An Erotic Ghost Story Ch. 03

"Lillian dear, perhaps this isn't the most suited vocation for a well bred lady. Maybe we can find something inside the house? You could play the piano for father and I can sing." Mary hesitated a moment. Two long bony fingers fumbled with her lower lip.

"You do remember how to play don't you?"

Lilly nodded in agreement. Her mother was a concert pianist before she married and taught Lilly as a young child. Lilly's talent quickly surpassed her mother's and she was offered lessons at the conservatory. Her teacher claimed she was a prodigy.

"Can I play later, Mary? I would like to do something out of doors today. The fresh air and sunshine are rejuvenation."

"Well, um, lets think about this, ah, for a moment shall we?"

Mary was stalling. Trying to find an excuse to keep Lilly and her scrambled brain inside. She needed to keep a close watch on her sibling and shield her from polite society. Mary loved Lilly dearly and didn't want her sister become the town oddity because of her amnesia.

"I could take her for a ride Miss Mary." The groom suggested.

Mary shot Daniel a hostile look. The older Taylor daughter didn't intimidate Daniel. She was always bossing Lilly and he felt for the youngest sibling.

"Oh, yes, that would be so much fun!" Lilly clapped her hands excited by the prospects of escaping another miserable afternoon barricaded in the house. She would give the groom, whose name she didn't know yet, a big unladylike kiss when they were alone.

"Thank you...I'm sorry I don't know your name?"

"Daniel Kelly, Miss Lilly." Dan bowed a bit awkwardly to the pretty girl.

I've been with your families since I was a child. I took over for my father a few years ago. You and I would ride together when you were younger."

"Daniel, it's very nice to meet you and I'm truly sorry I don't remember you."

Lilly extended a hand to the groom. His face reddened then looked nervously toward her older sister. Mary appeared even more flustered than usual. Then it dawned on her. The gentry didn't associate with the help. How absolutely snobbish! Lilly was glad she was born in a modern world where that crap was a thing of the past. She dropped her hand and felt badly, more for embarrassing Dan than her sister and her silly sense of propriety.

"It's okay Miss Lilly. I'm sure once you start engaging in activities you loved the memories will return."

Daniel knew with a heavy heart Lilly didn't remember him. She had no memory of their last encounter. Her face didn't light up when their eyes met like they always did. His heart shattered into tiny fragments of despair and longing for his beautiful Lilly.

"Lilly has some pretty nasty cuts and a concussion from her fall the other day Daniel. Riding that unruly Arabian of hers is not prudent. Why father allowed her to have such a high strung animal is beyond me."

"I own an Arabian?" Lilly interjected. That was her favorite breed.

"I will take her out on the lead line. She will be under my control the whole time." Daniel offered, hoping to encourage Mary by playing the safety card, her favorite card in the deck of life.

****

Lilly sat atop her white mare while Daniel led the horse like an enormous overgrown dog. Mary insisted she change into her riding habit. Lilly began to sweat under the heavy garment. The 'ladylike' sidesaddle was ridiculously uncomfortable.

Daniel led the horse behind the stately mansion and through a vast meadow teeming with fragrant wild flowers. Crickets buzzed and hummed in a loud cacophony and the aroma of earthy and pungent grass filled the humid air. Past the meadow, Lilly could see the long stretch of dark blue Atlantic Ocean and the white sandy beach. She caught a heady whiff of fragrant beach roses now in full bloom along the shoreline. Up ahead tall pine trees and a mix of oaks and maples made up a path leading into a shady forest. A leafy canopy blocked out the blazing midday sun and was a welcome respite from the June heat.

"I feel like a five year old child riding her first pony. Could she be any more overprotective!" Lilly sulked.

"She's just looking out for you Miss Lilly. She loves you an awful lot."

"I know, I know and I hate to seem ungrateful but she's smothering me!"

The groom nodded his head slightly and pursed his lips. He wanted to commiserate and say so much more but he remained silent. He'd like nothing more than to pull her off that horse and lay her in the tall grass and kiss every inch of her.

Daniel was tall and built of sheer muscle and was attractive in a rugged, masculine way. His wild curly hair was an earthy chestnut brown. As he walked his calves bulged through his tight breeches. His buttocks were tone and flexed solidly with each stride. Lilly couldn't keep her eyes off his tight and perfectly shaped backside. Lilly felt her cheeks flush. His large muck boots clomped noisily along with her horse.

