“Garrett Hillyard! You will do something about those children of yours. And you will do it today.”

  At the sound of his mother’s voice coming from the library, James quickly changed direction and took the stairs to his chamber. His original destination had been the billiards room and a glass of brandy, but so long as his mother remained in the same wing of the castle, he was going to put distance between them. Though he did wonder what mischief his darling nieces had gotten up to this time.

  James stepped into his chamber and paused, taking in the room. Yes, this was the one he’d been assigned and where he’d changed his clothing before he went for a ride with Epworth. His toiletries were on the dressing table and that was his trunk beside the armoire. What he didn’t recognize was the beautiful woman lounging upon his bed. She really was lovely with her blonde tresses, only a shade darker than Diana’s golden curls, though her clothing was odd, given she wore a blue gown with gold trim over a deep blue petticoat—a dress worn in a much earlier era. Was there to be a costume party this evening? An odd choice for a wedding party, but this was Cornwall and oddities were normal here most of the time.

  The woman watched him with intensity, staring at him, but she wasn’t smiling. Instead, she seemed a bit forlorn.

  “I believe you’ve mistaken my room for yours,” James said and opened his chamber door. He did not know her and the last thing he wanted or needed was to be caught in a compromising position with a woman he’d never met. He still had at least twelve years before he ended his bachelor state and wasn’t about to have his plans disrupted by a stranger.

  Her blue eyes widened. “You can see me?”

  He glanced around, wondering if she spoke to someone else.

  She sat forward. “You really see me?”

  “Of course,” James answered. “However, this is my chamber. Should I call Mrs. Bray so that she might escort you to yours?”

  Instead of embarrassment, the woman smiled brightly as she pulled herself from the bed.

  “You really do see me!” she cried, then did a little twirl.

  This was very odd, even for Cornwall, and James inched his way back toward the entrance.

  “And we’re talking!” She laughed. “You’ve no idea how happy this makes me.”

  “I’m glad you are pleased,” James answered slowly. Perhaps this odd woman was the real bedlamite.

  “I’ve waited and I’d hoped, even prayed that it would happen. That’s why I’ve gone from chamber to chamber, only those assigned to a bachelor of course, in hopes that I might be noticed.”

  She was visiting the chambers of bachelors! Did she wish to be ruined?

  “It’s soon to be the anniversary and I’d hoped that this year everything would finally align, freeing me from this place.”

  “What anniversary would that be?” James backed toward the corridor. If she were married then at least he wouldn’t be forced to marry her, but an irate husband might take issue with finding his wife in James’ chamber.

  “Of my death,” she answered as if her response explained everything.

  James could feel his jaw drop as he stared at the woman. She didn’t appear to be a ghost, but whole, though very pale.

  “It’s been three hundred years, or it will be with the summer solstice, and I’d begun to give up hope that I’d ever be free of this place after so many failures.”

  “You’re a ghost.” Maybe she’d laugh and tell him this was a prank. James hoped that was the case.

  “Of course.” She smiled. “And you, dear sir, are going to help me gain my freedom.”

  When he’d not encountered any ghosts on his prior visit, James assumed he was immune somehow. Apparently, that was not the case. “How exactly am I going to help free you?”

  “By falling in love.”

  He gaped at her, then nearly laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation. The last thing he had any intention of doing was falling in love. He absolutely refused to do so until his thirty-ninth birthday.

  “I must hasten to make plans and meet the misses so that I can pick the perfect one for you.” Then she was gone, disappearing into thin air and leaving James very much alone.

  Chapter 2

  By the following afternoon, James had convinced himself that he’d imagined the lady in his chamber. Or she’d decided to plague another bachelor.

  “Uncle James!” his nieces cried as they rushed forward, skipping around the other guests also enjoying the mild weather in the vibrant gardens behind the castle.

  The two dark haired little girls were the only two females he might ever trust. He adored them completely and they were his favorite partners in mischief.

  James sank down, balancing on the balls of his feet so that he’d be at their eye level. “I have a surprise, but you mustn’t tell your father or grandmother,” he whispered to the girls as he pulled two small bags from inside his coat and handed them over.

  The two peeked inside and their faces brightened, and in unison exclaimed, “Lemon drops.”

  “Shhh,” he quieted them. Their father, the Duke of Markham, was near and would not appreciate his daughters being given a treat, especially after they’d been punished for poor behavior the day before. In fact, Markham had warned him not to give his daughters any treats. Fortunately for his nieces, James rarely obeyed his older brother. Just because Markham’s father had been a duke and James’ was an earl, or the fact that Markham was older, didn’t give him leave to order James about, which made it doubly enjoyable to present his nieces with the lemon drops.

  “Thank you, Uncle James.” Lucy threw her arms about his neck, nearly knocking James on his arse.

  “Yes, thank you, and we shan’t say a word,” Madeline giggled. “Especially not to Grandmother.”

  “Definitely not to Grandmother,” he agreed. “She doesn’t want any of us to have fun or treats.” He winked. “Now run off and don’t get caught eating those or your Grandmother will have my head.”

  “They are quite delightful,” the ghostly woman said as James stood. “However, you shan’t find love playing with children.”

