Why couldn’t these two bother Miranda? She’d welcome the interference in her life.
“This is the perfect opportunity to find your match,” Sir Orwen said.
“Yes, yes,” Sir Gilbert agreed. “I’ve not seen so many bachelors in one place since Christmas. Which one do you fancy? Who calls to your heart?”
They needed to cease, but Diana couldn’t tell them so while surrounded by the other guests of Castle Keyvnor. “Excuse me,” she said to her sisters. “I think I shall take a stroll.”
“This way,” Sir Orwen gestured to a path on the far side of the garden. It was the very one Somerton had taken, and she wasn’t going to risk coming acrosshim.
“Miss Vail?” Sir Gilbert’s brow lifted in question.
It was then that Somerton reemerged and made his way to where Mr. Oliver Dallimore and Lord Epworth stood in discussion. Diana skirted further away from the trio and then allowed the knights to escort her to the path. Once she was out of sight of the guests, Diana stopped.
“Not here,” Sir Orwen ordered. “Anyone could come upon us.”
She blew out a sigh and marched on, following them down an overgrown path that appeared not to have been used in several years and until they came to a small clearing basked in sunlight with an array of wildflowers growing in a haphazard fashion. Many vined around an old brick well. There was even a broken, wooden bucket on the ledge. Such a delightful place hidden away.
“Have you decided on a bachelor?” Sir Orwen demanded.
She gaped at him. “No! And I have no intention of doing so.” Besides, she’d just arrived and had no idea which bachelors were present, other than Somerton, Dallimore and Epworth, none of which would do.
“Luckily for you, we’ve found him.” Sir Gilbert grinned. “A fine gentleman. Finer than most and the ladies think him quite handsome. Oh, and titled. No fair maiden can resist a titled gentleman who is both young and fine of form.”
“I do not need your assistance, nor do I want it. Please. Leave. Me. Alone,” she nearly yelled.
At those words, the two disappeared.
“Thank goodness,” she muttered. Diana stepped to return down the path that had brought her here, except it was gone. Foliage from all directions surrounded her. Disoriented, Diana turned, searching for the break in the bushes and plants to reveal the trail, but there was no evidence that there had ever been one. She then glanced up to the sky and sun to determine which direction was east and west. Unfortunately, the sun was not cooperating as it was directly above her.
Diana straightened and scanned the area once again. Where was that blasted path? The two ghosts certainly didn’t possess any magical powers to make it disappear. Unless…She stared closer at a bush that seemed to move, yet there was no breeze. “Pixies!”
In all directions, the foliage came alive as if wind danced beneath the leaves, then settled.
Since when did pixies assist ghosts, or were they simply taunting her? And how long before they’d reveal the path again?
Diana stared back up at the sky. Eventually the sun would shift, and she’d know what direction she must take back to the castle even if there was no path to guide her.
Chapter 3
After James leftLady Isolda behind, he returned to the gardens, and made every effort not to look in Diana’s direction as he approached Dallimore and Epworth, who were discussing shipping or something to do with the coast. It didn’t really matter, James just needed to focus on anything that didn’t involve love or Diana.
“You must come, immediately,” Lady Isolda insisted as she materialized before him.
Why didn’t Dallimore or Epworth see her? She was standing right in front of them. Instead, the two continued as if nothing were amiss.
“It’s urgent.”
There was nothing urgent about finding love.
“It’s your nieces,” Lady Isolda hissed.
That got James’ attention. “Excuse me,” he muttered before he stepped away from his friends and found a place where he could speak to the ghost in private. “What of my nieces?” he demanded.
“I fear they may be in danger.”
A chill ran up his spine. As much as James loved and adored Madeline and Lucy, he was fully aware of their penchant for finding trouble. “Where? How?”
“This way.”
