Well, not new to me. I wrote the first draft of The Hauntings of Claverton Castle during National Novel Writing Month, November 2014. It’s endured many revisions since then.
Hauntings of Claverton Castle is a supernatural & queer gothic novel in a slightly different Regency England, where Samantha Ponsonby runs away from her abusive uncle to stay with her friend Harriet... whose ancestral ghosts attempt to communicate with Samantha. Samantha’s ability to see ghosts blossoms, as does her love for her ghost-hunting friend Margot.
The first few chapters are free to all subscribers.
One more thing… Sorry I didn’t publish anything yesterday. I was out of town, visiting a friend for her birthday. I got home yesterday evening. Samantha Ponsonby is glaring at me and crossing her arms. She demands that I begin sharing her novel. So for today, free to all subscribers, I’m publishing the first half of Chapter One of Hauntings of Claverton Castle. (It’s a long chapter.)
Hauntings of Claverton Castle, Chapter 1, Part 1
July 1819. A Slightly Different Bath, England
Samantha Aurelia Ponsonby sometimes encountered ghosts, but unfortunately never those of her parents. Seated alone in the Bath Assembly Rooms, her awareness of her crowded surroundings faded as she imagined living at her family’s cottage and meeting the apparitions of her mother and father. It would delight her to speak with them regularly.
Samantha thought she heard her name… and looked up to see her school friend, Harriet. Harriet grasped Samantha’s hand with each of hers. “Samantha, I declare it is you! It has been entirely too long—two twelvemonths—since we parted!” Harriet gazed into her eyes, and whilst Samantha stood, they both smiled.
Samantha felt flattered. It wasn’t often someone acknowledged and connected with her. “Harriet. It is a delightful coincidence to see you.”
Samantha stepped back to admire Harriet’s round, pretty face with large brown doe eyes and dimpled cheeks. Harriet wore an enormous cranberry-colored silk turban from which peeped rich, dark curls. Not for the first time, Samantha wished she were a brunette. Harriet also wore a white lawn frock covered in white embroidery and accented with a pink sash. A reticule and fan both dangled from her right wrist.
Harriet and Samantha originally met in boarding school, the prestigious Sidlecotte School for Girls, when they were eight years old. Other girls bullied Sam, an orphan in second-hand clothes despite her uncle’s comfortable income as a solicitor, and Harriet defended her. They instantly became friends.
“I am delighted to see you.” Samantha squeezed her friend’s hands. “I scarcely ever have the company of people my age. My aunt…” She grimaced, unable to continue.
Harriet led Samantha to a row of armless chairs against a wall. They sank down beside each other. Samantha felt eyes upon them and hung her head, mortified that she displayed too much emotion in public. Fashionable people standing around and conversing filled the vast paneled room, with its crystal chandeliers, bright yellow walls, and French doors. At the far end of the room, a small orchestra played a concerto, mostly drowned out by the rumble of conversations.
Harriet squeezed Samantha’s hand. “I recall in your letter you indicated that your aunt has pneumonia. You shouldn’t worry so. It is not always a death sentence.”
Samantha’s throat felt as though a ball blocked it, and her heart felt as though a fist were clenching it. She exhaled. “Yes, that is sensible. However, my uncle disapproves of Sensitives, even when they are healers. I fear my aunt… is… not long for this world.”
“He is quite mad!” Harriet clicked her tongue. “La, he is considerably worse than my father, I declare. Even he hires healers. Who would settle for herbal medicine when you can hire someone with magical powers? Your uncle is unreasonable, to be sure.”
Samantha nodded and attempted to smile.
Harriet patted her shoulder. “Poor dear, I wish we could find a less conspicuous location. Frankly, I’m surprised you came here in such spirits. And such shadows under your eyes!”
“I have not been sleeping well.”
“Well, such a festive environment would only be indecorous if your aunt were already dead—oh, dear, never mind that now.” She scanned the nearest members of the crowd. “But la, can it be you are here all alone? That hardly seems proper!”
“I am here with friends from out of town. I see them infrequently, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity of accompanying them to the Assembly Rooms.”
“My brother Reginald and I came here with one of my aunts, Aunt Thirza, who resides in Bath.” Harriet glanced about the crowded room before turning back to her friend. “La, Reginald is somewhere here, probably playing cards. Our father and our aunt cannot abide gambling and would surely have him decapitated for it.” Samantha smiled slightly and felt her spirits lift. “I know this is terribly improper, but I slipped away from my aunt! She has been drinking claret and surely hasn’t noticed. Is that not terribly naughty of me, leaving my chaperone? But I fear I am chattering away. Pray tell me about your situation.”
“After my uncle finally hired a healer for Aunt Roseanna, we had firm instructions for me to move out of my aunt and uncle’s house. I should have stayed away to avoid contagion. However, I knew not where to go. I wrote about the situation to my friends—”
“The ones who brought you to the Assembly Rooms?”