"Daniel, thank you very much for offering to take me out."

"Your welcome Miss Lilly."

"Could you call me Lilly? Just Lilly no Miss?"

"That would be inappropriate Miss Lilly."

"Daniel this is tiresome! Lilly was exasperated with the stuffy formality. She craved a real conversation with this man.

"I promise not to tell anyone, I promise, just Lilly okay? When it's you and I?"

"Alright Lilly, only when we're alone."

He glanced over his shoulder at her and grinned. Success! Lilly thought triumphantly. She leaned over her horse and slapped him teasingly on the shoulder.

The conversation eventually dwindled into silent nothingness. Only plodding human feet and hooves filled the air. Birds were singing in the branches of the tall trees on the forest path. Her spirited mare was literally raring to go but the groom firmly slowed her to a steady, lumbering pace.

The peaceful silence gave Lilly a chance to ponder her current situation. She missed her parents and her few close friends dearly. They were a wonderful mixture of races, friendships that would be taboo in this century. Lilly thought about graduate school. One more year until she'd earn her MBA. What could she do with an MBA in 1890's patriarchal America?

As her mind drifted the horse's languid and steady gait rocked her into a peaceful sleepy state. She closed her eyes a moment then woke with a start. She nearly fell asleep. Maybe Mary was right and she was over doing it.

Daniel was silent for a number of reasons. He was a servant and she the daughter of a wealthy society family. They could engage in polite conversation but the topics discussed in superficial jib jab would dry up quickly. The primary cause for Daniel's silence was that he'd secretly been in love with Lilly for a number of years.

When Lilly was a little girl he'd tease and have fun with her. As she grew older and she more beautiful he knew their close friendship was forbidden. He withdrew his lighthearted affection, as his feelings for her grew much deeper. He was a lowly groom and the son of Irish immigrants, the lowest class in American society. New immigrants were relegated to menial jobs. The class structure was rigidly set in America so of course he could never have her. Still he would dream of them running away together.

To his shock, Lilly professed her feelings to him that early spring right before her college graduation. She cried and wept and begged him to run away with her. Daniel was stunned, overjoyed and overwhelmed. While other woman spent their generous allowances on dresses and other silly fripperies, Lilly invested hers in the stock market under the wise advise of her father. Lilly made due with her current wardrobe and stashed away a tidy sum. Enough to buy a horse breeding farm. She wouldn't need her father' money or her trust fund.

Daniel kissed her then in the dusty barn near her horse's stall. He couldn't believe she loved him too. He cupped her face in his hands and pulled her up to his tall frame then kissed her deeply. Lilly led him by the hand to an empty stall. Daniel hesitated.

"I don't give hoot about etiquette, classes or any of that nonsense. I love you Daniel and I know you love me." Her eyes were moist with tears of sincerity.

Daniel rested her gently in the clean hay. He climbed atop her and felt she was a china doll ready to break under his massive bulk. His erection pressed into her. They lay in the hay groping each other. But he pulled away before he lifted her skirts.

"I can't do this to you Lilly. I love you too much." He bolted up and offered her his hand.

Lilly lay motionless a moment. Stunned that after all this time waiting and wanting Daniel refused her. She swatted his hand away, cursed him then stormed off.

They didn't speak after that. When Lilly graduated and returned home, Erik Somers began courting her. A month later they were engaged. Daniel knew Lilly wasn't in love with Erik and he knew she did it to spite him. He had to give her up though, give up the lifelong dream of having her. Dan loved her beyond reason and would do whatever necessary to ensure she didn't waste her life on him but he hated that her stubborn and headstrong ways could very well lead her into a loveless marriage. He hoped she wouldn't marry a man she didn't love.

As the trio headed deeper into the forest a thick fog billowed from the tree lined dirt path and settled in a low-lying blanket of ethereal whitish haze. The forest felt denser as if the trees were preparing to devour them. The tree canopy was denser and nearly chocked out all the rays of sun. Ahead the trail was shrouded in an eerie and spooky murkiness.

Lilly awoke from her sleepy stupor when an enormous rusty gate appeared out of the thick shroud of fog. A tall crumbling stonewall encircled the gated area. Old-fashioned ancient rough-cut granite blocks that made up the wall were covered in a green stain of age. Plushy emerald colored moss covered areas were sunlight rarely shined. A cloudy mist oozed slowly from under and around the opening. Lilly was fascinated but unnerved the fog. Her pupils blacken with dread and curiosity. Why was this structure built so deep in the woods? What things hid in the shadows, behind the aged stonewall? Lilly wondered.

