The Napoleonic Rose

Part 3

Thankfully,the discussion lasted for only the very first leg of the voyage. After a brief overview of the processes of conducting a séance, I sank into blissful oblivion for the remainder of our trip. My sleep was interrupted by the sudden loss of motion, and the gentle pat of a gloved palm against my cheek.

"Wake up, Miss Masters, we've arrived." It was still dark, but the far horizon was growing a deep, heavy orange as the sun began to rise. There was a chill in the air, and the crisp, almost enjoyable scent of the country contrasted sharply with the polluted air of the city we'd left. I lifted my ready bag up and onto my shoulder, and joined the flow of riders exiting the train. We recovered the remainder of Mme. Montaigne's luggage from the available handlers,consisting of a large steamer trunk and several garment bags.

"I hope you don't mind, Miss Masters, but I've requested to stay in the chateaux itself. The Major has seen to it that the eastern wing has been cleaned and made suitable for us to reside in." I struggled with the steamer trunk, trying to lift it up and into the back of our hired carriage.

"I've stayed in worse, ma'am." I said, distracted by the task at hand.After successfully securing all of her gear, I took a step back to catch my breath and add. "I suppose I'd have more objections, if I believed in ghosts."

"That's the spirit, Miss Masters, or perhaps not, as the case may be!" Mme.Montaigne said brightly, waiting patiently at the side of the carriage for my arrival. I quirked my head to the side and glanced from her to the door, before realizing that she expected me to open it for her. Just as awkwardly as I had managed to lead her to the train, I opened the door and offered her a hand to help her into the vehicle. Once she was properly settled, I climbed in as well, and the driver nudged the horses into movement. "I much prefer this, to traveling by car. Don't you?"

"I actually prefer riding a horse solo." I mused, slouching down low in the seat across from her. The rolling countryside passed by in the distance, the glare of the sun spurring me to lower the brim of my cap. "Although I'd say I'm getting used to my motorbike."

"It's the quiet, really, that I prefer." She folded her hands in her lap,gazing out the window. From her angle, the sun wouldn't be quite as violently bright. Although, I supposed she could have been a morning person. Either way, she was pushing the small talk for someone who claimed to enjoy quiet. I changed the subject.

"You've mentioned the basics of the séance, but won't we need more than just the two of us?" I rolled my shoulders, peering out from just beneath the brim of my cap. "Everything I've seen shows a circle of people around a table."

"I have no doubt that can be successful..." She said simply, giving a quick shrug of her shoulders. "...but it certainly isn't necessary. We only need the two of us. I'll open the door and you simply need to pass through."

"That sounds a little ominous, considering just what we're discussing." I chewed on the lower left side of my lip, a bad habit I'd picked up. "What do you mean by 'pass through'?"

"You'll have to track down Monsieur Chevalier, while I keep the link between this life and the next stable. I will be far too focused on the mechanical aspects, to deal with the social." She offered a sweet,if somewhat patronizing, smile. "I'm sure you'll do fine. You seem the type to make friends easily."

"I can't say I've ever tried with someone who was already dead." I said flatly, watching the scenery pass by. The trip was short, as the train station lay on the same general side of the town as the chateaux itself. Imposing wrought iron fencing completely encircled the estate, set into cobblestone walls that lifted the first four feet from the ground itself. There was someone waiting for us as we arrived, a man in an out of fashion suit. He had a short crop of gray hair, directly atop his head, and wasted very little time in passing the keys across to me.