Chapter 4
James was not taking Marion's death well at all. He had heard the staff whispering around him, he knew he was sulking and being quite intolerable. He knew he should behave less formidable and more like the nobleman that he was. As he had been doing for over a month, James sat, contemplating morality and morbidity, in an overstuffed chair in his gentleman's lodge; two days ride away from his home estate, which he had left in such a disheartened state after the death of his wife that he never even held the babies. His babies. His twins. Marion's final gift to him. He began to shake uncontrollably. His shoulders wilted under the pressure of his conscience. His eyes filled with tears of pain as he remembered Marion's eyes as they bored into his own, as she sat there dying in front of him. He knew she was trying to communicate to him to be strong. To be yielding in his remorse and be the man she knew he was. Be the father she knew he was. He called for his carriage and gathered his things and left immediately.
As the carriage neared his home, he was dreadfully reminded of his last trip up the long drive. He wondered at the reception that would greet him now. The twins would be over a month old. He thought about the only time he had seen them swaddled, in Mary's arms. They were so tiny, coming a month early. Suddenly he began questioning himself. Surely he would find them healthy, Mary would have sent someone to fetch him if there had been a problem, right? Had he told Mary where he was going? He wasn't sure. Did they think he had abandoned them? No, they wouldn't think that, would they? He told Siobhan to tell the twins he loved them, right? He was somewhat certain he did. Had he told Mary when he would return? No, he couldn't have told her that, he didn't know it himself until he decided two days ago that he would come home. He was now chastising himself for going so far from home when his children were so small.
As James exited the carriage, he couldn't help but visualize his greatest fear. Mary rushing towards him, screaming about the children. He runs to her and grabs her shoulders demanding answers. She can't answer only cries and moans about the children. He runs to the house, barrels up the stairs and charges into the nursery, and sees himself sitting there with the twins in his arms, covered in blood. Marion's body is awkwardly hunched over his, blood spilling from her closed mouth, drenching his shirt and the twins. She turns her head sideways and looks him directly in the eye, a low growl parts her lips, spewing even more blood on his other self and the babies. James shook his head, breaking his reverie, as a chill runs down his spine. It wasn't real. He took a step towards the house mentally preparing himself to see his children for the first time.
Mary and Robert, standing just outside the foyer, were speaking in hushed tones as James entered the house. Mary looked at James and immediately broke into tears. Robert placed a hand on her shoulder and lifted his eyes to James. Before James could think the worst, Mary darted toward him and took him a tight hug and released him just as quick, as she remembered her place. She told him how Robert had just told her that he had seen Mr. Clifford's carriage coming up the drive and rushed to the house so she could prep the staff for Mr. Clifford's arrival, he hadn't made it in time and Mary was reprimanding him for his lack of foresight as James himself walked in the door.
James smiled at the woman, who had always been such a blessing to his household, and asked her to prepare a simple meal. Mary looked at him with doe-eyed and asked quietly if his carriage needed to be kept available. James looked at her, a slow smile spreading across his lips, he told her he wouldn't be leaving until his children were able to travel and until then he would remain at home.
The next few months passed without any incident, beyond a father getting to know and love his children. James was instantly taken with Jane. He adored her and told the staff that she was to get anything she wanted as she was his princess. Alec was an exact replica of Marion. James found it hard to look at him for long periods of time without grieving for his loss. The strange occurrences seemed to cease altogether after James' return. The staff attributing it to the fact that Mrs. Clifford's spirit was at ease now that her children's father was at home.
The twins were just over six months old when James had to leave to take care of business across the country. As he drove away in the carriage, unbidden images filled his mind. Marion's lifeless corpse sagging against his body, pinning him to the bed. Siobhan, standing in the doorway, holding the twins as they suckled her breasts. Her eyes glazed over and her mouth hanging open her teeth exposed, glistening wet from the blood that oozed out of the corners of her mouth. Dr. William's telling him there is nothing more that can be done because they are all dead. A tremor of pain coursed through James as he woke from what he was sure must have been a nightmare.