House of Midnight Fantasies

With dramatic flair, Ella threw open the doors to reveal a massive circular room covered in what appeared to be original wood-plank floors. In the center of that room, a freestanding, wide red-carpeted staircase spiraled to the second floor. Selene’s gaze tracked to the ceiling that showcased gold-winged cherubs flitting about a large expanse of cloud-bedecked blue sky, a chandelier dripping with crystals serving as the focal point. She’d seen this type of room before, but only in photographs that couldn’t compare to witnessing the real thing with her own eyes. “This is absolutely breathtaking.”

Ella smiled proudly. “It had that effect on me the first time I saw it.” She pointed across the way. “The kitchen and dining room are through there. We can see those later. I’ll show you the second floor now.”

As she followed Ella up the stairway, her hand firmly gripping the white iron railing, Selene felt as if she were climbing toward heaven. A tranquil piece of paradise among the darkness.

When they reached the landing, Ella stopped and nodded to her left. “That corridor leads to the front of the house where you’ll find two rooms. One was formerly a nursery, the other’s been converted into a private office.”

Heavy emphasis on private, Selene noted. She motioned to her right. “And down that way?”

“The rest of the second-floor bedrooms, including where you’ll be staying if we come to an agreement.”

“I would be expected to live on-site?”

“Room and board would be included while you’re here.”

Selene supposed it would make things more convenient. She wouldn’t have to drive the ten miles or so into town, or find a suitable place to live. If she decided to accept the job. A decision not to be taken lightly, Selene thought as she trailed behind Ella, who made an immediate right into a narrow paneled hallway illuminated by the occasional dimly lit lamp mounted to the wall.

They’d only walked a few feet when Selene’s attention landed straight ahead on a bronze life-size statue looming at the end of the corridor. A demonic creature complete with horns, pointy teeth and claws with a terrified, scantily clad woman in its grasp. The menacing figure definitely contrasted with the angels keeping watch over the rotunda downstairs. A classic illustration of good versus evil. Heaven opposed to hell.

Selene suddenly found herself in the grip of another vision. Unlike her first images on the entry steps, this came to her as if she were watching somewhere on the sidelines, as it always had in the past. The image of a hand sliding down her bare arm. A very large, very male hand that continued down her back, formed to her waist, drifted to her bottom, before she blinked and forced the image away. She had no idea where the vision had originated since there seemed to be no one around. And she found that more than a little troublesome.

She hadn’t realized she’d come to a complete stop until Ella turned and favored her with another smile. “It’s rather grotesque, isn’t it? I call him Giles, after the former owner. The crazy man loved that thing, but then he was always known for being eccentric.”

Eccentric wouldn’t be the term Selene used to describe the former owner. Scary would be more like it. She couldn’t imagine wanting the “thing” around every morning, or at bedtime. “I’m surprised he didn’t take it with him.” She was sorry he hadn’t.

Ella laughed. “Unfortunately, it was too big to fit in his coffin.”

Selene internally cringed. Was that the source of her vision—the mental musings of a ghost? That had never happened to her before. Normally she channeled the thoughts of living, breathing humans, at her own peril at certain points in her life. “I’m sorry to hear he passed away.”

“Don’t be,” Ella said. “He was almost ninety and quite frankly, I thought he was too cantankerous to die. In fact, he had a mistress forty years his junior. She’s the one who did him in.”

“She killed him?” Selene couldn’t disguise her distress.

Ella shook her head and laughed again. “Not intentionally. Let’s just say the Morrell men have virility down to a fine art. Unfortunately, Giles didn’t know his limitations.”

“Well, at least he left this world a happy man.” Now for the question foremost on Selene’s mind. “Did he pass away in this house?”

“No. He died in France.” Selene’s frame relaxed from relief until Ella added, “But unfortunately, this place has a reputation for tragedy.”

Great. Just what Selene wanted to hear—the mansion could be home to restless spirits intent on haunting her brain. But only if she let that happen, which she wouldn’t, if she could prevent it.

They continued on for a few steps until Ella stopped at a closed door. “Your quarters would be in here.” She pointed toward the end of the hallway where the demon held court. “That guest room over there is closed for the time being. The current owner keeps it locked and prefers it not be disturbed.”

