Wanted: Ghost-Busting Bride

Lazily he kissed the spot he’d bitten. “You know, my love, you’re only allowed to pinch or bite if you kiss and make it better.”

  “Okay. I can do that.”

  Her quick shrug caught him off guard and rolled him to the side. Before he shifted his position, she slithered down and kissed the place she’d pinched.

  “Now,” she said, clicking her teeth together as she studied his body, “let me find another tasty spot.”

  He chuckled, flipped over and cuddled her next to him. “I have a better idea.” He grabbed the foil packet from the stand and handed it to her. “Let’s see whether your engineering skills can figure this out.”

  “No problem.” Ripping the package open, she took her time checking out the condom and him. The silky hard feel of his erection beneath her hand was so mouthwatering, she really didn’t want to cover it up until she’d sampled the amazing texture fully.

  Finally, he grabbed her wrist. “Do it now.”

  His gravelly voice and the darkened green of his eyes told her he’d reached his limit. She rolled the latex onto him then saucily bent over to place a kiss at the base of his manhood.

  Before she finished, he gently captured her and began to feather her neck with kisses. Her skin caught on fire, and she arched toward him. Longing for him to touch her, hold her and caress her, she dug her fingers into his back and urged him to hurry. He maddeningly continued to slowly kiss every centimeter of her skin.

  As he moved downward, his clever tongue swirled around her nipple, creating the most fantastic heat throughout her body. She moaned in delight.

  Spencer reigned in his desire. He had to get this right. Their future depended on flawless sex. She wanted the moon, and that seldom happened for a virgin. They’d flown through the laughing, teasing, research part—now he had to be perfect.

  Could he get Kailyn to stop analyzing and lose all control?

  To that end, he began a systematic head-to-toe adoration. Slowly he laved kisses, nipped sensitive spots and tickled tender skin from her temple to her shoulder. He hoped her mews of pleasure meant he’d overcome her initial shyness and caught her up in their passion.

  Suddenly she tensed, and he realized he’d accidentally bumped the dark purple bruise from Ginnette’s attack.

  “Sorry, love.” Gently kissing the edge of her shoulder, he fought to fan her mindless delight. Never had he wanted to please a woman so much, and never before had he been so clumsy.

  Carefully shifting his weight and keeping a watchful gaze on the bruise, he continued his advance. It took several minutes of kissing, tickling, teasing and nibbling for her to soften to his touch, but finally she arched into him again.

  As he slipped his hand between her thighs to test her wetness, her tight heat spurred his need. Closely watching her face, he poured out his love as he used his finger to slowly caress the core of her fire. She wriggled beneath his hand, begging for more, but he kept up the slow, steady circular motion until he felt the tremors of her first release.

  Covering her mouth with his, he settled between her thighs. She grasped his shoulders and dug her fingers into his skin in a silent plea for more intimacy.

  Gladly he joined them as one, catching her cry with his mouth and initiating the undulating dance older than time.

  It took her a few seconds to pick up his rhythm, but every time she murmured his name or urged him on, his love for his tiny spitfire soared. How she made lovemaking so new, so fresh, so hot, he didn’t know.

  Nothing before had ever felt this good, this complete. Urged by her lifted hips, he allowed the fire to sweep them higher and higher.

  She cried out as their world shattered into a million stars.

  Spent, he collapsed on top of her then rolled off to pull her close and stroke her back. If only he could tell her how much he loved her, but she wouldn’t believe him. Her analytical mind would argue it was the sex talking. He’d have to find a way to prove his love for her.

  His lips caressed her forehead. “Did that meet your mind-boggling specifications, my lady?”

  She folded her hands on his chest, rested her chin on them and gazed at him with dancing blue eyes. “I haven’t collected enough data, Spencer. And if you call me my lady again, I’ll return to my room.”

  When he simply chuckled at her, she tugged his chest hairs.

  “Maybe after we try the other two condoms, I’ll accumulate enough information to give you the results.”

  He roared with laughter.

