There was nothing urgent about finding love.

  “It’s your nieces,” Lady Isolda hissed.

  That got James’ attention. “Excuse me,” he muttered before he stepped away from his friends and found a place where he could speak to the ghost in private. “What of my nieces?” he demanded.

  “I fear they may be in danger.”

  A chill ran up his spine. As much as James loved and adored Madeline and Lucy, he was fully aware of their penchant for finding trouble. “Where? How?”

  “This way.”

  James followed the apparition without question. If his nieces were in danger, he had to save them.

  “There is an old wishing well. It’s always been an attraction for the children. Unfortunately, it’s crumbling, and I fear they may fall in.”

  “Where is it?” he demanded as she veered off the well-worn path and onto one that hadn’t appeared to be used in quite some time.

  “It’s right through there.” She pointed up ahead.

  James hurried past the ghost. “Madeline! Lucy! Where are you?”

  He pushed bushes and shrubberies out of his way, yelling his nieces’ names until he came to the small clearing with the crumbling well. However, it was Diana he discovered instead. “Where are my nieces?”

  She blinked and straightened. “I’ve not seen them, Lord Somerton.”

  Her tone was crisp and cool, and so blasted formal.

  “Are you certain that they aren’t here?” He rushed forward and braced his hands on the crumbling bricks of the well, then leaned over the edge. “Madeline! Lucy!” he called, but there was no answer.

  “There have been no children here, Lord Somerton,” Diana said again.

  “Blast it all.” His heart pounded even faster as he did a full turn. “She said they were here and in danger.” He pushed his fingers through his hair before he started to search among the foliage. “Are you certain Madeline and Lucy haven’t been here?” he demanded.

  “I’ve been here for a short time, but I’ve not seen the girls or anyone else.”

  Of course she wouldn’t have seen Lady Isolda.

  “You must calm down.”

  “Calm down?” he yelled. “My nieces could be in danger.”

  Just as he said the words, a cold hand settled upon his shoulder.

  “I’ve found them,” Lady Isolda whispered in his ear. “They wandered in another direction. I apologize for upsetting you, but they are quite safe.”

  James blew out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose as his pulse slowed back to normal. Blowing out a breath, he settled against the well. The bricks shifted beneath him, crumbling and in an instant, he was falling backwards. Blast it all. He scrambled to right himself, unable to find purchase.

  “James!” Diana cried and grabbed onto his hand, pulling him back and saving him from tumbling into the well.

  Once he gained his feet and caught his breath again, James looked down into Diana’s emerald eyes. The very eyes he’d fallen so hard for just a few months ago. They weren’t nearly as hard and cold as they’d been in London. “Thank you.”

  Diana jerked her hands away from his. “Lord Somerton, who told you the girls were here?”

  “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted,” Lady Isolda whispered before she vanished.

  Had Lady Isolda intentionally lied to him to get him here? She had pointed Diana out to him earlier and if she’d used his nieces to get him to do her bidding, Lady Isolda would wish that she was…What? She was already dead so there wasn’t much he could do to her, except refuse to fall in love.

  “Lord Somerton?” Diana asked with concern.

  James shook his head. “You’ll think me mad.” Though Diana might not be shocked because James was fairly certain that she’d been arguing with a ghost the day before.

  “Perhaps. But tell me anyway,” she urged.

  “A ghost,” he finally ground out. “A ghost told me that the girls had come to this wishing well and that they could fall in.”

  Diana gasped and put a hand over her heart. “No wonder you are in such a state.”

  “Before I nearly fell into the well, she’d told me that she’d been mistaken and that they are quite fine.”

  “Did we not tell you that he was handsome, young, titled and of fine form?” Sir Gilbert appeared beside Diana.

  Somerton was who her irritating knights had chosen for her? Diana nearly snorted at the thought. Somerton certainly would not fall in love with her. He hadn’t before and was unlikely to do so now. All he had wanted…well, she wasn’t going to think on that right now and was grateful that she’d not succumbed to his practiced seduction.