Daniel signed the cross then hurried past the decrepit gated stonewall. Guenivere was skittish and lunged forward and also seemed anxious to move past the eerie sight.

"Easy, girl, there, there, be calm." Daniel stroked the horses muzzle in an attempt to calm her.

"What is that?" Lilly asked

"A family graveyard Lilly. Most of you kin are buried there. Your families lived in these parts for generations. Let's hurry on past this place."

"You're catholic Daniel?"

"Yes, Lilly, My folks hail from County Cork Ireland. We are indeed Catholic and very superstitious."

The groom was spooked. A big brawny guy was afraid of a bone yard? What unnerved him?

"What are you superstitious about?" Lilly's interest was piqued but Daniel remained silent.

"Daniel?" He faced her but his eyes were darting around as if he expected something to jump out and attack him.

"Ghosts, we are superstitious of haunted places, especially haunted graveyards."

"This grave yard is haunted?" Lilly's pupils blacked even more.

"Aye, Lilly indeed it's rumored to be haunted. Fog shrouds the place. No forest creatures dwell near here. Murkiness covers the place so thickly the sun never shines through. We shouldn't tarry here. I'll take no chances passing through this spooky place."

"Why did you lead me to such a frightening place Daniel? Goose bumps rose across her skin.

"I must've taken the wrong path. The mist gets so thick it's easy to become disorientated.

"Are we lost?' Lilly gulped nervously. Her fingers clung to the reins so tight they turned deathly white.

The groom shook his head quickly. "Nay, we'll be out of here very soon."

Gwen snorted as she stomped the ground frantically. Mist rose each time she dug her hoof onto the soft ground. Lilly held the reins tightly to keep the horse still. She felt someone or something was watching her. She turned to look over her shoulder. A pervading chill pricked her skin. Out of the mist, few hundred feet behind her a shroud of vapor rose. An updraft of chilly air made the fog funnel upward like a mini cyclone. Mist rose and shaped into a human form.

Oh, dear god she murmured. Terror paralyzed her senses. Lilly wanted to scream but she was too petrified. Arms and legs formed from the center of the emerging human shape. The form manifested into the ghostly figure of a woman. Her black, soulless hollow eyes entranced Lilly. The ghost woman raised her misty lifeless arm then pointed toward another path crossing parallel to the one they were traveling on. She seemed to beckon to the terrified girl. Lilly was able to choke out a sputtering cough.

"Daniel!" she was finally able to sputter out a word.

"Daniel, turn around very slowly." Lilly whispered hoarsely.

"A figure of a woman is rising out of the fog. Daniel...is she a... ghost?" Lilly's voice wavered. She fought an overwhelming urge to scream.

The hairs on the groom's neck stood up ramrod straight. He swallowed hard. Daniel cursed himself. Fervent rumors spread over the county for years claiming a woman haunted this graveyard. She would moan and wail and scare off any person where entered near the cemetery. People also swore a terrifying ghostly shadow man chased them with an axe. He shouldn't have taken her anywhere near here. This damn cursed land! He swore to himself.

When he turned around, Daniel saw nothing but creepy fog that continually blanketed the area of the forest. He blew out a deep breath. Lilly's overactive imagination was playing tricks on her. This part of the forest had a tendency to do that to folks.

"I don't see anything Lilly."

Just as the words left his lips an enormous black stead came galloping out from the path the ghost woman was pointing towards. The horse swerved around the corner and headed right in their direction. As the rider bolted into the path he galloped directly through the transparent ghost woman. Her 'remnants' were scattered into wispy long strands of hazy pale gossamer. The rider lost control of the charging beast. He then yanked hard on the reins in an attempt to control the animal. They were headed straight for Lilly and Daniel.

"Lilly, get off the horse!" The groom bellowed as he seized her hand to yank her off the animal.

Lilly suddenly regained her senses and jumped into his muscular arms. He grabbed Gwen's reins and dragged her and the horse against a tree. Daniel pressed into her using his body as a shield to protect her from the huge beast barreling down on them.

The stranger's steed reared up and nearly threw the man off. A less seasoned horseman would've been dropped on his ass. He finally managed to settle the horse but the animal pawed the ground furiously, snorting and shaking his head. He dismounted, then tied the reins hastily around a nearby tree. He pounded over toward Daniel and Lilly.

