Antonia tried to eat, but like the day before, her stomach was in knots, tight with worry, and all she managed to consume was some toast and tea.
She was soon joined by Petra, Maia and Samantha and while they discussed all that they had read in the vault, Antonia only partially listened. She already knew what they’d found because anything of interest was noted upon discovery.
“You still have found nothing for a veiling spell?” Chedworth asked.
“Not yet, but we will,” Petra insisted, and Antonia hoped that she was right. Except there may be a far more important spell to be discovered or written.
Chedworth finished his meal and then stood. “Lady Antonia, are you ready to join me.”
She glanced up and smiled. “Yes.”
Under any other circumstance Antonia would look forward to and enjoy a stroll with Chedworth, but nothing was normal, even if Maia and Petra watched the two of them with interest. No doubt they would have questions for her when she joined them in the vault later.
Mr. Jourdain entered before they took their leave and approached Lady Wharton. “Basilia would like you to call on her at the earliest possible moment.”
“Is something amiss?” Lady Wharton asked.
“She would not say, but she is disturbed and said that it is imperative that she speak with you.”
Lady Wharton placed her napkin at the side of her plate and stood.
Chedworth tugged on Antonia’s elbow and drew her to the doors leading to the terrace.
“Who is Basilia?” she asked.
“A dryad and I know why she wishes to speak to my aunt.”
Chapter Nine
Philip wanted to disappear because he was not ready to face his aunt and tell her what he was experiencing.
He didn’t even know what was wrong with him, but it had frightened the dryads.
“I had not known there were dryads at Nightshade Manor,” Lady Antonia said.
“Nobody is supposed to know, and I would not have told you except I know why Basilia wishes to see my aunt.”
He said nothing else, but kept walking, leading Lady Antonia away from the house. He would hide if he could.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To a clearing,” Philip said as he realized his direction, stopping only when he came to a gate on a far wall, nearly hidden by climbing roses. Even though it was November, roses still bloomed. Such was the case when Nightshade Manor was inhabited by witches whose magic was connected to the earth.
He pushed the gate open and allowed Lady Antonia to exit before him, then closed the gate and hoped that nobody had seen them leave.
“You are being very mysterious. It is as if you could not wait to get away.”
“I could not.” He blew out a sigh and finally came to a stop in the middle of the clearing surrounded by trees.
Lady Antonia did a turn and looked about. “This is lovely.”
“The Romani camp is on the other side of those trees.”
“Is that who you wish to see?” Lady Antonia asked. “Do you hope they have answers?”
Philip pushed his fingers through this hair. “I wish it were so simple, but it is not. It was Basilia who told me to seek a witch.”
“Why?” Lady Antonia asked, and Philip found himself telling her what had occurred in the Sacred Grove.
