Mistletoe Mischief

church by daylight.' Yes, that was what he had been looking at.

A little later, dressed in her mustard gown, with her hair pinned up in a neat knot on top of her head, she went reluctantly down to take breakfast with Lady Evangeline, Rupert, and Greville. She was determined not to catch the eye of the latter, or speak to him unless spoken to first.

Chapter 10

The dining room was next to the drawing room on the Steine side of the house, and was decorated in gray and gold. It caught the full flush of the morning sun, and the warm air was scented with coffee, toast, and crisp bacon, as well as the bowl of roses that adorned the center of that same white-clothed table where the previous evening Megan had been so wretched. Edward, as supercilious and sour-faced as ever, was standing to attention by the sideboard, on which an array of silver-domed platters indicated a goodly selection. Outside, ladies and gentlemen of the ton paraded on the Steine's fine pathways, and several gleaming town carriages bowled around the perimeter roads. More carriages were drawn up in front of Donaldson's Circulating Library, and the sound of a German band playing Christmas carols could be heard from the front lawn of the Pavilion.

When Megan entered, she found everyone else already at the table. Rupert and Greville rose to their feet. They were both in pine-green coats and beige breeches, signifying an intention to ride after breakfast, and Evangeline was resplendent in a long-sleeved navy blue silk morning gown and lace day bonnet. She bestowed a gracious smile upon Megan.

'Good morning, my dear. I trust you slept well?'

'Good morning, Lady Evangeline. Sirs. Yes, I slept excellently,' Megan replied, and was immediately conscious of Greville's raised eyebrow. But he said nothing.

Rupert hastened to draw out a chair for her, and as she sat down the door opened again. A maid came in with more bacon, and did not enter alone, for Rollo's spectral steps followed. The ghost crossed to the table, and halted right beside Megan. He was totally invisible again this morning, but the scent of orange blossom was heady, and she was sure that if she reached out she would be able to touch him. After all, if he could leave his imprint on carriage upholstery, surely he would be substantial enough to touch?

She heard him inhale deeply. ' 'But, soft! Methinks I scent the morning air,' ' he murmured, and she looked swiftly at the others to see if they heard, but only Evangeline seemed to have done so, for she tutted as she reached for the marmalade.

The maid went out again, and Evangeline smiled at Megan again. 'What would you like to eat, my dear? I vow we have every breakfast item in creation.'

'Oh, just some bacon and an egg,' Megan replied, and as Edward brought them, she wondered if he would contrive to spill everything in her lap out of spite.

Rollo was evidently intent upon Evangeline, for suddenly he spoke to her. 'What ho, my lady? Dost thou not think this to be a fine morning?'

'Enough, sir,' she hissed, at which Rupert and Greville exchanged glances. Edward paused, a slice of crisp bacon impaled upon his serving fork, but then he went on with what he was doing.

Rollo sighed. ' 'Fair is my love, and cruel as she's fair,' ' he quoted.

'Sir, I will not have this at the breakfast table!' Evangeline whispered crossly.

' 'O tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide!' ' But the phantom fell silent, and Evangeline began to talk about the Christmas decorations which Fosdyke and two footmen were at that very moment acquiring in the town.

Megan picked up her knife and fork, but then a slice of toast suddenly rose from the rack in front of her, and floated over to the window seat, where it was eaten with relish. Megan stared. Ghosts could eat! She glanced around the table again, but this time not even Evangeline appeared to have noticed.

Silence prevailed for some five minutes, but then Rupert glanced so sharply toward the window that Megan was sure he had suddenly perceived Rollo. But it was something else he had noticed. 'Good Lord! That fellow's all in white!'

Everyone turned-even Rollo, Megan felt sure-and saw a gentleman clad from head to toe in white, riding by on a white horse. He was not new to Evangeline. 'That is a busybody and tittle-tattler by the name of Mr. Mellish. He is a crony of the Garsingtons, and is always to be found at their wretched musical soirees, although I am convinced his purpose is solely to discover their latest foolishness. He spreads spiteful chitter-chatter to every drawing room into which he can worm his way, for he is the most unprincipled gossipmonger in Brighton. He thinks he cuts a dash to end all dashes with his penchant for white, but he is actually relatively restrained compared with Mr. Cope, who thankfully is no longer in Brighton,' she declared, beckoning Edward to bring her some more bacon.

Rupert was intrigued. 'And who might Mr. Cope be?'

'A gentleman as green as Mr. Mellish is white. Mind you, Mr. Cope's eccentricities verged on the alarmingly odd.'

Greville raised his eyes to the pelmet, thinking that those last two words might occasionally apply to his aunt herself.

Evangeline glanced at Edward. 'You may go now.'

'My lady.' The footman bowed and withdrew, closing the dining room door behind him.

Evangeline then elaborated upon the green man. 'Mr. Cope wore only green, right down to green seals at his fob. His house was furnished in green, he only ate green vegetables, his wigs were powdered in green, and he even attempted to have his horses dyed green, but it all washed out in the first downpour. He was much given to studying ladies with his quizzing glass, and examined complete strangers as if under a microscope. He alarmed more than one gentle soul, I can tell you. As you can imagine, he brought the Steine to a halt when he appeared, not that he will appear again for the time being. In October he jumped out of his bedroom window because he heard noises and thought he had to escape a riot. Fortunately, he wasn't badly hurt, but his friends deemed it best to take him somewhere quiet to, er, recover.'

'An asylum, perchance?' Rupert suggested.

'Most likely.' Evangeline looked at him. 'By the way, have you and Greville entered your name at Donaldson's?'

Rupert nodded. 'Well, not yet. I intend to do so this morning, but I can't speak for Greville.'

She turned to Greville. 'Sir?'

That gentleman stirred himself to answer. 'Aunt E, the circulating library is the very last place you will find me. To go there is tantamount to informing the town crier.'

'You surely don't imagine your presence here is going to pass unnoticed? You will be observed the moment you sally forth for your ride.'

Greville shrugged. 'I intend to turn my collar up and pull my hat low, and since we are going to make for the Downs, I doubt if I will see all that many. Word can get around if it pleases, but I do not have to oblige Brighton by flinging myself into the thick of society. I wish to be quiet, and quiet I will be.'

'Well, that makes things a little awkward. You see, now that you, Rupert, and I are here in Brighton after all, I had planned for us to attend tomorrow night's Christmas bal masque at the Old Ship Hotel. I presume you will not be coming?'

'That is correct.'

Evangeline sighed. 'Oh, well, I suppose it will even things out conveniently if you are not present.'

'What do you mean?'

'Sir Jocelyn and Chloe are bound to be there, which means Mr. March will be with them. Rupert and I will join their party, and Miss Mortimer will bring the number up to a perfect six.'

There was silence, and the playing of the German band seemed suddenly more intrusive. Megan lost what little appetite she had; indeed she felt quite sick. Wear fine clothes, eat at this awful table, face Cousin Oliver, and go to a fashionable ball? It was too much. She couldn't do it, she simply couldn't!

Evangeline beamed at them all. 'An excellent balance, don't you think?'

Greville's cool gray eyes swung toward Megan. 'Perhaps I'll attend the ball after all, Aunt E,' he said, and