Page 40 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“Is everything all right?” Tamsyn asked.

“Yes, of course.”

Could a ghost sound evasive? Gwyn rather thought this one did.

“The castle spirits are shaken up,” he told her sister. “So many guests.”

“Yes, I know that does stir some of them up.” Tamsyn spoke seriously. “We have some issues ourselves. We were hoping you could help us.”

He frowned. “I’m not sure there’s time. . .”

“It won’t take much. We wondered if you had the ability to tell, just be being near a person, if they had been touched by Pixie magic—or by anything else of a similar nature?”

He thought about it. “I think so. I could see the gift that Tuft gave you. Then there are objects, magical things, spells that ghosts can sense.”

“Oh, yes.” Tamsyn nodded. “Like that gypsy charm that helped protect Lady Charlotte Beck a few months ago?”

“Yes. Among other things.”

Gwyn got the feeling that there was more to the subject—and that Paul did not wish to discuss it.

“Here’s a question.” Tamsyn leaned toward him. “Are you able to travel to Lancarrow?”

Frowning, the spirit boy nodded. “For a short time. I cannot stray from Keyvnor for long.”

“Will you go over there and take a look at Locryn Pendarvis? He’s Gryff’s cousin. We think that something odd is happening to him.”

Paul’s figure faded in and out for a moment. He gave the impression that he was listening to something, somewhere else. “Yes,” he nodded. “But I must hurry.”

“Thank you, Paul. You are a darling, you know.” Tamsyn smiled at him.

He grinned back—then disappeared.

“I’m worried about him,” Tamsyn said as she turned to Gwyn.

“He seems as if he’s . . . waiting for something, perhaps?” Gwyn answered with a frown.

“Or hiding something. He’s usually much more relaxed. And open.”

“Well, maybe we can help. I certainly appreciate his willingness to help us.”

“You’re welcome, Lady Gwyn.” The boy’s figure faded back in.

“You’ve been to Lancarrow and back already?” Tamsyn exclaimed.

“Yes, although I’m not sure how much help I can be.”

“Did you see Lord Locryn?” Gwyn asked eagerly.

“Yes.”

“What was he doing?”

“Looking for his aunt, I believe.”

“Did you see anything else?” Tamsyn asked. “Could you tell if anything . . .”

“Yes,” Paul interrupted. “It’s Pixie magic.”

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