The personality of the Elstone girls were as different as night and day. Of course, Rhys and Alec were the same, so that shouldn’t have been surprising. However, there were only two Galbraith brothers and four Elstone sisters. One would think there would besomesimilarities between the girls. But even their appearances were different. Each sister’s coloring became lighter with youth, the youngest had blonde hair, light blue eyes and looked the most like her mother and the least like Poppy.
Alec still thought Laurel was more than a bit flighty, but she had an earnestness about her that he found endearing. He’d witnessed Laurel and Poppy disagree with each other most of the day, but the two had genuine affection for each other. That could never have been said about Alec and Rhys.
Georgianna, the sister who’d nearly discovered Poppy and Alec in the attic, seemed to be the troublesome one. Crafty, with one bad idea after another floating around in her pretty head.
And Isabella, the youngest. She seemed to have the sweetest disposition and was by far the shyest of the bunch.
Lord and Lady Halwell were an interesting pair to study over dinner. The two of them appeared genuinely in love with each other. Their glances, their smiles meant just for the other. Odd, or rare, rather. Rare for society marriages. But also rare after so many years of marriage. Alec could not remember a time that his parents even liked each other let alone appeared madly in love with the other. The tenderness and affection Lord Halwell had for his wife was almost enough to make Alec forget that the man was blackmailing his own nephew into marriage with one of the girls around the table. Almost. He did not forget, however, the predicament in which Daniel found himself.
Of course, Daniel had taken a tray in his chambers, as well. So, when it came time for the ladies to leave the men to their port, Alec found himself alone with Lord Halwell. What was one to say to one’s friend’s blackmailer?
“It took me a while,” Lord Halwell began, lifting his glass up in toast to Alec. “But I remembered why Galbraith sounded so familiar to me.”
“Indeed?” Alec replied before taking a sip of his port.
“A visit from a Galbraith followed by a letter from Iris Wharton.” The viscount blew out an irritated breath. “I will thank the lot of you to leave my daughters alone.”
Iris Wharton? Countess of Wharton? What did she have to do with anything?
Alec blinked in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
Lord Halwell’s face had taken on a reddish hue. The man was, without a doubt, furious. Though the reason for his fury was certainly not obvious. “They are not part of your world and I intend to keep it that way.”
Part of your world.Alec returned his glass to the table and speared the viscount with the same look he’d donned when facing down enemies on a battlefield. “From the very cryptic things you’ve just said, my lord, I gather you mean the magical world.” Lady Whartonwasa witch, after all. And Alec couldn’t imagine what else he might possibly have in common with the woman.
“You know damn well what I mean. Those girls know nothing of that life, nothing of that world. And I think you should take your leave when the sun rises in the morning, Captain.”
Those girls knew a lot more than their father had any idea about, but Alec would never give Poppy or Laurel away. What they chose to do with their lives should be their decision. Apparently, their great-aunt had been of the same mind, and had been wise in urging the girls to keep their magic a secret from their father. “I have never been one to stay where I am not wanted, my lord. But before I go, I want you to know you’re wrong.”
Lord Halwell slammed his own glass down on the table, his face even redder than before. “The devil I am! My late-wife explained the workings of the magical world in great detail, and my daughters will have no part in that godless society.”
Godless society? Alec had never heard it described in a less accurate way. “I’m certain she did,” he said with his most placating tone in the hopes of assuaging the man’s anger. “But you are incorrect aboutme, Lord Halwell.” He took a breath. “I am a Galbraith, you are correct on that score. But I am no more magical than you. The world I live in is the same as yours.” Then a surprised laugh escaped him. “The scar on my cheek, the limp in my step, the damned shrapnel still in my leg! I can promise you that if I had magical abilities, I would not sport any evidence of my battlefield wounds.”
“You’re not magical?”
“I am not.” Alec shook his head. “My mother and brotheraremagical. I was raised in that world and am very familiar with it. But I have found my own path in yours.”
“So, you didn’t come here to plead Iris Wharton’s case?”
“I don’t even know what her caseis.” Alec shook his head. “I think I may have met the woman one time, more than a dozen years ago. I’m familiar with the family, of course. But I traveled here as your nephew’s friend and traveling companion, nothing else.”
The viscount seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Relieved as I am to hear that, I will still expect your departure in the morning.”
Alec agreed with a sharp nod of his head. He’d wanted to leave at dawn anyway. It was the best thing for him and for Poppy. However, it did sting more than a bit to be unceremoniously tossed out on his arse. He hadn’t even been tossed from Ravens Park. He’d run from his family seat by his own choice and of his own volition without even once looking back.
There was nothing for it, however. Halwell wanted him gone and he could not remain in the man’s house after being asked to leave. Was it possible Daniel would be strong enough to travel with him? Or would he have to leave his friend at the mercy of his blackmailing uncle? And…
…would he get the chance to say his farewell to Poppy? Or had he already seen the last of the pretty witch who seemed to occupy his every thought?
CHAPTER8
Stormy snored softly nextto Poppy’s outstretched leg in the middle of the bed. His little grey paw was draped over his eyes as though to keep the candlelight from disturbing his slumber. Not for the first time, Poppy wondered how something so little could snore so loudly. She was happy for his company, however, as he kept her mind off the myriad of other thoughts that had occupied her throughout the day. Grimoires. Mysterious letters. And a certain army captain who’d almost kissed her.
Poppy’s musings were interrupted when a soft knock sounded at her door. Instantly, her heart leapt to her throat. Before she could even ask who was there, Laurel bounded into the bedchamber and quickly shut the door behind her.
“Did you get it?” her sister asked in lieu of a greeting.
Poppy snatched the mysterious missive from the bed beside her and waved it in the air for her sister to see. “Oh, ye of little faith.”
