A Midsummer Night's Romp Read Online Free

it made me feel better. Maybe she really
was
making the right choice, and would be able to thrive in such an isolated environment. “A real baron. You know, nobility and Jane Austen and all that.”
    â€œWow. I had no idea they still existed.”
    â€œWell, they do, and she’s a real bona fide baroness, and I read on her Facebook page that the castle her husband owns is part of some reality TV series that’s going to be filmed there for a month. And that means that Alice will be on TV doing her lady-of-the-manor thing. If I wasn’t in this situation, I’d be over there so fast that your head would spin.”
    â€œWhere does she live?” I asked idly, not that I was really considering Sandy’s suggestion to pursue a volunteer dig there just because I kind of knew this Alice person.
    â€œSome little town in England. You should check her Facebook page—she just announced the TV show whenI checked, but that was about a month ago. There might be more info now about who’s running the dig, and how you can volunteer.”
    â€œEh.”
    â€œDon’t be that way—this is the perfect opportunity for you to do something fun, and get out of the apartment, since you don’t have any summer classes to teach. I’m sure if you asked my mom, she’d drop Alice a line and ask her to take you in, assuming you wanted to stay with a real baroness.”
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of inflicting myself on someone I’ve barely even met,” I protested.
    â€œBah. Alice was always nice, and I’m sure you’d like her. Oh, dear, that’s my flight. Sweetie—”
    Panic gripped me hard, squeezing my guts together. “Sandy . . . there’s so much to say. . . .”
    â€œI know, but just hold on to it for two months. It seems like forever now, but it’ll pass quickly.”
    â€œIf you have any doubts about this place, any doubt at any time, all you have to do is call me and I’ll make sure you get out of Nepal.”
    â€œI know you will, silly girl. I’ve always been able to rely on you to have your head screwed on right, and your feet on the ground.”
    I gave a shaky laugh. “In other words, plodding and boring.”
    â€œHardly that. You were just the rock to my butterfly. Whoops, must go. Love you bunches, girl.”
    â€œLove you, too. Be happy and healthy.”
    â€œDitto. Later, alligator.”
    I won’t say I didn’t get a bit misty-eyed at the silly farewell that she had used ever since I’d met her, but I did sit clutching the phone for a long time after she hung up.
    Once I roused myself, I got online and did a little investigating of Sandy’s foster sister.
    Exciting news for fans of Ainslie Castle!
read an announcement on Alice’s Facebook page.
The castle and grounds will be featured on an archaeology reality show called
Dig Britain!
    â€œNever heard of it,” I muttered to myself.
    The dig will be broadcast each day for a month, and is sure to have lots of exciting finds. Elliott is hoping for a Roman bathhouse, while Lady Ainslie is sure there must be the ruins of a convent or two lurking around the grounds.
    â€œElliott must be the baron. But then who is Lady Ainslie?” I switched browser tabs to the castle’s Web site, and read the description of the Ainslie family. “Ah. The baron’s mom. Huh. I cannot imagine having to call your mother-in-law ‘Lady Ainslie.’ I wonder if Alice has to curtsy when she sees her.” I clicked to read more.
    Which will it be? Be sure to tune in to the Now! channel starting September first, and see what turns up under the earth of Ainslie.
    â€œWorms and potato bugs,” I predicted, more than a little jaded. It was true that I’d been jealous of Sandy and her yearly summer trips to exotic places to participate in archaeological digs, but after her experience with Paul, I’d be damned