Page 43 of Haunted Hearts

“You two had no right going into Blaze’s solar and rummaging through his trunk,” spat Lilly.

“I didn’t do it. It was Posy,” said Serena. “And how did you know she found it in his trunk?”

“That’s right,” said Posy. “We didn’t tell you exactly where we found it.”

“Oh. I – I just supposed that’s where it would be.”

“Lillith!” Serena held her hand over her mouth. Then, she slowly lowered it. “You knew this dagger was there, didn’t you? You must have found it in Lord Blaze’s room when you went there earlier, and you didn’t even mention it to us.”

“Did you?” asked Posy, putting her hands on her hips.

“I did not find it,” she said, then let out a deep breath. “But I won’t lie. I knew it was there.”

“How could you?” asked Serena. “I don’t understand.”

“Blaze caught me in his solar and knew what I was doing there. He presented the dagger to me.”

“Oh, my!” gasped Serena. “So he admitted he is guilty.”

“Nay, just the opposite,” said Lillith. “He is not guilty of anything.” She explained the situation to them.

“Nay,” said Posy. “He told you this wild story, and you believe it?”

“I do,” said Lillith standing up for what she believed, just like Blaze pointed out that she always used to do. It was time for her to be that girl again. “I know Blaze is a good man. He told me he didn’t do it, and also that he would never harm me or anyone in my family.” She took the blade from Posy and wrapped it back up and stuck it into her leather bag. “Now, I will take care of this. And I don’t want to hear another bad word about Blaze or his family. They will be our family, too. and the two of you need to learn to accept it.”

There was a knock at the door and all three of them jumped and just looked at each other but didn’t say a word.

“Lady Lillith, I’m ready for you now to start alterations on your gown,” came Minerva’s muffled voice from the corridor. “Also, Blaze would like Serena to accompany him for a walk through the orchard.”

“Nay,” whispered Serena, her blue eyes growing wide in fear. “I don’t want to go.”

“You have to, Serena. You’re his betrothed now. It is your duty.”

“But I can’t go unescorted.”

“Posy will go with you.” Lillith closed up her bag with the dagger inside it. “We’ll be right there,” she called out.

“Lady Lillith, I wish you’d listen to us,” whispered Posy. “We are not safe here.”

“On the contrary, I believe we are safer here than anywhere,” said Lillith. “Now, let’s go,” she said, hustling them to the door. “And everyone, try to be friendly.”

Lillith opened the door to find Minerva with her black cat in her arms once again. The cat hissed and jumped down, running through the corridor.

“I wonder what’s spooked Sam,” said Minerva. “He’s usually not so skittish. I suppose it’s just because he’s feeling the thinning of the veil this time of year.”

Lillith noticed Serena staring with her mouth opened wide.

“Have a nice walk in the orchard.” Lillith turned the girl around and gave her a gentle push in the opposite direction. Serena and Posy hurried away.

“Well, shall we go to the ladies solar?” asked Lillith with a smile.

“We’re not going there. I’ve already got everything set up in Blaze’s solar,” Minerva told her.

“Right,” she said, closing the door to the chamber. The last place she wanted to be was there. After Blaze turned down her kiss, she felt embarrassed by her actions. Being in the man’s bedchamber was only going to make matters worse.

“There’s no time to waste. We have much to do. Now come along, Lady Lillith,” said Minerva, taking her by the arm and pulling her out of the room. “And as soon as this gown is finished, there are wedding plans to make.”

“Oh, I think Blaze said the wedding wouldn’t be for a while yet.”

“Well, then we’ll work on the preparations for Samhain. I mean, All Hallows’ Day.”

“Of course,” mumbled Lillith as they walked, thinking she would like to know more about Samhain, and Minerva might be the exact person to ask about it.