  “At least your ghost is helpful,” Diana ground out. “I shall leave you to recover from your fright.”

  Somerton tilted his head and studied her. “What spirit plagues you, Diana?”

  Her name on his lips still warmed her to the core, but she’d not succumb to desire again. “You do not have leave to address me as such.”

  Somerton arched a brow. “You’ve already given me leave. Just as you called me James.”

  “Yes, well, we are no longer in London.” She grabbed her skirts and twirled away from him. “Besides, the association we once shared ended some time ago.” Though truthfully, a month wasn’t all that long and certainly not long enough for her heart to heal.

  Before her, the path from which Somerton had emerged remained open, unlike the one she’d taken, and she started toward it.

  “Why?”

  Did he honestly just ask her such a question?

  “Why is our association over? What did I do that offended you so terribly?”

  Diana slowly turned. “You know very well.”

  “No, I don’t.” He held out his arms as if he had no idea why she’d rejected him. “While you railed at me for being a disreputable gentleman, you never explained why or how you came to that conclusion. You simply yelled at me, then left without allowing me a chance to defend myself.

  Tears sprang to her eyes, but Diana blinked them away. When she’d first overheard other gentlemen speaking of Somerton’s intended plans, she’d been so angry that there hadn’t been time for tears. In the aftermath, she’d cried daily for nearly a fortnight. “When asked, you never denied that you were a rakehell and toying with my affections.”

  “You didn’t give me a bloody chance. I was too shocked at your accusation to reply.”

  “You nearly ruined me.” Though, what had truly hurt her the most was something that she’d never speak of to anyone, ever—that he’d bedded her mother while pretending to court her. That is what had truly broken her heart.

  The corner of his mouth quirked as his eyes darkened. “Nearly. Not completely.”

  “Thank Heavens for that! Had I known what you were truly about, I would never have allowed you to take me down the dark walk at Vauxhall. I would have never so much as allowed a stolen kiss.”

  Just remembering that night caused her face to flame.

  “Vauxhall is one of my fondest memories.” He grinned. “Certainly more exciting than strolls through Hyde Park, ices at Günter’s, dancing at balls, stolen kisses in gardens…”

  With each step Somerton took in her direction, Diana stepped back. She could not let him come any closer. Even in her anger and heartache, she was also quite aware of her vulnerability, as she’d fallen quite deeply for the cad.

  “I thought your courtship was of honorable intentions,” she accused.

  He stopped and frowned. “Why do you think it was not? Because of stolen kisses in the dark?”

  “We shared far more than a few kisses as you know.” He’d been quite skilled in his caresses.

  “As I recall, you found my touch quite pleasurable.”

  Her face was about to go up in flames. Pleasurable was too tame of a word for what she’d experienced, but that wasn’t the point of this conversation and she needed to put those memories from her mind.

  “Was I a game to you? Pressing for what you could gain before you ended your courtship?”

  “Why do you believe I intended to end it at all?” he demanded.

  “Perhaps it was only your intention to continue until the end of the Season and then we’d go our own separate ways and you’d find another innocent to have your fun with the following year.”

  Somerton blinked at her, his eyes growing hard. “I was not toying with your affections. I’d never stoop so low. Furthermore, I resent having my honor called into question.”

  “You certainly were not considering me for marriage.”

  “Who put these ideas into your mind?” he demanded in anger, nearly taking her aback.

  For a moment she considered that perhaps she’d been wrong, but the fact that his response was a counter question convinced Diana that she’d been no more than a distraction for the Season and his courtship, kisses and caresses meant nothing more to him than a casual dalliance.

  “You did.”

  “Me?” he cried in outrage.

  “Have you or have you not claimed that ‘if Noah could become a father at the age of five hundred, then I can surely wait to begin producing offspring until age forty’.”

