“What was itlike, this encounter you enjoyed in that secret, shaded place? Did he thoroughly prepare you, or was it a swift coupling?”
Seton’s hand strayed further, to the front of her costume, and he palmed her through the nothingness of the silk. She was fixed where she stood, her eyes anchored by his.
“Did he touch you like this?” Seton’s finger and thumb closed harshly upon her nipple, pinching so hard that Onora whimpered. Yet a pang speared her lower belly. “Whatever happened, it was as the goddess wished it,” he went on, his face impassive. “You were destined to be here with your father, to enter the temple, to take the scarab—chosen by the goddess herself.”
Forming the words was difficult. “It wasn’t as you think. I really…didn’t…” Were her words slurring?
“I knew it was you, as soon as I returned from Cairo.” More gently now, he rubbed the swollen peak of her breast. “I found three pearl buttons on the floor of the sanctuary. It was obvious they’d come from a woman’s costume, and you were the lonefemale in the camp at the time. Was it upon the night your father died that you took it?”
She nodded, unable to deny the truth.
“Qadesh follows her own, mysterious path. I was content to let the goddess work upon you in whatever way she saw fit. I knew you would return to be with me again, to fulfil the purpose for which she chose you.”
Onora tried to ignore the way he was touching her, needing to take in all he was saying.
Did he really believe this? She’d heard nothing of insanity running in the Seton line, but families kept such things close. Was it possible?
“I did ponder if your aunt might remain with us.” Seton went on, still impassive. “The Colonel was most eager, and Herr Müller, but her mind was not strong enough. You saw how she was during the ritual of the mirror and the flame.” A look of disdain passed over his features and he left off fondling Onora. “I had prepared well in advance, naturally,arranging the telegram to be sent upon a certain date. It was the simplest thing to present it, when the moment came.”
The telegram? Onora cast back her mind. She’d read it herself, and it had been genuine; she’d seen the postmark. But she could see how easy it would be to organize such a thing. Seton would have acquaintances in Oxford. It would be no trouble at all for them to send a message at his direction.
Fury rose up in her like a white-hot flame, but she could neither move nor speak.
He’d made her think Aunt Maeve was seriously ill—perhaps near death. Clodagh had believed unquestioningly. She’d left with all haste, but it would be at least two weeks before she touched soil in England. All that while, she would be in the highest state of alarm, sleepless with worry—thanks to Seton’s monstrous plan to remove her.
“A necessary subterfuge.” Seton took a sip of champagne. “Our lovely Hyacinth arranged the cobra. Devilish, I know. Jealousy does rear its head, and she likes to keepthe Colonel on a tight leash. I had words with her, but she is very much her own woman. Those years in India have given the Feathermounts an unusual set of skills, and Gardenia has been most generous in teaching us hers, of how to exert control over another’s mind. It’s been interesting, practicing that bit of trickery upon you, my dear.”
Hyacinth and Gardenia! How could you?
Onora felt a pang of betrayal. She’d trusted them, as had Aunt Clodagh.
Seton appeared to ponder, then manipulated the signet ring upon his right hand, flicking it open to reveal a powder within. This he tipped into Onora’s drink, where it fizzled.
She watched, transfixed.
“Almost tasteless. It has required the briefest experimentation with dosage.Youcome under the influence most readily.” He gave a tight smile. “We require a much larger dose tonight, however.”
Pressurebeneath her elbow brought the glass higher. She wanted to resist, to dash the crystal flute away and run.
Anywhere. Away from Seton.
Another nudge from him took the glass to her lips. “Drink, Onora. All of it!”
Unable to stop herself she did so, swallowing gulp after gulp, coughing at the intrusion, until Seton let the glass fall to the ground.
His eyes were alight. “You’ve seen her, haven’t you! Not only in the mirror but in your dreams. We all have. There can be no doubt.”
Onora fought to make sense of what he was saying.
Seen her?
Who is he talking about?
Images flooded Onora’s mind; out in the desert, beneath the sky, the serpent coiling about her body. There were many times she’d felt the presence of someone or something. Was this what Seton meant?
But that can have nothing to do with some ancient goddess. I don’t believe it!
“Your face tells me everything. Though,perhaps she has visited you in a different way?” Seton was triumphant. “Yes! I see it now! All this time, she has been with you!”
