A Ghost of a Chance

by Kate Pearce

  He placed his palm flat on the tree trunk behind her head, caging her in.

  “I want a woman who knows her own mind. A woman who can think!”

  She licked her lips, and with a groan he bent down and took her mouth in a deep and devouring kiss. When he finally raised his head, he was breathing hard.

  “So perhaps you might think about that!”

  He stepped back before she could reply and pointed to a gap in the trees, where the castle wall was now plainly visible.

  “Follow this path and you will be back momentarily. Good day, Miss DeLisle.”

  He bowed and stomped away as his temper rolled like the nonexistent thunder. If she still didn’t understand how he felt, she wasn’t the woman he thought she was. His steps slowed as he approached the wall. He never lost his temper. He was famous for his equanimity and good humor. She would think him a madman. With a soft curse he retraced his steps, only to find that Violet was no longer where he’d left her.

  Fear seized his breath. Had he frightened her? Had she run back into the woods?

  “Violet!” he yelled, composure forgotten. “Where in God’s name are you?”

  Violet brought her trembling fingers to her lips and tasted Edwin all over again. He’d kissed her! In truth, she’d been kissed before, but never quite like that. Not with such fervor, heat, and expertise. Who would’ve thought it? And worse, she hadn’t just been kissed; she’d kissed him back and enjoyed that even more.

  She tried to marshal her thoughts as he disappeared toward the castle, his long stride eating up the ground. What exactly had he been so cross about? Her wanting to marry Charlie, or her suggestion that he wanted Letty for his wife?

  He’d seemed equally annoyed with both her assumptions. The last time she’d seen him lose his temper like that was when Charlie had removed the ladder, leaving her stranded high in an apple tree and she’d been afraid to climb down. Edwin had helped her and told Charlie off on her behalf, resulting in the younger brother having a black eye.

  A large splat of rain smacked down onto her bonnet, and she jumped. Her boots were almost soaked through and her petticoat was damp, making her shiver. A slight movement to her right made her look up from her contemplation of her boots. Something advanced through the long grass toward her, creating a deep furrow as it progressed. Her umbrella was suddenly yanked from her grasp, and with an indignant gasp she set off after it.

  Whatever had taken it was moving fast. She doubled her speed and managed to grab the handle again which resulted in something growling at her, and then it turned into a very undignified tug of war. With a shrill cry the thief let go, leaving her the proud possessor of the umbrella. The momentary thrill of victory was dashed as she fell on her bottom with a resounding thump and dropped it again.

  She glimpsed a flash of teeth, black eyes, and then something cackled before it disappeared back into the undergrowth. Seconds later, Edwin burst through the trees and ran to kneel at her side, drawing her tightly into his arms.

  “Violet, my darling!”

  It was rather nice to be held and comforted in his manly embrace. He smelled of lemons and the salt of the sea.

  “I think I just met one of those Cornish pixies you were telling me about, Edwin. It tried to steal my umbrella.”

  Edwin continued to hold her, untying the ribbons of her bonnet so that he could curve a warm hand around her neck.

  “I should never have left you alone. Did you bang your head? Are you dizzy?”

  “The only thing damaged is my pride and my posterior.” She leaned back against his shoulder so that she could study his face. “Unless the wildlife in this particular wood is incredibly advanced, I really did see a pixie.”

  He kissed her nose, and then wordlessly took her mouth again, this time in a leisurely exploration that left her pressing herself against him in a most wanton manner. When he finally eased away she followed him, her body relaxed and pliant.

  “We should go inside. You will take a chill.”

  “Yes.”

  He rose to his feet and helped her up, his gaze wandering over her as if making sure that she was unhurt. She couldn’t repress a shiver, and his brown eyes instantly narrowed.

  “Shall I carry you?

  She patted his sleeve. Who would have guessed he could be so heroic? “No, I am quite capable of walking a few steps. I’ll have to go up the servants’ stairs to gain access to my room. If my stepmother sees me looking like this, there will be questions asked that I will not be able to answer.”

