Free A Phantom Affair by Jo Ann Ferguson

solid of flesh as his cousin.
    â€œWhat are you doing here ?” she mouthed, unable to speak the words aloud, for Lord Wulfric would overhear.
    â€œI cannot make out your soundless words, so you must forgive me if I fail to answer. However, you can hear me.” Corey looked around the chapel. “Sorry showing, isn’t it? I thought more folks would come to say good riddance to me.”
    As if he were privy to Corey’s words, Lord Wulfric said, “I do not mean to suggest this small gathering is the result of Corey’s pranks. Without his sister Vanessa and her family here, I thought we would have a simple funeral. Later, when they return from the continent, we shall have a memorial service which will be more suitable for the passing of a marquess.”
    â€œYou always liked ceremony, Lorenzo,” Corey grumbled.
    Ellen glared at Corey, then gave Lord Wulfric a smile. “I think that is a wonderful idea. How soon do you think his sister and her husband can return?”
    â€œHer husband is busy on the government’s business. Last month, we received a letter telling us they were in Vienna, but I am not sure they are there now. The message of Corey’s accident was sent to their address in Vienna as well as to several of the ministries in London which might know where they have been sent.” He clasped his hands on his knees. “Ours is a most unusual family.”
    â€œOnly to you.” Corey copied his cousin’s pose. “To the rest of us, you are the odd bird, Lorenzo.”
    Wanting to warn Corey to be silent, Ellen had no chance. The minister in his dark surplice paused by the pew. He shook Lord Wulfric’s hand and murmured a few words of sympathy before looking at Ellen.
    â€œMiss Ellen Dunbar,” Lord Wulfric supplied quickly, “this is Reverend Stapleton. His parish includes Wolfe Abbey.”
    â€œReverend,” she said as the portly man dipped his head in her direction.
    â€œMiss Dunbar was hurt in the same accident that took Corey from us,” Lord Wulfric said with a sigh. “It is our good fortune that she is healing well.”
    â€œYou were a friend of Lord Wulfric’s?”
    â€œWe had only met.”
    â€œBut,” Corey interjected, “we are getting to know each other better all the time.”
    Ellen bit back the words that would not be fit for a clergyman’s ears. When she saw Corey’s mischievousness grin, she was tempted to utter the truth.
    She was saved from her own flummery by the door to the chapel crashing open. Marian rushed down the aisle to grasp the minister’s hands.
    â€œLate as usual,” Corey said with a grin. “I doubt if she was on time to her own birth.”
    â€œForgive me, Lorenzo,” Marian gasped, sitting in the pew across the aisle. “I am so glad I could get here in time. So much to do. So much to do. Your servants need more guidance, Lorenzo. I know Corey never cared for such mundane matters. This household needs a competent hand to oversee it so the cook need not ask about every dish to be served after this ceremony is over. I told her what should be done, so I believe all will be well. As for the footman at the front door …” She shook her head in dismay.
    â€œI appreciate your help,” Lord Wulfric said and patted her hand. Looking at the minister, he added, “We all are here, Reverend. May we begin?”
    â€œOf course.”
    Ellen was pleased when Corey was respectfully silent during the prayers Reverend Stapleton spoke. Hearing Marian’s sobs, she wished she could be honest with her friend. Corey might be dead, but he was not gone from Wolfe Abbey. Yet, to speak the truth would leave Marian thinking Ellen was out of her mind.
    The minister began his service, his voice resounding off the sounding board as if he were exhorting the angels themselves to come into the small chapel. By the end of a half hour, however, Ellen was