“I apologize,” he offered. “I must check in on Ianthe, especially after the day she has had.” He nodded to Miss Perkins. “If you will excuse me.”
Instead of letting him simply leave, Miss Perkins stood. “Is something wrong with the poor dear? Perhaps I could be of assistance.”
“I am certain she will be well. I simply wish to assure myself.”
He turned and quit the room before either Miss Perkins or his mother could stop him.
Bloody hell, he thought of all places he’d be safe from his mother’s matchmaking here, but they were barely in residence before his mother had invited the first eligible, meaning a miss who was a witch, on her list in hopes of seeing him wed. He may need to reside here for the next few years, but that did not mean he was going to allow his mother to invite potential wives until he settled upon one. He wouldnothave it.
Hopefully Miss Perkins’ visit was short because he had no intention of courting her.
With a deep breath, he stepped onto the nursery floor and found his three nieces within. Clio was playing with a doll, Nephele was practicing her violin and Ianthe was standing as she had in the clearing with Miss Cordelia, with her eyes closed, hands at her side and taking in even breaths.
He was glad to see her practicing and hoped that was all she needed to overcome her fears.
“Uncle Damon,” Ianthe said as she opened her eyes. “I am so glad I met Miss Cordelia.”
“I am as well.” He was also happy to have made Miss Cordelia’s acquaintance, and not just for Ianthe. There had been an ease in conversation and a lightness in his mood after spending time in her presence.
He’d even contemplated kissing her after he escorted her back to Hollybrook Park.
It had been a sudden, yet thankfully fleeting, urge because he didn’t need such a complication in his life. Damon needed to protect his family and be alert to danger, which he could not do if he was kissing the neighbor.
“I’m still afraid,” she admitted. “But I don’t need to let it rule over me. I shall rule it,” she said with determination. “That is what Miss Cordelia said that I must do.”
“She is correct.” He patted Ianthe’s head, relieved that perhaps he and Ianthe may get through this period of learning sooner than later.
“We will invite her to visit again tomorrow.” If he was busy with Ianthe and Miss Cordelia, he’d not be expected to entertain Miss Perkins. Though if she remained too long, he’d run out of excuses.
Cordelia pausedin the clearing and glanced about. She was certain this was the correct place. The area was surrounded by trees and the same patch of wildflowers flourished in the sun. But where the gate was supposed to be, there was a large, overgrown thorny rose bush.
There was no other place like this between Hollybrook Park and Nightshade Manor, so she had to be in the right place.
Slowly she approached where the gate should be, not certain why since she couldn’t enter, but it was still a curiosity as it had not been there yesterday. She presumed Lady Chandos had caused this, just as she parted bramble and made nightshade grow, but to what purpose? Was it to keep her out of Nightshade? Had Lady Chandos changed her mind about Cordelia helping Ianthe, or was Cordelia to arrive by the front gate?
It had been Lord Bentford who had told her to use this gate so perhaps he didn’t know that it had been blocked.
Just as she decided to return to Hollybrook Park so that she might take the road to Nightshade Manor, which would put her behind schedule, the leaves and roses rustled as if a heavy breeze had pushed against them and then, before Cordelia’s very eyes, they parted, revealing the entry.
She simply stared for a moment, before she stepped through. Once she was on the other side, Cordelia turned, and the roses closed behind her.
For one who had not experienced anything magical until the Norcott family had arrived, Cordelia found this thrilling and a bit disturbing. Were all witches able to make plants and bushes part, grow and possibly even die?
Once she was through the trees and bushes that hid the path to the gate, Cordelia stopped and glanced about. Nobody was outside, but she knew that she was expected. This was the time the missive had asked her to arrive. Carefully she made her way to the lower terrace just as the back doors opened and Ianthe ran out, followed by her younger sisters.
“Miss Cordelia, you came,” Ianthe called with happiness.
At least someone was happy to see her, even if it was a child. Though, in her heart of hearts, she wished that Lord Bentford had been here to greet her as well.
Cordelia pushed the thought aside. She was a guest for so long as Ianthe needed her assistance, and it was unlikely that she’d be invited for any other purpose. There was no reason for him to greet her, especially since it was Lady Chandos who had sent for Cordelia.
“Do you mind if my sisters watch?” Ianthe asked.
“Of course not,” she assured the child.
She turned her attention to Ianthe. “Where would you like to practice?”
“Over there.” She pointed to another patch of wildflowers near the grove.
