Kailyn took a deep breath and tried to relax. She was safe in Markham’s arms. Desdemona had used Ginnette for the last time, as the stuck-up brunette would now have to leave Ryne. However, Ginnette’s leaving wouldn’t end the ghostly problems.
Who would Desdemona find next to do her dirty work? Kailyn’s mind whirled with possibilities and braced for another ghostly attack. Desdemona wanted her dead.
She hadn’t been rattled when Lady Anne stopped Helena from bashing her brains in. Nor had she been frightened when Opal tried to ram into her horse. She had to admit Markham’s attack in the kitchen with a knife while under Desdemona’s control had been downright scary. Dodging the boulders Desdemona hurled hadn’t been fun, either. But being shot was an entirely different matter. There was no mistaking Desdemona’s fury. Kailyn hated being the prime target in a battle between two despotic ghosts.
When Markham set her down on her bed, she grabbed his sleeve. “Promise me you’ll be careful when you deal with Ginnette. Desdemona could still influence your decisions.”
He bent over her, brushing her forehead with his lips. “I’m so sorry you were injured. I should never have insisted you stay for the week. I’ll make arrangements for you to return to Dallas in the morning.”
“Hold it.” Determined not to let him renege on his promise, she struggled into a sitting position. “You’re not going to treat me like some lowly employee you can fire.”
He scowled at her. “The ghosts have too much power, and they are vicious enough to attack an innocent assistant.”
“I’m not your innocent assistant. I’m your fiancée—your lover, your partner, your helpmate, your friend.”
Even though her head spun, she swung her legs off the bed. She couldn’t argue against Markham sitting down. “I’m not a glorified secretary or a helpless bystander. I chose to join your battle against Desdemona. You can’t send me home like a useless piece of baggage. I won’t go.”
Markham wrapped his arms around her when she wobbled, his breath tickling her neck. “I tricked you into staying here to battle an evil ghost. One who has tried to kill you. I’m not risking your life again.”
She studied his angry expression. Did he think she was a china doll who would break, or was he worried that she’d sue him over her bruise?
“You, Crystal and John brought me here under false pretenses, but I’m not an idiot. I make my own decisions as to whether I leave or stay. Right now, I’m staying.”
She pulled free from his embrace, leaning against the bed for support. “I have unfinished business with Desdemona. I’m going to get rid of that damn ghost if it’s the last thing I do.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” The blasted man snatched her tee shirt and boxers from atop the trunk, shoved them into her arms and picked her up. “Desdemona is vicious, and she’s had five hundred years to hone her savage tyranny.”
Even though he carefully deposited her on the bed again, she swung her legs over the edge and bent down to pull at the laces on her half boots while she thought up her next argument. “Lady Anne insisted I was the one who could defeat Desdemona, and I believe I have the tools to do it. If I leave, Desdemona will tear the castle apart.”
“I’d rather see Ryne torn apart than see you dead,” he growled.
“Then she’ll come looking for you. She won’t give up. She thinks Lady Anne has wronged her.”
Markham brushed her hands away from the shoestrings and untied her boots. “Leave all your tools with me and go back to Dallas where you’re safe.”
The pigheaded man didn’t even think she was fit to untie her own shoes. No wonder he wanted to send her away. He didn’t believe she was capable of defeating the ghost.
“It’s my using the tools that will be successful. You have computers of your own, but you need me to win.”
She reached under her skirt to wiggle out of her pantyhose. Markham immediately turned and walked to the window. Confusion clouded her mind. Why was he suddenly distancing himself from her? He didn’t seem to want her anymore.
When she tried to speak, her voice wavered. “If you don’t want to marry me, fine. After I destroy Desdemona, I’ll go home and take up my engineering job at Markham and Martin.”
He spun around, but quickly wheeled to face the window when he saw her slipping off her dress.
“That’s not what I want. Lady Anne chose you as my bride, and I’d marry you today if I thought that would end the battle. But it won’t. Before I can marry you, all four signs must occur. Next, you must perform whatever task Lady Anne dictates.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “That gives Desdemona many more opportunities to attack you. Neither Lady Anne nor I can guarantee your safety. It would kill me if you died.”
