The warmth that spread through me at her words caught me entirely off guard. It wasn’t just what she said, but how she said it—without hesitation, without questioning my sanity or doubting me. Her belief, even in something as absurd as a meddling ghost, stirred something deep inside me.
I let the moment settle before I spoke again. “I’ve been wondering how Ewan plays into all of this. Especially given the matter of the ball.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed, and I could see the wheels turning in her mind. “Ah yes, the ball. I have my suspicions as to how that came about, but I’d like to hear it from you first.” She folded her arms, a smile tugging at her lips. “Mr. Bingley seemed just as surprised by the whole affair as I was.”
I sighed. “That’s because he was. None of us placed the order with the butcher, and yet, the provisions for a ball are being prepared.” I glanced around the room, half expecting something to materialize out of thin air. “It seems we have a third party pulling strings.”
Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “I wonder who that could be.”
Before I could respond, there he was.
Ewan, sitting on the table between us, his legs swinging over the edge as he perched atop one of Mr. Bennet’s books like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Well, I cannae leave ye tae fumble through this ball without a bit o’ help, now can I?” he said with a grin, folding his arms across his chest. “Ye’ll thank me yet.”
Elizabeth
Ihadn’t meant tolaugh, but when Darcy lurched backward in his chair as if something invisible had yanked at his coat, the sound just slipped out before I could stop it. Almost at once, a book slid across the table toward me, stopping just before it toppled over. Something—or rather, someone—had shifted it.
I reached out to steady the book, biting back another laugh. “He’s here, isn’t he?”
Darcy shot me a look that could only be described as long-suffering. “Yes.”
“Good. Then I’d like to ask him a few questions.”
Darcy’s brow furrowed, clearly not thrilled with being the middleman in this conversation, but after a deep sigh, he relented.
“Ewan,” I said, keeping my voice even though I felt slightly ridiculous speaking to an empty room, “why are you manipulating this ball?”
Darcy crossed his arms and turned to the space where I assumed Ewan was lingering. “Yes, I’d like to know that as well.”
There was a pause, during which Darcy’s expression shifted to one of growing irritation, and then he let out a low, frustratedgroan. “He says... if I want to be rid of him, I’ll need to play along.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Play along with what?”
Darcy’s gaze flickered to the table, where the corner of another book lifted slightly, then settled again. I could see him trying to parse out Ewan’s words, clearly as confused as I was.
Darcy finally sighed. “Christmas Eve is a... magic time, according to him.”
I tilted my head, considering. “I’ve read something like that in one of my father’s books. There are myths about spirits walking freely on Christmas Eve. The time between worlds is... thin. But honestly, Mr. Darcy, is any of that…” I was going to say “true” or “possible”, but the fact was, I was speaking to a ghost, so those questions went out the window already.
Darcy shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, well, he’s certainly acting as if it’s his magic time.”
I leaned forward, intrigued. “What does he mean?”
Darcy pressed his lips together before turning back to the empty space. “Ewan, what happens on Christmas Eve? What exactly are you planning?”
The room fell quiet as Darcy focused on whatever response Ewan was giving him. His brow furrowed deeper.
Finally, Darcy relayed what he’d learned. “He says Elspeth will be waiting for him. And... the brooch.”
I frowned. “The brooch?”
Darcy nodded. “Apparently so. Though what exactly that means is as much a mystery to me as it is to you.”
There was another pause, followed by Darcy’s sudden stiffening and a deep red flush spreading up his neck. He spluttered, his hands flying up in frustration, and I knew instantly that Ewan had said something else—something Darcy did not want to repeat.
“What did he say?” I asked, amused.
