Page 12 of A Lady by Chance

My wood nymph, he almost added.

She tilted her head. “I will not be an ordinary wife.”

“I never wanted one.”

“Ordinary, or at all?”

“Neither,” he replied.

“Oh.” Emotion flickered in her eyes—a look that speared his heart. “I liked you from the moment I saw you.”

He started and said, “You did?” before realizing how stupid he sounded.

“You didn’t like me?” she asked in a small voice that twisted his belly.

Patrick grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. “Aye lass, I did. More than you know.” Then he remembered something that sent a chill down his spine. “Why did you say I was haunted?”

“Because you are,” she said.

Could she possibly know he’d seen the green lady? “How so?” he asked.

“There was a lady with you. A fair maid in green who walked along behind you—until she vanished.”

Patrick stared, too stunned to speak for a moment. “You saw her? You are sure she wore green?”

Her gaze dropped to her hand and she touched the gold ring on her finger. “As sure as this ring now binds us, aye.”

Patrick shook his head. “I never guessed she would follow me. She is not known to leave Baldain House.”

“You know who she is?”

Patrick still couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t appeared to portend a misfortune, but to herald his marriage. “She is the green lady of Baldain House. She has been with us since Culloden. You mustn’t be frightened. She rarely shows herself.”

To his surprise, his bride smiled. “Then I am honored.”

You can be, sweet, Patrick started to say but her father stood and lifted a champagne glass high.

Patrick’s own words could wait. He now had so much to tell his bride. And he had things to say to Stirling. It seemed Stirling knew him well. But did the man know himself? His own prospective bride did not appear enamored of him.

***

Jessica interpreted the shock on her new husband’s face as easily as if she’d been reading his thoughts all her life. He had been stunned when she’d mentioned his family’s ghost. Now he watched the table where her sisters sat with a few family friends and Sir Stirling.

The Marriage Maker.

Her father was deep in conversation with him, no doubt planning Sir Stirling’s marriage to Chastity. Chastity sat stony-faced. Jessica’s attraction to the lieutenant had been immediate. Did Chastity not feel something similar for Sir Stirling? He had proven himself a good man. He was very handsome, even elegant and worldly. Not as dashing as her own new husband, but he came close.

Chastity rose. Was she leaving? Jessica pushed her chair back and stood. Patrick looked at her, brow furrowed, but she hurried after her sister. Chastity continued past the orchestra and walked toward the hallway. Jessica caught up with her an instant later.

Chastity slowed and frowned. “What are you doing?”

Jessica grasped Chastity’s hands and brought her to a halt. “You were right, Patrick was the man in the woods.”

Chastity nodded. “I am glad for you, kitten. Now return to him. You two will soon leave to begin your new life.”

“It is your turn to be happy,” Jessica said.

Chastity shook her head. “Remember something, Jessica. You told Lucy and Olivia not to impose upon you their desires. I ask the same of you.”