Hidden in the Castle

Part 19

Chapter 18

Annabelle kept her head held high as she walked through the castle.  With William beside her, she felt safe, but she could practically feel the hostility coming towards her.  She knew it was in her imagination, that there was no one there other than her, William, and Ashmore, the latter who looked at her with nothing but slight curiosity.  There was no one lurking in the shadows, no one plotting her demise.  It was all in her mind, but that did not stop Annabelle from stepping closer to William, almost forcing the man into the wall.  Her side brushed his, but he did not make any attempts to distance himself from her.

If anything, the warm hand that engulfed hers after a moment relaxed her.  She knew that she shouldn’t take the action as anything other than comforting, but with William, the more she was near the man, the closer she wanted to be. 

“Where is Ramsey?” Ashmore asked, making Annabelle jump as her thoughts were interrupted.  Ashmore glanced sideways at her, a small frown marring the blank expression he had earlier.

William’s grip on her hand tightened slightly.  “Where is he always, Ashmore?”

Ashmore glanced away from Annabelle to look towards William.  A sigh escaped the man’s mouth.  “When are you going to allow the past to become the past, William?  What I did was a horrid mistake, but until you have children of your own, I do not expect for you to understand.”

“Understand what, Ashmore?  How to put your family in danger, how to almost get your daughter killed, for what?  A sense of empowerment?”

Ashmore’s eyes flashed with emotions, and Annabelle knew that the man was truly sorry.  Whatever he had done, and for what reasons, he realized that they were mistakes.  He realized that he had done more harm than good.

“I thought I was protecting her,” Ashmore said.  “If I would have known beforehand what would happen, I would have done everything in my power to keep everyone safe, including you William.”

“I do not need your type of protection.”  William paused for a moment, his face flashing with understanding.  “Is that why you are trying to help Annabelle?  You feel guilty for what you caused, and because of that, you are trying to make up for past mistakes.”

They reached the doors leading from the castle to outside, and as they opened, Annabelle glanced behind her.  There was no one there, but that fact didn’t keep chills from running up her spine.  

“Anna,” William whispered, bringing her attention back to him.  “Are you alright?  Do you want to return to your room?”

“No,” she snapped before shaking her head in apology.  “I am just a little nervous.”

William smiled at her as they stepped outside.  “No need to be nervous,” he mumbled beneath his breath.  “You only have to say what you want.  I won’t let him pressure you into more.”

“Ashmore does not make me nervous, William.”  She pulled her hand away from his and began walking further away from the castle, further away from curious ears and watchful eyes.  “Telling him will help, I know it will.  It’s this place.  I don’t want to feel frightened, but the more I begin to think of the things that have happened, the more I wonder.  Thoughts can be a dangerous thing.”

A hand rested on her shoulder, and Annabelle tensed when she realized that hand did not belong to Will.  Looking towards Ashmore, she felt shock flow through her when she saw the genuine worry on the older man’s face.  “What is it, Annabelle?  If there is something in the castle frightening you, tell me?”

“You must know everything that happens here,” William cut in with a harsh voice.  “Don’t pretend to be so worried, I know all you wish is to have your leverage.”