One

"It is with true love as it is with a ghost; everyone talks about it but few have seen it." As the new Season begins, many lovely young ladies will be looking for love among the ton's of unattached gentlemen. And none will be more sought after than the last remaining bachelor of the once famous Terrible Threesome. Andrew Terwillger, the Earl of Dugdale, is back in Town, but is he looking to make a match?

Lord Truefitt Society's Daily Column

OLIVIA BANNING FOLDED the week-old edition of the Daily Reader and handed it back to her aunt. "Lord Truefitt is colorful with his tittle-tattle, Auntie. I wonder if anyone in London's Society ever tries to find out who he is."

Agatha Loudermilk laid the paper on the bed beside her and looked up at Olivia. "I'm sure there have been hundreds over the years who would like to know, but not me. If his identity were discovered, he would no longer have access to the ton and couldn't write any more columns. He's so clever with his quotes and so delicious with his gossip that I don't want him to stop."

Olivia smiled down at her great aunt, who was propped against fluffy pillows having her morning chocolate and toast in bed.

"He does have a way with openings. Remember, last Season he started every column with a quote that had something to do with horses."

"Yes, I do. And the year before that every column of gossip started with a quote from Shakespeare. It looks as if this Season he is starting each daily with a quote about ghosts."

Olivia gave her aunt an indulgent smile. "You are looking much better today. It must be because spring is in the air."

Her aunt's lively green eyes sparkled as she said, "I am much better indeed, but the reason is not the sunshine or the passing of winter. Come and sit beside me, Livy." She patted the bed. "I've been making plans for us and it's time to tell you about them."

Intrigued by the excitement showing on her aunt's aged face, Olivia pushed the news paper aside and sat down. If Agatha was making plans for a party, it was a sure sign she was over the serious illness that had gripped her for most of the winter.

"I must go to London soon and I need you to go with me."

Surprised by this statement, Olivia said, "Auntie, you were in bed with that terrible cough for weeks. You're not well enough to take a trip to London. Besides that, I'm sure the roads are still boggy and treacherous. It's best you forget about traveling for a while."

"I say nonsense to both your concerns, Livy. I'm feeling better than I have in years, and as far as the condition of roads, they should be in passable shape by the time we're packed and ready to leave."

Olivia knitted her brows together in bewilderment. "I don't understand. You haven't been back to London since you came to live in Kent and take care of me a dozen years ago. You've always said there is nothing for you in London anymore. Why do you suddenly need to go now?"

Her aunt leaned forward and in a whispery voice said, "Lord Pinkwater wants me to come to him. He has something to tell me."

Obviously her aunt wasn't as healthy in mind as she was in body if she was talking to someone from the afterlife. Olivia eyed her aunt with concern, for Lord Pinkwater had been dead for years.

"I think you're confused about something, Auntie," she said softly, hoping not to upset her aunt's delicate hold on reality. "You do remember that Lord Pinkwater died more than thirty years ago, don't you?"

Agatha laughed softly. Her bright eyes danced with intrigue. She suddenly looked very mischievous for a lady well past her prime.

"Of course he did, my dear. How good of you to point that out. I should have said that his ghost is beckoning me to come to him."

At first Olivia didn't know how to respond to that shocking revelation, so she merely repeated her aunt's words in the form of a question. "A ghost is summoning you to London?"

Copyright © 2005 by Gloria Dale Skinner