Wanted: Ghost-Busting Bride

  Before Kailyn could downplay her part, Spencer intervened. “Kailyn asked me to do the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Let her fight Desdemona alone without my help. Somehow Lady Anne and Kailyn—without saying a word to each other—concocted a plan to send a jealous Desdemona into Kailyn’s computer. When I tried to interfere in their charade, I almost blew the whole thing.”

  Kailyn scrunched up her pretty little nose. “Yeah, trying to dice Desdemona with a flashlight beam would have been a disaster.”

  Spencer shrugged. “It turned out well in the end. You convinced Desdemona to jump into your computer, and Lady Anne fried the laptop before sending us to destroy the tapestry in the west tower.”

  Kailyn chuckled. “Boy was that an adventure. What should have been a simple task—tear the tapestry off the wall and burn it—turned out to be almost impossible for two exhausted, shaken ghost-busters. There was just enough of Desdemona’s essence left in the rug to foil all our efforts to rip it off the wall.”

  Before his sister could poke or prod him again, he expanded on Kailyn’s tale. “If there had been a video of this incident, no one would believe it was real. We pulled on the bottom, and the blasted rug tugged back. We tried to roll it up from one side, and it slapped us in the face.”

  Kailyn chuckled. “Neither one of us expected an impertinent carpet.”

  He nodded and continued, “Finally, when we each took opposite corners, it smacked us together. That’s when I kissed Kailyn, and our chemistry brought the bloody thing down on our heads. After that, it was remarkably easy to stuff the tattered fabric into the trash bin and burn it.”

  Nell glanced from Kailyn to him. “I just have two tiny questions. How did you get Desdemona to go into the computer, and why did you want her to go there?”

  He shook his head. “Don’t ask me. I haven’t a clue what went on. That’s Kailyn’s story.”

  Five pairs of eyes focused expectantly on the love of his life.

  “Lady Anne popped out of my computer right after Desdemona declared she’d never be satisfied until she stole Lady Anne’s deepest desire.” Kailyn paused. “When Lady Anne announced she’d found a land where she was going to be queen, I hoped she was setting a trap to lure Desdemona into my computer. Lady Anne made Mandavylle sound so special, Desdemona just had to go there.”

  “But how did you do it?” Nell persisted. “I didn’t know ghosts surfed the Internet.”

  “Neither did I until Lady Anne explained that she’d joined her energy to her picture on the computer and come alive.” Kailyn shrugged. “So I placed Desdemona’s picture on the Mandavylle site, and Desdemona hopped right in.”

  “I don’t get it,” said Mrs. Simms quietly. “Is Mandavylle a real place?”

  Spencer watched Kailyn take a deep breath. Her brows furrowed. Glad she was explaining her complex motivation in freeing Desdemona, he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb to show his support.

  “It appears that Mandavylle exists somewhere. Apparently when the ghosts put their energy into the images in the electronic format, they have bodies and feel like they are alive.”

  “Does that mean Desdemona is happily living in Mandavylle waiting to become queen, or was she destroyed when Lady Anne fried your computer?” Nell scowled. “I’d hate to think the bloody ghost is still a threat.”

  With a quick squeeze of Kailyn’s hand, Spencer signaled that he wanted to answer his sister’s concern. “As Kailyn and Lady Anne pointed out to me, our ancestor Godfrey is the true villain in this battle. He dishonored Desdemona and sought a strong political alliance through Lady Anne’s family.”

  Nell glowered at him, but didn’t interrupt.

  If only his sister could understand what Kailyn had taught him about love. Maybe then she’d recognize why transferring Desdemona to Mandavylle had been the right choice. Allowing the warmth of Kailyn’s touch to give him strength, he tried to explain.

  “By sending Desdemona to Mandavylle where she has a second chance to find contentment, the Markhams have atoned for their treatment of her. Kailyn and I made sure she couldn’t return to Ryne when we removed any link the ghost had to the castle by burning the tapestry.”

  Although Nell huffed, she looked relieved and didn’t offer any further comment.

  “I noticed the white roses blooming all over the garden. I assume Kailyn discovered the location of the treasure.” Aunt Sophie glanced expectantly at him.

  He nodded. “For the first time in three generations, Ryne will have a mistress with the compassion, love and spunk to create a brilliant future. She even defies me on occasion.” He threw Kailyn a kiss. “When I wanted to run from the chapel because Desdemona lurked outside the window, Kailyn dug in her heels until we opened a trap door in front of the altar. The secret passageway led to a huge underground vault and Ryne’s treasure. It will take an army of workers to heft the stash back up the stairs. I’ll leave that in your capable hands, Aunt. It’s time Kailyn and I retire. We’ve had a long day.”

