Thus With A Kiss I Die by Christina Dodd

Here is a summary with spoilers for Thus With A Kiss I Die by Christina Dodd

Rosie Montigue doesn’t have a choice. She was found in a compromising position with Prince Escalus (which was all part of his plan). Now everyone believes that her virginity is gone, and she must marry the prince or her family will be seen as exiles.

Rosie is still saddened by what happened, and she hopes things will be better when her one true love, Lysander, comes to visit her. But he is upset—angry that even though it was dark when she was caught, she should have been able to tell the difference between her one true love and the Prince of Deceit. He leaves her angry, but she still has to prepare to visit the prince.

Romeo and Juliet are adamant that she marry Escalus, so when the whole family is invited to visit, they must all be on their best behavior. It goes well until Rosie runs into a ghost: the ghost of Prince Escalus the Elder, who wants her to look into his murder. Mid-conversation, the real Escalus arrives, and this is how he discovers that Rosie can speak to the ghost of his father. She proves it by calling him Cal, just as his father did. Elder offers her a bargain: if she finds the murderer, he will ensure Rosie can marry her one true love.

Rosie begins her investigation. Her sidekick in uncovering the murder is Elder’s mother, who is able to name some suspects and share more about his death.

With the help of her grandmother (Nona), Rosie and some of her family conduct a séance. They are interrupted by the men, who are shocked by what they witness. At this point, everyone knows Rosie can see Elder’s ghost. Rosie and Cal are now set on working together to find the murderer, and they know they are close when someone attacks Nona, leaving her unable to communicate while she heals. During this time, Rosie begins to realize she doesn’t mind Cal’s company.

Their investigation is interrupted when Juliet goes into labor, and Rosie is sent to help. She delivers a set of twin boys.

After some time to heal and regroup, Rosie and Cal resume investigating. Rosie follows a hunch and discovers the murderer: the Elder King’s cousin, who was entangled in a mix of affairs with him. While the cousin did not commit the murder himself, he was responsible for hiring the killer.

With everything uncovered, Cal releases Rosie from her bargain to marry him. She doesn’t want to be released, though—she wants to stay. Rosie also wants to help Elder move on. He is reluctant, but soon Cal and a few others are able to see him too, and together they encourage him to pass on. Finally, he does.

Rosie and Cal decide to continue their relationship. Cal is annoyed when Rosie suggests he could take a mistress, making it clear that he wants only her. Still, there are games between them, with both believing they have the upper hand.