Page 101 of His Wicked Charm

Lilah knew that was not entirely true, for she could feel the energy flowing through her into all the others, heightening each one’s abilities. She suspected that Con was too kind to take away any of Aunt Vesta’s elation at the return of her powers. Indeed, her aunt’s expression was so rapturous it was vaguely unsettling.

Lilah could feel the energy flowing softly from herself into Vesta in the same manner, but she also sensed the tentacles from the other side of the door that led directly into her aunt and Sabrina. Those separate threads of energy were narrow and mild, her aunt’s no greater than Sabrina’s. Lilah feared Vesta would be greatly disappointed if her connection to the Sanctuary was not the deep link she desired.

Impulsively, she took a step closer to her aunt. Vesta beamed. “Ah, yes, it’s growing greater.” She turned to Lilah, holding out her hand. “Lilah, come here. You, too, Sabrina.” She reached for the other girl, as well. “Let us see if our bond will affect it.”

Too late, Lilah saw the danger of magnifying her aunt’s power with her own. It might make Vesta joyous for the moment, but what about when she alone couldn’t raise such power? Lilah hedged. “We don’t know what might happen.”

Con agreed, “You don’t want to take a chance with such tremendous power.”

“My niece is turning you cautious, dear boy.” Vesta wagged her finger playfully at Con. “It won’t harm me.” Sabrina had taken Vesta’s hand when she asked, and now Vesta reached out and grabbed Lilah’s hand.

Immediately the energy swept through Lilah into the other two. Lilah was glad that she was not between the women, for she suspected that would have made the connection even greater.

Her aunt clenched Lilah’s hand, her face glowing with excitement. “Yes, that increases it tenfold. This is wonderful. Lilah, take Sabrina’s hand to complete the circle.”

“No,” Lilah said firmly. “That could prove explosive. We need to know more about this.”

Vesta sighed. “You always were such a timid creature.” Her aunt released Sabrina’s hand, then nodded as if she had proved something. “That lowers it, but it’s still strong.”

Lilah jerked her hand from Vesta’s and moved back. “This serves no purpose.”

Vesta blinked in surprise. “It left so quickly.”

Con stepped in. “It’s no surprise that the link of two Holcutt women would be stronger, so the break stronger.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of it that way. No doubt you’re right.” Vesta’s face brightened.

“Now, ladies, I think it’s time we find a more comfortable location for this discussion. Mrs. LeClaire, if you will lead the way,” Con said.

He took Lilah’s aunt by the arm and steered her away, keeping up a steady stream of chatter and flirtation to deflect Aunt Vesta’s thoughts. It was typical of Con, Lilah thought, her chest warming with gratitude. She realized, with some amazement, that the behavior she had once disdained in Con had become a quality she admired.

And one of the many reasons she had fallen in love with Con Moreland.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

SOMETHING NAGGED CON out of his sleep. For a moment he lay there, enjoying the cozy feel of Lilah’s body curled up against his side. Then he glanced around, and the faint light outlining the windows galvanized him into action. He had awakened late.

No one could enter Lilah’s locked room, so there was no danger of anyone walking in on them, but the servants were up and about by dawn, and the longer he stayed, the more chance there was of being seen sneaking out of her room. He got out of bed and began to pull on his clothes. Lord, but he hated this. He wanted to sleep one night with Lilah and wake up to her in his arms, with no reason to leave her.

Con unlocked the door and opened it a crack. Finding the hall empty, he slipped out the door and into his own room. Alex was sitting in the chair by the window, waiting for him.

“Bloody hell.” Con closed the door behind him. “You’re up early.”

“Mmm. As are you,” Alex replied mildly. “Sabrina and I plan to ride over early to Carmoor, you remember.”

The four of them had stayed up late the night before, discussing their problems, and had come to the decision that Sabrina and Alex would check on their estate the following day before returning to join Lilah and Con in their search for the key.

Alex went on. “One wonders, though, exactly what it is you’re doing.” He glanced pointedly at Con’s undisturbed bed.

“You have a Reed face on, I see.” Con turned away, needlessly straightening his toiletry set, then sighed and said, “Oh, the devil. Let’s take a walk.” It was Con’s way to meet trouble head-on, and that didn’t change, even when he faced the unusual prospect of being at odds with his twin.

Shrugging on his jacket, Con led Alex downstairs and out to the maze, where Con turned, crossing his arms over his chest, and said, “Very well. Out with it.”

“You act as if I’m going to lecture you.” When Con simply raised his eyebrows, Alex let out a low growl of aggravation. “What if someone had seen you? What if it had been a maid who came into your room instead of me?”

“I am normally not so careless.”

“That’s not the point. Blast it, Con, I thought you and Miss Holcutt couldn’t be in the same room for five minutes without arguing.”