Seduced at Midnight

informed her of only an hour ago? She could barely stand to think the words, let alone say them out loud. She had to tell them… but by God, she didn't want to.

'I hate to be the one to have to point this out,' Sarah said in a loud whisper, 'but there are no such things as ghosts.'

No sooner had the words been spoken than lightning flashed, followed by a deafening boom of thunder.

'Sounds as if someone or something disagrees with your assessment,' Emily said, her voice ripe with amusement. 'Certainly Lady Elaine didn't have much difficulty summoning her ghost lover Maxwell at a seance such as this.'

'Clearly Maxwell was a more cooperative sort of ghost than the elusive ghost we seek,' Julianne murmured. Her gaze moved to the window, noting the inky darkness beyond the rain-streaked glass. Was Gideon out there yet? If not, he would be soon. She hated the thought of him outdoors in such a storm, yet the knowledge that he was so close set her heart to fluttering.

But then another sort of flutter hit her: a nervous jitter in her midsection. What if things did not go as planned? What if Gideon were to discover Johnny during the young man's mission tonight? What if-?

She cut off the litany of useless questions. All she could do was hope for the best and trust that Johnny was as resourceful as she believed. And as fleet of foot as she hoped.

'Are you here, ghost criminal of Mayfair?' Carolyn called softly. 'If so, can you give us a sign?'

Four gazes flitted about the room, but no sign manifested itself.

Julianne frowned. That would have been a perfect opportunity for Johnny to play his part. Perhaps he had been detained by the foul weather.

'It seems quite clear our ghost isn't going to join us,' Emily said, heaving a sigh that nearly blew out the candle.

'Perhaps he's off robbing another unsuspecting household of its jewels,' said Sarah. 'Hopefully no one will be killed the next time he strikes.'

'Oh, I wonder who will be next?' Emily asked, her eyes wide.

'My parents are attending Lord and Lady Keene's musicale this evening,' said Julianne. 'Lady Keene's jewel collection is magnificent.'

'Yes,' agreed Emily, 'most of it reportedly gifts from her numerous lovers.'

'You shouldn't repeat gossip,' Carolyn scolded, the playful wagging of her finger taking the sting from her reprimand.

'I never repeat gossip.' Emily's devilish smile flashed. 'Which is why you must listen carefully the first time I tell you.'

After their laughter died down, Sarah said, 'If you recall from the book, Lady Elaine summoned Maxwell to her by goading his jealous nature. Perhaps we'd have better success if we did the same.' Clearly she was getting into the spirit of the seance despite her nonbelief in ghosts.

'Since I fear none of us possess jewels to better Lady Keene's collection, it will be difficult to incite the ghost's jealousy,' said Carolyn.

'Who wants to bother with a ghost criminal when summoning a ghost lover would be so much more entertaining?' asked Julianne. 'What could we do to incite his jealousy?'

'Describe all the marvelous gentlemen who constantly fawn over us, professing their undying adoration,' suggested Emily.

'And who, precisely, might that be?' Julianne asked.

Emily looked toward the ceiling. 'You of all people should hardly need to ask, Julianne, based on the number of suitors vying for your hand.'

'None of whom have professed undying adoration for anything other than my father's money. I don't matter in the least.'

'Well, I could name Matthew as one who adores me,' Sarah said, 'but I doubt that would incite much jealousy.'

'The same for me with Daniel,' Carolyn added.

Sarah's gaze grew thoughtful behind her spectacles, and she tapped her chin. 'I wonder if Matthew would be jealous if another man were to-'

'Kiss you?' Emily interjected. 'Oh, he'd turn green as a lawn in springtime.'

'Most likely,' Sarah said, not looking displeased at the notion. 'Not that I'd ever allow another man to kiss me. Or that another man would ever want to.'

'Logan Jennsen wanted to,' Carolyn reminded her in a teasing tone. 'He was quite smitten with you before your marriage.'

'We were friends, nothing more,' Sarah said primly. Then she raised her brows at her sister. 'He was quite smitten with you before your marriage as well.'

'Perhaps a bit,' Carolyn acknowledged. A small smile played around the corners of her mouth. 'I'd already suspected my heart belonged to Daniel, but I knew for certain after Logan kissed me.'

Julianne's brows shot upward at Carolyn's unexpected words. From the corner of her eye she noted that Emily's jaw dropped.

'Logan Jennsen kissed you?' Emily's voice cracked on the word kissed.

'And Daniel didn't pound him to dust?' Julianne asked. 'Or worse?'

Carolyn chuckled. 'Unbeknownst to me at the time, they exchanged… words over the incident.'

Emily, who appeared absolutely thunderstruck, looked at Sarah. 'You don't seem surprised by this revelation.'

'Carolyn told me when it happened.'

'Yes, and you immediately told your husband,' Carolyn said, shooting her sister a mock frown.

'Well, of course I did,' Sarah said in her most prim tone. 'I knew Matthew would immediately tell Daniel, and Daniel needed to know.' Laughter danced in Sarah's eyes. 'He was most seriously displeased.'

'I'm certain he was,' said Julianne. 'What sort of words did Daniel and Mr. Jennsen exchange?'

Carolyn shrugged. 'Daniel's never said, and I've never asked.'

'How could you not ask?' Julianne wondered. 'I'd positively burn with curiosity.'

'I thought it more prudent to simply let the matter be forgotten. If I asked questions, then Daniel might ask for details, and it's really best I don't give them. Especially as he's considering a business venture with Logan.'

'Ah,' said Emily, folding her arms across her chest, her expression smug. 'So Mr. Jennsen proved himself a repulsive kisser. I cannot say I'm the least bit surprised.'

'On the contrary,' said Carolyn, shaking her head. 'He is an excellent kisser.' Even in the dim light Julianne thought she detected a blush suffuse her friend's cheeks. 'As I said, if my heart hadn't already belonged to Daniel… well, let's just say that Logan most definitely knows how to kiss a woman. And that is the sort of information that's best shared only with one's most cherished friends.'

Emily's brow nearly furrowed into a knot. 'What, precisely, do you mean by excellent?'

'I mean that any woman he chooses to kiss will most definitely enjoy the experience. And perhaps even be spoiled for anyone who might come after.'