Page 17 of Haunted Hearts

“I told you, that is nothing to worry about,” snapped Arthur. “I’m sure there is a good reason for everything and we all need to stop speculating right now.”

“Even if he’s a warlock and his mother is a witch?” asked Serena.

“Bah!” Arthur waved his hand through the air. “They are not. I’m surprised you really believe that idle gossip.”

“Father believed it,” said Serena.

“Henri was always superstitious, but I’m not,” said Arthur. “I’ve made my decision and it is final. Now, I’ll not hear another word about it.”

“Ladies Serena and Lillith, perhaps you would like to retire to your chamber now,” said Posy, trying to direct them toward the keep.

“Yes,” agreed their mother. “I’ll be retiring as well. It has been a horrible day and I can only hope tomorrow will be better.”

“Page, bring the scribe back to my solar to write a missive for me,” Arthur told Milo. “And then I’ll need you to deliver it to Lord Blaze Payne at Skull Manor.”

“Me?” Milo’s eyes opened wide. “Tonight?”

“You’re a page aren’t you?” growled Arthur.

“Yes, but I don’t normally deliver messages. That’s usually done by one of the guards or a messenger,” said Milo.

“Well, tonight you’re going to do it. Unless you’re scared of Lord Blaze,” he said with a chuckle. “If you can’t toughen up, you’ll never be more than a pageboy.”

“I’m not scared if that’s what you think. I’ll do it,” said Milo with false bravado. Lillith noticed him biting his bottom lip. Milo always did that when he was told to do something he didn’t feel comfortable with. Still, he longed to be a squire someday and knew he had to be brave to earn that position.

“Uncle Arthur? Please don’t do this,” said Lillith.

“Lillith, you’re not going to be devastated that I’m offering your sister to your lover, are you?” asked Arthur, surprising Lillith with his words.

“Blaze was never my lover. Just a good friend at one time,” she said softly, not able to stop thinking about how she felt when he’d touched her and kissed her less than an hour ago. “He means nothing to me anymore,” she lied, not wanting her uncle to know how much this idea was really upsetting her.

“Good,” said Arthur. “Because as soon as I get Lord Payne’s answer saying he accepts the proposal, I’m going to send you to Skull Manor with Serena.”

“Me? Why?” she asked, feeling her heart race.

“It’ll only be until the wedding takes place,” said Arthur. “After all, your sister will be too frightened to meet up with the man alone, so she’ll most likely need to hold your hand.”

Lillith felt bile rising in her throat, threatening to choke her. She didn’t want to go. She couldn’t do it. The only thought that calmed her down was that she knew Blaze would never agree to marrying Serena.