“She’s not returned inside, and we can’t find her or young Edward.”
“I’m certain they are about,” he assured her.
“We’ve searched and neither are anywhere.” His mother’s eyes hardened when she looked at Cordelia.
His mother might not forgive or forget that Cordelia had spied on them, but Damon found that he didn’t care. In fact, he was glad because had she not, he’d be as cautious around her as he was everyone else and it grew quite tiring to be cognizant of every single word he spoke all in protection of his family.
“Is it possible she may have decided to walk to Bocka Morrow again?” he asked as he and Cordelia followed his mother from the garden.
“Nobody saw her leave by that direction. The grounds have been searched but neither one of them is here.”
Had he been talking with Miss Cordelia for so long that his niece could disappear?
It was unlikely. His mother was simply in an unreasonable panic because she didn’t like the idea of those who were not related being at Nightshade Manor.
As they reached the terrace and were walking up the stairs, Damon noted Lynwood standing outside, glancing about the area. Was he concerned Ianthe and Edward were lost?
“I worry after her reasons for leaving yesterday,” his mother said.
“You think she still wishes to be rid of her gifts?” Damon asked with concern.
His mother shot him a warning look, but Damon was not going to hold his tongue. “Lynwood has known the females in this family are witches since he was at school with Cadmus.”
Her eyes widened. “He told?”
“It came to light that summer we were here,” Damon admitted, but until today, I thought only Lynwood knew the truth. “Cadmus and Lynwood were already friends from Eton and being from Bocka Morrow, Cadmus saw no reason to hide the truth.”
She turned to Lynwood. “Is this true?”
“I knew before Cadmus and I became friends,” Lynwood stated. “Further, most if not all Bocka Morrow knows of your family and the reason you retreat to Nightshade Manor. They’ve known for decades or longer.”
Damon relaxed even more when Lynwood confirmed what Cordelia had told him. If what Miss Cordelia said was true, the community protected each other, the witches and the smugglers.
“Well!” she huffed. “This is not a comfort, and all the more reason to stay sheltered within the walls of Nightshade Manor where we are safe from those who would do us harm.”
While his mother wished to retreat, and Damon wouldn’t be surprised if she caused the bramble to grow back, thus locking them in here for three years, he’d seen it as freedom to go about and do what he pleased and maybe take his nieces into the village.
“Is that why she visited Brighid?” Cordelia asked. “To be rid of her gifts?”
“What do you know about Brighid and my granddaughter?” his mother demanded.
Damon couldn’t believe the harsh tone she just took with Cordelia, and he would have a talk with his mother once they were alone. There was no cause for her to be sharp or rude.
“I happened to visitThe Hourglasswhen your granddaughter was already there. I did not hear what she and Brighid discussed only that Brighid said she could not give her what she asked for.” Cordelia’s tone was just as frigid as his mother’s, which Damon rather enjoyed. He’d never seen anyone cross her before. At least nobody outside of the family.
His mother turned away, wringing her hands. “I apologize Miss Cordelia. I’m worried about my granddaughter and the dangers that lurk outside of Nightshade,” she said.
Damon could assure her that Ianthe was safe in Bocka Morrow, but his mother would not believe him. As far as she was concerned, evil lurked everywhere and there was a danger to all of them until the girls were able to control and hide their magic, which meant it would be years before she was at ease.
“I am certain they did not go far,” Damon said. “Miss Cordelia and I saw then walk along the cove, then up the small hill toward the trees.” He pointed to where he’d last seen them.
Lynwood’s eyes narrowed as he studied the area. “If she was hoping for something from a witch and did not get it, might she go to a gypsy?” Lynwood asked.
“Gypsy?” Damon asked. “There are Romani in Bocka Morrow?”
“Aren’t they usually gone this time of year?” his mother asked.
At least she knew of them, though Damon hadn’t known.