  “If she has anything to say about the matter, tell her to speak to me.”

  His mouth was set in a firm line she was beginning to recognize all too well.

  “As if I would do that to you.”

  He stopped walking. “You will promise me that if she does inquire as to your whereabouts, or casts any aspersions as to your character, you will refer her to me.”

  “If you wish.”

  It was hardly worth arguing about. Her stepmother wouldn’t notice if she was covered in mud and drowning. But it was kind of Edwin to want to shield her from any consequences of her actions. She was still struggling to reconcile her best friend with the commanding man who had shouted at her and kissed her twice in one day...

  She bade him a distracted goodbye at the door to the castle and trudged up the many flights of stairs to her bedchamber. At the top of the last staircase Benedict awaited her, one long hand twirling the handle of her umbrella.

  She paused to catch her breath, one hand pressed to her chest. “Where did you get that?”

  His grin was infectious. “Thou left it in the woods. A little friend gave it back to me.”

  “A pixie friend?”

  “Thou knowest about the old ones? Indeed, they thought your attempts to retrieve your stick were remarkably amusing.”

  She barely resisted rubbing her bruised bottom. “I’m glad I provided such entertainment. Was Charlie supposed to rescue me from that dog this morning?”

  Benedict shrugged. “He did not?”

  Violet held his all-to-innocent blue gaze. “You know he did not. You were there. Have you decided that Edwin would make a better match for me?”

  “Methinks he has decided that for himself, aye? But I promise thee that I will make one last attempt to see if this Charlie is indeed worthy of thy love.” He handed over her umbrella and bowed. “Good day, Mistress Violet.”

  Muttering under her breath, Violet retreated down the corridor to her bedchamber. Castle Keyvnor was a most peculiar place—with pixies in the woods, and people behaving quite unlike themselves. Her stepmother was happily allowing Charlie to monopolize Letty, while insisting that Edwin would make her the better match. Edwin was…

  She paused, her hand on the door.

  Edwin had called her his darling… Did he truly mean it? She’d grown so accustomed to being the unattractive older sister that the mere idea of it startled her. As the heir to a viscount, he could marry anyone. But he hadn’t mentioned marriage. He’d just kissed her.

  Twice.

  Their visit to the castle was drawing to a close, and as her stepmother was determined to marry off both her charges, the chance of visiting the Suttons at home again was remote. Would Edwin regret his decision to kiss her when he left the strange castle, or would he expect more from her?

  Goodness, she was so confused.

  She rang for her maid and sat down on the bed, easing her stockinged feet out of her muddy boots. Her fingers were cold, and it was difficult for her to unfasten the buttons of her pelisse.

  “Oh, there you are, Violet! Mama was looking for you.” Letty came in and stopped abruptly in front of Violet. “What happened? Are you all right?”

  “It started raining. I slipped and fell in the mud.”

  “Oh dear!” At her core, Letty was as soft hearted as Charlie. “How horrible. You should remove your dress immediately and have a nice warm bath!”

  Violet held Letty’s flapping hand. “I will do s
o if you will reassure your mother that I am merely tired from the walk and might take a nap before dinner.”

  “I will do that directly and not mention that you fell.” Letty rummaged in one of the drawers and took out a paisley shawl. “Have you rung for Lizbeth?”

  “I have. She should be here momentarily.” Violet concentrated on unbuttoning and removing the pins from her bodice. “Did you get back before the rain?”

  “Yes, thank goodness. Charlie was bemoaning the fact that you had taken your umbrella with you all the way back.” Letty’s smile died away a little. “He talks about you a lot.”

  “Only because we are the same age and spent several summers together as children.”

  “He is eight years older than me.” Letty smoothed the fringe on the shawl. “But he is so kind to me.” She hesitated. “He doesn’t make me feel stupid.”

  “You aren’t stupid.”

