She pushed her heat into his cold body and willed his eyes to open. ‘Don’t you leave me. I just found you. Don’t you dare die on me.’
Hot tears streamed down her face. She pressed a kiss to his mouth, willing him to respond. When he didn’t, she buried her head in his chest, pounding his solid muscle with her fists.
‘You come back to me. Right now. You come back!’ This man had become her world. She refused to let the fates take him. He was hers, and she was his. They were destined for each other. ‘I love you, Thomas Grey.’
His chest shifted beneath her. The resounding thud of his heartvibrated through her body as if it were her own as his lungs filled with air.
‘Yes, that’s it. Breathe.’
‘Always so bossy.’ His rough voice was the most beautiful sound Clio had ever heard. ‘But how could I refuse the command of such a powerful witch?’
She pulled back, wiping the tears from her cheek with the back of her hand. She must look a mess, but she didn’t care. Thomas was alive.
His mouth curled in a wry smile as he tried to sit up. ‘I had much different plans for us this evening.’
She leaned forward, her hand flattening on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. A heart she knew was now inextricably linked with her own. She just needed to convince him of this truth. ‘Bloody ghosts. Always ruining plans.’
He buried his hand in her tangled mass of hair and pulled her to him. ‘Are you well?’
She couldn’t stop the burst of laughter. ‘It is I who should be asking you that.’
‘You are with me. How could I be anything else?’
She pressed her lips against his, not caring that the viscountess and Anna saw.
After fortifying Thomas with one of Clio’s tonics and a healthy splash of whisky, fetching tea for Violet and a slice of seed cake for Anna, and settling the girl in bed with a special cup of hot chocolate Clio had infused with a dash of calming lavender oil and a little something extra, it was time to hear what really happened the night Viscount Beachley died.
Violet refused to leave her daughter’s side, so they waited untilAnna fell asleep, aided by Clio’s magic. Sir Robin perched on the headboard, faithfully watching over the girl as Violet stroked her wispy, blonde hair with a shaky hand.
‘I never believed in ghost stories. Or anything I couldn’t see. There’s enough evil in the world without needing to invent new forms of it.’ A tear streaked down Violet’s cheek.
‘Will you tell us what happened?’ Thomas’ deep voice was a gentle rumble, soothing Clio’s frayed nerves.
Violet looked from the tea to Clio. ‘I killed him.’
Clio forced her face to remain neutral. Judgement would only silence Violet. Besides, she needed all the facts before she concluded guilt or innocence. ‘All right. Can you walk us through that evening?’
‘Are you not appalled? Disgusted? At least shocked?’ Violet’s lip trembled as her thumb rubbed rapidly up and down the delicate handle of her teacup.
‘Of all the astounding things that have occurred tonight, surely this revelation is the most banal of the lot. You have not hurled accusations at me yet for what you have seen me do. I would like to extend the same courtesy to you and better understand the why of it all.’ Clio was all too aware that she had revealed her powers to yet another person not of her kin or coven. Given the circumstances, it would be difficult for the viscountess to make claims against Clio, but Clio still appreciated Violet’s seeming willingness to accept Clio’s powers.
‘So, if I don’t accuse you of being a witch, you won’t accuse me of being a murderess… even though that is exactly what we are?’
Clio nodded. ‘Exactly.’
Violet waited, as though testing Clio’s resolve. When Clio remained silent, Violet seemed to reach a decision. She sipped her tea. ‘All right. I shall tell you, though I don’t expect mercy.’
‘We all need a little mercy.’ Thomas spoke quietly.
Violet turned her gaze to him, then back to Clio. ‘You are the strangest investigators I’ve ever met.’
‘Strange bastard!’ Sir Robin interjected helpfully.
‘All three of you.’ Violet eyed Sir Robin before settling into her tale. ‘I knew when I married Arthur that he needed my dowry far more than my affections.’
Clio reached out to squeeze Violet’s cold fingers. It wasn’t just witches who needed protection from bad marriages. It was all women.
Violet cleared her throat and continued. ‘When I became pregnant, I focused on our daughter and let him do as he pleased. Which, unbeknownst to me, was to continue gambling all our money away. I knew he was using Mrs Coggins to pawn the silver, paintings, anything he thought might hold value, but I had no idea how dire our situation truly was, or perhaps I just chose to remain ignorant because that was easier. I took to hiding my personal jewellery to try and keep it out of Mrs Coggins’ grubby fingers.’
