The Hawkthorn Ghost Plays Cupid

by Patty Deans

  "This is where James and I used to sit and plan mischief. He decided to join the army sitting right where you are. We didn't all go, you know."

  "James had no idea he would become the heir then."

  "You have the right of it. William Oliver, the vicar's son, Glen Sharn and James didn't have someone holding them back. Poor William took a fall early on, Glen came back with a nasty limp, and James felt forced to return to take over Hawkthorn."

  "You shouldn't feel badly about not going."

  "But I do. Boney has to be defeated. It doesn't seem fair that everyone else dashes off to save our country, and I sit back and enjoy myself. It should be my fight, too."

  "Is that why you haven't taken a wife?"

  The viscount looked startled. "Have my sisters been blabbing about my father wanting me to start my nursery?"

  "No." She observed his discomfort in having her join him for his morning ride. She didn't mean to upset him.

  "Are you planning to be a candidate for that position? Of my wife?"

  She felt her cheeks flush. "Actually I'm not interested, but I'd like to pretend to be overwhelmed by you to keep James from trying to match me up with someone."

  The viscount laughed. Julia could see why Aunt Shredda referred to him as tall, dark, and handsome. His teasing eyes looked almost black.

  "Ah, Lady Julia, you do my heart good. You waste your time trying to pursue James, but it might be fun to try to get his goat. He's a stickler about being a gentleman with the ladies, and you're his ward, his responsibility."

  "Then you will agree to flirt with me."

  "But you must promise not to put me in a compromising position. I'll be your agreeable rake." He chuckled. "Who else is around for me to flirt with?"

  "There's Ginny."

  "Ginny has too many men turning themselves into lapdogs."

  "She told me she hated going to London and liked the country best. Perhaps she is not too happy with lapdogs."

  A surprised expression covered his face. "I do not believe Ginny would find country life without balls and fancy gowns to her liking."

  "That is what she told me, nevertheless. Margaret and Jane are looking forward to their season, but then they too may find it tiresome."

  His eyes twinkled in the sunlight. "And what do you want, Lady Julia?"

  "To stay in the country and never experience a season. James is totally against this."

  He let his eyes roll to the sky. "As he should be. But you will be a fine catch even if you continue to love the country."

  "I lived my first eleven years in London and watched many balls from behind the greenery. Even then I preferred my horse."

  He shook his head in disbelief. "Obviously, spoken like a true country maiden before she attends a ball and has her head turned by her many ardent admirers."

  "You think Ginny had her head turned?"

  His face lit in a knowing smile. "It would have been difficult for her not to. She is so beautiful that every man falls at her feet."

  "Is that what they do in London? Grovel at the feet of beautiful women?"

  "James is right -- you need a season."

  "That is for me to decide. I do not feel you know women at all," Julia insisted.

  "I am not blind. I know when a woman allows herself to be trailed by simpering lapdogs."

  He is so passionate in a show of indifference to Ginny, Julia wondered if he secretly favored Ginny. "Don't forget you promised to flirt with me at dinner tonight."

  "I shall not forget." He chuckled as he lifted her back on her horse. "Poor James hasn't a chance against such persistence."

  "I have my heart set on James. Thank you, My Lord, for accepting to be my flirt."

  "The pleasure is all mine. I believe it is time you call me Winnie and I call you Julia."

  "Winnie. How nice that sounds to my ear." Julia nodded and smiled to herself. He was delightful, and if she hadn't needed to wed James, she might have whipped up a little interest in him. He is bound to be a faithful husband devoted to his country estate and not some bit of muslin in town. Sometimes she thought James loved Hawkthorn, but of course she could not expect him to give up the London life. It hurt to think of him with another female. Then she remembered Robert, and her promise. The only way to stay at Hawkthorn was to marry James regardless if he loved her or not. But that didn't stop her from hoping that he would.

  The wind blew through her hair, and the sun shimmered on the brook that ran through the grounds, and time passed quickly. Hawkthorn had to be the most beautiful place on earth.