  “I’m not terribly bright. I never applied myself to my lessons like you did, which means I often feel like a silly widgeon when men talk to me. I never feel like that with Charlie.”

  Violet patted the bed, and waited until her sister sat beside her.

  “Letty, do you care for Charlie?”

  “Yes,” Letty whispered, her beautiful blue eyes filling with tears. “And I know what you are going to say—I know I’m supposed to marry a duke, but I don’t want to. I want Charlie.”

  Violet studied her half-sister’s perfect features, noting that she even cried beautifully. With an inward sigh she pictured Charlie’s smiling face, and consigned him to her most precious of memories.

  “If that is what you truly wish, Letty, then you will have to be brave and refuse to marry anyone but him.”

  “He swears he wishes to marry me, but I’m not very good at standing up for myself.”

  Violet took Letty’s hand in hers. “But if you really want Charlie, and he is prepared to wait to win our parents’ approval, you’re going to have to find a way to be strong.”

  “But what if he really wants you instead?” Letty squeezed Violet’s fingers. “I know that you have always loved him.”

  Violet swallowed hard. She had never heard Letty doubt her ability to get any man she wanted before. Perhaps her heart truly was engaged if she felt so uncertain.

  “Charlie doesn’t want me. He sees me as an old friend.”

  “I’m not sure about that.” Letty worried at her lower lip. “He says he loves you very much.”

  “As part of his family. I’m like another sister to be teased or cossetted whenever the whim strikes him.” The words stuck in Violet’s throat, but even as she spoke she realized the truth of them. “He sees you in a completely different light.”

  Or at least she hoped he did. One thing she could do for her half-sister was to seek out Charlie and ask him what his intentions were. She’d watched him fall in and out of love more than once, and she didn’t intend for Letty to be his next victim.

  “Thank you, Violet.” Letty kissed her cheek. “The thought that you will stand as my friend in this matter makes me feel so much better.”

  There was a knock on the door and Lizbeth came in, bearing a very welcome jug of hot water and a jar of soap.

  “Good afternoon, ladies.”

  Letty rose to leave, her tears gone and her smile magically restored. “I will go and tell Mama that you have returned safely.”

  “Thank you.”

  Violet forced a smile. She yearned for a moment of solitude to mourn the loss of her first love, but that would have to wait until she had attended to her other, more pressing, needs. Unlike Letty, she was far too practical to swoon or fall into a decline. Lizbeth fussed around her, stripping her down to her shift and arranging her stays close to the fire to dry off. Her comfortable chatter worked as a balm to Violet’s emotions and helped restore her usual good sense.

  Was she suddenly willing to give up her dream of marrying Charlie because she was infatuated with his older brother? Or had her best friend—the man who had kissed her senseless—simply pointed out the truth to her…a truth that she’d slowly been acknowledging over the last year? But Edwin hadn’t asked her to marry him. He’d simply told her some home truths and kissed her a little.

  That was all.

  She should not refine too much on that. Charlie had asked Letty to marry him—a union that would not suit the DeLisle family at all. Her father had always chafed at his lack of a title, and was obsessed with his children marrying up in the aristocracy. He would consider the third son of an earl a nonentity.

  But if Letty remained strong, and Charlie’s family welcomed the match—as they most certainly would—perhaps the two lovebirds would find a way to be happy together.

  Chapter 5

  Edwin bathed, changed his clothes, and was informed by his valet that Charlie wished to speak to him. He found his brother in the library, sitting by the fire, staring pensively into the flames.

  “Is everything all right, Charlie?” Edwin closed the door and came to sit on the other side of the fire.

  “I want your advice.”

  Edwin attempted to appear both welcoming and benign. “About what?”

  “Letty. I want to marry her.” Charlie’s blue gaze was steady and certain. “Her parents aren’t going to like it one bit, are they?”

  “Probably not.” Edwin considered his next words. “Are you quite sure about this?”

  “More sure than anything else in my existence.”

  “She is very beautiful.”