Her heart leapt wildly as she pulled on her tee shirt and boxers. Slowly she walked to his side. “Then trust me to do the job Lady Anne wants me to do. She’s had five hundred years to plot a strategy to defeat her enemy.”
Turning to her, Spencer took Kailyn’s hand in both of his and leaned over to kiss her bruised shoulder. “Will you at least rest for the remainder of today-here where you’ll be safe—and forget tomorrow’s shopping trip? I don’t trust Desdemona not to strike you again while you’re weakened.”
“Yes.” For once his wishes suited her perfectly. The extra time would give her a chance to consult with Lady Anne.
After a knock on the door, Mrs. Chadwick called, “The doctor is here to see Miss Kailyn, and the constable has requested to speak with your lordship.”
Three hours later, Spencer sat in the library behind the old mahogany desk and drummed his fingers on its battered surface. Kailyn was safe, and Mrs. Chadwick would see that she rested as Dr. Woodson recommended.
The old country doctor had been quite astounded by Kailyn’s lack of serious injury. She’d escaped with only a deep shoulder bruise. From Woodson’s description, the brooch must have acted like a double layer of Kevlar to completely dissipate the bullet’s energy. Even stranger, Constable Black and his men hadn’t found any portion of the bullet except powdered fragments.
Ginnette swept into the room, head held high, followed by her solicitor. “I did nothing wrong. I told the upstart to lose, but I didn’t shoot her.”
Desdemona may have influenced the shooting, but Ginnette had pulled the trigger. Spencer clenched his jaw. She needed to admit her guilt in front of the constable.
To stop her lying, he’d invited a secret guest and hidden him in the wing-backed chair facing the fireplace. From the far side of the room he’d be able to hear the conversation and not give away his presence. No matter what Ginnette did or said, the ambitious social climber would pay for her actions.
“My client is emotionally distraught at these unfounded accusations.” Ginnette’s solicitor held the chair in front of Spencer’s desk for her to sit.
Spencer nodded to the constable. “Constable Black, if you would present the evidence you gathered against Lady Ginnette.”
The burly man slowly opened a notepad. “Miss Baker testified that Lady Ginnette Herbert shot her as Miss Baker ran through the maze—”
“Kailyn is a liar and a cheat,” Ginnette interrupted. “I have proof she rigged the fête games so she could win.”
Spencer concentrated on remaining stoic. Thank goodness Kailyn’s friends had cleverly helped her to come out ahead in the contests. Not that it mattered. He had a sneaking feeling that if she hadn’t figured out a way to win on her own, Lady Anne would have stepped in.
The constable ignored the outburst. “Three of the earl’s staff witnessed the shooting from the parapets. Each identified Lady Ginnette as the shooter.”
Ginnette tossed her head dismissively. “The Chadwicks will say whatever His Lordship tells them to, and Mrs. Simms appears to be in the cheater’s pocket. Although I can’t fathom why.”
Struggling for patience, Spencer grabbed the edge of the desk in a vise grip. If Constable Black would just hurry, he’d end this mess. He had a few questions to ask Ginnette that she couldn’t flippantly deny.
The constable sorted slowly through his notes. “Although the lab results aren’t ready yet, the fingerprints on the gun Lady Allison Lloyd found in the shrubbery will most likely match Lady Ginnette’s.”
Ginnette laughed wildly and pointed at Spencer. “If you pursue these ridiculous claims, Markham, I’ll destroy your precious estate.”
Fury swept through him. Opening his desk, he pulled out the legal papers and receipt his solicitor had drawn up. “If you are referring to the loan on Nell’s store, it was paid in full yesterday.”
“I received no such notice.” Ginnette turned to her solicitor. “Seize the Ryne horses.”
Spencer set the papers on the desk for Ginnette’s solicitor to read. “Your father signed and accepted full payment for the loan. You have no claim on my father’s horses.”
The oily smile on her solicitor’s face slipped. He snatched the documents and studied them for a few minutes before turning to his client. “Lord Markham is correct. The loan has been paid in full. You have no grounds to confiscate Ryne property.”
Spencer steepled his fingers and stared intently at Ginnette. “Tell me why you decided to attend this house party.”“Because I’m the most qualified woman to be your countess.”