  Chapter 24

  Spencer gathered Kailyn into his arms. She snuggled closer, her eyelashes tickling his neck. Even in sleep, she soothed him with her delightfully possessive attitude. Who would have thought laughing, teasing and cavorting would be so sexy. Her inexperienced lovemaking upended everything he thought he knew about passion.

  A flash of green light pierced the gray morning.

  “Hie thee out of bed and take thy intended to the chapel. The fourth sign awaits thee.”

  He glared at Lady Anne’s apparition. The cranky ghost had some gall to materialize uninvited. But before he could complain, she disappeared.

  “Well, that was rather novel. Does Lady Anne always appear in your bedroom?” Kailyn pulled the covers securely up to her neck and inched away from him.

  So much for a morning of cuddling. His ancestor could have waited a little longer before destroying his peace.

  “Believe me, that’s the first time I’ve been awakened by a ghost. She’s never popped in before.” He brushed his hand through his hair. “I foresee a rather pointed discussion with a certain blithe spirit about bedroom etiquette.”

  Kailyn chuckled. “Are there any surprises I should worry about in this last sign?”

  He glanced at Kailyn still clutching the covers tightly around her.

  “According to family history, almost every earl has been tested by some danger right after the fourth sign is delivered.” Sighing, he added, “The way things have been going, we’d better be prepared for anything. The chapel’s electricity isn’t working. We’ll need flashlights.”

  For a few seconds, Kailyn stared at him as if he’d gone bonkers. “We’re in big trouble. We’ve tried every device I know to defeat Desdemona, and they’ve all failed. Any suggestions?”

  “We don’t have to destroy Desdemona. All we need are a few items to slow her down while we get in and out of the chapel.” He leaned over and brushed his lips across her cheek. “I’m sure you’ll come up with the perfect defense.”

  Kailyn flipped the covers back, groaned and started to roll out of bed. “This ghostly battle keeps getting worse and worse. I’m all out of ideas. We’ve tried everything I know. I’m terrified I’ll screw up and you’ll die.”

  Apparently, his unbelievably lame pep talk had failed to energize her. That wouldn’t do. “You don’t have to do anything special. Just being by my side protects us.”

  Before she scooted out of bed, he snagged her waist and pulled her against him. “Only our closeness will strengthen us to face the danger that lurks at the chapel. Lady Anne said our lovemaking was the only thing that would defeat her enemy.”

  “Well, let’s just stay in bed then and hope the ghosts will end their own feud.” Kailyn snuggled closer.

  Feathering kisses over her neck, he used her squirming to tuck her under him. Slowly he teased her lips open and ignited the blazing sizzle he craved. As she melted, he fanned her desire.

  Kailyn pawed through the contents of her dressing room and bathroom. No goo, no silver containers, no vacuum cleaner, no working cell phones—nothing. Not even the bottle of hair gel she’d used the last time she’d fought off Desdemona. Slapping on a tee shirt and jeans, she raced down to Allison’s room.

  Praying her friend hadn’t departed yet, she frantically pounded on the door.

  When a groggy Allison answered, Kailyn said immediately, “Can I borrow your ghost-hunting vest and kit?”

  Allison waved her into the room before turning to rummage through her half-pa
cked suitcase. “I so wish I could stay and see the ghost again, but Lady Sedgewick says we rejects have to leave by ten.” Finally, she fished out the pink-flowered vest. “Since you’re using my stuff, I expect daily updates on every run-in with Desdemona.”

  “Calls might be a problem,” Kailyn replied morosely. “I’ve fried my cell phone and Spencer’s as well.”

  “Oh, it’s Spencer now. How romantic.” Allison giggled as she lifted her tote bag onto the bed. “I thought when you left the ball early you were angry with him.”

  Kailyn focused on the vest’s zipper and mumbled, “We made up later.”

  “You slept with him, didn’t you?” Allison plopped down on the bed, wide-eyed, eager for the details.

  Heat rushed up Kailyn’s cheeks, and she shook her head. Her lovemaking with Spencer was too new and too wonderful to share. “I’m not going there . . . I need some ideas on how to block any boulders Desdemona might toss at us.”

  Although Allison pretended to pout, she dug through her tote bag. “Well, what about a silver shield shined to reflect like a mirror? That might keep Desdemona away.”

