The Lost Bride Trilogy, #1
Inheritance
by Nora Roberts
Contents
Chapter Seventeen
Overview
Sonya endures aggressive, illusory weather and pounding before hosting her first dinner at Poole Manor. The evening succeeds—music, family bonding, and Anna’s first felt baby movement—while helpful spirits quietly handle cleanup.
That night, Astrid appears in a vivid vision of a pre-wedding party and charges Sonya to find the lost rings, deepening the central mystery.
Summary
As Sonya dresses for her dinner party, violent door slams and an illusory gale batter the manor, mirroring a tantrum she believes comes from a hostile presence. Retreating to the kitchen, she feels a gentler presence; Yoda calms and offers a paw to the unseen. The pounding stops once she sets the table, and she finishes preparing a pot roast on Lisbeth’s platter, wine, and charcuterie.
Guests arrive: Anna with Seth, Ace with Paula, Deuce with Corrine, and Trey with Mookie. Despite continued thumps overhead, the gathering settles into warmth and conversation. Sonya plates the meal; Corrine teasingly praises the “first-time” pot roast and speaks about honesty, while Sonya admits she’s documenting incidents. The dinner is a success, and they move to the music room where Paula plays and Ace sings.
Amid music and dancing, Corrine reflects on Johanna, assuring Sonya Johanna would never harm her. Anna sits at the piano, then suddenly feels the baby move for the first time, a joyful family moment. Slipping out to give them privacy, Sonya discovers the kitchen already cleaned and leftovers neatly stored—clear evidence of helpful spirits. Deuce offers to help identify the manor’s occupants if Sonya shares her notes; farewells follow, and Trey lingers, gently affirming that she and the house are good for each other.
That night Sonya dreams vividly of a lively early-April party in the front parlor: Astrid at the piano, Collin turning pages, Connor dancing with Arabelle, and Astrid’s parents watching. Time freezes as Astrid looks directly at Sonya and implores, “Find the rings. You’re the last who can.” Sonya wakes, checks the parlor, and, unsettled but resolute, acknowledges Astrid’s message before returning to bed.
Who Appears
- Sonya MacTavishHostess of her first manor dinner; withstands hostile hauntings, experiences helpful spirits, then receives Astrid’s plea to find the rings.
- Trey DoyleSupports Sonya during the dinner, handles dogs, lingers after guests; growing mutual attraction acknowledged.
- Anna DoyleArrives with Seth; plays piano; feels her baby move for the first time.
- SethAnna’s husband; shares the family moment of the baby’s first movements and helps with hosting tasks.
- Corrine DoyleMatriarch; praises Sonya, stresses honesty, recalls Johanna, assures she wouldn’t harm Sonya.
- Ace DoyleSings in the music room; provides warmth and humor during the gathering.
- Paula DoylePlays piano beautifully; enjoys the meal; adds to the evening’s musical charm.
- Deuce DoyleEngages Sonya on house history; offers to help identify spirits from her notes.
- Astrid GrandvilleAppears in Sonya’s vivid vision; asks Sonya to find the lost rings.
- Collin PooleSeen in the vision turning Astrid’s pages during a pre-wedding party.
- Connor PooleIn the dream, dances with Arabelle; a glimpse of past family life.
- ArabelleDances with Connor in the vision; future mother of Catherine.
- YodaSonya’s dog; senses presences, calms in the kitchen, enjoys time with Mookie.
- MookieTrey’s dog; plays with Yoda and tires him out during the party.
- Household spiritsOne menaces with pounding and storm illusions; others light candles and secretly clean the kitchen.