Short story leading into A Spirited Engagement It is a truth universally ignored that sons abhor being sent to séances in search of a wife. For fans of Olivia Atwater, Tilly Wallace, and Charlie N. Holmberg In this short story (approx. 6,000 words) Jasper Steele has had enough of ghosts to last him a lifetime, so why is he attending a séance? Mostly to appease his mother, who worries about his head and his heart after his summer in the English countryside getting rejected by Mary Trentwood. Eloise Carterprice has never been one to let a good opportunity escape her, so it's only natural that her ghost appears during the latest séance hosted by her mother. Will Jasper find a bit of romance? Will Eloise have her bit of fun? Read on, dear Reader, read on! This is a short story bridge between Haunting Miss Trentwood and A Spirited Engagement. It is a companion to "Miss Preston's Predicament." You may also find this book on other retailers in paperback, eBook, and audio. Excerpt While Edith remained unconscious, a white, translucent fog emanated from her body. The fog took her shape, looking more and more like Edith curled on the table, docile as a sleeping kitten. The fog was Edith, yet not. Edith sighed in her sleep, whereas the translucent vision raised her head and stretched her arms. Dressed in a pale lavender, her eyes locked on Jasper. “Eloise?” he breathed. The ghostly Eloise scrambled across the table, kicking aside her skirts and not caring that she crawled through her sister Edith to reach Jasper, who sat appalled and terrified and annoyed that he was once again interacting with ghosts. He really needed to find new acquaintances. “Jasper, you’ll help me. I know you will!” Eloise said. She swooped down, kissing him before he thought to duck. Content Romantic rating: Mild. There is a kiss between a ghost and a human for comedic effect. Tropes: Read this story for a fun, light read featuring gaslamp fantasy, Victorian comedy of manners, and a ghost bride. Exclusives Signed and hardcover editions are exclusive to Belinda's store! These printed products are made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes a bit longer to deliver. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions. Thank you for enabling the creation of future works by buying direct, and respecting the immense energy expended to create the beloved work in your hands.
