Captain of the Manor

April 20th, 2011 |

Sooo…..Here I am.. A virgin Flasher with other glorious Silver Author Flashers. This week’s prompt to include from our fearless leader: “Wouldn’t that be romantic?”

At the bottom are the links to my other fellow flashers. I hope you enjoy my engoing story, The Captain of the Manor. Here’s the first chapter.

On the balcony overlooking the manor’s entrance, Captain Edmund Carslyle stared with revulsion at the men emptying luggage and containers from a dark van. With his gifts, he knew damn well what those containers held. It wasn’t materials for a quantum conference.

These were ghost hunters. Something he forbid from entering his home.

Hands gripped the railing until his knuckles went white. His image altered from corporeal to his ghostly pirate with anger. A flicker of lightning raged over the manor, lighting the skies, revealing one face peering. Behind glasses, bright eyes widened when he caught sight of his image.

Cussing, Edmund disappeared into the manor. Retaking his corporeal image, dressing in slim Armani trousers, a white silk button-down shirt, and grey knitwear V-neck sweater. Shoving a hand through his golden brown hair, he moved through the manor’s family wing and down the stairs.

In spite of tales, rumors, and gossip, he kept ghost hunters away from his lands for over five hundred years. From scouring old stories and hurts hidden in the walls of the manor and lighthouse. His hands clenched while he rounded the final bend.

Outside, gazing upon the elegant southern manor spread over the point finished with a towering lighthouse to warn all sea captains, Aiden Joseph could understand why the first Carslyle wanted to put roots here in the rich sandy soil, nestled against the dangerous North Carolina stretch of the Atlantic Ocean. Fixing his glasses, he moved his gaze up the three stories, timing his movements with the sudden fix of lightning, to see a figure standing on the ledge of the tower.

A gasp escaped when he caught sight of a ghost. A figure of a pirate.

“What? What did you see?” Morris, the leader of the group, asked, turning to stare at Aiden.

“Nothing. I saw nothing.” Aiden cleared his throat. “A hawk flying over caused a shadow.”

“Damn, don’t spook on us. We’re not even in the door with the gear.”

“You think we’re gonna get in, boss? Word is the owner doesn’t let in hunters,” George, one of the cameramen, said, hefting one of the bags on his shoulder.

“We’re signed in for a weekend as a quantum conference and not hunters. Aiden here gives us some credence as experts with his brain.” Morris thumped a hand to Aiden’s shoulder.

“Yes, excellent for everyone,” Aiden answered, shouldering his laptop bag and weekend case. He went up the front steps and across the wide front veranda, admiring the glorious craftsmanship of the woodwork.

Pressing a hand on the brass handle, he opened one of the double glass front doors and opened it, stepping into the huge front room. His heels clicking onto the welcoming green and black marbled patterned floor. The doubled staircase curved a full three flights, taking guests across the entire three floors of the manor. He read on the manor’s website, there was a two-story library, an old-fashioned parlor, a ballroom, a sitting room for a ladies’ afternoon tea, a smoking room for the gentlemen, and a large dining room off the well-equipped kitchen. Then there were all the suites.

He heard Morris, George, and the other two men grump and groan as they dragged in their gear. The various trunks thumped and dropped on the floor. Aiden winced at their carelessness with the beautiful floor.

“Well, now. Wouldn’t that be romantic?” Morris said, nudging George, pointing off to one of the rooms. “We can swoon some ladies down here, get them in the beds.”

Aiden rolled his eyes at their crass attitude over this beautiful manor.

“Unless you’re not able to check into a suite,” a man called out, his tone powerful and clipped.

Turning, fixing his glasses, his eyes widened at the sight of the six-two male stepping down the last of the winding stairs. Aiden looked at the ceiling and then around the front area. This man looked the same as… It couldn’t be the same…

“Ahh, sir, this is the Quantum Theorem Group here for the weekend,” the desk manager said.

“A disguise for another group of ghost hunters trying to get in under my nose. Gentleman, you may stay within the walls of my ancestors’ homes, but all of your gear forbidden. I know those containers don’t have conference pamphlets. Return everything to your van if you wish to stay. If anything paranormal happens, it will not be recorded in any fashion,” the man said as he strode across the marble floor. “I know of your reputation, Morris Jarrett, as I keep track of all professional and amateur ghost hunters.”

“We have a right to conduct our…” Morris tried to speak.

The man raised a hand. “This is my home and land. I have the right to refuse a room. It’s a known fact, all ghost hunters aren’t welcome.” He rested his gaze upon Aiden.

Aiden swallowed at the curl of lust low in his belly at the sight of those feline green eyes peering at him. He could swoon at those powerful shoulders and lean height. Such a gorgeous man stood in front of him. Still, the ghostly image he saw on the ledge under the lightning haunted him.

“Well, shit…What the hell are we supposed to do now?” Morris interrupted.

The man glared at Morris. “Shove your gear in the van and leave with it or stay without it. Either way, your gear doesn’t enter my doors.”

“My laptop?” Aiden inquired.

The man returned his gaze to Aiden. “Can stay with you. If used for something other than ghost hunting.”

“It will. I promise.”

“Then sign in for your room, Mr…”

“Joseph. Aiden Joseph. You?”

“Edmund. I’m Edmund Carslyle.”

“Like the Captain who was murdered,” Aiden whispered. “Like the ghost. The ghost on the ledge.”

Links to My Fellow Flashers:

Julie Hayes (m/m)
http://julielynnhayes.blogspot.com

Heather Lin (m/f)
http://heatherlin88.blogspot.com/