I leaned against the door jamb and gestured for Edwin to check out the rest of the place, reminding him not to touch anything that looked like silver as it probably was. I still needed white goods in the kitchen and sanitary ware in the bathroom, but I could move in and use the bedroom and living room. Knowing I had a place to lay my head was huge. That two rooms were complete and ready for me to move my own possessions into was a load off my considerable anxiety about this move. Isher had suggested colours and shades that were soothing and complemented each other so the whole carriage became a seamless transition between the separate spaces. He’d even conjured me up sets of bedding and towels, wincing when I’d meekly suggested my old sets would have been fine.
Edwin returned from the bedroom looking pensive. “I’ve sent in the plans for joining you up to the water supply, and Baxter’s got a guy leaning on the planning team for a speedy approval. I’ll also get an electrician to come and get you wired up. You’re totally happy with the position of the carriage?” I nodded. “Good. We’ll get someone down here ASAP. Might be helpful if you could choose what things you want for the bathroom and kitchen so we can get them ordered and book someone to fit them.”
I groaned. His questioning look encouraged me to admit how much I loathed using computers. “I don’t suppose there are any local showrooms that might post out brochures?”
Edwin smirked. “You’re not supposed to be more old-fashioned than me. James thinks I’m weird for using a pencil and notepad.”
I chuckled. “They don’t need electricity and you can’t lose a file. What’s not to like?”
He nudged my shoulder in a conspiratorial way. “Exactly. Let’s go and use my computer, which I’m perfectly happy to employ as a tool when needed. And maybe James won’t bark at me when I ask if there’s anything for you to eat.” His flippant tone didn’t match his concerned frown, so I decided to hang back.
“I’ll check on Isher and join you in a minute.”
Isher blinked sleepily when I tapped the car window, then unlocked the vehicle and peered out. “Is everything all right?”
I reassured him. “Come and join us, please? I think James would like to see you. He has food,” I added when Isher hesitated.
Terrance swooped down to say hello as I stepped up to open Edwin and James’ front door. “Your new friend is a powerful Fae,” he croaked, fixing beady eyes on Isher. About to chide the crow for being rude and not saying hello, I was amazed to see Isher execute a fancy bow to my familiar.
“Isher Merryfield, very pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said. “I believe I know one of your kin.”
Terrance couldn’t smile — he was a crow, of course — but he did the birdy equivalent and sidled nearer. Isher grinned at me. “I’ll be through in a minute. Please apologise to James and Edwin for me.” As I pulled the door closed, he’d slumped onto his elbows on the rail, his eyes alert with interest and what looked like a deep familiarity with my crow, which was both strange and quite endearing.
James seemed to have recovered from his snappish mood and greeted me warmly, offering me the run of the kitchen cupboards if I was hungry. He confessed that Edwin had forbidden him to make me anything to eat until he himself was fed. I made myself a cheese salad sandwich and a mug of herbal tea, and rejoined them in the lounge. Edwin was tapping furiously at his keyboard. He glanced up.
“There are a decent selection of places that do bathroom and kitchen wares,” he announced. “James said he’ll go out early and pick up some brochures for you if you can wait overnight. It would mean you’d be back later to Essex, but you could look through them quickly here, or take them with you. If nothing suits, he said he’ll try some others.”
I saw the way James was watching me. It would delay me getting back to my plants, but if I could choose everything in the morning, it could be ordered and installed quickly. The Council had agreed a budget to help me move, which was a handout I couldn’t afford to refuse. It made me squirm that I had so little in my bank account that I couldn’t turn it down, but we couldn’t all be loaded like Baxter and Dalziel. Even Edwin didn’t seem tight for cash and he was a young vampire. My calling as a witch hadn’t exactly filled my coffers. More truthfully, I’d not been concerned with money as long as I had enough to feed and clothe myself. Or rather, not for some years.
“I’d really appreciate that, James. The quicker the place is fitted out, the fewer times I’ll be turning up here looking a mess and leaving mud on the floor as I traipse to the bathroom.” I wondered if I’d assumed too much, but he smirked.
“You’re a big boy, Trace. The mop lives in the little cupboard at the end of the corridor by the bedroom. Along with the bucket, the broom, and the carpet sweeper.” His smirk became a grin. “I didn’t know what the sweeper was until Eddie demonstrated it. He really is so last century, it’s comic.”
“You’re such a brat,” Edwin snarked. “A carpet sweeper is a thing of simple mechanical magnificence.” He handed James a sheet of paper covered with neat handwriting. “Here’s the list of the most local places. Take a taxi if there’s too much walking.”
James rolled his eyes. “Yes, oh lord and master. I’ll also look both ways before I cross the road and keep my phone on vibrate.”
I snorted a laugh. “You two are something else. I see your influence is rubbing off on James, Edwin.”
“Oh, I’ve always had a smart mouth,” James corrected me. “I’m just feeling more confident about using it recently.” He peered into the depths of his bowl of salad. “Although maybe it’s a by-product of drinking Eddie’s blood too.” His grin was wide and cheeky as he clutched at his chest. “I’m doomed. Oh, hello, Isher. Did you have a good rest?”
He led Isher into the kitchen, declaring he had all the best foods a Fae could possibly want. We could hear their soft chatter and some laughter. I piled my empty crocks on the table, then dropped down to sit on the sofa. I eyed Edwin and patted the cushion next to me in invitation.
He threaded his arm between me and the sofa back. “Kiss me?” he purred.
“I could do that.” I hesitated, but he reached over to grasp my knee which turned me towards him. He leaned in and our lips touched. I pulled back slightly to ask him, “You’re not worried about James?”
“A little, but this won’t work if we hide even the most innocent of kisses.” His cool mouth covered mine again, and this time I felt the sly slide of his tongue probing for an opening.
“There’s nothing innocent about the way you kiss, Eddie Marsh,” I said breathlessly when we parted.
“You got me,” he murmured. “But you have a mouth that makes me want to sin.”
“That’s so cheesy.” I had to admit though, the way he spoke made the hairs on my nape prickle in anticipation of what he might touch next. “Kiss me again?”
He treated me to a shake of his head. “Patience, man.” He sat up, then swung his leg over to straddle me. His knees sank into the fabric on either side of my thighs, pushing me down into the cushions and bringing his firm and sadly fully-clothed torso intotempting licking distance. “Is it wrong I want to learn every part of you?”
You’re killing me, Eddie.I swallowed hard. “That almost sounds romantic.”
