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“W ell, Eugenia, it didn’t look as if your meddlesome antics achieved your aim of uniting Sir Frederick and Miss Fairchild in any meaningful way. I think you should simply give up your idea as a lost cause.”

Lady Pendleton’s look was smug, not sympathetic, as she went on, “Maybe I needn’t go to the bother of hosting my Ghostly Gathering at Pendleton Castle so the pair can get to know one another. That, my dear, is what I’d been thinking of doing purely for your benefit, given our long friendship.”

Eugenia smiled. She’d learned that Lady Pendleton was full of talk but rarely followed through on her grandiose plans.

It didn’t matter.

By hook or by crook, Eugenia was going to find a way to unite Miss Fairchild and Sir Frederick.

For she had quite simply set her heart on a hot air balloon ride over London with Lord Thornton.

Lady Pendleton surveyed the company. “Such predictable dreariness,” complained her friend leaning back. The dissatisfaction on her face made her look old and peevish. Eugenia touched her throat as a sudden thought occurred to her. Did she have a turkey neck like Lady Pendleton’s?

“And nothing to look forward to with my daughter launched and, predictably, having made the match of the season,” her friend went on before her eyes widened.

“However, there is, of course, my duty to Caroline!” Her sudden clap of the hands made Eugenia jerk forward in fright, as the young girl passed by on the arm of Mr. Greene.

“Why, I do believe I shall do it, Eugenia! Yes! I shall hold that Ghostly Event, after all. A haunted castle week in the country. Pendleton may not think it a wonderful idea but he really has no say in the matter. And dear Caroline is my god-daughter. It would be such a kindness to her. Everyone will say it.”

Eugenia regarded her friend thoughtfully. Poor Pendleton had never had much say in anything. Lady Pendleton had inherited the viscountcy which had been created two hundred years before with a Special Remainder for Female Inheritance.

The former viscount had had to change his name to that of his wife and allow her to make all the decisions as per the stipulations made at the time the viscountcy was created. Eugenia often wondered if he’d thought it worth the cost to his pride.

“A ghost gathering. It so happens I’m fascinated by ghosts,” Eugenia lied, trying to think of any exposure to ghosts, or talks in which she’d participated.

“As you say, there is only so much of such dreariness one can take.” She thrust out her chin—while smoothing her neck for Lord Thornton was somewhere about—and surveyed the room once more.

There he was, she thought in sudden excitement, her eyes alighting on handsome Lord Thornton who, perhaps feeling the intensity of her gaze, turned and immediately came in their direction.

His smile was as lazy and confident as Eugenia remembered. He’d never suffered from self-doubt. “I saw Miss Fairchild and Sir Frederick briefly confer with one another as a result of your clever engineering, Eugenia,” he remarked.

“Pure chance,” argued Lady Pendleton. “The pair has nothing in common so trying to force them to even like each other is a lost cause. See how Sir Frederick watches over his little sister while Miss Fairchild clearly disdains society. There she is in her tucked-away corner looking like she’d rather be anywhere than here.

Nothing more calculated to put off a man than disinterest.”

“I don’t know about that.” Thornton shrugged. “Thrill of the chase and all that. I’d wager most men are more intrigued by disinterest than a female who hangs off their very word.”

“In which case, Miss Fairchild and Sir Frederick are not a lost cause,” said Eugenia. “My cunning plan might, in fact, unite them.”

“A cunning plan, Eugenia?” repeated Thornton admiringly. “I didn’t think cunning plans were your preserve. I thought you very demure and conventional.”

“Perhaps I was when I was younger and forced to hide the wild spirit that my father said would be my undoing,” Eugenia said bravely.

“Wild spirit? Goodness, Eugenia! I think you’ve said too much!” Lady Pendleton admonished her but Thornton grinned.

“So what is your cunning plan, pray tell?”

“It is actually my cunning plan,” said Lady Pendleton sounding bored. “I had been thinking of holding a ghost-hunting week at the Castle. That’s if the old pile hasn’t fallen down since we were there last August.”

Eugenia clapped her hands. “I think it a wonderful idea, Lady Pendleton, for it will serve as the arbiter as to whether you are right and my match-making will come to nothing.”

Her calculated plan bore fruit. Predictably, Lady Pendleton’s nostrils flared as she said, “Of course, your matchmaking will come to nothing, Eugenia. Sir Frederick and Miss Fairchild? It’s not difficult to see why you never married if you think such a pairing even within the realms of possibility. ”

Even Lord Thornton seemed to think this a little harsh for he said, “I do see merit in an event that might relieve the ennui of events like this. A ghostly challenge, eh? Well, with Sir Frederick a known skeptic, and with Lady Pendleton seeing no earthly means that your mismatched young people will find themselves suddenly attracted to one another, perhaps the services of an obliging ghost might just do the trick.”

Lady Pendleton sniffed. “You will lose your Persephone to Lord Thornton, Eugenia, and I have a mind to insist on my own reward for being proved right.”

“So, are we to dress up as ghosts, Lady Pendleton?” Eugenia asked, knowing she sounded much too eager; but really, this was the most excited she’d felt in a long time.

“Dress up as a ghost?” Lady Pendleton repeated with clear disgust, her lorgnette trembling as she raised it to her eyes. “Pendleton Castle is overrun with ghosts. I don’t need my guests confusing matters.”

“Well, well, Lady Pendleton, I had not thought you a believer,” Lord Thornton marveled, studying her with newfound interest. “And pray tell, which is the most troublesome of your ghostly cavalcade?”

“My great-great aunt Pernilla,” Lady Pendleton said, absently touching the heavy gold ring that bore her family crest. “But as I am an avowed skeptic, I believe it’s only because of her unusual and early demise that various family members have conflated her into some tragic heroine.”

“Ooh, how exciting!” Eugenia rubbed her hands together then immediately felt childish as her friend raked her with a beetling look.

“Defying one’s parents to follow one’s youthful heart earned Ancestor Pernilla her just desserts,” Lady Pendleton declared. “Well, now that you have pressured me into a great deal of work, Eugenia, I trust you will make yourself available tomorrow to help me draw up a guest list.”

“Do we really need anyone other than Sir Frederick and Caroline? And, of course, Miss Fairchild?” asked Eugenia, who’d decided she would not have her spirits dampened by her old friend.

“Good lord, Eugenia.” Lady Pendleton’s fan snapped open with unnecessary force.

“You don’t suppose I shall go to all that trouble for only a handful of thanks.

No, this will be a grand event held during the full moon, with a Ghostly Rout, a Treasure Hunt, dancing, and a feast. After all, one must maintain appearances when one holds a title. ”

“Bravo,” said Thornton. “You will outdo yourself.”

Lady Pendleton sniffed. “If I am to put myself out doing anything, there are no half measures.”

“And how do you think Pendleton will like the idea of a Ghostly Rout, a Treasure Hunt, dancing, and a feast?” asked Lord Thornton. He cleared his throat. “It won’t be a cheap exercise.”

“Pendleton will do as he’s told, like he always does.”

Eugenia and Thornton glanced at each other but were silent.

Pendleton had had a fortune when he’d married, but his wife wielded the power with her title and estates, the upkeep of which relied heavily on Pendleton’s funds.

“No, this Ghostly Event will be the highlight of the season,” said Lady Pendleton. “I predict that Caroline will meet her match and that your instincts, my dear Eugenia—when it comes to matchmaking—are quite off the mark.”