A GHOST GIVES HIS LAST REGARDS
Meanwhile, back at Norwick House
The ghost of David Fitzwilliam crossed his arms and regarded the four people who stared at him with looks of confusion and horror. “What?” he asked, all innocence.
“Your face,” Clarinda said as she stood and rushed over to him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this,” she said as she was about to cup his bruised cheek with a hand. She quickly pulled it away as if she’d been burned. “As I recall you never took part in a bare-knuckle mill when you were alive.”
David raised a hand to his cheek and winced. “Oh, that.” He rolled his eyes. “One of my future son-in-laws,” he remarked. “Don’t know which one. Can’t tell them apart,” he added with a shrug.
“It was Anthony,” Danielle stated.
“Danny!” Dahlia said in protest.
“Well, I don’t want him haunting Andrew for the rest of his life,” Danielle said in a hoarse whisper.
“Oh, so now Anthony has to be haunted for the rest of his life?” Dahlia countered on a huff.
“Youdoknow that I can hear everything you say?” the ghost asked rhetorically.
“No,” everyone responded in unison.
“What brings you here so late in the evening?” Daniel asked as he stood from his chair. He placed his fists on his hips as he regarded his ghost of a brother with an expression of impatience.
David shrugged. “I thought to give my best wishes to my daughters is all,” he replied.
“Thank you, Father,” the twins said as they dipped curtsies.
“Make sure their dowries have been arranged.”
“I’ve already seen to everything,” Daniel responded.
“Everyone set for Tuesday?”
Several pairs of eyes blinked before Clarinda asked, “Are you referring to Lord Weatherstone’s ball?”
It was David’s turn to blink. “That’sTuesdaynight?” he asked, displaying a look of confusion. “Oh. Well, I was thinking of the weddings, but I suppose it’s too soon for those,” he murmured. He held up a finger. “Weatherstone will insist on having his butler announce the betrothals, so be sure to enter on the arms of your young men,” he said, his attention on the twins.
Dahlia and Danielle exchanged glances. “Andrew and I already talked about it,” Danielle said.
“Oh, dear. I expect Anthony will wish to know what color gown I’m wearing. I learned over dinner with his parents and his cousin Daphne that he always likes his waistcoats to match whatever it is I’m wearing.”
Danielle suppressed the urge to giggle. “They might look alike, but Andrew is nothing like his brother otherwise,” she remarked.
“So, now that you’ve given the girls your regards, was there anything else?” Daniel asked, apparently anxious to be rid of his late brother’s ghost.
“I wish to give my congratulations to Clarinda for being with child,” David replied.
Clarinda blinked, about to ask how he knew. Then she remembered he had known about the twins—both sets of them—back when he had first appeared as a ghost shortly after his death. “Thank you, darling.”
“You’ll just give birth to one babe this time,” David added with a quirked brow.
A profound look of relief passed over Clarinda’s face. “Oh, David, that’s so good to know.”
“That means you’ll only need one of our bedchambers,” Dahlia commented.
“It would be good to have another guest bedchamber,” Clarinda countered.
Both twins displayed grimaces. “I do believe they’re anxious to get us out of the house,” Danielle whispered.