Selene gaped for a few moments. “I thought you were the owner.”

Ella frowned. “Oh, dear, I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. Adrien Morrell, Giles’s grandson, inherited the plantation. I’m his assistant.” Her frown melted into a cynical smile. “And his maid and cook. I also advise him from time to time, whether he asks for my advice or not.”

Selene was beginning to suspect she had a lot to learn, and worried some of it might not be pleasant at all. “Does Mr. Morrell live here?” she asked.

“That’s his room.” Ella indicated a closed door nearby. “It’s the master suite and adjacent to your room, but I promise he won’t bother you.”

“Where is your room?” Selene asked.

“Off the kitchen. I spend much of my time there. And this would be your room.” Ella opened the door to the prospective living quarters and waved Selene inside.

As it was with the rest of the house, the bedroom was adorned with more antiques, including a huge cherrywood Victorian double bed covered in a white lace spread. Several colorful braided rugs covered the hardwood floors that had lost their sheen. Straight ahead, the white curtains were pulled back to reveal double French doors opening to a veranda that apparently faced the back of the heavily wooded property. Several fans were set about the room, including two overhead, but they did little to alleviate the heat.

“I’m afraid it doesn’t have a private bath,” Ella said. “You would have to use the one across the hall that serves this wing.”

Now that was just wonderful, sharing a bathroom with a total stranger. And a man, no less. Of course, she’d shared a bath with a virtual stranger before—her husband. And toward the end of the marriage, Richard had slept in another bedroom altogether. Lived in his own private world. A world that hadn’t included his wife. “Then I assume that means Mr. Morrell uses it, too.”

“Actually, his suite has its own bath. The younger Mr. Morrell had it installed before he moved in. Unfortunately, that’s the only improvement he managed.”

At least he wouldn’t be in her way. “I could live with those arrangements.”

Ella wrung her hands several times before saying, “Then the job is yours if you want it.”

Selene decided this was almost too easy. “Wouldn’t you like to see my portfolio first? Or at the very least, let me prepare some kind of estimate for my services?”

“That’s not necessary. I promise, you’ll be paid much more than you would normally receive for this type of work. I’ll have all the details outlined in a simple contract that Mr. Morrell drew up himself.”

“What about consulting with him first?”

“He’s left the hiring up to me. He trusts my judgment, and my judgment tells me you’ll do a fine job.”

Could she really afford to decide something so important on the spot? A better question—could she afford not to accept since she was armed with an interior design degree that she’d never really utilized and a very limited résumé? If she turned down the offer, she might have to search long and hard for another opportunity, especially one that would allow her the freedom to take a project with so much potential and see it to fruition. “Pending the contract is in order, I’ll take the job.”

Ella looked very pleased. “Wonderful. When can you move in?”

“Right now if I need to. I’m staying at the local inn. I will have to go back there and get my things.” Very few things. Most of what Selene had owned she’d left behind, except for the harsh memories of a doomed marriage.

“Today would be wonderful.” Ella started toward the door. “I’ll show you the contract first, and while you’re in town, I’ll see if I can arrange a time for you to meet him.”

Him, as in Mr. Morrell, Selene decided. “I’m looking forward to it.” If for no other reason aside from curiosity.

“One thing you need to know about Adrien,” Ella said once they reentered the hallway. “He’s a hard case. I’ve known him for many years, and the best way to handle him is to stand your ground.”

Considering Ella’s cautions, Selene wondered if she’d already made a colossal error in judgment. “I’ll remember that.”

On the drive back to the inn, Selene entertained more than a few second thoughts even though she’d found the agreement satisfactory and the pay much more than generous. She should have questioned the woman more thoroughly, particularly about the mysterious owner. Yet the opportunity had practically fallen into her lap at a time when she’d been uncertain over her future. Sheer serendipity.

Besides, the man was probably a middle-aged codger, as peculiar as his grandfather, set in his ways and, she suspected, cranky. She could handle cranky. She could handle anything as long as she could be her own person, make her own decisions, at least when it came to her private life.

Yes, she would deal with Adrien Morrell, through whatever means necessary, be it killing him with kindness or hanging tough. Better still, she would ignore him altogether.

* * *

“Who the hell is she, Ella?”