How could one friendship possibly make a difference to a future, especially when it was a lad of thirteen and a miss of twelve?
“Edward is meant to learn the value of knowledge from Ianthe. She will overcome fears with him.”
“Then why did you just send Miss Cordelia to her?”
“Cordelia will provide Ianthe with the skills for calming. Young Edward will try Ianthe’s patience, which will go far in helping her learn control.”
“What do you mean by future?” he asked, not truly understanding, or afraid that perhaps he did. “Are you saying they will marry?”
“Not necessarily. But they will be important to each other. A time will come when they will need the other. I do not know why, but it will be.”
He hated that Madam Boswell wouldn’t give him details, just the possibility of a future. Though, he shouldn’t expect more from a Romani who told fortunes for a living.
“It is how you and your mother accept the friendship now that can change how it is meant to be. By accepting, you allow it to grow to where it must. By refusing, you may push it to where it should never go and one or both may suffer.”
Madam Boswell was talking in circles, and it was very aggravating. How could she possibly know anyway? She was a gypsy who told fortunes. They were all charlatans, or so he’d always believed.
Yet, his mother knew of her, and Damon had gotten the feeling that she trusted Madam Boswell with some matters, just not that she could help Ianthe. Did the old woman really have the second sight?
He quickly dismissed the idea.
“Miss Ianthe is a young miss and has powers she does not yet understand or control. It will take time for her to grow and sometimes fear becomes part of that growth. And, like all young people, she will not listen to you or your mother.”
“But she’ll listen to Edward who has no experience with magic?”
“You misunderstand. Edward won’t understand any better than you. But he will be the one she confides in, and he will be her friend.”
“How do you know any of this? Did the cards tell you? Did you read their palms? Did you look into a crystal?” Damon was having a hard time believing Madam Boswell knew anything and she was simply well skilled at her craft and observation and likely made a fortune from misses who visited her.
“The crystal,” she answered with seriousness. “I saw some, but not all. There was fog in many places, the paths yet to be taken based on decisions not yet made. One thing was very clear. They will be closer than most friends, and if they are parted and discouraged, their futures could be altered and not for the better. You must let them be.”
“I’ve no objection to their friendship. My mother, however, may.”
“Tell her what I have said. They must be left to be and if she questions you, have her visit me.”
“You know my mother?” Damon asked out of curiosity. Just because his mother knew of Madam Boswell, did not mean they had ever spoken.
“I’ve known her since she was Ianthe’s age and came to Nightshade Manor for the same purpose. She was also a friend of my daughter, who married into the Vail family. Your mother understands what I can see, not see, and what I can and cannot do.”
Damon nodded but said nothing further. He would ask his mother, and if what Madam Boswell said was true, then there should be no issues with Edward visiting.
“Thank you,” he said and started to stand.
“I’m not finished,” Madam Boswell practically barked.
He sank back down on the stool. What else did she need to tell him?
“Darkness surrounds you,” she proclaimed.
“You saw me in your crystal?” Madam Boswell had never met him before so how could she know anything?
“I saw a man and a girl with Edward. Until you walked into the camp, I did not know who you were,” she explained.
“When did you see this?” he demanded.
“Five days ago,” she answered. “Edward had not returned from Eton yet, and I grew concerned that perhaps he would not because of the strange man and girl. I was left to ponder this when Edward returned from school. That was until Drakos descendants arrived at Nightshade Manor soon after. I suspected the two with Edward were from your home, but that was not confirmed until I saw for my own eyes.”
“Five days ago?” That was before they’d arrived.