“Yes. They took the trouble to come here from Kent just for me. I am deeply grateful.” Samantha straightened, relaxed her shoulders, and tucked her handkerchief back into her reticule.
Harriet peered up at Samantha. “But why have these friends of yours abandoned you to your own devices?”
“They didn’t mean to abandon me, in truth. They introduced me to a matronly lady, and whilst she spoke to me, a man dragged my friends away. Before long, the lady had left me.”
Harriet patted her friend’s hand. “No matter, we can be each other’s chaperons for now. Though I do wish Reginald would join us.” She scanned the room before turning back to Samantha. “What a pity your aunt is in such precarious health, and yourself in danger of contagion. Indeed, I should have invited you to Claverton Castle. How careless of me! I hope you haven’t taken ill yourself.”
Samantha became conscious of how wan her face must be, so she sucked in a breath. “No, I have been most fortuitous in that respect, merely owing to my hearty constitution.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “My uncle took a grievously long time to hire the healer, but he finally did despite his beliefs. But it was only yesterday. One would think he did not care about his wife’s health.” She squeezed her embroidered reticle in her fist.
Harriet gasped. Her brown eyes were round and staring, and her mouth hung open. She hastily closed it and sat back. “Yes, it is a pity.” They sat alone on the cushioned chairs. Harriet continued patting Samantha’s shoulder.
Samantha took a deep breath and realized she was leaning on Harriet. She sat up. “Please do excuse me for behaving so emotionally in public. I have been sorrowful since my aunt’s health took a turn for the worse.”
Harriet waved away the apology. “La, do not distress yourself more.”
“With all this gloomy talk and my glum face, you must not think I am happy to see you. I certainly am. You have acquired a slight tan.”
“And you haven’t.” Harriet giggled. “Pale as ever. But your skin is lovely, not pasty. You should see my friend Miss Nanette; now that is pasty skin.”
Samantha creased her brow at Harriet.
“La, I suppose that was not the kindest comment, but it is true! You must think me horrid.”
“No, not at all—”
Harriet asked, “Where are these friends you mentioned? And do tell, are you staying with them whilst your aunt is ill? The healer would disapprove if you did not.”
“I wish. My friends are currently abiding at an inn.”
“Did your uncle not wish to come to the Assembly Rooms? He would find it a pleasant reprieve from the sickroom.”
“No, he’s not present—but not because of my aunt’s health. He has no trouble pulling himself away from her side. He is a solicitor, not a member of high society. He would never set foot in the Assembly Rooms.”
“No doubt. This crowd frowns on those who earn their wages. But these friends you mentioned—clearly you are not so alone.”
“Not now. My dear childhood friends, Roland and Margot Montmorency, are staying in Bath as long as they are able.”
Harriet’s eyes became round, and she fluttered her hands about in the anxious manner Samantha remembered from their schooldays. Samantha smiled affectionately, assured Harriet hadn’t changed. “La, splendid! I knew you were acquainted with the Montmorencys, the exquisite twins famed for their abilities to communicate with ghosts, but la, I never anticipated the opportunity to actually meet them!”
Samantha smiled again, delighted to hear high praise for her friends. “Why should you not meet them? You were always my closest friend at Sidlecotte. It would be natural for you to meet my other friends.” So few friends. Samantha bit her lip.
Harriet glanced around and struggled to suppress a grin. “Odd’s bodkin! Such friends you have.”
“I must introduce you. We have kept a correspondence ever since my aunt and uncle tore me away from Kent.” Samantha saw the Montmorencys continually when she was a child, living nearby at Thyme Cottage.
“Oh, I remember you describing the beauties of Kent and speaking of living with your parents, close to the Montmorencys’ Goblin Hall. What I would give to call on them there! And to see the goblins!”
Samantha raised the corners of her mouth slightly in amusement. “I must admit, I have but three friends in the entire world.”
Harriet fluttered her hands again. “How gracious of the Montmorencys to come to Bath for you.”
“Since my parents died, my friendship with them has been mostly through correspondence.”
“I remember you received a great many letters at Sidlecotte.”
“They also called on my fifteenth and sixteenth birthdays, but my uncle was positively livid when he clapped eyes on them. I do wish I could see them more often.”
“Perhaps someday you will—I suspect you’ll be neighbors again someday. La, what an odious uncle. Of course, his house is under quarantine now, but it surely wasn’t on your birthday. His house is part of a terrace, isn’t it?”
“Yes, indeed—it is not a grand residence the likes of which Roland and Margot have. It is modest but comfortable.”
“Surely the Montmorencys are not too proud to approach such a house.”
“Oh, no! My uncle is not especially… amiable toward them.” She did not add: Probably because they are my friends.
“Oh.” Harriet widened her eyes.
Samantha felt slightly impatient at Harriet’s seemingly slow wits; had she not indicated that her uncle was livid at the sight of the Montmorencys? But perhaps Harriet was too busy searching the crowd to have listened properly.