  “Since I don’t have a suitcase full of shields, do you have any idea where I might find something like that?”

  Allison giggled and pulled out the thermal detector, the energy sensor and a 3G internet card for a laptop. “Ask Chadwick. I’m sure the two of you can find enough silver to create a makeshift shield, and don’t forget your bottle of hair gel.”

  Kailyn grimaced. “Do you happen to have any sticky stuff handy? Mrs. Simms didn’t leave the gel after she fixed my hair for the ball.”

  “No problem.” Allison disappeared into her dressing room, returning a few seconds later with hair gel, hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner. “Take all of these. I’ve included my internet connection card for your computer, so you don’t have any excuse not to contact me. Don’t let Desdemona destroy the card. I intend to pick it up at the wedding.”

  Allison thrust the ghost-sliming material into Kailyn’s arms and hugged her.

  With heartfelt thanks for the loan of the ghost-busting items, Kailyn left her friend and tracked Chadwick down outside the dining room. A bounce had returned to the butler’s step as he led her to the kitchen. He’d obviously forgiven her attempt to leave last night.

  After ransacking the butler’s pantry, Chadwick unearthed two large silver trays he hastily polished. While he worked, she scrounged up two empty spray bottles.

  When he was done, she flashed him a smile. “Thanks for your help.”

  Before she could escape with her booty, though, Mrs. Chadwick shook a finger at her. “Be careful and keep His Lordship safe. Something bad always happens to the earl after the fourth sign appears.”

  Kailyn stopped dead. “Like what?”

  “Well the Eighth Earl was killed by a traitor. The Ninth Earl was shot at with a crossbow . . . I forget what happened to the Tenth and Eleventh Earls, but it wasn’t good.”

  Kailyn swallowed. What a disaster. Her gooey slime, dented silver trays and ghost-tracking devices were pathetically inadequate. They wouldn’t keep Desdemona from killing Spencer. “Did all the earls run into danger immediately after the fourth sign?”

  “Yes, my dear. Only you can prevent his injury.”

  Kailyn wanted to pull her hair out. Why couldn’t she come up with a strategy? Everyone—Lady Anne, Spencer, the Chadwicks, even Allison—thought she had the answer. But nothing had worked to stop Desdemona. Now what should she do?

  Racking her brain for ghost extermination tactics, she lugged her pitiful supplies to the library.

  “Ready?” Spencer’s eyes widened as he surveyed her equipment. He pointed to the silver trays. “Do tell me what these are for.”

  “It’s Allison’s secret weapon,” Kailyn admitted. “Better than any I’ve come up with. Desdemona hides out in the west turret. I know she can throw very large stones as far as the chapel door.” She handed him one large tray. “Hold this over your head as a shield.”

  At Spencer’s floored expression, she snapped, “Would you rather look silly or be dead?”

  “Silly it is, but I’m glad all the guests left ten minutes ago.”

  “Me too. Now Desdemona can’t feed off anyone’s jealousy or disappointment.” She unscrewed the tops of the two empty spray bottles and filled them with a mixture of lotion, shampoo, conditioner and hair gel, then shoved a bottle at him. “Be ready to squirt this at any red glow.”

  After checking her vest, she hooked her spray bottle on her belt loop. Picking up a large tray in one hand, she pulled out the energy detector and waved it in front of her as she led the way out the library doors.

  The dense fog that had settled over the castle did nothing for her confidence. How was she supposed to see a red glow in this pea soup? At a snap of a twig, she swung the energy detector so violently, she knocked Spencer’s tray right out of his hand. The loud clatter ruined their stealthy trek to the chapel.

  “Don’t be so jumpy.” He bent over and retrieved his makeshift shield. “Your presence alone will take care of the danger. All you have to do is stand beside me and everything will be fine.”

  “I’m glad I can protect you just by being by your side, but I think closeness is an awfully weak weapon against Desdemona’s fury,” Kailyn whispered.

  Why had she fallen in love with a lunatic? No matter what he thought, she couldn’t save his life by simply staying nearby. Desdemona was far too sneaky and violent for something that basic to be effective.

