Ghost Boyfriend: Ebernote (special preview)

Ebernote was dead, to begin with. There was no doubt whatsoever about that. The register was signed by all according and his lawyer had requested my presence. I did not need to see the body, nor have any shred of proof aside from that. Ebernote’s lawyer was as secretive and silent as a mouse. So if you saw him, you knew there was a bigger problem.

For decades Ebernote and I had been business partners. It started with my husband, who had been the original Coulthurst on the sign of ‘Coulthurst & Thursby’. My husband died young, though, and I became the Coulthurst on the sign. Ebernote had tried to buy me out, but I was no fool, I was no weeping widow. I knew what the business was worth, so I would not let him buy one cent of my husband’s shares.

The North Pole was a bitter place, although it shared the same glittering veneer as its southern neighbor, Pirlipat. It was more like its sister kingdom of Miror; pretty to look at, but lots of crawling things below that surface. I suppose Ebernote and I were one of those crawling things. But the North Pole was a cold place, and through our business, we kept it warm.

The coal mines had been a happy accident, property that Ebernote and my husband bought in their youth. They had intended other things with it, but the discovery of coal changed everything. It would for anybody, of course, but Ebernote had grander schemes in mind.

I was merely seeing my husband back then. Being courted, I suppose, would be the correct way to put it. Of course, back then, I had true fondness for Hugh. It wasn't about money then, although it would turn into that later.

During Ebernote’s funeral, I was struck with my first memory of him. I was young, just finished school, and was seeing Hugh for the first time in months. I was excited to step off the train and see him waiting for me. Instead there was a man there who looked quite strange compared to the rest of the people on the platform. Ebernote always had his size working for him. He was tall, standing head and shoulders above everyone else. He was also thin and willowy, with limbs that looked unencumbered by gravity. His movements flowed so easily, like water or clouds. He seemed to drift above the world, afraid it would sully his shoes.

“You must be Sybyll,” he said with a voice as deep and endless as his coal mine. “Pleasure to meet you, I am your husband’s business partner.”

I looked around with a smile, like this was some sort of joke. “Mr. Thursby?” I said, still expecting Hugh to pop out from somewhere. “I’ve been told a great deal about you.” I offered him my hand, still surprised Hugh had not mentioned Ebernote’s countenance to me before.

Ebernote kissed the side of my hand rather than my knuckles, which was odd, but at the same time, strangely alluring.

His dark eyes were focused upon me, and his thin brows were pinched in such a way he looked angry. But I would soon realize that was just how he always looked. “Hugh got caught up at work and asked me to tend to you. He asked me to take you home so you could rest.”

I smiled graciously, although I felt quite odd before him. “If he is still at the office, you can take me there. Perhaps I can help with whatever has him bogged down.”

“He is at the mines, sweet Sybyll,” Ebernote replied. “Not a place for a fine lady such as yourself. If you are not tired, though, perhaps I could take you to get something to eat.”

I should have told him to take me home, but instead I went along with him to dinner. I also went to bed with him that evening. I am not sure what came over me, perhaps it was an affliction of girlish rebellion, maybe even that I was mad Hugh chose the mines over me. Whatever it was, Ebernote seduced me, and I cannot deny the immense pleasure I took in his bed.

I married Hugh anyways, and while he was alive, Ebernote and I carried out our affair when his back was turned. Hugh was sweet and doting, but he also ignored most things in our marriage. To Hugh, I was a pretty trapping for his home, but to Ebernote, I was alive and vital. Much like the coal mine, Ebernote saw something more in me than Hugh did.

Hugh’s death was written as an accident, but rumors still spread. After all, Hugh was worth more to me dead than alive, and I was not a well liked woman within our circle. They called me cold and aloof, and because I had an education in Miror, they thought I felt I was above them. Rumors that I had him killed spread extremely quickly. I had to separate myself for a while, as my son was at an age where those things could seep in and affect him. That was when Ebernote tried to buy me out of my business.

I returned home then, and if they thought I was cold before, they couldn’t not see the frost that was coming. If they thought I felt above them all, they would know it now. I was Sybyll Coulthurst, and I was going to make them all see who and what I was.

My affair with Ebernote ended, although the effects of it still rippled through our contentious business affairs. We grew old together, and I thought for sure we hated one another. He always held it over my head how my son, Augustine, looked nothing like his father. Augustine was tall and thin, elegant and beautiful. Why did he have to grow to make my sins so obvious? But I was his mother and his father for most of his life. He received the finest education money could buy, and he grew up to be a fine man. Although, I do not see him much now. He lives in Pirlipat with his wife and children, but I do still receive letters from him from time to time. During Christmas, we always exchange beautiful cards. But because of Ebernote’s death, I cannot remember if I have sent him mine.