The Lady in Yellow: A Victorian Gothic Paranormal Romance

Sixty-One

Mother Superior leaned back in her chair with a sour smile. The Crucifix hanging on the wall behind her burned dark gold above a vase of Christmas roses. The image of Saint Veronica, displaying her veil marked with the face of Christ, gazed down from one of the mostly blue stained glass windows.

Veronica sat with her hands folded prayerfully before her lips. The divine atmosphere was comforting, humbling, yet she was fearful of what would come out of her mouth when Reverend Mother began asking questions.

"Girls don't usually return to Saint Mary's unless they have been called to join our order to be ordained as Brides of Christ. You understand this, don't you, Veronica?"

"Yes. I should like to take the veil," Veronica stammered.

She glanced at the round, placid face of Mother Superior, at her sharp, grey eyes that saw through everything. She was unsure of how to explain her situation. She could no longer deny that she was deeply in love with Rafe de Grimston. And he was a monster. Already, having turned nineteen with no celebration, having abandoned her first post as governess, she felt her future was defined. There was no other path for her to take but to become a nun.

"I'm not entirely convinced that you have a calling. Rather you want to run away from something."

"To take refuge in Christ," Veronica said. "For I have seen the Evil One."

Mother Superior raised an eyebrow at that. "Where?"

"In the house of my employer, Mr. Rafe de Grimston. Witchcraft I saw. Sorcery of the blackest kind."

Veronica hoped she would not be asked to explain, that she would not be required to reveal, in detail, what she saw Mrs. Twig doing in the kitchen that night. If she spoke of murder and werewolves and vampires Reverend Mother would think her mad, and the asylum was too close by.

Mother Superior stood up. She was surprisingly short for a woman who loomed so large. She came close to Veronica and looked into her eyes.

"You have had a fright, haven't you? Something has struck at your very soul. You didn't participate in that witchcraft did you? Answer me truthfully, my child. You know I can't be deceived."

"No. Of course I did not. But I was affected by it long before I discovered it."

Mother Superior went to the stained glass image of Saint Veronica and gazed at it, leaving wretched, pathetic, sinful, all too human Veronica to ponder how she would explain her love for a man who was possessed by the Devil. Did it show? Would Mother Superior throw her out for loving such a man?

"You're a deep one, Veronica. As you know there is a trial period for novices. I'll give you three months to contemplate your decision. If you decide that your vocation is with us, then you will serve for a period of three years before you will be allowed to take your vows." She turned to Veronica with one eyebrow raised. "Is that agreeable to you?"

"Yes. Oh thank you, Reverend Mother. Shall I teach in the school?"

"No. I want you scrubbing floors, washing dishes, cooking meals. We need help in the kitchen."

"Penance, then." Veronica bowed her head.

"Yes. I don't know how or why, but you have acquired a stain upon your soul."

The words sank like a blade into Veronica's heart. She put her hands over that vulnerable center and looked down.

Mother Superior paced for a moment. "I'm sure you remember the feral child," she said.

"Yes." Veronica tensed. It was hard to believe she'd forgotten about Tala, even for a moment. "Did something happen to her?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, after you left, she reverted to her former state."