  After they returned to the stables, Winnie smiled. "James will not believe how exciting I find your company tonight."

  "I just want him to notice us."

  "He will!"

  That evening Julia held Winnie's attention to the point where one might say he appeared devoted. The more Winnie led her around or sought to bring her a drink, the more everyone else insisted on ignoring them. In fact James, Gabby, Keven and Glen seemed devoted to Ginny. Poor Ginny looked like she wished the earth would swallow her. She developed a headache and went to bed early.

  Julia's conscience began to send prickles down her back. She even considered running after Ginny when Winnie remarked, "Watch Ginny, Julia. See how she pulls the men to her and then rejects them. She has no heart."

  Immediately Julia realized that Winnie loved Ginny but could not stand the competition. He didn't have the slightest idea that his friends' devotion to Ginny stemmed from sympathy. Can't he see the hurt in Ginny's eyes? "I think they gave her the headache. She doesn't seem like a woman that enjoys pampering from a crowd. So impersonal, don't you agree?"

  The viscount looked sad. "Ginny just naturally attracts men."

  "She doesn't seem to attract you."

  Winnie's mouth gaped open. "I make it a policy not to join those whimpering after the belle."

  "So Ginny really does attract you, but you can ignore her?"

  Winnie frowned thoughtfully and sighed. "Well...I...you might be right."

  "Have you ever considered that you might be the only man that she wants?"

  He shrugged. "If Ginny wanted me, she would never have gathered a court around her."

  "Poor Ginny. If she loved you, she would have to propose."

  "Ginny doesn't love any man."

  "Isn't it strange everyone else thinks she is sad. That she has fallen in love with someone who doesn't love her."

  "Preposterous!" He demanded, but peered at Ginny under furrowed brows.

  "I'm not so sure," Julia whispered.

  Winnie looked down, and the fun of charades dwindled. Not to mention, his devotion to Julia. She lost her flirt. And Winnie's stubbornness blinded him from realizing he was the man Ginny loved. Julia wondered what could be done to help them turn to each other.

  After the guests sought their beds, Julia turned to James. "Did you have fun tonight?"

  James took her firmly by the elbow and led her to the library.

  "Fustian! It is not midnight."

  The bells of the old clock struck midnight.

  "It is now!" He closed the door and turned her to face him. "Julia, don't you ever realize anything? Ginny loves Winnie. Him trailing after you, waiting on you, distressed her. Winnie never flirted with a woman before. Whatever did you do to him? You haven't been to the old crone in town, who sells all kinds of hideous potions, have you?"

  Julia straightened. "Poor old innocent Rose. She sells all sorts of harmless creams and herbal remedies. Do you think she's a witch? You think I'm a witch!"

  James stood with his arms akimbo, his mouth tightly closed glaring at her.

  With anger churning deep inside her, Julia uttered in an alarmingly low voice, "I watched Winnie burn with fury watching everyone of his friends behave like solicitous school boys to Ginny. He thinks she attracts lapdogs and wants to attend balls and buy gowns. He is in love with her, but he wants the country life. You are all a bunch of slow- tops if you could not see what your lavish
attention to her did to him. He now believes that London will ruin Jane and Margaret." Julia watched his brow tighten as her words sunk in. "For that reason, Winnie has decided on one season for his sisters."

  Suddenly James raised her chin with two fingers and looked deep into her eyes. His studied look unnerved her. "I know Winnie doesn't like London. Why was he flirting with you?"

  "Do you want the truth?" She hoped she didn't have to him all that was on her mind.

  "Of course," he answered with disgust.

  "I asked him to."

  He gaped at her. "Why?"

  "Had to find out who Ginny loves." She failed to mention that she wanted to discern if James loved her.

  He took a deep breath and stepped back releasing her chin. A feeling of loneliness took over her senses. "Julia, you must learn to stay out of other people's business. Maybe you are a witch! Do you fancy yourself a matchmaker?"

  "I thought you wanted me to find a husband."

  "Not Winnie. It would kill Ginny," James declared.

