Charlotte’s Story (41 page)

I can sense my father smiling at his name.

There’s so much I need to show my son. So much I need to teach him, as I was taught. My need to touch him swells, pushing against the inner walls of the house, causing even the paintings to shudder with my frustration. For an eternity I have kept my peace, waiting for him. Even now, there is no one inside to hear. Everyone is outside, anxious to greet him.

Charlotte, look what you have stolen from me! I would be there beside you, but you were selfish. Like my mother, who plagues me still. Yes, she is here with me. With Eva.

Hold my son just so, Charlotte. Will you give me that? I want to see his eyes, and he’s hiding them from the brutal sun. He will
have my eyes. He will have my strength because I will give it to him. You will not stop me.

Finally, finally! The odious Roman opens the front door. Can you hear me, my son? Can you hear me welcoming you? Can you hear the chorus of voices welcoming you home? Now that you are inside me, I will sigh, cooling you with my breath.

Welcome, my son. Welcome, Randolph.

Acknowledgments

Charlotte’s Story
comes into the world borne by so many lovely people who deserve far more than my grateful thanks.

Susan Raihofer, my most wonderful agent from the David Black Literary Agency. We’ve grown into this business together, and I couldn’t have a better partner in literary crime. Sometimes we even talk about work when she calls.

Maggie Daniel Caldwell, the friend of my heart, who tells me tales of the beach and life and love, and always makes me laugh.

J.T. Ellison, who keeps me sane and wondering how she has time to do all the amazing things she does while also being the perfect friend, therapist, and publishing mentor.

Carolyn Haines, who has the best stories, a generous heart, and a contagious enthusiasm that overwhelms even my darkest moods.

The brilliant group at Pegasus, especially my thoughtful editor, Jessica Case, who made my dream of a haunted house full of stories come true, and always makes the stories better. Also, publisher Claiborne Hancock and marketing maven/editor Iris Blasi.

Henry Sene Yee has produced yet another cover that haunts me in just the same way that
Bliss House
does. Maria Fernandez created the elegant interior design.

Living the life of a country mom and writer, I don’t get out much. My days are always enriched by the delightful women who give me so much online and handwritten encouragement, including Elizabeth “Lyzz” Pickle, Sue Spina, Leta Sontag, Judy Daniel, Lauren Winters O’Brien, Brandee Crisp, and my dearest Jen Talty.

All hail the Nashville literary crew: editor Blake Leyers, and writers Paige Crutcher, and Ariel Lawhon, who crack me up every time.

Jennifer Jordan, editor, writer, and encourager, who keeps me cheered with all manner of critter cuteness and reminded me that Emily D. always has just the right words.

Writer Ashley Malick, who cleverly named the town of Clareston.

My parents, Judy and Jerry Philpot, who cheer me on and inspire me every day.

Ann and Cleve Benedict, whose Virginia/Other Virginia love story always makes me smile.

My sisters, Teresa McGrath and Monica Wilmsen, who—after years of my tormenting them with big-sister advice—still tolerate me and take my calls. Thank God for them both.

Cleveland Benedict II fills my day with joy and jokes. Plus, he still gives me hugs, though he wouldn’t want me to tell you that.

Nora Benedict is the music in my life. Play on, sweet girl.

There would be no books without my dearest Pinckney. No sunshine, either. He has all my love.

Coming from Pegasus Books in 2016

The
Abandoned
Heart

A BLISS HOUSE NOVEL

LAURA BENEDICT

PEGASUS CRIME

NEW YORK  LONDON

Three women.
One troubled man, and a cursed house.
Generations of lives at stake.

It’s 1899, the cusp of a new century, and Bliss House, the proud creation of Randolph Hasbrouck Bliss, has stood for twenty years, casting its unsettling shadow over Old Gate, Virginia. Already the house has a reputation for trouble, but there are those who can’t keep away, drawn by rumors of strange goings on beyond the public entertainments—traveling troupes, preachers, spiritualists, and musicians—that take place in the house’s third floor theater.

Now Randolph has a new wife, Lucy, a rebellious daughter of Old Gate society who defied her family by marrying him in secret. She’s made a blithe promise to him that she will give him the legitimate son he has always wished for, without understanding what it will cost her. Randolph is a man of peculiar—even hellish—appetites that leave their mark on everything and everyone around him. This is especially true for Lucy and the other women he has pulled into his orbit, promising them stability, wealth, and freedom.

Lucy soon comes to realize that she is simply his latest conquest. Quiet, plain Amelia, Randolph’s first wife, and the very young Kiku, who was virtually unknown in Old Gate—both came to Bliss House long before her, and left their own marks.

For Bliss House never forgets what happens within its walls, and nothing that dies there can ever leave.

ALSO BY LAURA BENEDICT

NOVELS

Bliss House

Devil’s Oven

Calling Mr. Lonely Hearts

Isabella Moon

ANTHOLOGIES

Surreal South ’11

Surreal South ’09

Surreal South: An Anthology of Short Fiction

CHARLOTTE’S STORY

Pegasus Books LLC

80 Broad Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Copyright © 2015 by Laura Benedict

First Pegasus Books cloth edition October 2015

Interior design by Maria Fernandez

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in whole or in part without
written permission from the publisher, except by reviewers who may quote brief excerpts
in connection with a review in a newspaper, magazine, or electronic publication; nor may
any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
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written permission from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-60598-878-8

ISBN: 978-1-60598-879-5 (e-book)

Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.