The Lost Bride Trilogy, #1
Inheritance
by Nora Roberts
Contents
Chapter Eleven
Overview
Sonya explores Poole Manor’s hidden spaces, uncovers heirlooms, and discovers a bridal portrait of Johanna that seems to appear supernaturally. The house’s activity escalates with slammed doors, opened cupboards, and a midnight false blizzard. Despite fear, Sonya commits to staying, strengthens local ties, and arranges help from Trey and cousin Owen to move items.
Summary
Sonya spends days focused on work for a new catering client, then explores the servants’ passage and basement level rooms. She notes Collin’s media room and gym, reflecting on shared interests and the family they might have formed. In storage, she discovers a working Victrola, vintage records, and trunks of meticulously packed period clothing, resolving to consult experts and preserve or share the items. Realizing how quickly she’s bonded with the manor, she decides she’s staying.
In Collin’s studio, memories of her father’s art space stir emotion. Opening a closet, she finds a full-length bridal portrait of Johanna Poole and moves it to an easel. Immediately, doors slam around the third floor, and downstairs every kitchen cabinet stands open. Shaken but defiant, Sonya asserts the house is hers and chooses to keep living normally, FaceTiming her mother Winter for dinner and planning a pot roast for the upcoming Doyle visit. That night she finds her fire lit, bed turned down, and fresh pajamas laid out, which unsettles her.
Through the week, Sonya completes final testing on Anna’s website and cuts work short to run errands. At the bank, assistant manager M.J.—a distant Poole relative—shares local history about Gretta Poole and Collin’s care for her. Sonya shops for groceries and flowers, building contacts, then stops at the Lobster Cage where Trey introduces her to cousin Owen.
Sonya invites Owen and the other cousins to claim items from storage and asks for help moving a few pieces, including Johanna’s portrait. Trey and Owen agree to come Saturday after three. After Sonya leaves, Trey admits the portrait hadn’t been in the inventory weeks earlier, implying a supernatural intervention.
Back home, music cues on her tablet and kitchen cupboards open again. Sonya counters by proceeding with dinner, wine, and preparations for Cleo’s visit, reaffirming ownership: “This is my house now.” Late that night, violent pounding and the sounds of a blizzard draw her to the front door, but outside is calm and clear. She closes up, refuses to be driven out, and returns upstairs as the clock strikes three.
Who Appears
- Sonya MacTavishProtagonist; explores manor, discovers Johanna’s portrait, experiences escalating hauntings, builds local ties, and firmly decides to stay.
- Trey DoyleLocal contractor and friend; meets Sonya at the Lobster Cage, arranges to help move items, notes the portrait wasn’t in inventory.
- OwenSonya’s cousin; meets her at the bar, agrees to visit and help move items, skeptical yet engaged.
- M.J. (Mary Jane)Assistant bank manager and distant Poole relative; helps open Sonya’s account and shares family context.
- WinterSonya’s mother; offers support and a pot roast plan for Sonya’s first dinner party.
- Johanna PooleAncestor depicted in a mysteriously appeared bridal portrait that Sonya relocates for display.
- Collin PooleDeceased uncle; his studio and belongings prompt discoveries, reflecting his care for Gretta and shared tastes with Sonya.