One
Nightshade Manor, Bocka Morrow, Cornwall ~ Summer, 1813
* * *
From before he could remember, Orion Drakos had been told that he must marry a witch.
It was an archaic rule that had remained in place for centuries—until today when his cousin, Damon Norcott, Viscount Bentford, married Miss Cordelia Vail, who most definitely was not a witch.
“When my mother insists that I follow Drakos tradition and do my duty, I will remind her of your marriage,” he said to Damon who stood talking with Cordelia and Pierce, who was Orion’s older brother.
“As will I,” Pierce chuckled.
It wasn’t that Orion was against marrying a witch, it was not being given the option to marry anyone who was not.
When movement near the grove caught Orion’s eye, he turned to note Damon’s niece, Nephele, skip out of the vibrant lush wood, then around the water of the cove.
“What were you doing?” Damon asked when she came to stop before them.
“Speaking to the lady,” Nephele answered innocently.
“There is a lady in the grove?” Orion asked. It was likely a guest who had wandered in. The stroll along the path that wound through the trees was quite pleasant.
“Yes, and she’s very pretty.”
Orion lifted a brow and studied the area. If there were a lady, had there also been a gentleman? With such thick coverage, it was a perfect location for an assignation, if a couple wished for a modicum of privacy. It was the type of location he’d wander off to with a lady who wished to enjoy more private pursuits.
“You are not to go into the grove without someone being with you so that you do not get lost,” Damon reminded his niece.
“I will not get lost, Uncle Damon. The lady would not let me.”
“Take me to her,” Damon insisted.
His cousin was becoming agitated when there really was no reason, other than he’d become very protective after assuming guardianship of his three nieces, Nephele being one of them.
“I will go. You already have your own pretty lady.” Orion offered his hand to the little girl. “I will find the lady and learn what she is about.”
“She will likely be at the folly. She likes it there best,” Nephele explained as they walked back toward the trees.
“There is a folly in the grove?” He knew there was not, so it was likely there wasn’t a pretty lady either, much to his disappointment. Nephele was a ten-year-old child and probably also possessed a vivid imagination. Didn’t children of that age still have make-believe friends and imagine castles and dragons?
“Have you not seen it?” she asked.
“No, so you should show it to me.”
Nephele slowed her steps as they reached the tree line and frowned. “I should not.”
“Why is that?” It was probably because it didn’t exist.
The little girl turned and stared up at Orion. “The lady said that no people are supposed to be in that part of the grove.” Her eyes grew wide. “I was not even supposed to tell anyone I saw her.”
“Why is that?”
“She is supposed to be a secret,” Nephele whispered.
It was likely a guest who didn’t wish to be bothered. Though there was no reason to hide in the grove unless…perhaps she was upset. “You should take me to her so that I can make certain all is well.”
“Oh, it is. I promise.”
