the reasons behind it, before he would be allowed to leave and take up his own pursuits once more.
He reached the broad landing—now empty. The corridor leading off it was also completely dark, all the candle sconces extinguished. He paused a moment to listen for footsteps, and once again was jostled from behind. He turned to find the same girl had followed him up the staircase. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.
“I must speak to her,” insisted the girl breathlessly. “I must find her. Which way?” She gazed left, then right, along the lightless hallway.
Alan was never sure afterward whether there had actually been a sound. But the girl exclaimed, pointed, and darted off to the left. After an instant’s hesitation, he went after her.
The light from downstairs barely penetrated into this upper corridor, and the little there was cast disorienting shadows along the floor and walls. Alan could just see the girl blundering along ahead of him toward a half-open door, which seemed to still be swinging.
The girl reached the door, pulled it open, and went through. Alan, directly behind her by this time, followed at top speed. Then, in one confusing instant, he careened into her with stunning force, the door slammed shut, and there was the unmistakable click of a key turning in a lock outside. A spurt of eerie laughter was capped by total, black silence.
A moment ticked by. Though he was jammed into a tiny space, Alan managed to reach behind his back and grip the doorknob. As he had expected, it did not turn.
He heard a muffled sound, between a sob and a sigh. “She didn’t wait for me,” murmured the girl, so softly he barely heard.
“You mean the so-called ghost?” he replied sharply. “Why should it?”
“You frightened her off,” she accused. “She would have stayed for me.”
“If you hadn’t gotten in my way, I would have caught it,” he retorted. “What is your connection with this affair?”
There was a silence.
“Could you move, please?” the girl asked. “You’re crushing me.”
“I am directly against the door,” he answered. “There is no room to move. I insist upon knowing—”
“We’re in some sort of cupboard, then. I’m mashed into a corner. Can’t you open the door?”
“It’s locked,” Alan replied with what he thought was admirable restraint.
“Locked? It can’t be.”
“I assure you that it is.”
“If this is some sort of trick to get me alone…” began the girl suspiciously.
“Believe me, I have no such desire.”
“You mean, the ghost locked us in?” she said incredulously.
“Someone pretending to be a ghost appears to have done so,” he amended. “To prevent discovery of the hoax.”
There was another silence. Alan cursed the darkness, wanting very much to see his companion’s face.
“There are no ghosts,” Alan pronounced with utter certainty. “That is a ridiculous superstition, rejected by all sensible people.”
“Sensible,” she echoed very quietly. “I suppose you’re right.” She sighed.
For some reason, that tiny movement made him acutely aware of the fact that their bodies were pressed together along their entire lengths. He could feel the soft curve of her breasts at his ribs, and her hip cradled by his thigh. He moved slightly, trying to disengage, but this only intensified the sensations. She had a heady, flowery scent, too, he realized. It was intoxicating in these confined quarters. “We should make some sound, so that the prince’s servants can release us,” he said tightly. Following his own advice, he kicked backward with one foot and produced a satisfying thud on the door panels.
“Won’t they be afraid to come up here?” the girl asked.
“For a while. But eventually someone will investigate. My father most certainly will.”
“Is your father here?” she asked, sounding oddly wistful. “Of course he will come for you then.”
“Who are you?” Alan said, personal curiosity as strong as his investigative instincts.
“Who are you?” she retorted with the same spirit she had shown downstairs.
“Alan Gresham,” he answered.
“One of the prince’s friends.” Her tone made it clear that she didn’t think much of the Carlton House set.
He found he didn’t want her to draw this conclusion. “No,” he said. “The prince summoned me here to…” Alan hesitated. The prince had made it clear that he didn’t want his uneasiness about the ghost mentioned.
“To rid him of the ghost,” the girl concluded, taking the matter out of his hands. “Just like him. Let someone else clean up the mess. Make no effort to really settle the matter.”