  At least he had the good sense to grimace. “It’s true. I’ve said as much.”

  “Then I see no further need for any association between us to continue.” She turned and walked away. “Enjoy your next thirteen years as a bachelor, Lord Somerton. Though it will soon be twelve.”

  Chapter 4

  “Blast it all.” James sank back down on the well. More bricks crumbled and he jumped away before he fell again. Diana wasn’t there to save him and even if she were, he doubted that she’d lend him a hand a second time.

  Who had spoken out of turn to Diana?

  It didn’t really matter, he supposed. At least now he understood her hatred for him. Further, he couldn’t blame Diana, given what they’d shared in Vauxhall. All he could assume was that she’d been told at the Hearne ball because Vauxhall had only been the night before.

  Though, she could have at least asked if those were his intentions before she slapped him.

  Perhaps what angered him most was that she so quickly believed what she’d been told, even if it were the truth. But she should have trusted him. Shouldn’t he have earned her trust after the weeks he’d spent courting her? Further, it hurt that she so quickly dismissed him. As if she’d never really cared at all. Perhaps she was the one who had been toying with his affections.

  A cold hand swiped across his face leaving behind an icy sting as Lady Isolda materialized before him, hand raised and looking quite irate.

  “Did you really utter such rubbish?”

  “Aye,” he admitted.

  Worse, he’d said those words so many times that he’d lost count, but they’d always been said in the company of gentlemen in places like Whites. And, until Miss Diana Vail walked into the Bentley ball last March, he’d been adamant that nothing would change.

  She’d been breathtaking with her golden hair, wayward curls caressing her neck and temples, the pale green, nearly white gown, hugging her form, emphasizing her full breasts. Breasts he’d longed to caress and feel the weight of in his hands and he’d finally gotten the opportunity that night in Vauxhall.

  James was amazed that she’d not gained his notice before. Had he been bloody blind during the previous four years?

  In their moments of passion, James had known that the plans he’d set were no longer. He wanted Diana and the only way he could have more was if they married. He’d also faced a truth he’d done his damnedest to deny—he was in love. It had come as such a shock that he could barely speak.

  After he’d returned home from Vauxhall, James had argued with himself that what he was experiencing was no more than lust and desire. Certainly not love. But no matter how much he had denied the emotion or how much brandy he’d drunk to numb his heart, James had to face the fact that he did not have another thirteen years of freedom. And as he became used to the idea, accepted the inevitable, he fell asleep, happy with his lot in life as he’d be sharing it with Diana.

  He remembered the day of the Hearne ball and that evening as if it had happened yesterday. He’d been nervous as he was about to do something, he never thought he’d do—confess all that was in his heart. But before he could utter a word, she first insulted, then dismissed him. Had he known then what he knew now, he’d have insisted that she listen to him. He would have explained that she, and only she, had altered those blasted plans, but Diana hadn’t given him the opportunity.

  Until now, he’d lied to himself that it was for the best and he wasn’t meant to marry until he was nine and thirty, when in truth, her rejection had not only stunned but hurt him deeply.

  “Well, then.” Lady Isolda brushed her hands together. “We’ll just see what can be done to fix the pickle you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  “Pickle?” James asked.

  “Yes, pickle. Men, for the most part, often blunder of matters of the heart.” She brought a hand to his cheek and James tried not to shiver at the icy touch.

  “It is not only my quest, but an honor to help you achieve the greatest of what we all crave—true love.”

  A sense of foreboding filled him. “I am certain that I do not need your assistance.” Besides, if Diana had so little faith in him, why should he bother to pursue her? Hearts heal, after all.

  “Oh, Lord Somerton, I’m afraid you do,” Lady Isolda insisted as she disappeared, leaving only the sting of cold against his cheek as evidence that she’d been there.

  “Miss Vail, wait,” Sir Orwen called.

  She wasn’t waiting. She wanted to be home and blessedly free of Somerton.

