The only answer this time was the vague shaking of a head, but then, it could just be a trick of the eyes and dim light.
He glanced at her before giving the ghost the remainder of his attention. “There is an hour left of All Hallow’s Eve. Perhaps it is you who wishes to be released from the attic. Is that what you want? Is that why you called our attention here?”
This time there was a nod, or at least he assumed it was a nod.
Beside him, Emmaline sucked in a breath. “She’s been trapped here, which means she must be a relative of yours.”
“Stranger things have happened, I suppose.” After a glance around the shadowy space, he rested his gaze on a small window. He handed the candle to her. “Come with me.” Trying to ignorethe spirit as well as the chill in the air, Christian picked his way between the clutter of the attic until he’d reached the window. “Let us hope this won’t be jammed.”
While she held the candle aloft, he manipulated the rusted clasp. Upon first shove, the window panel didn’t budge, but on the second attempt, it swung open. Immediately, wind-driven rain blew onto his form and brought with it a different sort of chill in the air. The candle flame guttered wildly.
He turned around and regarded the ghostly apparition. “You are free. Go forth into the world and find peace.”And for the love of God, please don’t return here.
For the space of a few heartbeats, nothing happened. Then the floating, morphing mass slowly made its way through the air toward him and the window. He stood his ground, unwilling to show fear in front of Emmaline, but as the ghost came closer and closer, his nerve wavered and he hastened to her side, slipped an arm about her waist simply for the tactile feel of having another human nearby.
Seconds later, the transparent entity glided past him, went somehow through him and left an intense cold sensation behind. The passage of the ghost blew out the candle flame, plunging the attic into inky shadows. Then it slipped out the open window and into the darkened, rainy night beyond.
After giving into a shiver, Christian quickly pulled the window panel closed and clicked the lock into place. “At least she is free.”
“We must leave this attic. It makes me far too fearful to remain.” That emotion quaked in her voice as she reached for his hand.
“Agreed.” Grasping her fingers, he ushered her over the cluttered floor and then down the set of narrow stairs. Once he’d closed the door leading to the attic, he breathed a sigh of relief. “I don’t even know what to say about what we just witnessed.”
“Neither do I.” With a half-stifled cry, Emmaline came close to him, and he immediately enclosed her into the shelter of his arms. The candle holder tumbled to the floor. “While that experience was odd, it was also miraculous. However, that doesn’t mean I wish to repeat it.” She slipped her arms about his middle and gazed up at him, for she was at least half a foot shorter than him. “I agree there is a connection between us, and Iwouldlike a relationship with you, because I like you and am intrigued by you, not because I am frightened of being alone or from a ghost.”
Did she just proposition him? He chuckled, for she was a constant surprise and a delight. “I agree as well, only if you don’t tell anyone I am rather terrified that this cottage is haunted.” Daring much, he claimed her lips with his, and spent the next few moments hoping to kiss her senseless. When he allowed them both breath, he added, “You see, I’d wanted this place for our first love nest.”
Was that too shocking of a confession?
“First?” Shock echoed in her voice.
“Oh, yes.” He nodded and slowly walked her backward toward the bedchamber she’d claimed for her own. “I have properties in many places all over England, and I am still of a mind to travel once I attend to some of the more pressing responsibilities to my title.” The burgeoning hope in her eyes he detected as they entered the room sent excitement coursing down his spine. “In all of that, I need a companion, a partner…” He swallowed down his own fears. “A wife.”
“What?” Emmaline gasped. She pulled slightly out of his arms. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I am.” And he couldn’t help but grin, for the idea was insane.
“We scarcely know each other, have only just met a handful of hours ago.” She retreated before him as he prowled toward her.
Christian couldn’t help his chuckle. It would be such fun to show her the world and teach her everything about the carnal world as well. “It’s true, but sometimes a man just knows what is right and meant for him.” When the bed prevented more movement from her, he easily tugged her into his embrace again. “Marry me in haste. We shall have as much time as we need to know each other in leisure, anywhere you want, but I don’t want to feel trapped—”
“Like the ghost was,” she interrupted in a soft voice as tears welled in her eyes.
“Exactly.” Cupping her cheek, he caught an escaped tear with the pad of his thumb. “Every year at this time, we will return to Ivy Cottage as a reminder and perhaps a tribute to the ghost who brought us together.”
When had he become a man who used such whimsical and flowery words?
“It’s a madcap plan.”
“Oh, indeed it is.”
“Alternately, marrying you makes odd sense and will grant me freedom I’ve never had before, but you are a duke.”
“I am.” He couldn’t help another grin, for he could almost hear her brain working.
“I am so far beneath you—”
“Hush.” After delivering a kiss to her mouth, he repeated the gesture to each cheek and then to her forehead. “You are perfect for me; I can feel it in my soul, and you have my permission to be whatever kind of duchess that makes you comfortable. I have a notion that whatever you do, everyone you encounter will be forever changed in a good way.” Again, he kissed her lips. “I merely want you.”