  “I know what you are thinking, Edwin. You think she’s a pretty peahen with no sense in her head at all, but I don’t care about that. She likes me. She thinks I’m wise, and sensible, and…” Charlie shot to his feet and started to pace. “And I want to be that man for her. I want to shelter her from harm, and provide for her and our children; I want to make sure she is never made to feel stupid or silly again.” He paused and scowled down at Edwin. “Why don’t you say something?”

  “Because I’m beginning to believe you really mean it.”

  “Of course I do!”

  Edwin slowly smiled. “Then if you wish to marry Letty, I will stand your friend. I will not, however, do all the work for you. If you really want this, Charlie, you will face our father alone.”

  Charlie let out his breath and sat back down. “Thank you. I suspected you might have an inkling as to how things were going.”

  Edwin nodded seriously. “Just a vague notion, yes.”

  He snapped his fingers. “That’s why you’ve been keeping Vi occupied. I knew it! To give me the opportunity to get to know Letty better.” Charlie fidgeted with his signet ring. “Letty says Vi’s in love with me.”

  “I don’t believe Violet would stand in the way of you marrying her half-sister if that’s what you’re asking me, Charlie.”

  “I do care for Vi, Edwin, but more as a sister.” Charlie raised his head. “Do you think I should talk to her about this? Let her down gently?”

  Edwin winced. “Violet is extremely intelligent. From what she has said to me, I suspect she already knows where your true affection lies.”

  “I intend to ask Mr. DeLisle for Letty’s hand before we leave the castle.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Edwin asked. “Would it not be better to wait until you are back in London and can approach Mr. DeLisle at his place of residence?”

  “Why wait? He’s here, I’m here and, more importantly, so is Father. I suspect he’ll be more than willing to help with any negotiations.”

  “She is very young.” Edwin tried to be tactful. “You have plenty of time to convince the DeLisles that your intentions and behavior are worthy of their daughter.”

  Charlie flushed. “I’ve already promised Letty I’ll reform, and she believes me.”

  “Of course she does. Just remember it might take longer to convince her parents of that. If you truly love her, then you will stay the course.”

  The clock on the mantelpiece chimed, and Edwin rose to hi
s feet. “Shall we join the others in the drawing room before dinner? I, for one, would welcome the chance to raise a glass to your future happiness.” He patted Charlie’s sleeve. “In complete confidence, of course.”

  Violet managed to get to Charlie before he reached Letty, and drew him away to the quieter end of the drawing room. He seemed in good form and reasonably pleased to see her, which might soon change. She paused in front of a portrait of one of the previous Earls of Banfield and pretended to contemplate his scowling visage.

  “Charlie, is there anything you’d like to talk to me about?”

  He stared fixedly at the portrait. “Why ever would you think that?”

  “Because I’ve known you since I was eight, and you’ve never been good at keeping secrets from me.”

  “That’s true. Edwin says I have a remarkably expressive face.” He paused. “I did want to ask your opinion on a particular matter, but my brother advised against it.”

  “What matter?”

  He grimaced. “Me.”

  “What about you?” Violet had a horrible sensation she knew what he was going to say, and tried to inject some humor into her voice. “Has Letty been telling tales?”

  “She thinks you want to marry me. I told her that was stuff and nonsense because we are just friends, aren’t we, Vi?” He cleared his throat and looked at her beseechingly. “And I want to marry Letty.”

  “We are just friends. There was a time when I thought we might make an excellent match, but that has never really been true for you, has it? I am immensely fond of you. If you truly love my half-sister, and promise me you will never give her cause to worry, how can I possibly stand in the way of true love?”

  He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Thank you, Vi. I knew you’d come up trumps.”

  She stared into his beautiful blue eyes for one long moment, and then gently disengaged her fingers from his. “I do hope you mean it, Charlie Sutton. Because if you hurt Letty in any way, I will come after you.”

  “I know you will.” Charlie’s grin was infectious. “I’m already quaking in my boots at the very thought.”