“Stuff and nonsense,” Diana grumbled as she trudged down the road.
* * *
James pulled backon the reins of his steed and stared down the road. His heart hitched at the sight of Miss Diana Vail. He still didn’t know what he’d done to earn Diana’s scorn. It had been unexpected and had cut deep.
One moment he was waiting in the gardens behind the Hearne ballroom, listening to the strains of a waltz as the music drifted through the open windows and anticipating the moment that she would join him. He’d hoped to find a quiet corner where the two of them would not be disturbed. The next moment, she had stormed out of the ballroom, marched directly toward him, demanding to know if he was or was not a rakehell and simply toying with her affection with no intention of marrying. He’d been so shocked that he’d been robbed of words as his mind scrambled to determine why she would even make such an accusation, especially after the hours they’d spent together, and the evening before. His failure to utter even a single word of denial had apparently prompted Diana to raise her arm and slap him soundly across the face. He’d been so stunned he wasn’t certain what to do. She then railed at him before she informed him that she wanted nothing more to do with him. And, in the few days that remained of the Season, she’d not be at home to him, nor had she attended any entertainments.
That was a month ago and James still didn’t know what he’d done to incur her wrath.
“Is that Miss Vail?” Wesley Claxton, the Marquess of Epworth, asked as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.
“It is.” Diana stomped down the road only to stop and turn, her arms flailing, as she appeared to be yelling, then stomped off again.
At least it wasn’t only him that she directed her vexation, though James would love to be closer to see the fire in her emerald eyes.
Diana was the only reason he had decided to attend the wedding of Lady Gwyn Hambly to Lord Locryn Pendarvis. When James had left Keyvnor following last Christmas, he’d vowed never to return. However, knowing Diana lived on a neighboring estate changed everything.
She turned, marched away, only to once again halt and fist her hands on her hips as if she were scolding someone, then shook her head and waved a dismissive hand to what or whoever was behind her and marched off toward Hollybrook Park.
“Is she a bedlamite? She hadn’t shown any signs of such an affliction in London.”
“She isn’t,” James chuckled.
“Perhaps rehearsing for a play or entertainment?” Epworth’s brow lifted in question.
“Not that either,” James replied and turned his horse back toward Castle Keyvnor.
“What we just witnessed is not normal behavior. Miss Vail is clearly not in her right mind.”
“On the contrary, Epworth, I’m quite certain Miss Vail is in possession of all her faculties.” With the exception of when she had called him a reprobate before she had wished the pox on him. That had been uncalled for and she certainly had no cause to do so.
“Did you not witness what I just did? She was arguing with nobody, and quite animated as well.”
James pulled the horse to a stop and looked to Epworth. “Have you not visited Castle Keyvnor before?”
“No. I’ve had no reason.”
“You’ve heard rumors at least, have you not?”
“About ghosts?” Epworth laughed at the absurdity. “You can’t possibly believe such nonsense.”
“I very much believe,” James assured him.
“You’ve encountered one?” Intrigue and distrust laced Epworth’s tone.
“I was one of the few who did not experience an other-worldly encounter during my last visit,” James assured him. “Unless you consider cold drafts that can envelope a body in one moment and be gone in the blink of an eye.”
“That still doesn’t explain what we just witnessed and the strange behavior of Miss Vail.”
“Of course it does.” James set his horse to a trot. “She was being pestered by a ghost.”
At that he let the horse gallop, leaving Epworth behind. It was impossible to convince anyone of the strange happenings at Castle Keyvnor. It needed to be experienced and as Epworth would be staying at the castle for the next sennight, he’d encounter the oddities himself and no longer question Diana’s behavior.
He’d dearly like to know why the ghost was bothering her and why she was so irritated by its presence. Under normal circumstances, he’d ask but James was also quite certain Diana had no intention of ever speaking to him again, though he was still uncertain as to what he’d done wrong. One night, she was melting from his kisses and the next, telling James that she never wished to see him again.
Miss Vail was beautiful, passionate, stubborn and impatient. He desired her like he’d never desired another woman. However, she was also the one threat to the plans he’d made long ago. Thankfully, he had come to his senses before it was too late, though that hadn’t occurred until she’d marched away from him at the Hearne ball.
After arriving at the stables, James dismounted, tossed the reins to one of the lads before he headed into the castle.