  The apparition hadn’t been his imagination after all. However, this time James ignored her, as there were too many people present and he didn’t want anyone thinking he was a bedlamite like Epworth had opined of Miss Vail the day before.

  “I know you can hear me. Why don’t you say anything?”

  Instead of speaking, James slid a warning glance in her direction then spread out his hand to acknowledge everyone near him.

  “Oh, very well.” She blew out. “Simply listen then.”

  It wasn’t as if he had a choice, though he could ignore everything she said.

  “I’ve searched the castle and learned what I can of the guests.” She frowned. “This isn’t going to be easy.”

  No. It was going to be impossible.

  “All I can hope is that more guests will arrive and there will be a miss better suited for you.”

  She didn’t even know him. How could this ghost have any idea who would suit James best?

  “However—” she brightened. “—we shall make do if these are our only options.”

  Make do? When it came time for him to marry, love or no, James would not simply make do.

  “I will see you wedded,” the ghost proclaimed brightly.

  “I’d rather be bedded,” James muttered under his breath as Miss Diana Vail stepped into the gardens.

  “I’m certain you would since, apparently, men haven’t changed in three centuries.” She frowned. “Even though I’ve not experienced such an activity, I can’t imagine what the fuss is about.”

  At that, James focused on the apparition. Had she died a virgin? If so, that was the most tragic thing he’d ever heard.

  “Now, let’s take a walk and I’ll lead you to who I think is your best chance of finding love.”

  The ghost slipped a hand about his forearm even though he’d not offered it. A chill rushed through him and caused James to shudder.

  “So sorry. I forget sometimes.” She withdrew from him, started forward and then stopped. “Who is that lovely creature?” The ghost pointed to Diana.

  Again, James shot her a look. He was not going to verbally answer the entity when there were so many around who could hear.

  “She’s quite lovely.” The ghost glanced at James, then back to Diana. “Yes, she will do nicely.”

  The last person he needed to be matched with was Diana. She may have been the reason he’d attended the wedding, but it was to find out what he’d done wrong so he could finally put her from his mind. He was not here to attempt another courtship. So, instead of following the specter, James turned on his heel and headed for the back of the garden, then onto the path within the shadows of the trees where he could be alone. He’d have his discussion with Diana, but when he was ready, and on his terms. And no ghost was going to manipulate a match between them.

  “You are not going to find love if you don’t talk to women,” the ghost informed as she followed.

  “You are wasting your time, Miss….”

  “Lady Isolda,” she offered.

  “Lady Isolda,” he acknowledged. “My heart already belongs to Ladies Madeline and Lucy.”

  The ghost brightened. “Please, point them out and I’ll see what I can do to facilitate a love match.”

  “My nieces,” he clarified. “They already hold my heart and there is no room for any other lady.”

  “While I admire your affection for the children, being a favored uncle will not lead to love for you.”

  “On the contrary, they love me very much.”

  “Why are gentlemen so impossible?” Lady Isolda pouted as she settled on a bench.

  James crossed his arms over his chest, hoping that she’d finally give up on him and find someone else to bother. “It’s in our nature, I suppose.”

  “Yes, well, if it’s the last thing I do, I will see you loved by an age-appropriate miss in need of a husband.”

  “Last thing you do?” He laughed. “Aren’t you already dead?”

  “Yes, well,” she picked at her skirt. “The last thing I’ll do while bound to this earth.” Lady Isolda stood and fisted her hands on her hips. “Do not make this difficult for me or I will make life very unpleasant for you.”

  Diana feared Somerton would be present since he was a relation to the bride, but she’d also hoped that he couldn’t be bothered enough to pull himself from London. Unfortunately, he was the first gentleman she’d noticed when she stepped into the gardens behind Castle Keyvnor.

  Why was he standing alone, and why did he appear irritated?

  Their eyes met, and a moment later he turned, crossed to the opposite side of the garden and exited onto the wooden path as if he couldn’t get away from her quickly enough.

  Diana ignored the stab to her heart and reminded herself that she should be thankful that he didn’t wish to have anything to do with her, as she certainly had no intention of speaking with the likes of him.

  “This is a disappointment,” her sister Miranda whined.

  It was a lovely day, the Keyvnor gardens were in bloom and there were several acquaintances from London present. “What is disappointing?”

  “I’d hoped to see at least one ghost, but they are absent.”

  Miranda had had a fascination with ghosts since she was a child. She’d even gone so far to insist that one lived in the attics of Hollybrook Park. Miranda hadn’t mentioned the Captain in years so Diana assumed she’d gotten over her imagination, yet it didn’t keep her from looking for ghosts elsewhere, including in the oldest homes in London during balls, and anytime they were even near Castle Keyvnor. In fact, every time they had reason to be on Keyvnor land, Miranda intentionally dawdled and believed if she remained long enough, a ghost would finally make an appearance to her.

  “Though, I do believe that ghosts can wait.” A small smile pulled at Miranda’s lips as she nodded toward two gentlemen who stood in discussion. One just happened to be the Marquess of Epworth. Miranda had set her cap on Epworth during her first Season, but as far as Diana knew, only a friendship had developed over the past few years. Even Society had commented on their close friendship when they’d realized that the two were not a love match because they were seen in each other’s company so often.

