“It looks perfect.”
Cordelia was often pulled toward flowers, and she wasn’t certain if it was because she truly enjoyed them or if it was because it is where her governess had her stand in the beginning.
“Where wildflowers bloom, happiness remains” is what her governess had told her, and Cordelia still believed it to be true, whether it was or not.
After they walked to the selected area, Ianthe settled on the ground and removed her shoes and stockings. She’d not done so yesterday, nor had it been one of Cordelia’s instructions.
“My grandmother suggested that I connect with the earth as that is where some of my strength and power comes from.”
“She has the power of earth and weather,” Nephele offered. “We don’t know what we will have. It could be only one of those or both.”
Cordelia knew that witches had different powers, but she was just as certain there were far more than she’d even contemplated as it wasn’t something she’d given much thought. Perhaps she should.
“I’m ready,” Ianthe announced after she set her stockings and shoes aside and stood before Cordelia.
“Let’s begin.” She smiled down at the girl.
Ianthe turned to her younger sisters. “Pay very close attention.”
As they had yesterday, they went through the practice of calming and Cordelia wondered if she too should attempt to do this barefoot. Would it help her as well, or only a witch?
Oh, as much as she wished she could concentrate, her mind did wander even though she quietly repeated the instructions Ianthe needed to hear.
It wasn’t so much that her thoughts had taken flight on random subjects, but they were focused on Lord Bentford and wondering if she would see him today. Then Cordelia quickly chastised herself. They’d had a few friendly conversations, nothing more, and she was the one who had wanted a kiss, not him.
And worst of all, that obsession, calling or need had not lessened. It should have upon meeting the family and especially after she’d finally visited Nightshade Manor, but it seemed to have grown stronger.
She even dreamed of here last night. She’d been walking in the gardens with Lord Bentford, which was very pleasant, but odd as well because he held her hand. Then he turned to her, pulled her close and Cordelia was instantly overcome with fear and had to flee. She knew she didn’t fear Bentford, but she’d been filled with terror. The dream had been so real that she’d woken with her heart pounding, and it took some time before it calmed.
Cordelia blew out the last long, slow breath then opened her eyes. Ianthe did the same and looked up at her and grinned. The child did seem relaxed, and Cordelia wished she felt the same, but she didn’t.
“Will you teach us too?” Nephele asked as she and Clio jumped up from the ground.
Cordelia was just about to answer them when she spied Lord Bentford standing on the terrace watching them. Her pulse sped and heart raced as her stomach did that odd little flip, then it grew sour when the woman standing beside him, curved her arm around his, stepped close and smiled at Cordelia.
Whoever she was, she was very possessive of Lord Bentford, and he didn’t seem to mind as he didn’t move away. Of course, why should he? The woman was beautiful and tall. Bentford would barely need to bend if he wished to kiss that woman.
“I should go,” Cordelia told Ianthe.
Why did it pain her to see Bentford standing with another woman? They’d only just met, but Cordelia couldn’t explain the sudden ache in her heart.
“Do say you’ll return tomorrow.”
“If you need me,” she said, though Cordelia hoped that Ianthe no longer required her assistance. She didn’t want to be here and watch Bentford courting another woman. Or were they betrothed? Hadn’t Adam said that nobody was invited to Nightshade, yet this woman was here, which meant she was very important to Bentford.
Cordelia glanced back up from the girls to note that Bentford and the lady were walking in her direction.
Blast! She should have left immediately.
As they drew close, Cordelia brought herself straight. She’d bury her emotions and remind herself that she meant nothing to anyone in this household other than helping Ianthe.
Chapter 13
The gamesof Whist had put him on edge, especially since his mother continued her matchmaking by asking leading questions to which Miss Perkins answered in what Damon assumed would be an appropriate response if he was looking for a wife.
His head had been pounding by the time he retired to his set of rooms and took that first sip of brandy. As he stood at his window and glanced out over the cove, then toward Hollybrook Park, Damon wondered if he shouldn’t ask Miss Cordelia to teach him the witches’ calm as he might need it if Miss Perkins remained at Nightshade Manor much longer.
Had it been Miss Cordelia who’d been playing Whist, it is likely he’d still be enjoying the game. She was honest and kind, and without manipulation in her heart, unlike Miss Perkins. Of course, he hardly knew Miss Cordelia well enough to know if that was the truth, but he was relaxed in her presence and didn’t fear saying anything he shouldn’t or encouraging her unintentionally, which would give her hope of a courtship. Such could not be said of Miss Perkins, and he had to guard his reaction and his words almost as much as he had while in school and when in Society so he didn’t let on that he came from a household of witches.
