nervous and worried about how she was going to tell them she'd bought the house and now had no intention of returning to the city with them. Not the day after tomorrow, not ever.

"We will get through this," Daniel had tried to reassure her. After much discussion, he'd finally presented her with a plan that needed to work and they all had to play their parts.

"It's the best we can do, I guess," Carolyn had worried the point but eventually gave in to his wiser counsel.

As soon as the Williams' had been mollified and safely returned to Philadelphia, Daniel needed to make contact with some of his spectral peers to ask a very important question, hoping their answer would be favourable. He had no idea what he would do if he was denied.

Go back to the devil and beg for a new deal? He baulked at the very idea of giving Turner the satisfaction of knowing his master's precious gift had been rejected because it brought more difficulties than it solved. The demon would go out of his way to exact a full measure of revenge.

Or abandon my boon forever and return my existence entirely to my former spirit state? Daniel thumped his fists together in frustration. That didn't bear thinking about.

Too much had changed for him ever to go back to solely being a ghost. He would rather depart this plane altogether than lose the ability to touch his love. It appeared the devil truly was in the finer details of this suddenly thorny blessing he'd been granted.

It was late in the evening when he finally appeared beside Carolyn as she sat at her desk reading a letter. "What do you have there, Madam?"

Carolyn looked up, frowning her concern over the tiredness in his voice. "It's from Harvey and Gladys Dillman. Do you remember them? They were the stranded young couple you wanted to scare half to death so they would leave the house because they weren't married."

"And I had to haul Claymore out of bed in my search for a Justice of the Peace to marry them. It turned out to be him." Daniel shook his head on a soft laugh.

"Well, they've just had their first child. A little boy they've named David. They sent some pictures and thanked us again for the lovely wedding ceremony. They say we saved their relationship."

"If I remember correctly, Martha commented that the young woman was wearing your wedding dress." Daniel read the letter she held out. "You must have looked very beautiful in it at your own wedding. I wish I could have been there."

"That would have been interesting." Carolyn smiled, glad to see the look of strain easing in his expression. "But I've never worn it. I left it behind when we decided to elope. I can't explain why I kept it after Bobby died. I remembered I still had it packed away when Gladys said she didn't have a gown."

She shrugged. "Maybe Martha couldn't part with it for sentimental reasons like she did with Jonathan's baby clothes. Anyway, the Dillmans were such a lovely young couple. I'm pleased for them. It was very sweet of you to go to all the trouble of waking Claymore and getting him out to the house in the middle of the night."

"As you well know, I was not about to allow an unwed couple to sleep together under my roof. And I believe I've told you before, my dear, I am not sweet." Daniel shook his head at her. "You really do need to choose your words more carefully."

He was certain Gladys Dillman's letter had not arrived by chance. It seemed the hand of fate was pushing him toward the answer he urgently needed to seek.

"Yes, you are sweet." Carolyn wrinkled her nose at him. "Very sweet. When you're getting your own way."

"I should make you pay a forfeit for that slight," Daniel told her, leaning close.

"What did you have in mind?" Carolyn looked up at him, her eyes twinkling.

"Since we are alone, I can think of many things," he told her softly, glancing toward the bed, before leaning closer still. "But this will have to do, for now…" He captured her lips with his in an intimate kiss that said far more than words.

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"You want to stay here?" Carolyn's father waved a hand around the living room as he frowned at her in consternation. "In this old house buried in the God-forsaken wilderness. For good. And there's nothing we can say that will change your mind?"

Emily and Bradford Williams sat on the living room couch looking decidedly put out. They'd returned, refreshed and happy, from their Caribbean cruise fully expecting to find their daughter already packed and ready to be transported back to the safety and security of civilisation and a new marriage. They hadn't anticipated such a definitive ultimatum of refusal when they arrived to reclaim their daughter and grandchildren.

"No, I've made up my mind," Carolyn replied simply, watching them both with sympathy. "My life is here now and I love it. The quiet and the isolation suits us perfectly. The children are thriving on all the fresh air and sunshine."

Her gaze slipped briefly to Daniel, seated on the window seat behind her parents. His encouraging expression bolstered her spirits.

"And did I hear it right?" her father persisted. "You've actually bought this house?" He looked around in confusion. "Without even consulting us? I'm sorry to be so blunt, Carolyn, but with what monies?"

"You see, dear," Emily put in, laying a hand on her husband's arm. "All the family knows Robert left you with very little besides debts. How could you possibly afford such a large house as this on the money you make from your writing? Or is there something you're not telling us?"

