Goodness why was she so disturbed? It was unlike her, but she was also protective of her younger sister, whether she approved or not, and must have a word with her.
“Are they evil?” That really was the more pressing question. It was bad enough that Castle Keyvnor was a neighboring estate and harbored some rather unfriendly ghosts, so she truly hoped she’d not have to be concerned with evil witches residing at Nightshade Manor.
“I can assure you that they are not.”
At least she didn’t need to be concerned with evil being in their presence.
“Do you know the family?” she asked.
“I have known them my entire life. At least I knew Cadmus Norcott well. We were the same age and attended Eton together.”
Cordelia had a mild recollection of Cadmus when Adam was a boy. She had only been five or six at the time.
“When Cadmus learned where I was from, he was more open to a friendship.” Adam grinned. “When his family visited one year, the two of us explored the groves and had a grand time.” Adam laughed, then his smile fell as sadness filled his eyes. “I still miss him.”
Cordelia remembered when Adam had received the news that Cadmus had been killed while fighting Napoleon’s army. He had only been twenty and that was the first time her brother had tragically lost a friend.
“The oldest, Evander Norcott, was killed three years ago, along with his wife. Murdered!”
Goodness! How tragic.
Adam’s eyes widened and he sat forward. “Is anyone with Lady Chandos? Any children?”
“Three little girls and a gentleman near your age,” Cordelia answered. “Do you know who they are?”
“Yes, and I anticipate they will be living in Bocka Morrow for a few years.” He smiled.
At least Adam wasn’t alarmed, but Cordelia still knew nothing further, other than they weren’t evil, which was rather comforting.
“I assume you will be calling on them?”
“No.” Adam shook his head. “Nobody visits Nightshade Manor unless invited. They are reclusive for a reason.”
“You said that you wandered the groves with Cadmus,” she reminded him.
“His mother never knew,” Adam laughed. “She did not approve of the family associating with anyone outside of the walls of Nightshade Manor.”
Then how was Cordelia to learn anything more?
Adam frowned “Why are you anxious? This isn’t like you.”
“I do not know,” she finally responded. Even though she now had the answers to her questions, she still had an inexplicable desire…a need to know this family.
Perhaps she was too long in the sun because she did already know the family. Or knew of Lord and Lady Chandos and their three daughters. But she certainly didn’t know them well or she would have known they were witches.
Chapter 3
Damon coveredhis ears at the high-pitched shrieks coming from above stairs, but not enough to block out the noise entirely, or the pounding of feet down the stairs.
“What has Ianthe done now?” They’d only been in residence for two days, but his niece had managed to create an army of ants, a shield of flies, and a garden of caterpillars. She’d not yet gained control of her powers in a way that was practical, but she had command of the insect population.
“Grasshoppers,” Nephele cried. “They were in my hair.”
“Mother,” Damon called.
“She was going to visit the gardens.” Clio flopped onto the chaise.
“If this happens to me, I will have far better control than Ianthe,” Nephele assured Damon as she settled next to Clio. “Our sister simply lacks command of her abilities and is not concentrating enough.”
