Ianthe frowned. “Tricks? There should not be any tricks, Miss Perkins. It is honest, strength and calm.”
“Yes of course,” Miss Perkins laughed nervously. “A poor choice of words. I simply meant that I may know of different things you might try.”
Ianthe looked up to Damon as if searching for a way to answer Miss Perkins. He gave no indication of his thoughts, at least he hoped he didn’t because Ianthe needed to make this decision on her own, though he knew who he hoped she’d choose.
“Thank you, Miss Perkins. If I find I need further assistance, I will ask your advice,” Ianthe answered then looked back at Miss Cordelia. “For now, I am fine.”
“Yes, well I can see that.” Miss Perkins straightened and looked to Miss Cordelia with a tight smile. “Miss Vera Perkins,” she introduced herself.
“Miss Cordelia Vail,” his neighbor returned, all stiff and proper, which Damon did not like in the least. She’d been relaxed and comfortable when they last spoke, and he did not want Cordelia feeling unwelcome because of a guest in his home.
“We were just going in for tea,” Damon offered. “Would you like to join us, Miss Cordelia?”
“No thank you. I really should return home.”
“Will I see you tomorrow, Miss Cordelia?” Ianthe asked anxiously.
“If you wish.” With that, she finally smiled, but it was directed at his niece and not Damon and for that he had to thank Miss Perkins.
“Good day.” Cordelia offered a quick and slight curtsey then turned and made her way toward the hidden gate.
After Cordelia disappeared through the shrubbery, the girls ran back toward the manor, though Clio tripped on the way and landed on her knees. At the first sound of a whimper, Damon rushed forward.
“My shoes,” Ianthe cried and ran back to where she’d been with Cordelia.
He’d barely reached Clio when the first drop of rain landed on his hand and thunder rumbled above his head.
As the sky darkened, he recalled Madam Boswell’s words.I only see darkness, storm clouds and rough water. At another crack of thunder, he scooped Clio up in his arms and dashed for the manor, calling for Ianthe to hurry. Nephele had gotten inside first and stood there waiting and watching, a frown on her lips. Miss Perkins ran after him, but she did not get wet. It was as if the rain avoided falling directly on her.
“She has a power to control water,” his mother said as she came from behind. “A rainstorm is of little consequence to Miss Perkins.”
It may not be for her, but Miss Cordelia was not so lucky and would probably be soaked through before she arrived at Hollybrook Park.
As the winds picked up, the water in the cove rose and crashed against the shore as lightning flashed in the distance. Damon hoped Miss Cordelia made it to safety unscathed.
Another streak of lightning struck a tree not far from where Miss Cordelia and Ianthe had been practicing the witches’ calm. His nieces had been sitting there as well.
A chill raced up his spine. If he hadn’t joined them when he did, would they have remained out there longer and possibly been caught in the storm. Would they have been away before the lightning struck the tree?
Yes, of course they would have, but it still didn’t sit well.
“Sometimes maybe a storm is a storm, and it is that easy,” he muttered.
“What was that?” Miss Perkins asked.
He’d not confide in her. In fact, the only person who knew was his mother and Damon wished for it to remain that way.
Cordelia had once again droppedbits of lace along the walk then settled onto the bench to read. She did this often and was determined one day to see a pixie. What she had hoped to encounter one day had become a stubbornness, and she would visit each and every day until she finally saw one.
She also hoped that she wasnotsummoned to Nightshade Manor today. What she needed was a quiet day without interruption. Yesterday had been harrowing.
Not while she was at Nightshade Manor. That had simply been upsetting, and perhaps heartbreaking. It was while she was walking home when the storm blew in from the sea. By the time she reached the manor, she was completely soaked and the hair at the nape of her neck stood on end from lightning striking far too close to be comfortable.
It had been unnerving and frightening.
After peeling off her clothing, Cordelia had taken a hot bath then settled in to read while she sipped hot tea. The storm raged for most of the evening, but today it was bright, clear, warm, and she was going to enjoy every moment while waiting for a pixie to finally show themselves.
At least last evening she hadn’t been plagued by dreams and had finally gotten a full rest.