  “Why did Adam make us come here?” her sister, Cordelia complained quietly. “He knows I don’t like partaking in polite conversation.”

  Adam was their older half-brother, Viscount Lynwood, as well as their guardian, and he knew Cordelia would rather be home reading. And, when stuck in conversation, she much preferred it involved the sciences or history, or anything really, so long as neither fashion nor weather was mentioned. Gentlemen rarely participated in such discussions with her, or any female to Diana’s knowledge, which Cordelia found quite vexing and would proclaim to anyone who listened that her mind was not made of fluff.

  “I find it to be a rather delightful gathering,” Adriana announced as she glanced about. Adriana was the youngest of the sisters and had recently turned eighteen.

  “You find everything delightful,” Cordelia grumbled. “Once you’ve suffered through a Season, no doubt your opinion shall change.”

  “A word my lady?” Sir Orwen appeared before Diana and it was all she could do not to scream in frustration—at her sisters and at the ghosts. When the knights hadn’t appeared before her when she crossed onto Keyvnor land, she’d hoped that they’d finally given up.

  “Miss Vail you are quite fetching in the pale-blue gown.” Sir Gilbert materialized before her. “The way the light reflects off your sun-kissed hair is quite brilliant with the way the golds shimmer within your curls. And your face, such beauty for my old, tired eyes. There is not another in all the land to match your beauty.” Sir Gilbert bowed deeply.

  He bowed so often Diana had to wonder if he’d done the same when he was still alive, and if so, why hadn’t he developed a permanent curve to his spine.

  However, despite the two being in front of her, Diana did not acknowledge them since nobody seemed to notice their presence. Certainly not Miranda, who was staring right through Sir Orwen.

  Why couldn’t these two bother Miranda? She’d welcome the interference in her life.

  “This is the perfect opportunity to find your match,” Sir Orwen said.

  “Yes, yes,” Sir Gilbert agreed. “I’ve not seen so many bachelors in one place since Christmas. Which one do you fancy? Who calls to your heart?”

  They needed to cease, but Diana couldn’t tell them so while surrounded by the other guests of Castle Keyvnor. “Excuse me,” she said to her sisters. “I think I shall take a stroll.”

  “This way,” Sir Orwen gestured to a path on the far side of the garden. It was the very one Somerton had taken, and she wasn’t going to risk coming across him.

  “Miss Vail?” Sir Gilbert’s brow lifted in question.

  It was then that Somerton reemerged and made his way to where Mr. Oliver Dallimore and Lord Epworth stood in discussion. Diana skirted further away from the trio and then allowed the knights to escort her to the path. Once she was out of sight of the guests, Diana stopped.

  “Not here,” Sir Orwen ordered. “Anyone could come upon us.”

  She blew out a sigh and marched on, following them down an overgrown path that appeared not to have been used in several years and until they came to a small clearing basked in sunlight with an array of wildflowers growing in a haphazard fashion. Many vined around an old brick well. There was even a broken, wooden bucket on the ledge. Such a delightful place hidden away.

  “Have you decided on a bachelor?” Sir Orwen demanded.

  She gaped at him. “No! And I have no intention of doing so.” Besides, she’d just arrived and had no idea which bachelors were present, other than Somerton, Dallimore and Epworth, none of which would do.

  “Luckily for you, we’ve found him.” Sir Gilbert grinned. “A fine gentleman. Finer than most and the ladies think him quite handsome. Oh, and titled. No fair maiden can resist a titled gentleman who is both young and fine of form.”

  “I do not need your assistance, nor do I want it. Please. Leave. Me. Alone,” she nearly yelled.

  At those words, the two disappeared.

  “Thank goodness,” she muttered. Diana stepped to return down the path that had brought her here, except it was gone. Foliage from all directions surrounded her. Disoriented, Diana turned, searching for the break in the bushes and plants to reveal the trail, but there was no evidence that there had ever been one. She then glanced up to the sky and sun to determine which direction was east and west. Unfortunately, the sun was not cooperating as it was directly above her.

  Diana straightened and scanned the area once again. Where was that blasted path? The two ghosts certainly didn’t possess any magical powers to make it disappear. Unless…She stared closer at a bush that seemed to move, yet there was no breeze. “Pixies!”

  In all directions, the foliage came alive as if wind danced beneath the leaves, then settled.

  Since when did pixies assist ghosts, or were they simply taunting her? And how long before they’d reveal the path again?

  Diana stared back up at the sky. Eventually the sun would shift, and she’d know what direction she must take back to the castle even if there was no path to guide her.

  Chapter 3

  After James left Lady Isolda behind, he returned to the gardens, and made every effort not to look in Diana’s direction as he approached Dallimore and Epworth, who were discussing shipping or something to do with the coast. It didn’t really matter, James just needed to focus on anything that didn’t involve love or Diana.

  “You must come, immediately,” Lady Isolda insisted as she materialized before him.

  Why didn’t Dallimore or Epworth see her? She was standing right in front of them. Instead, the two continued as if nothing were amiss.

  “It’s urgent.”