In time, the child would no longer need her, but if Cordelia recalled correctly, it had taken her weeks before she no longer needed the assistance of her governess and until it became habit.
After she strolled through the back gate and the roses closed behind her, Cordelia emerged to the back of the manor to note that only Miss Perkins was about and down by the water’s edge beside a small rowboat. Cordelia offered a polite nod and continued toward the first terrace.
“Miss Cordelia,” Miss Perkins called. “Could you please assist me?”
She turned, wondering what she could possibly do.
“I just need someone to give the boat a shove.”
“You shouldn’t take the boat out alone,” Cordelia warned. Nobody should ever be out on the water alone, even if they were in a boat. Anything could happen.
“I do it all the time,” Miss Perkins dismissed. “I am a water witch and have no fear.”
Cordelia slowly approached. “I could call a footman. I’m certain he would have better luck. I may not be strong enough.” Nor did she wish to go near the water.
“The water is rising, I’m certain it will not be difficult. Just a little push is all I need.”
Cordelia pursed her lips and drew in a deep breath. A little push that was all. She’d likely not even get her slippers wet. “Very well.”
Except, as she drew near the boat and Miss Perkins, she realized what she’d said. “If you command the water, why not have it rise as soon as you are in the boat and then you won’t need a push.”
“I would, if I was the one going out.” Miss Perkins’ grey eyes grew dark as her face hardened.
Cordelia took a step back, ready to scream when the waves suddenly rose, knocked her off balance right before Miss Perkins pushed her into the boat, causing her to strike her head on the wooden bench.
When she came to and sat up Cordelia realized the boat was now in the middle of the cove and moving toward the sea. She grabbed the edge and searched the shore for help as the boat spun in circles. There was nobody outside. Nobody to help her.
Cordelia summoned all her strength, opened her mouth, and screamed before it was too late and she was out to sea.
Laughter responded. “Nobody can hear you.”
That’s when she saw Miss Perkins standing on the hill. The finger of one hand circled as the other hand curved up and down above the water. “He was to have been mine. Once you are gone, he will be again.”
Miss Perkins started twirling her finger faster and faster, causing the boat to spin.
Cordelia closed her eyes because she was afraid of becoming ill. She swallowed against the bile rising, pushing it away as the panic rose.
She tried her best to breathe in and out and not let the panic overtake her, but it was impossible.
She gripped the edge of the boat harder. If it flipped, she needed to hold on so that she didn’t sink and drown.
Just like Adriana.
Her sister had been closer to the shore, but soon Cordelia would be out too far away for anyone to help her.
“I’ll tell them you wanted to take the boat out to enjoy the beautiful day and that I told you not to go alone, but you wouldn’t listen.”
Nobody would believe her. Not her family and not Damon. They knew her fear.
“Then I’ll tell them it sank from the storm. It’s coming in now. Just like I made the other storm appear. The lightning was to have ended you then.”
The day she’d been soaked.
How could someone have so much evil in her heart?
“I’ll comfort Damon. He’ll turn to me and fall in love and forget all about you.”
Tears sprang to Cordelia’s eyes, and she opened them for a brief moment and caught a quick glimpse of the shore before the boat turned. She did see people standing there but the boat spun too fast to know if they were servants or Damon. It didn’t matter anyway. They were too far away to help her now.
