Then he blinked and stepped away. “Thank you for helping Ianthe today.”
“Yes, of course,” she practically stammered as she wondered what she had hoped he would do.
A kiss.
The words fluttered across her mind, and Cordelia immediately pushed it aside.
“Send word of when it would be convenient for me to visit with her tomorrow, and I will make arrangements. I don’t wish for her to suffer with her fears longer than necessary.”
“Thank you.” He then offered a slight bow, then turned to make his way back to Nightshade Manor.
Cordelia stood and watched him go, admiring the width of his shoulders and his stride, which was full of confidence and purpose.
She had wanted him to kiss her, she admitted. She’d never felt such a desire before and it was one that she would need to ignore. Cordelia was also certain the want would pass and it had occurred simply because they’d confided secrets and he trusted her. Further, she was too rational and reasonable to become smitten with a gentleman she’d just met.
Chapter 12
Damon certainly didn’tfault Cordelia for having a deep fear of the water. And, had Ianthe not started to learn to control her fear, there was no telling what would become of her. It was likely she’d be too afraid to leave Nightshade Manor just as Cordelia was still afraid of the sea.
He supposed it was no different than his sister Maia. She had fallen out of her window trying to reach a tree when she was only eight. The result had been a broken arm, though it could have been far worse since she was on the third floor. She’d only survived because Maia had landed on a stack of mattress ticks that the footmen had brought out to be fluffed up and refilled with straw.
She’d been terrified of heights following her fall and she still avoided windows on the upper floors of any building and refused to step out onto balconies. When asked if she wanted to take in a particular view from anywhere higher than the first floor, Maia always declined. She also believed that anyone who wished to ride in a balloon had lost their mind and belonged in Bedlam. Therefore, Damon well understood Cordelia’s lingering fear.
After he crossed the clearing and entered through the gate, as his mother promised, the rose bushes filled and covered the entire wall. He suspected the same had happened on the other side of the entry.
He should have warned Cordelia and Edward for when they visited. Except, his mother had also said that it would be revealed to those who did not bring danger, so it should part for the Vails.
As Damon stepped into the manor, he paused when he heard voices coming from the parlor.
Had his mother invited more guests to Nightshade Manor? The woman had wanted nobody here, but she was entertaining for the second time in one day.
The warning of danger played in the back of his mind, but Damon dismissed it. If his mother was concerned, she would not have allowed anyone in the house, and therefore, he crossed to the parlor to see who the newest guests were.
As soon as he stepped within, he stifled a groan and wished he would have gone straight to the nursery. What the blazes was Miss Vera Perkins doing at Nightshade Manor? Though, unfortunately, he had a very good idea, which he would discuss with his mother in private.
“Damon, I’m so glad you’ve finally returned.”
“Mother,” he greeted and forced a smile. “Miss Perkins.”
“Lord Bentford,” she offered with a nod. An older woman, who he took as a companion or chaperone sat in a chair silently sipping tea and was not introduced to him.
“As soon as I knew that we were going to be spending some time at Nightshade Manor, I asked Miss Perkins to join us.” His mother smiled brightly. “Miss Perkins arrived while you left to look for Ianthe.”
It was a shame Miss Perkins hadn’t arrived later, and after the gate had been shut to keep intruders out. Except, it would have likely opened for Miss Perkins since she was a witch, and not a witchfinder. Witches always found safety at Nightshade. Maybe if they told her of the danger the family faced, Miss Perkins would flee except he feared she’d likely use the concern as a reason to remain until danger to witches passed.
There could only be one reason she was here, and Damon was not pleased.
“Given what Ianthe is experiencing, I thought she might be of assistance.”
If his mother wished for other witches to help his nieces, she could have brought her own daughters.
“I appreciate the invitation,” Miss Perkins offered. “I’ve always wanted to visit Nightshade Manor. It is certainly lovely.”
“Thank you,” his mother returned pleasantly. “I’ll take you through the gardens tomorrow. You do enjoy mixing teas, lotions and such, do you not?”
“It is a pleasure of mine.”
“Damon, why don’t you escort Miss Perkins about the estate so that she might become more familiar?”