“When I was ten years old, Margot and Roland did come and stay at Uncle Bradford’s house. However, once he realized they were Sensitives, he was furious and sent them away. He resents Sensitives and doesn’t consider aristocrats respectable.”
“Ah, I see….”
“In truth, as the son and daughter of a baronet, Margot and Roland don’t consider themselves aristocrats, but of course my uncle sees it differently.”
“Yes, I have always thought your uncle must be frightfully stern. He doesn’t seem like he would appreciate Sensitives. My father doesn’t.”
Samantha nodded. “Uncle Bradford was unable to prevent Margot and Roland from corresponding with me all these twelvemonths. However, he absolutely forbids me to call upon Goblin Hall until my aunt’s… recovery.”
Uncle Bradford, as was typical of the rising class, disapproved of the scandalous antics of the aristocracy. Samantha suspected he’d feel differently if gossips were uninterested in these scandals and nobody knew of them. He assumed the Montmorencys weren’t respectable since they were upper crust. Grimacing, Samantha remembered her uncle ranting, “Sensitives—and aristocrats, no less! That Roland person will no doubt seduce half the young men of London by the time he reaches a score and ten years of age!”
Harriet opened her fan and waved it animatedly. “I am glad you have such dear friends to keep you company. Where are they?”
“No doubt waylaid in the crowd. Margot and Roland have been a great comfort. I only wish they could stay longer.”
Harriet fluttered her hands about. “Indeed!”
“A duchess or some such personage has requested they clear her home of menacing spirits, so they must away tomorrow.”
“Gracious! I must say—menacing spirits?”
Samantha smiled. “I know no more than that.”
Harriet’s eyes roamed the room. “You looked so alone. My first thought was that surely you were chaperoned!”
“I couldn’t have gotten in alone. I don’t know why an agitated man pulled Margot and Roland away. Perhaps a demon on the premises.” Harriet gasped and fluttered her hands about. Samantha pretended not to notice. “As it is, I doubt I’d have been allowed here without the company of my friends. These assembly rooms are so discriminating.”
“No doubt. I am fortunate—I scarcely think about such things. My brother Reginald and I were in London with our father for the Season until a few days ago. We decided to come here before retiring back to Claverton Castle, never mind that Bath pales in comparison to London.”
“No doubt it does.” Samantha smiled. “Someday I hope to see London.”
“Oh, so many diversions in London! We never went for an entire sennight without attending at least three plays or concerts.”
“How splendid!”
“I know Londoners who disdain to ever set foot in stodgy Bath. Perhaps next Season I can convince Father to take you with us.”
“Oh, goodness, that would be splendid. I wish we spent more time together. Letters aren’t sufficient.” Samantha refrained from adding how she wished Harriet replied to her missives more regularly.
Harriet grasped Samantha’s hand. “Oh, you are more than welcome to be our houseguest at Claverton Castle. Indeed, the Montmorencys are very welcome.”
“Why, thank you.” Samantha felt stunned by such generosity and compassion. She blinked and shook her head slightly, reminding herself this was Harriet, her dearest school friend, though she hadn’t been Harriet’s closest friend. Such a pretty and exuberant girl was often the center of attention, and other girls resented her attentions to Samantha.
“How shockingly neglectful of me to not invite you sooner! La, you could have spent last winter with me. But that’s neither here nor there—it is past. Your presence will be a great delight for me, and Reginald will enjoy your company, too. I can see our father sending out wedding invitations before he’s even proposed to you!”
Samantha widened her eyes with dread. “Oh! Surely it wouldn’t come to that.”
“I was merely teasing. You need not marry my brother. But you could be friends.”
“I certainly do enjoy escaping Uncle Bradford. Oh, dear, I said that terribly wrong.”
“What is this? What has your uncle done?”
Samantha glanced about with large, frightened green eyes. She faced Harriet before dropping her gaze to the marble floor. “I know not how well my aunt is, for I have not heard. She might die, in which case I fear my uncle. Aunt Roseanna would not be here to keep him in check.” Her face felt warm, and she clasped her hands together.
“How detestable!” Harriet grasped her hand. “That explains so much—er, not that you shouldn’t grieve your aunt. Come stay with us. Claverton Castle is enormous, we have plenty of room for you, and it would be delightful to have you with us. No doubt my father would be happy for me to have a companion my own age.”
“Are you certain?” Hope and relief replaced Samantha’s fear.
“Absolutely,” Harriet said. “If ever you are in desperate want, come to Claverton Castle. As many letters as you write, you must have the address memorized.”
Samantha opened her mouth, but she knew not what to say.
“Really, you can call whenever you wish. Claverton Castle is two miles east of the village of Midsomer Norton. If you approach from Bath, it is highly visible from the top of a hill with a crumbly old stone tower.”
Samantha clasped her friend’s hands. “Thank you ever so much!”
“You are welcome. I should very much like to have you at Claverton Castle! I expect I shall be lonely there without your company.”