The Haunting Read online

  Sebastian was tempted to call out to her but remembered his promise not to reveal their friendship in the village. He watched her walk out of the village towards Lower Marston before he went into the inn. What on earth was going on between James and Briony? He couldn’t begin to understand. Were they perhaps old friends? Or even ex-lovers? There was definitely some form of relationship or ex-relationship between them. The person he had observed leaving the estate agent’s office was certainly not the same girl with whom he had spent such an enjoyable day. The softness had gone to be replaced by a haughty anger. Sebastian was pleased it had been directed at James and not himself; he hardly recognised this girl.

  Briony stormed out of the village and headed for the opening in the hedgerow. How dare James try and control her movements. He had accused her of ‘seeing’ Sebastian and had gone as far as suggesting she might be in some kind of intimate relationship with him.

  ‘As your unofficial guardian, I forbid you to see any more of this man.’ He had ranted at her in the office.

  ‘Guardian? What sort of guardian tries to steal a kiss from his ward?’ She had replied angrily. ‘Your problem is you want me for yourself and you know that is never going to happen, so why don’t you allow me to get on with my life. It’s not as if I’m a child!’

  James had steepled his fingers on the desk at that as she added,

  ‘You just make sure you keep away from me. I don’t want you anywhere near me.’

  ‘And I don’t want anyone else near you either!’ James exclaimed.

  She had stormed out then, and as he followed her, she had turned and made the sign of the devil at him. He blanched and turned back slamming the door. How dare she, the heathen little bitch! But he still wanted her, had always wanted her.

  Chapter 13

  Bethany spent the next week attempting to bring the house into some order. She re-arranged the kitchen to make life easier, enabling her to prepare and serve decent meals to the three new men in her life.

  Luke always looked at her in his adoring way but failed to notice the looks of the other two. Tom was downright jealous in that not only did his younger brother have a wife, but he was now allowed to sleep in the house, while Tom, the eldest and next in line for any inheritance was forced to sleep in the bakery like a servant. Tom looked on Bethany as a threat to his existence and was developing a fierce hatred towards her.

  Seth, on the other hand, looked on her in the very basest of ways. He wanted her for himself. His bed had been empty of female companionship for far too long. His wife had lost any attractiveness she might have once had long before she died. He found himself listening at the dividing wall every night, waiting for sounds of their lovemaking. When he heard the happy couple in their bed, the frustration became almost unbearable. His passion was rising to dangerous levels, and he knew he would have to find a way to sate it before he was driven mad.

  It was Saturday evening, and Seth set out for Upper Marston. He knew of a house where a man could rid himself of this acute inflammation of the brain for a few copper coins and decided the expense would be well worth it. Tom wanted to go with him, anything to get away from the constant repetition of working in the bakehouse.

  Seth reluctantly allowed his older son to accompany him and the early evening saw the two enter the village heading straight for the inn. After two jugs of ale each, the father instructed his son to stay while he went out to relieve himself.

  It was a poor excuse, but it was the only one Seth could think of to get away from Tom. He made straight for a house at the end of the street and slipped around the back. A discreet knock on the back door brought an immediate response from within. A hatch in the door slid back to reveal a man’s round face, full of hideous rotten teeth.

  ‘Seth, good to see you back, been a long time.’

  ‘Too much time Charley, far too long, now let me in, I have the devil of an itch I must scratch before it drives me mad.’

  The door groaned in protest as it was forced back on dry hinges to admit him. The place stank of sour ale, tobacco, and unwashed bodies, but Seth was not concerned. He was there for one thing and one thing alone.

  ‘Who can I have Charley?’ He asked.

  Charley chuckled,

  ‘Well, knowing what a ‘generous’ customer you usually are I’d say you have the choice of Magda or Martha.’

  ‘Bugger me!’ Exclaimed Seth, ‘Are those two crones still alive? They must be over sixty if they’re a day.’

  Charley laughed out loud,

  ‘Now, now Seth, don’t be unkind. With the pittance you’re likely to offer that’s all there is.’

  ‘Haven’t you got anything younger?’ Seth asked almost pleading.

  ‘Course we have, but it’ll cost you more than the other two put together.’

  Seth put his hand into his breeches and pulled out some silver coins.

  ‘Now you’re talking.’ Said Charley, ‘Right this way M’ Lord.’

  Seth allowed himself to be led into an intimate salon where two young ladies lolled against the wall. Neither looked to be particularly clean, but at least they were younger than the other two. Charley approached them and after taking the silver coins from Seth’s hand pushed them both in his direction.

  ‘Go on Seth; you can have both. Business is slack tonight, and they have to be worked regularly, or the bitches get lazy.’

