Poppy and Laurel exchanged looks of confusion.
“What did you think we were talking about?” Laurel asked.
“I just…” He shrugged, looking more than despondent. “I suppose I thought she justtoldyou about your lineage. I didn’t know she was mad enough to…”
“To what? To give us back the missing pieces of our souls?” Poppy guessed, and made no attempt to keep the sourness from her tone.
“Stop saying that.” Papa shook his head. “Damn it all! How can I keep you safe now?”
“Safe?” Poppy echoed. “Papa! Safety comes from knowing who you are, who you can trust.” She shook her head. “And you’ve lied to us our whole lives.”
“I haveprotectedyou,” he said, though he sounded less certain than he had a few moments before. “All I’ve ever wanted was to keep you safe and happy.”
And that was the opening Poppy needed. It wasn’t a large one, but might be the only one they’d get. “If our happiness truly means something, then allow us to attend Lady Wharton’s ball,” she said softly. “Nothing will make us happier than that.” At least not at the moment.
Papa snorted. “Do you know what sorts of dregs of society will be there?”
“Yes,” Laurel replied. “Others just likeus.”
He stared at them then, clearly at a loss for words. Poppy would have felt sorry for him if she wasn’t so angry that he’d conspired to keep their magic from them all those years ago and every day since.
She sniffed slightly as she dropped back into her chair. “I think it’s past time that we were given the opportunity to meet them, Papa.” And if a certain army captain happened to be there looking for her at the same time, all the better.
A pained expression settled on Papa’s face. “I don’t want Caroline or your sisters to know about any of this.”
So, they were to keep hiding who they truly were from the rest of their family? Poppy’s heart ached at the thought, and she matched her father’s pained expression with one of her own.
“The fewer people who know, the safer you’ll all be.” He shook his head. “At the moment, I have half of mind to arrange a match between you and Daniel, and—”
“Daniel?” If he’d slapped her, she’d have been less stunned. “You cannot be serious.” After all, the last fellow she’d ever agree to marry would be her rakish cousin. What a ridiculous suggestion.
But Papa was serious. She could see it in his eyes. “He’d keep all of you safe and well-cared for.”
“In a loveless marriage,” Poppy added. Then she heaved a sigh. “Do you really think that after watching you and Caroline love and dote on each other for all of our lives that Laurel or I would want to settle for anything less?”
“A love match is one thing.” A small smile settled on his lips then. “But as your father, it would kill me if any harm should ever come to either of you. Keeping you safe is my highest priority.”
“Papa,” Laurel said softly.
“You have to understand that being part of the magical world is dangerous,” he continued. “There are people out there who would hurt you just because you exist, because they’re afraid of your abilities. I promised your mother I would keep you safe, and—”
“To truly be safe,” Poppy began, “weneed to truly understand who we are and where we belong.”
“You belong right here with me, like you always have,” he said stubbornly.
“It is comforting to know that we’ll always have a place here with you, Papa.” Poppy pushed out of her chair once again, then she rounded her father’s desk. She took her hand in his. “But wehaveto explore this magical side of ourselves. We have to know everything.”
He pressed his lips to her knuckles. His light eyes seemed to stare right to her soul. He did love them. She’d always known that, but she could see his fear, his worry reflected there too. “You do remind me of your mother,” he said gently. “I see her in you every day. I still miss her even after all these years.”
He was softening. Poppy just had to get him one step closer. “Please come with us to Cornwall.”
“Cornwall?”
“To Lady Wharton’s ball at Nightshade Manor. If you would come with us, Laurel and I would feel more at ease.” After all, it would be reassuring to have Papa with them. He, apparently, knew about all things magical. But if Caroline escorted them, they’d be focused on keeping all magical truths from her. Besides, the journey to Cornwall would give them the opportunity to spend some uninterrupted time together. Poppy suspected they could all use that to their advantage.
CHAPTER10
The Merry Maidens Coaching Inn