  They hadn’t gone more than a few feet past the stone bench when the thick shrubs on the side of the chapel began to shake. At the crackling noise, she shoved Spencer off balance, knocking him to the ground.

  “What the bloody hell?”

  Whirling around to face the attacker, she held the spray bottle at the ready.

  A pretty little tabby cat and her four kittens scrambled out of the undergrowth. Behind her, Spencer howled with laughter.

  She scowled at him. “All right, so this wasn’t the big danger.”

  Still chuckling, he rose and pulled her into his arms. “I appreciate your effort, luv, but a word of warning would suffice.” He dipped his head and captured her mouth.

  Irked by his laughter, she pulled away and stalked straight into the chapel. At this rate, she wouldn’t have to save him. She’d murder him before Desdemona got the chance.

  As she stepped through the door a greenish glow from the altar brightened the otherwise dark interior. Pausing only long enough to make sure Spencer was next to her, she made a beeline toward it. Green meant Lady Anne was close, and Kailyn certainly didn’t want to be without her assistance when she found the fourth sign.

  A tiny, gold frame sat glittering upon the altar. Picking up the miniature portrait, Kailyn studied the painting with the aid of her flashlight.

  “This is the image of Lady Anne I saw in the garden when she handed me the rose. Is it the fourth sign?”

  When Spencer reached out to take the frame, she handed it to him, then pulled a second flashlight out of a vest pocket and flipped it on. Holding the beam so Spencer could examine the miniature portrait, she gazed around the church. Not that she could see into the corners, they were too dark. But surely she’d notice Desdemona’s red glow if the ghost entered.

  “Congratulations. The signs are complete.” Spencer bent and kissed her, then pulled back to finger the inscription and the date etched into the gold case. “How Lady Anne managed this one, I’ll never guess. A year ago when my father showed my brother and me this heirloom, it was locked in the family vault in the Bank of England.”

  Suddenly, a cold gust of air blew across Kailyn’s back. She spun around to see green sparks swirling above a rose pattern on the floor. Lady Anne was up to her tricks again.

  She nudged Spencer’s arm. “You don’t suppose the treasure is under that floor?”

  “Good God, woman,” he snapped. “We don’t have time to go exploring right now. Have you forgott
en disaster strikes after the fourth sign?”

  Before she could respond, the cold air surrounded her and all but carried her to the spot where the green glow still shimmered. “You’re out voted. Lady Anne insists that I explore this design.”

  She pointed to the pattern now beneath her feet. “I have the feeling it’s essential to finding Ryne’s treasure. If we’re successful, the loot might protect us in our fight against Desdemona.”

  Spencer glanced uneasily around the room then impatiently at her.

  She placed her hands on her hips. “I know you’re worried about Desdemona, but I’m not going to disregard Lady Anne’s wishes. She’s on our side, remember?”

  “All right, we’ll treasure hunt,” he agreed a bit reluctantly. “But if I see red or hear thunder, we’re out of here.”

  “You keep a look out while I search. Holler if you see any red.” Dropping the shield onto the floor, she sank to her knees. A quick sweep of her hand across the floor located a four-by-six-foot section separated from the rest of the wood by a seam. There had to be a way to open the disguised trap door since it didn’t have a built-in handle.

  She jerked her head toward the seats. “Check the pews for a wooden rose.”

  His gaze still scanning the corners of the room, Spencer remained beside the altar. His stony expression left no doubt that he thought they’d be attacked any moment. “The rose Ginnette gave me was sheared off the Earl’s Pew.”

  Unwilling to give up, Kailyn swung the beam of her flashlight to illuminate the chapel’s murky interior. “Did the countess sit with the earl during services?”

  “No. She had her own pew. Why?”

  “Lady Anne works through the countesses. Check the countess’s bench.”

  “Good thinking.” Spencer stepped toward the seat directly in front of her, but before he could reach it, thunder rumbled overhead.

  He turned and snatched her hand. “Let’s go.”

  Casting a glance at the reassuring green glow, she tugged out of Spencer’s grip and strode to the countess’s pew. “Not yet. Lady Anne’s still here. We need to finish this now.”