  The girls led the way to a back room and began to undress. Seth looked at them, but only saw two versions of Bethany. Finally, he would be able to satisfy his lust, at least in part. He set about the girls stripping them first and then removing his clothes. They began to feel threatened by his attitude, and when Seth slapped one of them, they both started yelling for help. Charley burst into the room, he must have been standing outside, and demanded to know what was going on? Seth rounded on him and reminded him of the amount of coin he had only just parted with. Charley considered for a moment before lashing out at the girls himself,

  ‘Get to work you lazy sluts!’ He exclaimed, ‘Do your worst, Seth, They won’t mind a few bruises.’

  He stood by the door and nodded to Seth, who with little or no embarrassment proceeded to take each girl on the bed, forcing them to take turns. He was not gentle, and soon both girls were crying.

  Finally, he was done and grinned at Charley,

  ‘They won’t be much use to anyone after that seeing to!’

  Charley laughingly agreed while Seth dressed and left. But after the outer door slammed shut Charley turned to the girls, the scene he had witnessed had turned his thoughts to lust,

  ‘Now, ladies, I hope there’s some left for Charley, get back onto the bed the pair of you!’

  Tom meanwhile, forgot about his father and proceeded to drink himself into a stupor. By the time Seth returned from his errand of self-mercy his son was propped up against the horse trough, snoring disgracefully.

  Father and son made their way back to the bakery. Seth in the lead while Tom staggered behind, falling over every few steps and at one stage being horribly sick on the dusty road.

  Seth propelled him into the warmth of the bakery, where the oven was still hot from the small fire left on all day to alleviate the need to light it day after day and shut the door on him. He heard the crash of Tom’s body as he hit the floor but didn’t bother to check on his welfare. Drunks seldom if ever hurt themselves, he thought, they were far too relaxed to sustain any real damage.

  Seth entered the house and wearily climbed the stairs to his room. He thought perhaps tonight after his strenuous activities with the two young women at the brothel; he might go to bed and sleep for a couple of hours. He sat on the side of the bed to remove his boots when the sounds began from next door.

  Luke and Bethany hadn’t heard him come in and thinking they were alone gave full vent to their passion. Seth sat listening to the moans and groans and put his hands against his ears in an attempt to stop the intrusion into his brain. But it was no use. He soon found himself standing at th
e wall with his ear pressed tightly against the plaster, listening. He felt his passion rising and swore softly to himself that tonight’s expenditure of silver had come to nought. He was still frustrated; he wanted Bethany for himself. No other would do.

  Luke pushed the door of the bakery wide as he entered to begin the usual monotonous chore of bread making. Tom was fast asleep where he had fallen, and no amount of kicking or swearing would rouse him. Luke dragged him into a corner so he could tend to the fire, now burning dangerously low. His father would be in a foul mood if it went cold and his feelings seldom lasted less than an entire day.

  As Luke coaxed the fire back into life, he would have been shocked to know that Seth was at that very moment standing in the doorway to his bedroom. He was gazing longingly at the sleeping form of Bethany, who looked so peaceful and serene laying in the middle of the bed. He touched himself lewdly as his thoughts turned to carnal desire and almost willed her to wake up and see him. Maybe she would want him to join her in the bed?

  Seth struggled with the reality of what he was thinking. He knew he was no match for his handsome young son, but couldn’t get the vision of Bethany out of his mind. He finally stomped down the stairs, silently ridiculing himself as a stupid old man with unattainable desires.

  He kicked open the bakery door still in a bad mood which wasn’t helped by the sight of Tom lying against the wall fast asleep. He stared at Luke stoking the oven fire and inwardly cursed the boy’s good looks. He didn’t feel old and had all the desires and needs of a young man; only his ageing body gave him away.

  Seth began the task of making the dough, then would come the endless kneading until a portion could be thrown into a tin mould and then into the oven to bake. With only two it would take longer, but at least now they had less to make as the population of the village declined. Seth was always worried about the drop in demand; the community seemed to be emptying as people chose to travel further afield for work. No one regretted leaving; rather they appeared to be only too keen to leave the accursed place. Nothing had been the same since the young boy’s hanging.

  As father and son completed the work, Tom woke up. He struggled to his feet, still leaning on the bakery wall for support and faced Luke.

  ‘Alright for you, you’ve got a wife to snuggle up to every night, I’ll never have that pleasure, he won’t let me now.’

  He pointed a shaking finger at his father,

  ‘You said only one of us could have a wife. Only one for all three, so when is Luke going to share her?’

  Tom stood wavering unsteadily on his feet and was about to say something else when Seth’s balled up fist connected with the side of his head. Tom slid down the wall and lay in an untidy heap, unconscious and bleeding. Luke looked on, amazed at the ferocity of his father’s attack on his elder brother. He considered it was his place to defend his wife, but didn’t get the chance.

  ‘Father, that was a bit extreme don’t you think?’

  ‘Not in the case of your wife it isn’t. How dare he even suggest such a thing?’

  Luke muttered that he was quite capable of defending his wife, but Seth interjected.

  ‘While she’s under my roof, she’s my responsibility, and there’s an end to it!’

