Chapter 39: The VandenrougesThe Vandenrouges were one of the founding families of our little town, and by the time I’d come along, Ambrosia Vandenrouge was the sole remaining heir. When she’d died suddenly, we’d hosted the funeral repast at the farm. I’d passed food among adults as they whispered about a curse and the string of deaths linked to the house.
“The house killed her,” one man had whispered.
I’d lingered unseen by his elbow, the tray shaking in my hands.
“Jumped from the highest window…Can you imagine?” A woman smelling strongly of tea-rose perfume had added.
“She jumped…but not before slipping the noose around her neck.” The man noticed me and took a crustless sandwich from the tray. He’d grinned. “Don’t worry, boy. They’re all dead now.”
“They’ll most likely condemn the ho
