Inside the café, Lila sat in front of Margot and looked at her guest with severe eyes.
-Please Margot, don't said that name aloud. It may seem silly or superstitious for you, but I really ask of you this.
The cold expression on Margot's face didn't change, but she slowly nodded after a few moments.
-Very Well, I will not say his name out loud. But can you tell me about him? I have some a long way looking for him.
Lila was a bit torn inside, she really wasn't keen on talking about this subject at this late hour, but there shouldn't be any problem as it still was a few days away from the date.
-Well, actually is not a complicated story. There are to versions, the ones in the history books that said that He was a madman because of a sickness and then there is the version that we folks of Fog Valley know and it is that he was cursed.
Margot stared intensely for a seconds.
-And?
-That's it. He was cursed and it's better to follow certain rules to avoid falling victim of his curse. Don't open the windows at night in the foggy October. Don't forget the daisy on the doorknob and window sill. Don't say His name at night in October the 31. Simple, easy to follow.
-I don't get it.
Lila felt the need to laugh a little after seeing the expression on Margot. With a face of remembrance she let out a chuckle.
-I didn't get it too when I first arrived here. I was small and soon got a bit rebellious, but… Sometimes you just have to honour that phrase, "when in Rome do as the Romans do".
Margot raised an eyebrow at the swift change in Lila's expression. Lila noticed it and lowered her sight. Letting out a sigh and slumped in the chair as if boneless. Her eyes gazing the night mist.
-The last tenant of Foxglove Cottage actually bought the place. He was a person who didn't believe in adapting to the customs of this town. Once he even came to the café and accused all of us to be conspiring against him, boycotting his home so he would leave. That stupid man couldn't believe that not even the most mischievous and naughty kid here would go close to his cottage after knowing he didn't follow such simple rules… That's why the folks here don't really like you being in that cottage. That man got out before the 31st and he didn't come back, if it wasn't for the Inspector Mullen searching for him we wouldn't know that he ended up in a psychiatric house out of his own will.
The voice died and the café returned to silence once more.
-Well, I am not so unreasonable Miss Ashford. I can follow such simple rules while I look for what I came for.
-I can assure you Margot, that if that is the case then you will find your stay here a lot more comfortable. And please call me Lila, everyone here does.
…
Later that night, Lauren entered Lila's room and sat by her side. In a low voice she asked.
-Did that woman told you why she was here, or why she had rented Foxglove Cottage?
Lila shook her head, she had talked friendly with Margot but actually she had withhold quite a bit of information about the tales of the Baron.
-She asked for Him, I think she is looking for Him.
Lila threw herself at her mother's arms, it didn't matter how big and old she was, when really scared she could only feel safe in her mother's embrace. Lauren tightened her hold on her daughter and her face became serious.
-If Miss Ravenswood is really looking for him then is impossible not to find him, and after that idiot left Foxtail Cottage the priest said that He had actually been capable of staying in that place even if it wasn't October. The plumbing thing was a surely made up on purpose by Barry.
Lila trembled strongly. The story about the cursed Baron Blackthorn was actually quite lengthy, recounting the hedonist, wastrel of a Baron, father of two legitimate sons and many illegitimate children, who became a puppet under the spell of a witch that became obsessed with the beauty of the second son.
Such a child was raised with obsessive care by the puppet Baron, who had, under the spell of the witch, resorted to murder his entire lineage with the sole exception of this son. But as it may, a priest arrived in the Blackthorn's lands and with the help of a young soon- to- be Baron managed to imprison the witch. Then, the priest himself approved for the only surviving son of the Baron to success the title.
Such things weren't enough for the Witch to cast a curse that would last centuries.
The story tells the agony of the witch after feeling herself betrayed by her loved one. But she had resorted to show how useful her magical abilities and bit of prophetic talent to tempt the young Baron to release her and make her his wife. Only to be rejected and then showed in her face a woman of beauty unparalleled, her golden locks and brown eyes exuding gentleness and compassion.
Resentful and full of hate, the Witch casted a curse on the very name of the Baron Blackthorn using her magic as fuel and even said that the Baron shall not have a heir until he pays with his body and heart to her.
Such a simple story, a bit bloody but not unheard for in modern times.
The result of the curse was not seen until the witch was put to death, Baron Blackthorn never got old, and his gentle wife was said to be killed by him and his bloodlust.
And there was a small detail in the story that few know. He is condemned to roam the Blackthorn lands until the day the witch comes back to him and set him free, or until he is given a pure heart willingly even after seeing the monster he has become.