  "Do you want to help them declare their love for one another?"

  "It's too late to..." He turned to her, his frown beginning to relax. "Do you think you could manage to get them together?"

  "Do we have a horse that would throw her. I understand he rescues downed damsels."

  He threw himself in a chair and put his hand to his head. "Julia, don't do that. Ginny had a hard time getting back on a horse after a fall. Think of something else."

  With a smile Julia sat in her chair. "I will."

  "No scheming without telling me first." He shook his finger at her. "You are not the best judge of danger and could end up in need of rescuing yourself."

  "By the Earl of Hawkthorn, no doubt!"

  "Who else would want to rescue you?" He grabbed her arm. "Promise me, Julia."

  "I promise," she whispered and silently added, not to let him interfere. And you, dear James, have canceled another candidate. You may end up being the only one left. Keep your fingers crossed Robert, and all our wishes will come true.

  "Julia, tomorrow we are taking our guests to the ruins. I do not want you paying attention to only one person, male or female. You do understand what being a hostess entails?"

  "Adele will have our lunch ready. Ellis has arranged for the carriages to be available. To quote Jane 'Everyone is excited'." She smiled at him and added, "Is there anything that you specifically want, James? Some detail that might slip by if you fail to make your wish clear."

  James plopped into his chair, leaned back, and shook his head. "I fear any thought I may express could rise like a great balloon and only the heavens would witness its destination."

  "And exactly what do you mean by that."

  "Julia, I find it easier to accept what you do."

  "Am I free to flirt with Gabby and Keven?"

  "First look after all your guests."

  "Of course."

  Then Julia rose and left James to mull over his thoughts. She opened the door to her bedroom. The Old Earl stood leaning against one of her bed posters. Quietly she closed the door.

  "I must think." she whispered to the Old Earl as he brushed back his shoulder length hair and bowed from the waist.

  He spoke in his usual hoarse voice, slightly above a whisper, "Glen and Rebecca are happy. Well done. You have found the man who Ginny loves."

  She smiled. "Now, I know."

  The Old Earl nodded approval. She watched him with his burgundy velvet coat, sparkling in the moonlight, as he escaped through the window.

  Even the Old Earl doesn't want to help her.

  After Julia tossed and turned in bed for at least an hour, she got up and decided to go to the kitchen for a glass of milk to settle her nerves. She needed a scheme, especially when James would be watching her every move, and demanding she attend to the guests.

  As she crept down the stairs carrying a candle, she suddenly heard a swishing sound. She stopped, looked around, deciding it was only her imagination, continued down. After two cautious steps the sound grew louder.

  Then the hoarse whisper, "Julia, the old ruins will be the best place to trip Ginny."

  "Where are you?"

  The twirling mist slowly became visible in the candlelight. The Old Earl's wrinkled jowls trembled as he shook his head. Then his smile became visible. He waved her forward and the white lacy sleeves glittered as he floated down the steps. "No one's in the kitchen. We can make plans."

  "Will you help me?" Julia asked.

  "I can't trip a lady," his voice sounded as if he had been insulted.

  "But you expect me to?"

  The Old Earl danced down the steps. "Surely you haven't changed. I've never thought you had any rules. You didn't give a second thought to getting in bed with James."

  Julia's stomach flipped. "I thought you approved."

  "Indeed, I do!" He raised his eyes to the ceiling and snorted. "These are important steps in shaping James' life. This mortal is prone to do the worst possible when he wants to do the best. The only way to save him is to divert his attention."

  "What do you mean?"

  He ran a few steps ahead of her. "James and you are meant for one another. Our little charade moved up the date. Winnie and Ginny, such silly rhyming names! They need each other and they are so slow that they may not live long enough to accomplish the most noble achievement. At least Rebecca and Glen understand each other."

  "They needed help." She offered.

  He turned and threw his hands up. His lacy cuffs tossed twinkling stardust around the room. "A small action. A mere gesture. Get your milk and we can devise a way to trip Ginny."