  The matter was considered closed as Luke, and his father went about the business of pulling the finished bread out of the oven and placing them on wire trays to cool. Most of them would be delivered by Luke later in the morning while some remained on the rack for people to call in and buy.

  Tom had come to his senses and slipped out heading for the house. He encountered Bethany in the kitchen preparing the day’s meals and slumped down at the table. Bethany noticed the dried blood on the side of his head and fetched a bowl of clean water and rags. She approached Tom and without saying a word began to clean the wound.

  Tom lay back in the chair as Bethany cleaned him up as best she could. He followed her every movement, and when she picked up the bowl of water from the table, he reached out, encircling her waist with one arm and pulling her close to him. She laughed thinking he was playing, but when she saw the look in his eyes, the laughter died on her lips.

  ‘Now Tom, stop that. It isn’t right; I’m your brother’s wife.’

  She didn’t shout, not wanting to cause him any more trouble and he completely misinterpreted her mood, thinking instead she was acquiescent.

  Bethany tried to pull away, but he was far too strong for her and the more she tried, the tighter his grip became.

  ‘Just a little kiss, that’s all I ask.’ He said, his voice thickening with passion.

  She felt his other arm around her neck as he pulled her face down to meet his and could smell his stale beery breath as he touched her lips with his own. She tried desperately to pull away, but the need was on him now, and he kissed her hard on the mouth painfully trapping her lips against her teeth. He released the arm from around her waist and put his hand up her skirt. She tried with all her might to pull away and now attempted to scream out, but his mouth was still covering hers. Tom moved suddenly and quickly pushed her down onto the table. He stood behind her gripping her throat, squeezing and whispering,

  ‘No noise now or it’ll be the end of you.’

  Bethany couldn’t breathe and began to go limp as she felt herself lapsing into unconsciousness. He eased his grip on her throat at the same time lifting her skirt above her waist. Tom knew no reason now, the sight of her naked body tipping him over the edge of sanity. With both hands on her back holding her down he attempted to force himself into her.

  He felt a blow to his back and a dull thud, feeling something give way. His hands slid down Bethany’s back as his knees began to collapse under him and he felt himself sliding to the floor. He fell on his back and now the pain was real. He screamed out in agony as his broken back hit the paving stones. Looking up he saw Luke standing with a look of fury on his face and in his hands the long handled axe used for chopping firewood.

  Luke had left his father in the bakery to see to Tom, fearing he might be seriously injured. Now Luke stood at the open doorway as Tom held Bethany by the throat. He had his back to him, and as her skirt was pulled up, Luke knew what was about to happen and walked to the wood pile, calmly picking up the axe. By the time he had returned to the door Tom had dropped his breeches and was trying to push into Bethany. Luke strode into the room and with one crushing blow with the axe stopped him in his tracks.

  Luke stood over his brother, his chest heaving with emotion while Tom stared up at him, the surprised look still on his face.

  Bethany had pulled down her skirt and was still trying to catch her breath, coughing and spluttering as the life-giving air filled her lungs.

  ‘He, he tried to force me.’ She whispered. ‘I never encouraged him, I promise.’

  ‘I know.’ Luke said stony-faced.

  ‘He wouldn’t stop, I was trying to help him, bathing his wounds and he grabbed me.’ Bethany said, tears beginning to course down her cheeks.

  Luke noticed she was shaking violently and held her to him, she laid her head on his shoulder and began to sob.

  Seth’s voice was loud in the room.

  ‘What happened?’

  Luke held his head high and told his father how he had disturbed Tom in the act of raping his wife.

  ‘I stopped him.’ Luke finished.

  Seth knelt beside Tom and shook his head from side to side.

  ‘You’re a fool boy. Couldn’t wait, could you?’

  He went to straighten Tom’s twisted body thinking he would at least make him more comfortable, but as he pulled at his lower limbs, Tom let out one deafening scream and was still. His eyes remained wide open in pain but slowly glazed over. They all knew then he was dead. Killed by his own brother.

  Bethany was torn with anguish; she had been responsible for dividing the brothers. She sat at the table with her head in both hands.

  Luke turned to his father,

  ‘What did you mean when you said, cou
ldn’t wait?’

  Seth glared back at him,

  ‘Just a manner of speaking that’s all. Just a manner of speaking.’

  ‘Will I hang? On the gallows over the road?’ Luke said, realising his life would also now be forfeit.

  Seth looked at his dead son on the floor,

  ‘What? And be deprived of both my son’s.’

  He pointed an accusing finger at Bethany now,

  ‘She’s brought this about. She charmed you and addled Tom’s brain. Why couldn’t you have picked a simple girl? There are plenty about without her looks who would have been glad of a position here under any circumstances.’

  Luke was beginning to realise the meaning of his father’s words to Tom, ‘Couldn’t wait, could you?’

  ‘You mean you expected me to share my wife with my brother?’

  Seth dropped his eyes again,

  ‘Doesn’t matter now, does it? He’s gone, and you killed him over a woman.’