A Phantom Affair by Jo Ann Ferguson

had no yearning to witness my own casket being put under the daisies.” He paused by a pipe rack on the table. A wry grin tipped his lips. “I think I miss my pipe most of all.”
    â€œSo what happens now?”
    He picked up a pipe. “I have no idea. I have not had your good fortune to meet a ghost.”
    â€œGood?” She watched him turn the pipe over in his hands. “I swear Marian considers me half-mad after intruding on so many conversations since the accident.”
    â€œMayhap you are.”
    Ellen frowned. “You think this is nothing but my imagination?”
    â€œI no longer know what to think.” His grin returned as he crossed the room to sit on the marble hearth. “I would as lief enjoy this extraordinary adventure and see where it leads. After all, I have made a vow to help you find the perfect husband, Edie.”
    â€œEdie? My name is—”
    â€œEllen Dunbar. E-D.” His chuckle was as warm as the fire. “Pet names were a game we played in our family save for Lorenzo, who always has been as somber as an undertaker.”
    â€œNot you, too!” She leaped to her feet. “Must you speak of funerals and undertakers incessantly?”
    â€œBut ’tis true. Lorenzo is a most somber chap.”
    â€œThen say it that way! Don’t speak of death and undertakers and all that!”
    â€œEdie—”
    â€œMy name is Ellen.” She clenched her fingers as she blinked to keep the tears in her eyes. “Blast you! Will you leave me alone?”
    â€œI wished only to tease you.”
    â€œPlease don’t.”
    â€œYou need to laugh.”
    â€œNo!” She ran to the window and pointed out. “Begone.”
    â€œEdie—”
    â€œ My name is Ellen !” She gripped the thick drapes. How she wished she could cocoon herself in this smothering velvet! To shut out everything and everyone and to protect herself from the insanity around her. “Why don’t you leave me alone?”
    â€œIs that what you wish?”
    She dropped onto the window seat. “I don’t know. I am so confused.”
    â€œYou need to smile, Edie.”
    â€œMy—Blast it! Call me what you wish!”
    He frowned. “I did not intend to send you flying up to the boughs. Only to tease you.”
    â€œDon’t you understand? I do not want to laugh. Then I might feel something. I do not want to feel anything.” She bent her head. “I wish I never had to feel anything ever again.”
    Corey knelt beside her. “Do not wish that. That is as good as being dead.”
    She raised her tearstained face to meet his gaze. “Is that how you are able to deal with this? You feel nothing?”
    â€œNo, I feel too much.” He sat back on his heels. “Why do you think I wish to see you laugh? I can sense the pain you are hiding within you.”
    His gentle words undid her completely. She pressed her hand to her face and sobbed. All the fear, all the disbelief, all the battered dreams burst forth in a torrent of anguish.
    â€œDo not grieve,” he whispered. He brushed his fingers tentatively on her shoulder.
    With a gasp, she jerked away. She put her hand onto her shoulder and cried, “What did you do?”
    â€œI touched you. Did I hurt you?” He asked the words as if he could not believe them himself.
    Slowly she drew her hand back. Beneath it, her skin was scored as if with fire.
    â€œI burned you?” he gasped.
    â€œWith cold,” she whispered. “As cold as the grave.”

Five
    The low sky threatened rain as Ellen walked down the front steps of Wolfe Abbey toward Marian’s carriage. Lord Wulfric was speaking quietly with Marian, so Ellen had the excuse to rush past them to get into the carriage. She looked back at the grand house.
    She gently cradled her aching arm, then winced as she moved her shoulder. Each time she closed her eyes, she could see the horror on