  Julia poured her cup of warm milk and sat at the servants' table. She rested her head on her fist. "What is your idea?"

  "Ginny will have a hard time tripping on purpose. She will want to, but she has that reluctance built in. You must trip her. Let Winnie take care of her. Do not interfere."

  "Ginny and Winnie will be nervous if anything happens." He was right: their rhyming names did sound silly.

  The Old Earl laughed and almost disappeared. "Trip her. Winnie can't resist a lady in distress."

  "I don't want to hurt her."

  "Which will hurt her more? A sprained ankle or not marrying Winnie? Come now, answer me!"

  "She does love Winnie." Julia smiled, certain she knew the depth of Ginny's love.

  The Old Earl tiptoed around the floor. "You are strong enough to trip her, are you not?" He rocked back and forth on the heels of his square-toed boots.

  "Of course," she whispered.

  The ghost leapt upon the table and shrunk in size. "Tell her ahead of time." He threw his hands out and gave a hearty belly laugh. "Forewarn Ginny. Better tell her what to say, too."

  "What do you mean by that?" Julia felt concerned.

  He finally sat on the edge of the table. "She'd better sound like a lady who wants to be a country mouse and sit at home for the rest of her life with Winnie."

  "Oh, but she does." Julia jumped up.

  The Old Earl, who certainly acted spry, danced across the table, chanting, "Ginny has to open her mouth and say it. I think you had better coach her. Don't be a coward, Julia."

  "Will you help me?"

  Suddenly the mist floated through the wall.

  One of the housemaids walked in. "Lady Julia, do you need help?"

  "No, I'm talking to myself, Hattie, just talking to myself."

  "No matter, my lady, I'm willing to help you."

  "I'll call if I need you. Thank you, Hattie."

  Now, the servants will think Julia's crazy. Or maybe they will think she is imagining a ghost. She bit her lip, and headed for the stairs. Should she ask James to help her?

  Fiddlesticks! James would never approve. Besides, she must act quickly. Now which lord could she wheedle into pretending to be enchanted with her? Flirting seemed to be easier than she had imagined, except with a fan.

  CHAPTER 13

  The drivers aligned three carri
ages at the edge of the curved road in front of Hawkthorn Manor waiting to take the house party guests to the ruins. Glen and Becca, familiar with the old ruins on the property, rode ahead on horseback to find the best place to begin the hike.

  Julia whispered to a footman, "Add a couple of extra blankets in the second carriage."

  He looked as if she had grown two heads. "There is no need."

  "I must have the extra blankets," Julia insisted. "They might be needed." Julia held her breath, relieved when he only shook his head with disapproval, but quickly headed back for the blankets.

  She waited only a few minutes at the carriage before the footman returned and placed the extra blankets inside. As he passed her, he whispered. "They are tucked under the footstool for easy access."

  Ellis waved the stable boys to the end carriage where they put the heavy baskets packed full of food prepared by cook. "They will take the food to the old summer cottage near the ruins. Footmen have been sent ahead to light the fireplaces so the room will be warm. The cold damp air made cook insist you should eat in relative comfort before returning to the manor."

  Julia's stomach twitched in nervous anticipation, but she smiled at Ellis who shook his head giving her that all knowing look. Immediately she put Ellis from her mind and took her place as hostess.

  James tied his horse to the rear of the first carriage after being persuaded by Margaret and Jane to ride with them. They deserted Keven the minute James helped them into the carriage. Julia could not help but wonder how they would do in their season if they stuck together with one man. They'd hardly receive a proposal in the first year.

  Julia admired the way the two girls flirted, tapping James' arm with a fan. Yet when Julia tapped the window of the carriage with her fan as a signal to proceed, the carriage moved away so swiftly she nearly lost her balance on the gravel drive.

  Cavalier Keven possessed an air of pride in himself while he chatted with Winnie and Gabby, who were mounted on their horses ready to ride alongside the carriages. Finally Keven leaped on his horse, and at that moment Julia decided he would be her next choice. Would he believe it would endanger his reputation to flirt with a country girl?