Dear Anthony,
.......................I reached Richard's house in the late morning hours, as usual. My wife Catherine was insisting from morning (though I had a peaceful and good time the previous night) that we should visit her brother that day. She did not say anything else and I did not bother to ask the reason.
Normally I stay at their house for a few hours and return early afternoon. Not that I do not like Richard. He was proud of his heritage as one of a warrior family, of wealth and lands, of his palace. He is a scion of the O'Donnel family. He used to say that he could trace his family tree from the time of some bygone King. I was not enamored of these arguments. But I have heard stories from many sources that the palace ground was haunted by spirits. Neither I am a believer nor am a non-believer of spirits or ghosts.
I did not want to risk or face any encounter with the spirits by staying after dark in Rich's home.
The reason for which Catherine wanted me to reach her parental home must have been strong. Or else, at the end of our conversation with Richard, I would have noticed that the sun has already set and the candles in the old chandeliers in various parts of the palace started their nightlong journey throwing light all around.
On seeing the setting of sun, I had an apprehension. A seed was sown. I told Catherine that we should leave immediately. We got into the horse carriage and started moving towards the main gate. But suddenly the horses started neighing and shying. I looked out and started seeing the outlines of various animals- tigers and lions, coyotes and wolves, surprisingly floating in the air and whizzing past the carriage. I have heard that the spirits do not affect the family of O'Donnels, for they themselves were O'Donnels ( known for their high courage and animal valor) but I am not. Catherine is no more a O'Donnel but a McGregor now after the marriage. Catherine said that we should abort the journey and get back into home.
We turned back. Richard was waiting in the front yard to welcome us in his usual egregious mood. He must have been fully aware of our predicament but did not show any sign.
Dinner was set and we started having another long drawn conversation. The food was nice, so were the wines.We had a hearty meal. All through the dinner, I noticed Rich and Catherine were exchanging glances. I thought it must be a private messaging system and did not give it a further thought. I was sure that Catherine had a sister and she was not to be seen anywhere. I had seen her as a young girl at the time of my marriage. But during subsequent visits, I have not met her, as she was admitted in some private school near Edinburgh. I heard that Elizabeth was beautiful, may not be as much as Catherine. She remained a spinster, for no worthwhile eligible suitors asked for her hand. She did not even come down for the dinner.
When we retired to our own rooms, Catherine went out for a few minutes and came back with Elizabeth. I was astonished for Elizabeth was so beautiful. The grass on the other side is always green. Catherine led Elizabeth by her hand, and made her sit on my lap. I was surprised at this gesture by Catherine. I looked at her. She said "Tim, I have already spoken to Rich. Actually he was the one to suggest and I did not have any objection. I am sure that you will find Elizabeth attractive. She is a good girl and my adorable sister. I do not mind sharing you with her. You will also like her very much. I wish you make her happy. She must be yearning for company. So I wish that..... I do not need to tell you anymore. Sweet dreams". She left the room and closed the door behind her.
Wasn't it Henry VIII who married more than once ? Elizabeth made me feel younger. We had a very good time. After few minutes of initial hesitation, the woman in Elizabeth took over and the prude was gone forever. The fire due to years of her waiting could not be extinguished overnight, but we tried our best. For Elizabeth, it was one of making up for lost time. I was not sure whether I have sown any seeds, but neither of us worried too much about that.
It was dawn and I woke up. Elizabeth was at peace with herself and she was still asleep like a sleeping beauty, waiting for her Prince Charming to wake her up. Catherine entered the room, looked at me and knew in an instance that I was happy and so she was happy. She said that we can depart to our own castle in the evening, and so that I can spend more time with Elizabeth. Which was quite agreeable to me.
After a short time, Elizabeth woke up, surprised to find me there, or rather herself in my bed and then remembered what happened in the previous night. She started getting up, but I stopped her and told the good news, that we can spend time together till the evening. She blushed initially, and out of abundant overflowing love, came and hugged me like a creeper sprawling across an oak tree. I never knew time can fly past so fast when you are in such a great company doing the most wonderful ancient ritual dance.
The sun started setting in the West, turning the horizon into a red hued canvas.Richard and Elizabeth came to see us off at the front yard and we started our journey back home. Surprisingly, neither the horses neighed nor we could see any apparitions this time.
The spirits must have gone to rest, for there is no more sorrowful soul in the palace.
P. S. I am not afraid of the spirits any more and I wish to make Elizabeth happy again and again and again.......May be I can bring her to my castle, so that the sisters can be together?!!!
Affectionately
Tim McGregor
3/25/02
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Elizabeth was standing in the yard watching her sister and Tim leaving the palace in the carriage. She was gazing in the direction for quite some time even after they left. It was quite an unforgettable experience. She never had expected so much happiness. She never imagined so much happiness could be derived from such an encounter. She was thankful to her sister for making this possible. Thawing a cold virgin. She was not greedy- for she was so soft spoken and delicate. She could not expect to have Tim for herself.
Her reverie was broken by Richard calling her name. She turned around and entered into the palace. She was not sure whether her brother Richard was aware of this. He was looking quite normal. No furtive glances.
She slid languorously in her bed. She thought yesterday was the last day. She can never have such an experience again- even for a single day or for a longer period. She felt sleepy, but could not sleep. Each cell in the body started yearning for the companionship. The biological clock was really playing games. You experience some thing one day, then the inevitable demand for the same thing will come up every day at the same time. She was feeling restless. She did not know what to do. She decided that she should speak to her sister Catherine first thing next morning. She also felt it was not proper on her part to broach on this topic, for was it not her own problem? Of course Catherine was also responsible for this dilemma, for initiating into this experience. Finally at midnight, Elizabeth fell asleep, albeit fitful.
