The situation was intolerable. He removed the map from the frame and folded it into his bag. He eyed his mantel clock. It was late, but damned if he would get any sleep unless he took care of this tonight. When had he become so bloody protective? She hid secrets he wanted answers to; that was his only interest, he reminded himself. That, and he wouldn’t mind getting her into his bed. He would have to go retrieve the women himself. If Sabine wouldn’t see sense, then her aunts surely would.
Max didn’t bother going to the front door of the shop, as the store had long since closed. Instead, he went directly to the back. He knocked. A moment later, Sabine opened the door.
“You decided to knock tonight, how unusual,” she said. She did not move from the doorway or invite him inside.
“Most amusing. Might I come in?” he asked.
“Very well.” She stepped back then closed the door behind him. “Let us sit down here then,” Sabine said, eyeing the staircase. “I’d prefer not to worry my aunts with more talk of death and destruction.” She pulled a chair out from the small table and motioned for him to take it. Then she proceeded to clean up the supplies that were scattered across the tabletop.
“With a murderer on the hunt for the guardians, don’t you think you and your aunts would be safer at my townhome?” he asked. “What if this man comes after them here?”
She swung around to face him. “I never told you that one of my aunts was the guardian,” she said.
“Do you deny that you are all in danger?”
But she said nothing, merely pursed her lips and looked away. She continued putting away her supplies, jars and ribbons and whatnots.
“I think it’s foolish to risk it. It would be prudent for you and your aunts to come and stay at my house for the time being,” he said.
Again she made no comment.
“It is quite evident that there is a killer after someone in this house; otherwise, you wouldn’t have reacted in such a manner earlier when I mentioned the guardian. I can provide appropriate security,” he said.
She released a heavy sigh. “We have a business to run. And we are not without skill to protect ourselves.”
“Right, the candelabra, a most effective weapon,” he said.
“He’s right, Sabine,” Agnes said as she came down the staircase. Her two sisters followed. “We cannot ignore the prophecy.”
“It would be nice to feel more secure,” Calliope said. “Especially with you leaving town.”
Max sat forward. “Leaving? Where are you going?”
Sabine glared at her aunt. “To see an old friend. Nothing to concern yourself about.”
He might have imagined it, but he could have sworn Calliope winked at him.
“What do you think about this, Lydia?” Sabine asked.
“We do not belong there.” Lydia’s voice was tight.
“Go stay in a fancy townhome full of servants and luxurious linens.” Agnes sighed dramatically. “I can see how that might be taxing.”
Max couldn’t help himself and laughed heartily.
“We’ll go gather our belongings,” Agnes said. “All of us.”
“I’ll wait right here,” Max said.
Sabine nodded, then left the room.
Calliope waited until her other sisters had gone. “Tomorrow morning she’s taking the train to Cornwall. She needs protection.”
“Consider it done,” Max said with a smile.
The following morning Sabine stood, waiting in line, at Victoria Station. She had snuck out of Max’s townhome very early that morning to avoid detection. Currently, there was a family in front of her, a sweet couple and three young children. The smallest girl kept looking shyly at Sabine from behind a wooden doll. Sabine smiled and waved, which made the girl giggle and hide her face. The family received their tickets and headed off in the direction of their platform. Sabine stepped up to the ticket counter.
“I need a ticket to Cornwall, please,” she said. She counted out her money and placed it on the counter.
