A Witch's Curse Read Online Free PDF Page B

The round, marble pool contained dirt, twigs, and dry, brittle leaves instead of water. Sitting on one of the wrought iron benches surrounding the fountain, Carolyn stifled a yawn as she compared her dream fountain to this one and concluded they were one and the same.
    But, how could they be the same? I’ve never been here in all my life. How could I know what this fountain looked like to put it in a dream? Perhaps my hormones didn't go wild after all? But, is that good or bad?
    Closing her eyes against the bright afternoon sun, Carolyn drifted into a sound sleep. The musical splashing of falling water from the fountain made her open them again. Caleb stared at her through the mist. His coat thrown over his shoulder, he brushed a dangling mop of hair back into place. He walked toward her, his stride a sexy, confident swagger. Her pulse racing, yet fearing what would happen if he got too close, Carolyn thrust out her hand and said, “Stop. We need to talk.”
    “ Whatever you want, beloved,” he said, stopping short.
    “ You’re Caleb Harrison?”
    “ You know who I am, sweetheart.”
    “ I’m not your sweetheart. My name is Caro lyn , not Caro line . She is my...Aunt. I only look like her.”
    Confusion reigned supreme on Caleb’s face, but Carolyn pressed on. “I hate to be the one to tell you, but did you know you’re dead?”
    “ Dead? How can I be dead? What about last night?” Caleb asked; his arms spread wide, indicating the garden. “Here, in our special place?
    “ For me, you are only a dream. A very pleasant dream, I admit, but only a dream. Now ask yourself this, where did you go afterward? What did you do?”
    “ I...I do not remember.”
    “ You don't remember because you’re dead and you only come alive when I’m sleeping.” Which means, I’m asleep right now, and he isn’t really standing in front of me? So why do I want to run over to him and wrap my body around his?
    “ How? How did I die?”
    “ You don’t remember Caroline catching you with the servant girl?”
    Caleb rubbed the nape of his neck. “Yes, vaguely.”
    “ Well, your dearest Caroline poisoned you then cursed you to roam this property until you could prove your innocence, if you could.”
    “ But I am innocent, I tell you. That wench of a maid had been making advances at me for months, and avoiding her became harder and harder. I had made up my mind to ask Caroline to dismiss her and her good for nothing husband when...?”
    “ What happened that night?” Carolyn prompted.
    Rubbing his neck harder, Caleb said, “I remember I had some important papers to go over, and I did not want to be disturbed. I went into the study and locked the door behind me. I recall pouring myself a cup of tea and...and? I cannot remember anything more until the following morning when Caroline came in.”
    “ Are you sure you locked the door?”
    “ Yes, I am positive I did.”
    “ Then how did the door become unlocked for her to walk in without you opening the door? Did Caroline have a key?”
    “ No. I had the only key.”
    “ If you had the only key, how did Caroline enter the library in the morning, and how did the maid get in there before her?”
    Caleb shook his head. “I cannot conceive of a plausible answer. There is only the one door and window and I kept them both locked. If I had fallen asleep, I would have awakened if anyone tried to break in. I am ...was… a light sleeper.”
    “ Unless, you had been drugged.”
    “ Drugged? How?”
    “ Who made the tea?”
    “ Why, Ellie, of course.”
    “ Ellie was the maid?”
    “ Yes. I do believe Ellie was obsessed with me, but why would she do such a despicable deed? To what gain?”
    “ She was a woman in love. Maybe she thought once you slept with her, your sense of honor would force you to change your mind and divorce Carolyn?”
    Outrage clouded Caleb's face. “Never. On my honor, I tell you, I did not sleep with that wench.”
    “ How can you know for sure? You admit