  “The pain in your heart is great, Miss Vail, but you must allow it to heal,” Sir Gilbert insisted.

  Diana snorted. It was healed, or she’d once thought it was.

  As she reached the main path, she first looked back toward the gardens and knew she couldn’t return to the gathering. She didn’t have the strength to pretend to be happy and force enjoyment of the festivities. Besides, Somerton would return, and she didn’t want to chance encountering him again. Worse, that he’d want to further discuss what had happened. She would never, ever discuss what pained her the most. Not only wasn’t it proper to do so, but such a conversation would bring further mortification and she’d had quite enough already.

  Having grown up in the area, Diana knew all the paths to and from Keyvnor Castle and took the one most secluded to return home to Hollybrook Park.

  “He loves you,” Sir Gilbert insisted.

  Diana snorted. “He loves no one but himself, and perhaps his nieces.”

  “No. He loves you,” Sir Gilbert continued.

  The knight was a romantic, nauseatingly so, and would see love in the eyes of a snake. Given the fact that Sir Orwen, the more pragmatic of the two, remained silent, she was assured that no love for her lingered in Somerton’s heart.

  “Don’t be so quick to dismiss or assume,” Sir Orwen said thoughtfully.

  Diana rolled her eyes. “Not you too.”

  “There is something most definitely there.”

  “Desire and passion perhaps, but certainly not love.”

  To think she’d allowed his kisses and caresses. And even though Somerton never spoke of an affection, he’d courted her almost from the beginning of the Season. They danced at every ball, took drives, and so many things that courting couples did that she’d assumed…

  Hot tears stung her eyes. That was what she got for assuming anything.

  He may not have ruined her, though it was a close thing, Somerton had ruined her heart for anyone else. Not that she didn’t have the capacity to love, Diana just wasn’t certain she’d ever trust enough to love again.

  “Do not leave!” Sir Gilbert cried as she neared the border between Keyvnor and Hollybrook. “I am certain something can be worked out.”

  Diana was just as certain it would be impossible.

  “Let her go,” Sir Orwen said. “Give Miss Vail a bit of peace and a chance to recover. We’ll work on matters here.”

  Diana had no idea what he meant, but there was nothing to work on and she wasn’t even certain if she would be returning to Keyvnor. At least not while Somerton was a guest.

  Chapter 5

  “You are coming with me,” Faye announced as she marched into the sitting room, pulling on her gloves.

  James blinked at his younger sister. He had no intention of going anywhere. “The Hamblys have entertainments planned for this afternoon.”

  “Which is hours away,” Faye reminded him. “I need an escort into the village. Mother said I couldn’t go unless you accompanied me.”

  “Me?” he objected. “What of Benedict?” His younger brother was better suited for a jaunt into Bocka Morrow.

  “Benedict isn’t the one who needs a distraction,” Faye announced. “You’ve been hiding and brooding since yesterday afternoon. You behave as if you’ve lost your best friend.”

  In truth, that is exactly how he felt. It hurt when Diana broke from him before, but after a time, James had managed, for the most part, to push the pain aside and went so far as to convince himself that it had only been desire that ruled his heart.

  “James?” Faye questioned.

  “It’s nothing,” he finally dismissed. The pain he had hidden from himself had returned yesterday, but today he was angry and not good company for anyone.

  “It’s not nothing,” Faye argued. “Does this have anything to do with Miss Vail?”

  James’ eyes snapped to her. “What do you know of Miss Vail?”

  “You did run away and hide as soon as she arrived.” Faye snorted. “I know that you were courting her last spring, and I had hoped that you’d finally put that silly notion of not marrying until you were nine and thirty behind you.”

  “I may not marry even then,” he grumbled and took a drink of his brandy. “And, I didn’t run away.” He’d only been trying to escape a ghost.

  “Well, that’s not how it looked to me.” She smirked. “Now come along. I’d like to be back before the afternoon entertainments begin.”