Winchester Abbey

Chapter Four

Matthew annoyed Charlotte.

  That much was obvious. 

Charlotte could hear his heavy breathing behind her as she stepped forward. He kept an irritatingly close distance behind her, practically breathing down her neck. Mary Catherine had been pulled up to the front alongside James who was being ridiculously charming and surprisingly gentleman-like. 

  "Wasn't there an etiquette book on how ghosts should say hello?" remarked Matthew, behind her. Charlotte attempted to ignore him before that comment but she couldn't resist.

 "You would certainly think so. Hiding behind furniture is such a tacky way of revealing oneself."

She had felt nervous up until that point but having his constant stream of snarky comments was making it better, despite her better judgment. 

  She scowled almost immediately after. She didn't want to encourage him. 

 "I'm still freaked out-" here Mcat paused since Mrs. Simmons gave a loud harrumph at the modern speech. "I'm disturbed by the footsteps we heard up above. Is there any way that we can fix all of this mystery?"

 "What was that house all about?" Char asked to no one in particular. "I thought we were going to see some ghosties, not actually feel like we just came from a crime scene?"

  Matthew stayed surprisingly silent, but his brow was furrowed.

 His hand stayed clutching the lantern but the other one snaked into Charlotte's cold fingers by her side. She had hung back a little from the group, her heart filling with the dread of the night. It was supposed to be fun-the whole haunted house. Mrs. Simmons looked completely unruffled and strode out staunchly before them. John was prattling away at whomever would listen but he kept his arm linked through Madison who looked angry as if the murder mystery was some kind of attack on them. 

  His hand surprised her, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. But he did not even look down but merely kept walking alongside her as if just the presence of his being there was comforting. Charlotte did not want to admit it but it really was. Her heartbeat slowed from the unease of the stories and the seriousness of the group but seized up again when he leaned in a little. 

  "Sorry about the jokes inside the house," he said, his eyes never leaving the group in front of them. "I didn't realize how much you were affected by it all. I'm sure it's all some bizarre joke thing they pull with the newcomers. It gives them a little excitement to add to the trip if they were bored before."

  "I didn't sign up for Ghostbusters, Mr. Thomas," replied Charlotte, forcing herself to take a calming breath. "I signed up for tea and crumpets with stuffy old ladies who charge too much for this experience."

  Matthew's face relaxed into a smile. He was actually really charming when he did that, Charlotte noticed. No, shut up, she reprimanded herself. He's a pig.