“No.” Ben swallowed. “The ghosts.”

MOTHS & MAUSOLEUMS

REMI

APRIL, 1898

Following their nuptials, Remi was escorted to the second floor after the end of the short reception. Their exchange of vows lasted longer than the supper that followed. It was an awkward affair with minimal conversation, only a few quiet congratulations on their marriage. Remi was beside herself with disappointment but pushed herself to thank everyone for coming. Even if she wished she was anywhere but there, with the weight of her family’s expectations bearing down on her.

Once Lamotte excused himself from the reception, the rest followed him eagerly. For that, she was grateful.

“Here we are.” Edgar’s gentle voice brought her back to the present. They had stopped at the end of a hallway with a single door. “I hope it’s to your liking.”

Dubious, she asked, “You hope what is to my liking?”

“The room.” He gestured to the door again, and her heart thrummed uncomfortably in her chest.

Of course, she thought, swallowing as she reached for the brass. Pull yourself together, girl. It is only natural that we would share a room.

As the door opened, she gasped.

The spacious room was fully furnished and decorated in the classic style. The floors were a deep shade of mahogany, with a finely crafted fireplace of embellished marble with a carved floral mantle. Lively flames crackled in the hearth. From the wardrobe to the escritoire, everything matched, including the four-poster bed, which was draped in delicate shantung—the same fabric as her wedding gown.

“It is yours,” he said happily.

“Curious,” she muttered after a silent beat.

“What is?”

Remi licked her lips nervously, unable to bring herself to look him in the eyes. “When you say mine, I wonder if you mean that I will have my own room, apart from yours.”

Edgar chuckled his reply, unbothered by her timidity. Instead, he ushered her forward with a wave of his hand. Remi took a steadying breath and towed her way in. With its round windows and cozy seats inlaid with plush cushions, she felt she could stay there for the rest of her days and be content. The finery decorating the room was made for royalty.

And perhaps she was royalty now. Becoming Madame Leone meant a great deal to those on the Isle, even if the inflection when speaking the family name implied death.

“I asked for much help. I’m afraid that home-making is not my forte,” Edgar said from the hallway, a respectable space between him and the door.

“I’m grateful,” she said, though her question remained unanswered.

“Then I shall leave you in Sylvie’s care.”

“Edgar?” Remi managed before he was gone.

He stopped. “Yes?”

“I don’t mean to be a nuisance, but my mind is somewhat addled. Will you not…” she paused, willing her uneasiness to subside. “Are we not to share a room?”

Edgar was silent for a moment, his face unreadable, before he finally smiled. “I thought you might like your own private space. Are you not pleased?”

“No,” she said a little too loudly, earning a short laugh from Edgar. “I couldn’t ask for more if I’m honest. Thank you.”

“Excellent.” He turned into the hall and gestured to someone unseen. “Sylvie, if you please? I leave Madame's care to you now.”

A young woman appeared then, the look of awe in her eyes the same as Remi’s. They were both new, Remi could tell, and it comforted her in a way to know they would learn about the manor together.

“Bonsoir, Madame Leone. My name is Sylvie.”

“Bonsoir, Sylvie.”

After appraising their exchange with glittering eyes, Edgar nodded and excused himself. Remi wondered absently where he was going but did not think to ask.

“Monsieur told me that you might want a bath?” Sylvie grinned.

Remi’s skin tingled at the mention of a bath. “That would be nice, thank you.”

Remi unsteadily followed Sylvie down the hall. Her gown rushed behind her in a cascade of fabric, too heavy to bear for much longer without a bustle to hold it in place. She should have asked for an extra hand but was loath to bother Tante Beline for anything. Instead, Remi spent the rest of her reception carrying what bunched-up fabric she could hold onto until her hand was cramped and the festivities dwindled. Once they were safely in the washroom, a light gray room with green accents, Remi shed its weight, glad to be rid of it. From her first fitting, the disdain she’d held for the gown grew. She would be sure to tuck it away into some hidden space with the hope that it would be lost to time and eaten away by moths.

“The water is ready, Madame,” Sylvie said.

Remi slipped into the clawfoot tub and sighed with relief. She’d felt like an outsider all day, misplaced in a story that wasn’t meant for her. It was still hard to wrap her mind around the fact that the marriage was real, though there was no denying it when the proof was wrapped around her ring finger. Remi frowned and dropped her hand below the water’s surface to hide the polished gold band.

“Sylvie, I suspect you are new as well.”

“I am, Madame.”

Remi shifted in the tub, leaning forward as the maid scrubbed her back. “Might I confide in you?”

“Please, Madame. Nothing would make me happier.” She sounded sincere.

“Will I be…sleeping alone?”

“Monsieur said that you would be comfortable in that room.”

“Yes, but will he send for me?” Remi swallowed her fear. She was not so naive a woman that she was unaware of what happened on the wedding night. She knew what was next, what was meant to happen. She’d been preparing for it, ready to move forward, but that seemed odd now that she’d been given her own room.

Confused, Sylvie said, “I was told you were tired.”

“Oh, yes. I suppose I am.”

Remi finished her bath in peace, dressing in a simple nightgown before Sylvie led her back to the ornate bedroom. On the duvet, a neatly wrapped box waited for her. As Remi opened it, Sylvie parted the sheets and waited patiently.

“What is it, Madame?”

“A wedding gift?” Remi beheld the gold locket inside, heart-shaped and embellished with an ‘L’ surrounded by little flowers—wisteria. She lifted it from its velvet pillow carefully. “It’s a necklace.”

She held it up for Sylvie to see. Her doe eyes widened, and she smiled.

“It’s beautiful, Madame! Would you like to wear it now?”