The storm arrived just after nine.

What began as a low rumble in the distance turned into heavy rain within minutes, wind driving the water hard against the windows of the big house. I was in the guest room trying to read when the lights flickered once, twice, and then died completely. The darkness that followed was sudden and absolute.

I sat still on the edge of the bed, listening to the rain hammer the roof and the old wood of the house settle around me. A few seconds later I heard movement downstairs—Richard’s measured footsteps, the soft opening of a drawer, the scrape of a match.

“Claire?” His voice...