CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO – CHAOS IN THE HOUSEHOLD

"Master Richard," she chided, placing her hands on her hips. "Whatever are you on about? There's no such thing as ghosts." Richard opened his mouth to respond, but his retort was drowned out by a deafening crash from the upper floors, followed by a chorus of eerie wails. The children scattered like startled birds, darting in every direction as the haunting cries grew louder and more insistent. "The ghosts are coming!" Maisie squealed, her eyes round as saucers. "Hide, quickly!" In an instant, chaos descended upon the manor. Suits of armor toppled with resounding clangs, portraits were sent swinging awry, and a cacophony of otherworldly shrieks assaulted their ears from every shadowed corner. Charlotte watched in mounting horror as the cousins scampered about, upending furniture and sowing destruction in their wake. Dear Lord, if Lady Griffith were to catch wind of this unholy pandemonium... A sidelong glance showed Richard trembling with barely contained mirth, his shoulders shaki