"Holy hell man, are you alright? Something scared the hell out of my stallion. He bolted for no apparent reason about a quarter mile before we reached this path."

The rider was Edward Kahn. Lilly recognized the voice the instant he spoke. Of all people why did it have to be Edward? She prayed he wouldn't recognize her. She crouched lower into the hulking groom. His thighs and belly pinned her against the tree. Lilly pressed her face into his chest. He held her tightly against his body. Such an intimate embrace surprised Lilly. She reasoned he was probably as shocked as she was and didn't grasp he was holding her so closely.

Edward realized the groom was shielding someone with his body. A crimson taffeta riding skirt and ladies boot poked out from under his legs. A ladies head darted out from around his arm and retreated quickly. Her riding hat was adorned with bright peacock feathers that pointed directly at him, stabbing like a feathery sword.

Edward was mortified he'd scared a lady half to death. Then irked how intimately the servant was holding the gentlewoman.

"I beg your pardon my lady for giving you such a fright." Edward removed his top hat and bowed stiffly.

Edward was disturbed the man hadn't released the lady yet. She was obviously in no harm now. Perhaps they were engaged in a forbidden dalliance and were hiding in the deepest part of this forest. Edward needed to be assured though that the woman was safe.

"I assure you I am a gentleman and the lady is in no danger anymore. My horse is well under control. You may release her.

"A woman in your company sir is 'safe'...that is debatable."

Daniel swung around to meet Edward face-to-face. He tucked Lilly behind him.

Two months ago his sister, a local bar maid got with child after spending one night with a local man. When Daniel pressed her to name the bastard who'd fathered her child, she finally admitted Kahn was the father but begged her brother to not approach him. The man was a despicable cad. A low life vermin dressed in a gentleman's clothing. He wanted nothing more than to lay the man out flat. His palms clenched and unclenched, eagerly anticipating a brawl.

Edward raised an eyebrow. Such a bold accusation from a stable worker! He would've thrashed the man if the lady weren't present.

"Do I know you boy? What is your name?

"I'm Daniel Kelly. My master is Mr. David Taylor. I was given strict orders by the Taylor family to keep Miss Lilly away from you."

Lilly? His heart raced. Lilly Taylor stood pressed against the giant hulk? Why was Lilly in his murky unsettling place? Pangs of jealously stabbed at him. Why would he take her out here? What nefarious activities where taking place with these two in this desolate forest?

"Lilly, Miss Taylor? Are you alright?"

"You'll not address the lady sir."

Edward strode up to the ill-manned groom. While not as tall as Daniel, Edward was equally formidable. They were nearly chest-to-chest both unwavering in their bravado. Edward's intense black eyes bore into Daniel's azure colored irises. Edward's dark sun kissed skin boldly contrasted with the Irishman's beige coloring.

"Your insolence and indelicate manner handling a lady will not go unnoticed. Release her at once!" He gritted his teeth at the servant.

Edward reached for Lilly, to check on her. Daniel however blocked his path. The groom, bitten with fury, lost all sense of reason and sucker punched Edward in the face. Edward reeled for only a moment and regained his composure quickly. Lilly ran out in an attempt to block the two men.

"Daniel, No! Lilly shouted as she held her hands out in a lame attempt to hold the man apart.

"You'll not touch Lilly, Khan. Your caresses and sweet lies entrap innocent young maids who fall helplessly into a deep abyss of despair with you."

Kelly seriously underestimated Edward. Kahn was a fighter. He learned plenty from the murderous street gangs who lived in seedy underbelly in Iran. He spent his time picking knife fights and won a lot of money because of his skill. His mother and father thought their child was a pampered well-bred son, of royal birth. They would die of shame if they knew he was a wannabe thug.

Edward clenched his fist and with a punishing blow clocked Daniel so hard he flew into the hard dirt and was out cold. Lilly screamed and ran to the groom. She tried to shake him but his solid mass was unmovable and still. She eased his head into her lap but it hung limply like a worn rag doll.

"You bastard!" She spat at Edward.

Lilly bolted up, ran toward Edward then lunged at him. She pummeled him with her fists, slapping his face and punching him. Her face was red and stained with dust. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Edward was so shocked he just stood there taking her rigorous blows. He'd never heard such a well-bred woman utter such an obscenity or attack a man so viciously. She was a mighty and powerful hellcat.