Hoarfrost to Roses by D.L. Gardner

Author:D.L. Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal romance, paranormal romance ghosts, Victorian paranormal romance
Publisher: D.L. Gardner
Published: 2021-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

The Mirror

Aunt Eloise paced in front of the hearth while Uncle Nicholas sat in the rocker reading the Daily Herald. Adele sat on the davenport, not sure what to think. Judging by her aunt’s unrest, the evening might not end well. It might not even begin well!

“Settle down, Eloise. It’s only the Bonneville’s,” Uncle Nicholas grumbled. He didn’t lower the newspaper when he spoke, but he peeked around it with a grimace aimed at his wife.

“I wish you hadn’t invited the both of them. You know how Lucille is.”

“I’m confident she’ll be respectful. If not, Richard can set her in her place.”

“Richard is oblivious.”

“Abusive,” is what Grai’s spirit had revealed. The night should be extremely interesting.

Adele observed her aunt with curiosity. She hadn’t seen her so apprehensive over meeting someone before. Up to this point, Aunt Eloise had displayed calm and graciousness even when confronting Uncle Nicholas in his rage and Adele considered her a role model. To see her aunt this distressed was bothersome.

Mrs. Bonneville would soon walk into their home, and the man whom Grai believes hired a ruffian to kill him would be with her. Adele had her own misgivings about the woman who betrayed Grai. She couldn’t help but take his defense. If the Bonnevilles didn’t hire someone to kill him, they certainly made his life miserable.

As she watched her aunt pace back and forth in front of the hearth, Adele vowed she would control her temper, and her tongue.

The sound of horses outside drowned her thoughts, and soon a bold knock at the door sent Mei Ling scurrying to the foyer.

“The roads are slick tonight, my friend,” a voice called out when the door opened, and a gust of cold air swept inside. Uncle Nicholas rose, and Aunt Eloise gestured for Adele to stand.

“Your ride was a safe one, I surmise?” her uncle responded.

“As safe as any ice skater on a frozen lake would expect.” The men laughed.

Aunt Eloise wrung her hands.

Richard Bonneville strolled into the living room with an air of confidence. A short man with bright red hair and a mustache that curled up to his nostrils. He tossed his hat on the coat rack and shook hands with Uncle Nicholas. Adele visualized him slipping a bag of coins to a group of evil mercenaries while laughing and offering a friendly handshake. Her lips curled into a snarl.

The two men slapped each other’s arms in greeting and then Richard helped his wife with her coat, hung it on the rack, and removed his own.

“Eloise, it’s so good to see you again,”

Mrs. Bonneville entered the living room and moved toward the hearth. A very tall woman who flaunted a luxurious black crepe dress and wore a small black hat with a black veil which she swept away from her face. Around her neck were jet beads and a gold locket hung from them at her collarbone. She wore a musty perfume that, to Adele, attempted to conceal the stench of the abuses she afflicted on her son.

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