The Lost Bride Trilogy, #1
Inheritance
by Nora Roberts
Contents
Chapter Nineteen
Overview
Sonya and Trey confront ethical concerns and her painful breakup, then choose to pursue a relationship. Overnight, Trey hears the grandfather clock chime at three, feels the Gold Room chill, and sees Lilian Crest (Clover), who confirms Hester’s ongoing influence and the missing rings. In the morning they compare notes, resolve to investigate the clock’s pattern, and plan for Trey to return and stay.
Summary
In Sonya’s kitchen, playful attraction turns into a frank talk about boundaries and conflicts of interest. Sonya vents about her ex-fiancé’s manipulation and sabotage, asserting she isn’t rebounding. Trey’s quiet anger at the ex’s harassment validates her feelings, and the conversation clears the way for intimacy.
They decide to stop overthinking and take the risk. Their chemistry leads them upstairs, where they sleep together. Afterward, Sonya wryly justifies her “four dates” rule by retroactively counting earlier shared evenings. They joke uneasily about ghostly voyeurs, then focus on each other again as Trey stays the night.
At 3 a.m., Trey wakes to heavy chimes from the unwound grandfather clock in the second parlor and a blast of cold reminiscent of the Gold Room. Piano music (“Barbara Allen”) leads him to an apparition: Lilian Crest—Clover—who recognizes him and speaks openly about her death, Charlie, the stolen ring, and Hester’s nightly bongs. Drained, Clover vanishes.
Trey moves the clock’s hands as an experiment, checks the rooms, then returns to bed. In the morning, while sharing cold pizza and coffee, he tells Sonya everything. They conclude the clock’s 3 a.m. chime is tied to Hester, and Clover’s visit confirms multiple trapped spirits and the stolen rings. They agree Trey will come back after court with Chinese food, stay over, and keep observing the clock.
Who Appears
- Sonya MacTavishProtagonist; opens up about her ex’s manipulation, chooses to pursue a relationship with Trey, and commits to investigating the clock phenomenon.
- Trey (Trevor) BarrowLawyer and ally; becomes Sonya’s lover, witnesses the 3 a.m. clock bongs, meets Clover, and proposes an experiment and continued support.
- Lilian Crest (Clover)Sonya’s biological grandmother’s ghost; appears to Trey, confirms Hester’s presence, her stolen ring, and urges recovering the rings.
- Hester DobbsAntagonist spirit; unseen but blamed for the nightly 3 a.m. clock chimes and theft of brides’ rings.
- MookieTrey’s dog; stays with Sonya, a sign of growing trust and domestic comfort.
- YodaSonya’s dog; observes the night’s events, part of the newly forming household.
- CharlieClover’s lost love; referenced by Clover as her partner who died, leaving their babies to his mother.