Her expression said she feared the worst. That her daughter had done something rash and impetuous like eloping again, as she had with Robert Muir. It still rankled as an unspoken family disgrace.

"I… had a very good friend…" Carolyn shrugged, sitting back in her chair. "A fellow writer. When he died he left me an inheritance. It seemed the most logical thing to use the money for a good cause. To secure all our futures in Gull Cottage. My landlord was very willing to sell, for the right price."

It was the story she and Daniel had finally agreed to tell her parents. It was a form of the truth. Daniel had died and he did gift her his treasure.

"Well, it all seems very irregular," Bradford complained. "Why have we not heard of this generous fellow before now? Why didn't you tell Harriet about him when she visited?"

"Because it was none of her business and Harriet is not a keeper of confidences," Carolyn told them roundly. "We all know that. Her tongue is rather too loose in her head."

"Bravo, Madam," Daniel approved, smiling. "That's a well-placed shot right across their bow. The next one should take out their mast."

"Oh, Harriet means well enough," Emily defended stoutly. "I know she can't resist telling Hazel everything. She only wanted the best for you. As we all do."

"I know…" Carolyn sighed. "But she worried you and I cannot allow that."

She drew a deep, steadying breath. "You must understand, Mother, that this is now my life to live how I choose. If I make mistakes, then they are mine to make. I cannot help it if the family disapproves."

"Yes, well, I suppose…" her mother conceded reluctantly. "It's not that we disapprove of anything you do. It's just that we worry about your welfare and the children. An innocent young woman, on her own…"

"And I love you for it."

Her father cleared his throat. "But, who was this fellow to you, that he would just give you his money?"

"He was an old sea captain. He loved to spin yarns of his times at sea and I wrote them all down. I intend to write his memoirs and publish them."

"You certainly seem to have a ready supply of sea captains in this town." Her mother sat forward disapprovingly. "I trust you're not planning on marrying that awful Captain Gregg the moment we leave. Not after the last time."

"What Captain Gregg to me is entirely my affair." Carolyn shook her head. "But no, marriage to him is out of the question."

Of course, she meant Claymore, but she couldn't tell them that. She left her parents to make what they could of her statement.

"Well, I for one don't like it. Something is very fishy…" Her father shook his head. "I hope you haven't gotten in over your head with the upkeep of this place, young lady. Of course, I'll want to see the purchase document. Make sure it's all in order and above board. One can never be too careful when buying property. A vulnerable, young woman living all alone, can be taken advantage of by any charlatan."

His wife soothed him with a hand on his arm. "I'm sure Carolyn will only be too happy to show you the papers, Brad. But if this is the life our daughter has chosen, then we must respect her wishes."

"I suppose…" He nodded reluctantly.

"Don't worry, Dad. I had a very good advisor." Again, Carolyn glanced at Daniel. "Everything's in ship-shape order and I have enough money left over to maintain the house."

She smiled, happy that her parents were now making concessions. "Please don't worry about me. I will be fine."

"How can we not worry?" Her mother rose to hug her close.

"Thanks, Mother…" Carolyn returned her embrace with deep affection before stepping back to take her mother's hands. "And you know you're always welcome in my house any time you choose to visit."

"We will certainly keep you to that, young lady." Her father got up to hug her as well. "Try and keep us away. But I still say you need a husband. Men always know better in these matters of property and taxes."

He stood back to look up at Daniel's portrait above the fireplace. "Now if you could find a man like him…" He nodded to the painting. "A fine-looking fellow with a good eye and a firm chin. He looks like a man who was in command of his own destiny. He's my idea of a proper sea captain. A real shame they don't make them like him anymore."

"Yes, a real shame…" Carolyn glanced at Daniel who was looking deeply satisfied and more than a little smug. "But, no doubt, he would have some decidedly nineteenth-century ideas about a woman's place in the world."

"And what would be wrong with that?" Her father laughed, only to be shushed by his wife.

Daniel vanished from the window seat, knowing the immediate crisis had been averted. He went to seek out Martha in the kitchen to inform her of their progress.

Carolyn did her best to make small talk with her parents, knowing they were in no hurry to leave. They'd already said they would be staying the night. Perhaps they thought their close company would change their daughter's mind.

Carolyn knew they would still have questions and thoughts for which she had to be prepared with answers. She nodded to Daniel as he reappeared behind her mother.

"Coffee?" Martha hurried into the living room, carrying a tray complete the coffee service and a plate holding generous slices of angel food cake.

