A Gift for Agatha by Anna St. Claire

Can a ghost show Agatha the way to life’s happiness?

Years after the death of her husband, Lady Agatha Wendt has become a surly, cold-hearted miser, increasingly left to her own company, particularly during the holiday season. Childless and with little family, the wealthy widow fears falling into unexpected poverty and spurns even the smallest gestures of Christmas giving. A determined spirit visits Agatha and forces her to see how others regard her. He warns her change must happen.
Charles Bentley, her butler has been the one constant in a revolving household of embittered staff. Charles sees goodness in her, a trait she takes pains to hide, and finds himself attracted to the real Agatha—despite knowing he could never be with her, given the class difference between them.
Can the spirit awaken Agatha to her real fears and help her to overcome them in time to realize the gift she has always wanted?

(Note: This story was first published as part of the Dragonblade Publishing Boxed set O’ Night Divine, December 2020)