As he pulled out photocopies of other legal documents, he said sternly, “This competition is only for single women.”
Ginnette gaped before stammering, “But I am single.”
“Really? According to this marriage license, you wed Trevor Kester nine years ago.” He leaned back, waiting for Ginnette’s answer before he sprang his surprise.
“That marriage isn’t valid. Trevor doesn’t have a title, and my parents refuse to acknowledge the union.”
Spencer raised an eyebrow. “It’s still legal and binding. You’re not free to deviously solicit another marriage under false pretenses.”
Ginnette sat up regally and jutted her chin out. “I’m exactly the kind of woman you should marry. I can run your home and carry your title. You can return to your architecture business with no one the wiser.”
“Is that so, Ginnette?” Trevor Kester rose from where he’d been sitting in the wing-backed chair facing the fireplace. “You already have a husband. Me. You can’t imagine I’d condone an illegal second union just so you can have a title. If you want a divorce, why didn’t you just tell me?”
With a gasp, Ginnette jumped up. “Trevor!” She reached out and grasped his arm, only to have him back away as though the touch disgusted him. “I don’t want a divorce. Ever! I was doing it for us. With Ryne’s title, my parents would reinstate my inheritance.”
She burst into tears, and her husband relented and pulled her into his arms. “You need help, Ginny. Your parents’ constant pressure to disown me and their insistence you marry a title has muddled your thinking.”
“Gentlemen, I would like to offer a solution.” Spencer leaned forward and waited for Trevor, the solicitor and the constable to look at him. “If Ginnette agrees to accept psychiatric treatment at a certified institution, I won’t press charges. However, she must never set foot on Ryne property again. If she does, I shall take legal action against her.”
An hour later, Spencer took the stairs two at a time. At last free to concentrate on his future, he turned toward Kailyn’s room. Just a quick glance, to ease his mind. He’d check Kailyn’s recovery and remind her to be careful.
However, just as he stepped past his Aunt Sophie’s open parlor door, she summoned him. The impatience of her tone warned him she wouldn’t wait.
He entered and dropped into the nearest armchair beside Nell.
“Take that glower off your face, young man.” Aunt Sophie waggled a finger at him. “We’ve waited for hours to find out about the results of your meeting with Ginnette’s solicitor.”
In her eagerness, Nell scooted to the front of the settee. “Have you saved my business?”
He took his time before answering, stretching his feet out in front of him. “Relax, Sis. All the paperwork is done. Your loan is paid off, and the Ryne horses are safe.”
His sister flopped back against the cushions and closed her eyes. “Thank goodness. I never knew the witch would be so dangerous.”
“Next time you need help, come to me.” When Nell opened her eyes, he scowled at her and she stuck her tongue out at him.
Laughing, he reached to tousle her hair. “A simple thank you would suffice.”
“Now that you two are speaking to each other again,” Aunt Sophie said brusquely, “we need to face the prospect that some of the participants might sue us for endangering them.”
Her tone jarred him. The Ryne estate couldn’t stand the expense of a lawsuit. He raised his eyes to meet his aunt’s worried gaze.
“The disclaimer all participants sign at the beginning of the festivities should cover the problem,” he replied reasonably. “Kailyn would be the exception because she didn’t sign one. However, based on her determination to defeat Desdemona, I don’t think she intends to engage in a legal battle against Ryne. We have a more complicated problem, I’m afraid.”
He stared at his boots. “To quash Desdemona’s power, I need Kailyn hopelessly in love with me, and I’m not sure she even likes me. Her resolve to stay only means she’s challenged by the evil ghost. She’s out to destroy it.”
Nell poked him in the ribs. “Then you’d best get cracking. Chasing her isn’t enough. You need to open your heart to her.”
For a minute, Spencer simply stared at his sister. She was right. He was in love with Kailyn. He loved her sassy mouth. He loved her spunk. He loved the way she questioned every order he gave her. He definitely loved kissing her, touching her and igniting the sparks between them.
For the first time since Ginnette’s attack on Kailyn, his spirits lifted. Starting tomorrow, he’d show Kailyn Baker he was the partner, friend and lover she wanted.