Richard heard a knock on the door. He wondered who it could be - at this time of the day, rather, night. He took out the pocket watch from the side table and looked- the clock was reading 2 o'clock. He got up from the bed, walked up to the door and opened it. He was surprised to see Elizabeth standing there. Her eyes were still closed, and she was breathing heavily. She pushed him aside and walked towards his bed. Rich was surprised to notice such an odd behavior from Elizabeth- for she never had entered into his bed room at the dead of night. It was so unusual. He did not know what to do. He felt so guilty. May be what was achieved with the help of Catherine, had ended up in such a big issue. He went near the bed, so as to speak to her, but she was already fast asleep. Richard came and sat in the couch. He was fully awake now. He had to do something about this problem, first thing in the morning.
Tim woke up suddenly. He felt beads of sweat running down his back. Not out of fear. He was feeling so warm, in spite of the chill winds blowing outside. He turned and saw Catherine sleeping so peacefully at the other end of the bed. Tim was feeling restless. Was it because of the experience he had last night? He was not sure, but his inner mind was nagging to see Elizabeth. He could not blame Catherine, for due to her, he could get such a beautiful experience. He decided he had to do something about this issue, first thing in the morning.
Catherine woke up in the morning, and noticed the reddish eyes of Tim. She immediately guessed that Tim must have had a fitful sleep last night. She felt guilty that she was responsible for his restlesness. She had done, out of good faith and to help her sister, to overcome the solitary life she was leading and to bring some mirth in her life. She had to find a suitable groom for her sister and consult Richard so that her marriage can be arranged lavishly and at the earliest.
Elizabeth woke up in the morning. She was surprised to find herself in Richard's bedroom. She looked around, and saw Richard sleeping on the couch. She did not know how or when she came to her brother's place, but she was sure that she went to sleep in her own bed in her own bedroom. She got up in haste and tip toed to her room, so as not to wake up Richard. She felt so ashamed of her act.
One thing leading to another and finally ending up in such a weird behavior. She peeped out of the window. The garden was looking so beautiful. The lawns were green and the perennials were covered with red flowers. The sun was shining brightly. The whole world looked so joyous. Except for her. She made up her mind. She jumped out of the window painting the cobble stones red.
Richard woke up suddenly. He thought he heard a thud followed by a cry. He looked at the bed. The bed was empty. His mind was foreboding an ill happening. He rushed out of his room and started running towards Elizabeth's room. She was not in. The room was unusually cool. The embers were red and the fireplace was warm. He saw one of the windows open. He rushed to the window and peeped out. He looked down and saw Elizabeth sprawled across the cobble stones. He let a cry and rushed down the stairs.
He picked her body, carried upstairs to her bedroom and laid it on a table. He felt so sad. Such a young thing- such a delicate flower snuffed out at a young age. Now he has to send a messenger to Catherine's house to inform the incident.
Catherine saw the messenger from the distance. She recognized Douglas, for wasn't he the footman at her brother's place. On hearing the message, she was struck with grief. She let Douglas know, that she will come there along with Tim as soon as Tim is back from some errand.
Tim came in the evening, and he was equally overcome with so much grief. Immediately they started their journey towards Richard's place.
It was so dark by the time they reached Rich's place. This time the horses started shying and neighing like previous time. In addition to so many spirits like in earlier times, they saw an angel like form in flowing white robes. They continued their journey unfazed and met Rich at the front yard and told him what they saw.
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Elizabeth was dead and gone. It is going to be a week. The life goes on as usual. But not exactly the same way. There was some sort of vacuum in the environment of the house. There used to an occasional laughter from Elizabeth's rooms, but now it was frighteningly silent. The breeze in the rooms were carrying the perfume worn by her, but now the breeze is poor, free of any scent.
Richard called the lawyer, for reading of the will of Patrick, their father. For the father had requsted that his will be read, if any one of the children were to pass away. Catherine, Tim and other friends were eagerly waiting. They were eager to complete the ritual, for nobody was interested in the content of the will.
The lawyer started reading the will
" I , Patrick O' Donnel, am writing this will , out of my own free will, with full consciousness and not under any duress by any body.
After my death, the estate will be managed by my son Richard and he will make suitable annual allowances to my daughters Catherine and Elizabeth, even after they get married, during their life time. I am sure, Richard will do this, in spite of this will being not read soon after my death.
In the event of any one of my daughters were to die intestate, I wish that three quarters of the estate be assigned to the surviving daughter. The balance of a quarter of the estate is to be assigned to Richard.
My reason for instructing that the will be read, not after my death, but after the death of one of my children is this:
Richard is not of my blood and is actually the son of my friend Arthur McGregor (whose second son, Timothy had married my eldest daughter Catherine) and I had brought him home as an infant, (without bothering about adoption), for my wife and I had no offspring for quite few years. I bear no ill will towards Richard, and he was never starved of any love and I am grateful that he had been so considerate of his sisters even during my lifetime.
I am sure he will treat them so even after my lifetime. So my daughter can appoint him, to manage the estate, if it be her wish, in case if she cannot manage the estate by herself."
Reading of the will was over. Everyone was so overwhelmed by a variety of emotions.
For Tim never knew he had a brother and Richard was also unaware of the dark secret.
For Catherine never knew her brother was actually her brother in law. In stead of letting Tim to be with Elizabeth for a night, she could have asked Elizabeth to marry Richard, so that she could have had a happy life with Richard, for having known well all these years.
For Elizabeth, who was no more, her brother was actually her brother in law's brother, so she need not have felt ashamed of sleeping in Richard's room that fateful night leading to her fatal decision. The experience initiated by Tim could very well have been take care of later by Richard.
For the spirits roaming the place grounds, could at last have rested in peace once for all only if......