  Kailyn had been so sure she’d be asleep before Mrs. Simms turned off the light after tucking her in that she hadn’t even contemplated sleeping in Spencer’s bed. Now, staring into the dark, she couldn’t relax.

  Replaying the day’s nerve-racking battle wasn’t helping her fall asleep. She needed to touch Spencer to make sure he was safe. The fear she’d felt on the parapets—of losing him forever— still lingered.

  Shoving back the covers, she slipped out of bed and padded over to the connecting door. She’d just peek in and touch his hand to make sure he was all right. No big deal. Then she could sleep.

  Softly she tiptoed through the darkness, careful not to make a sound so she wouldn’t wake him.

  The light on his nightstand snapped on.

  “You couldn’t sleep either?” He flung the covers back and gestured for her to join him.

  “No.” Sliding in next to him, she sighed. Now she didn’t have to fear Desdemona would return to hurt him. As long as she remained by his side, he’d survive.

  He wrapped his arm around her as she snuggled against his good shoulder.

  “Did we do the right thing by letting Desdemona have a second chance?” she whispered.

  “Yes. What choice did we have? None of our weapons did more than push her back for a few minutes.” His finger caressed her cheek, but didn’t ease her worry.

  He must have noticed because he stroked her hair. “Don’t fret. I plan to tear down the entire west tower, haul off all the stones and rebuild it with new materials. None of Desdemona will remain anywhere near the castle.”

  Still unable to shake her doubts, she stroked his chest. “Do you think we denied Lady Anne her deepest wish? She did seem awfully excited about Mandavylle. She’s helped us so much, I want her to be happy.”

  “If ghosts can truly travel across the Internet, we’ll give her the opportunity to explore her options,” he offered. “We’ll place her picture on my computer, and she can pop out and in at will.”

  Relieved, Kailyn rested her head on his chest and allowed the steady beat of his heart to soothe her jangled nerves. At least Lady Anne would have a future.

  But her imagination wouldn’t settle down, as horrible visions of Spencer flying through the air inside a red tornado refused to vanish. She struggled to fight back her tears.

  “There were so many things that could have gone wrong today. We were very lucky.”

  “No. You were very brave and extraordinary,” Spencer stated. “Every time Desdemona threw something new at us today, you found a remedy. That wasn’t luck. That was your ingenuity. No other woman could have managed your feats.” He kissed her forehead.

  “Not true. I almost lost you.” Shifting so she could see his handsome face, she swallowed the lump growing in her throat. “Speaking of ingenuity, I know Desdemona didn’t calmly set you down on the parapets. What really happened?”

  A sheepish grin spread across his features. “I was so angry with the bloody ghost, I didn’t realize
where she was taking me. My only thought was to return to you. I threw a handful of graveyard dirt from inside Desdemona’s whirlwind, and she dropped me.”

  She glared at him. “You didn’t get that nasty bruise on your shoulder or the scrapes on your side by being dropped onto the roof. Out with the truth.”

  He bent forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “I barely had time to grab the wall of the parapet and scramble onto the roof before Desdemona roared back.”

  “You know, there are easier ways to show me you love me.” She batted her eyes to keep tears from racing down her cheeks.

  “Really? I simply followed your wonderful example.” His green eyes gazed deeply into hers. “How else am I supposed to learn about love? My parents’ marriage might have started as a love match, but it turned into a bitter fight over money.”

  How could she complain about a confession like that? She brushed her lips against his. “I love you.”

  When he didn’t parrot the words, she prompted, “Your actions are great, but I still need to hear the words.”

  His expression serious, he gently caressed her cheek with his finger. “When I agreed to this Countess Quest, I didn’t believe Lady Anne could or would find a woman I’d want to share my life with.”

  He brushed his lips across Kailyn’s. “I’ve since learned that the token of love she sent me encompasses every fantasy I’ve had about the ideal wife, and more.” He paused to snuggle her closer. “You not only understand me, share my interests and handle my responsibilities but—most importantly—bring lightness and laughter into my heart. I love you more each day.”

  Wanting to see the sexy dimple on his cheek, she let her fingers drift below his waist. “There are more entertaining ways to say I love you.”

  “Indeed.”

  She got her wish when a glow of happiness covered his face.

  “Feel free to show me.”

  And she did.