Read Online The Phantom Lover by Elizabeth Mansfield - Free Book Online

house is haunted ?”
    â€œThat’s just what I tol’ him. Turned a proper green, he did!” Jemmy bragged.
    Will Penloe gave an amused snort. “You mean the fool heard ‘ghost’ and took to his heels?”
    â€œLike a shot,” Jemmy said proudly.
    â€œThat’s most interesting,” Lord Thorne mused. “The very thought that the house may be haunted sent him scurrying off in the rain …” He leaned comfortably on his crutch and smiled at the boy admiringly. “Jemmy, I think that was very clever of you. Very clever.”
    â€œAre you thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’, Cap’n?” Will asked eagerly.
    Henry nodded. “I certainly am. Perhaps the same ghost will scare away our other intruders. “What do you think, my dear?” he asked Mrs. Penloe.
    She shook her head doubtfully. “Those two be too stubborn-like and shrewd to take to their heels just because we tell ’em a ghost story.”
    Henry Thorne grinned. “But we’ll give them more than a story, love. We’ll give them a … a … what was it you said, Jemmy? A presence !”
    Mrs. Penloe, picking up the tea tray to deliver to the visitors, paused and looked at him suspiciously. “I don’t mind what you mean. Be ’ee plannin’ some devilment, Master Harry?”
    â€œYes, I am, love,” Lord Thorne said, his smile widening. “Real devilment. If they won’t be frightened off by the story of a ghost, we’ll give them a ghost in the flesh … if a ghost can be said to be ‘in the flesh’ at all.”
    Mrs. Penloe stared at him closely, peering through the tiny spectacles perched on her nose. She noticed that a spark of amusement had ignited in his eyes. For a moment she was reminded of a younger Master Harry, full of spirit and mischief. Could it be that he was enjoying this dilemma? If he could turn this disastrous occurence into a lark , there was real hope that the Harry of old was yet alive in him. She put down the tray. Her feeling of depression slid away, and although she did not smile, her eyes held an unmistakable gleam as she placed her hands on her hips and scowled at him in mock disapproval. “An’ how do ’ee propose to bring in a ghost , I ask ’ee?”
    â€œNever you mind, my dear. I have a plan. But I’ve decided that the ladies should not be given rooms in the east wing after all. Put them in the front bedrooms of the west wing, if you please.”
    Mrs. Penloe frowned in earnest. “The west wing? Are ’ee daft?”
    â€œNot a bit. The large corner bedroom has a secret passage that will just suit my purpose.”
    â€œAha!” Will Penloe nodded approvingly. “I begin to follow ’ee now.”
    Lord Thorne winked at him and started out the door. But Mrs. Penloe was not comfortable with the shift in plans. “But I don’t follow ’ee at all!” she complained. “I don’t like ’em bein’ so close to ’ee. ’Tis a dangerous game you’re playin’.”
    â€œDon’t worry, love,” Lord Thorne said, reaching over and chucking her affectionately under the chin, “there’s nothing dangerous about it. I’ll simply provide a few sights and sounds that the good ladies are not expecting, and by tomorrow morning they’ll be begging Will to drive them into Padstow.”
    â€œBut … which one do you want put in the corner room?” she asked, not very reassured.
    â€œEither one. It won’t make a particle of difference. When I send the lady you put in the corner bedroom flying out, screaming in fear, you can be sure that the other will follow.” And with an almost hearty laugh, he left the room.
    It was well past midnight by the time the bedrooms had been prepared for the newcomers and almost one before Lady Amelia had found a warm nightgown in her voluminous trunk and had prepared