Chapter 1
One Month Later–Castel Keyvnor, Cornwall
“The fairest maidenin all of Cornwall has returned.”
Diana stopped as the image of a knight materialized before her. “Sir Orwen,” she greeted the specter with little patience.
“Not simply Cornwall, but all of England.” Sir Gilbert appeared beside the other knight, bowing deep, flourishing his hat, the red feather brushing the ground.
They were quite a spectacle in their long doublets. Sir Gilbert in blue and Sir Orwen in green, with slashed sleeves to reveal their white shirts beneath. Diana didn’t know if the slits were from battling or if the doublets had been designed in such a manner, but she wasn’t going to ask. Any questions only further encouraged the cavaliers.
“Please, go away.” Diana pivoted on her heel to return home to Hollybrook Park.
“If only that we could,” Sir Orwen assured her.
“To be rid of this place would be quite rewarding,” Sir Gilbert added. “To be free of this land, this castle, of the binds that tether us to Earth, to be free to fly…” One arm rose as his other hand pressed against his breast. His voice rose in a dramatic flair that would have earned him a lead role on any London stage, if he were alive.
“Bugger it,” Sir Orwen growled. “I find your attempt at melodramatic poetry nauseating and I’m certain Miss Vail does as well.”
Sir Gilbert gasped and came forward, placing his cold hands over Diana’s ears. “Such foul language in the presence of fair maiden’s hearing? A shame upon you, Sir Orwen.”
“Stop!” Diana ground out between clenched teeth as she tried to push Sir Gilbert away, though it did little good since her hands went right through his icy image. “I find you both equally annoying and unpleasant.” She stomped away in hopes that they’d disappear.
“But wait,” Sir Orwen called. “You’ve not yet found love, have you?”
She blew out a breath and let her head fall back. “No. I have not.” Though, she thought she had, not that she’d admit such to those two.
Foolish is what she’d been. And it was unlikely she’d ever find love, as she had no intention of returning to London ever again. She couldn’t face such humiliation a second time. It was bad enough that she’d be attending the wedding festivities at Castle Keyvnor during the coming week. She hoped that none of the gentlemen who’d been saying such vile things at the Hearne ball had been invited. Though, in truth, as she did not know who they were, Diana decided to assume they would not be present.
“And as such, we can’t leave you,” Sir Gilbert insisted. “You are our quest. Our duty. We are bound to you.”
He swept another deep bow and Diana rolled her eyes.
“We are pledged to you.”
“We are not pledged.” Sir Orwen slid an irritated glance to Sir Gilbert. “We are cursed, and she is the first hope we’ve had in decades of seeing it undone.”
Cursed indeed! She was the one cursed by their presence. And why couldn’t anyone else see them? Why only her?
The two had first appeared to Diana a sennight before she traveled to London for the Season. She’d hoped they’d be gone once she returned. Instead, they were waiting and appeared before her the day she returned from London, only a few weeks earlier. Since, she’d not been able to set foot on Keyvnor land without them appearing before her.
“There are a number of misses you could bind yourself to. In fact, a wedding is to be held at the castle.” She gestured back toward Castle Keyvnor. “Pick one of the guests to bother. I’m certain you’ll find anotherfair maidenamong them.”
Diana walked around the two medieval knights, knowing that once she crossed the border that separated Keyvnor land from Hollybrook Park, they’d not be able to follow. She’d avoid Keyvnor land completely if she could, but this road was the only one that led from her home to the village of Bocka Morrow. There were paths through the forest, and other means, but regardless of the route, it was impossible to avoid Keyvnor land unless she took a boat. And, if these two persisted in their irritation, Diana might take up sailing into the village just to avoid them.
“But it’s you we must serve,” Sir Orwen insisted. “You are the chosen one.”
“No. I am not.” Diana threw up her hands and walked away, unfortunately walking closer to the castle instead of away. “You simply chose me. Choose someone else.”
“We’ve waited centuries for you. Please do not disappoint us now,” Sir Gilbert begged.
Slowly she turned and tilted her head. “I thought it was decades?” If they were going to convince her that she was their destiny, then they really needed to tell the same story, beginning with how long they’d waited for her—the chosen one.
“Centuries,” Sir Orwen insisted. “I will admit there have been others. The most recent, however, was in 1765 and each time we’ve been given the opportunity, we’ve failed in the quest.”
“However, we shall not failyou, dear maiden.” Once again Sir Gilbert bowed deeply.
“I do not need your assistance. Good day.” With those words she pushed through the two knights, trying not to shiver at the coldness of their beings and marched right over the border and onto land belonging to her brother’s viscountcy—Hollybrook Park.