"Lucifer was once an angel…" Carolyn said softly, watching her parents help themselves to the delicious-looking food.

She retired quietly to the window seat, as Martha bustled about serving coffee and keeping the Williams' busy.

Daniel sat down beside her, resisting the deep desire to move into his physical state so he could clasp her hand within his to reassure her. He could see the tense look of strain on her face and he couldn't add to it by suddenly materialising in front of her overly protective parents. He could well imagine the utter chaos that would ensue.

"A very terrible angel…" He nodded. "But he did have his good points."

"And not so bad he couldn't make one or two dreams come true…" Carolyn moved her hand to rest as close to his as possible.

"When do your parents leave?" Daniel questioned softly, leaning closer.

"They fly out tomorrow afternoon. I'll drive them to the airport to make sure they get on the plane. I'm sure they still imagine if they can stay here longer, they can change my mind. On the drive home, they were very keen to tell me that Owen Mitford still waits for me." She rolled her eyes. "He pines…"

"Blast his craven heart!" Daniel muttered. "If the simpleton wants you that much he should have come out here and fought for your hand, like a real man! Let him and all his simpering kind wait forever!"

"I agree totally." Carolyn smiled sweetly at his vehemence. "Let's just say that your nineteenth-century ways and care of me have banished every twentieth-century man from my thoughts, forever…"

"I should hope so…" Daniel murmured, looking very pleased. He glanced back at her parents. "I think they have been suitably mollified, for now."

Carolyn shook her head. "To put it in your terminology, this is only the opening salvo. No doubt we can expect a visit from Harriet in the near future. She will be bursting to know the truth and will feel it's her duty to uncover it."

"Then blast that woman also, and her loose tongue! I will not have her aboard my ship!"

"Our ship," Carolyn gently reminded him. "But remember, if she hadn't hurried home to tattle about my romance with Claymore, then we wouldn't be here, now…"

"Yes…" Daniel conceded. "But it does rankle that we have her to thank for the gift of being able to touch you now."

Carolyn studied the generous curve of his mouth. "I guess necessity does make for strange bedfellows…"

"Do not talk of bed, woman…" Daniel groaned.

No one else could see him except Martha, and she was purposefully not looking in their direction for fear of Carolyn's parents noticing the direction of her interest.

Daniel drew back. "Shall we say the wheelhouse at ten, for a leisurely glass of Madeira and a little dancing?"

"That would be delightful…" Carolyn replied, softly. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Unless my parents are still awake…"

"Why are you sitting all the way over there?" Her mother turned to frown at her. "You're giving me a cramp in my neck. And who are you talking to, dear?"

"Just myself…" Carolyn shook her head. "It helps me think."

She stood, drawing away from Daniel reluctantly. He dematerialised and she immediately felt the warm salute of his invisible lips against hers, giving her his strength.

"I see…" Her mother shook her head. "That's another odd habit of yours that Harriet also remarked on. She said she found it most unusual and disturbing. She was sure you were having some kind of emotional break-down over some man who'd been dead for a hundred years."

"Oh, Mother!" Carolyn exclaimed in exasperation, forcing a laugh, even as she mentally consigned Cousin Harriet to a very warm place. "You know how Harriet loves to exaggerate."

Her mother sighed, looking unconvinced. She turned back to her husband. "I do hope we've made the right decision in agreeing to allow her to stay here. It just doesn't feel right."

"Time will tell, I suppose…" Bradford frowned. "She is a woman of property now. We must respect her wishes."

They shook their heads in unison and Carolyn saw her mother mouth the name, Harriet. The family were not going to be kept at bay when they felt it was their duty to interfere.

"The children will be home from school soon," she diverted their attention adroitly as she poured herself a cup of coffee before returning to her chair beside the fireplace. "They will be so happy to see you both."

She sipped her coffee. "And since tomorrow is Saturday, we can all come to the airport with you, to see you off. You said your plane leaves at four o'clock…" Carolyn ignored her father's look of consternation as she accepted the plate holding another slice of cake that Martha handed to her.

Bradford looked puzzled. "Oh, but I thought… that is, we thought…" He subsided when his wife shushed him by patting his arm.

"We need to get home," she said. "We've been away long enough. We'll talk about this another time."

"And the opening barrage is won by the good ship, Gull Cottage," Martha murmured to Carolyn out the side of her mouth. "Time to swab the decks and reload…"

She straightened to ask heartily, "Now, who would like another cup of coffee?"

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