Page 47 of His Wicked Charm

“They’re triskeles,” Lilah told him. “They’re on some ancient artifacts found in this area. I believe the spirals represent eternity. I suppose three is the Holy Trinity.” She wrinkled her brow. “Though I think the artifacts are older than Christianity.”

Lilah glanced around her. The looming hedges cast too many shadows; the walls felt like a prison. “Con, there’s no reason to stay here. I’m tired.”

“What?” Con turned. “Oh. Yes, of course.” They started back the way they had come. “Something about this place bothers you. What is it that makes that little pulse in your throat jump? I dare not hope it’s excitement at being around me.”

“I assure you, it has nothing to do with you.” Lilah sent him a repressive look.

Con grinned. “You’re a harsh woman, Delilah.”

“Would you please not call me that?”

“I like it. It fairly rolls off the tongue. Dilly, now, is rather charming, but it doesn’t have the same grand effect.”

“If you start calling me Dilly, I swear I will lure you down to the dungeons and lock you up.”

“So there are dungeons. We’ll have to try them next.”

Lilah laughed. “You do remember we are here to search Sabrina’s house, don’t you?”

They had reached the entrance to the maze, but Con grabbed her wrist and pulled her back into the shelter of the hedges. “When you laugh like that, I have the devil of a time sticking to my promise.”

Lilah’s heart began to thunder in a way that had nothing to do with the maze. She watched his eyes darken, saw his mouth curve wickedly. She knew as he bent toward her that he was about to kiss her. And that she was not going to pull away.

“Lilah?” Aunt Vesta’s voice floated through the air. “Where are you, dear? It’s time for a cup of tea, don’t you think?”

Con murmured something under his breath that Lilah was sure she should be glad she couldn’t understand, and his hand fell away from her.

“Yes, Aunt, I know,” she called. “We’re coming.”

“It’s such a lovely day.” Aunt Vesta smiled at Con, pouring the tea as they approached. “I have felt the ancient power of the earth all day. Can’t you sense it?”

“No,” Lilah said quickly. “I’ve been showing Lord Moreland around.”

“The maze,” Aunt Vesta sent Lilah a sly look. “Couples often enjoy a walk there.”

Lilah caught her aunt’s meaning, and she began to blush. A glance at Con told her that he, too, understood her aunt’s implication, though he, of course, just grinned.

“Do you know who built the maze, Miss Holcutt?” Con asked Aunt Vesta, reaching out to take the cup she offered.

“It’s Mrs. LeClaire, dear. I am a widow, you see.” She gave him a wistful smile. “Poor dear Henri.”

“I beg your pardon. Mrs. LeClaire.” He frowned, looking thoughtful.

“I told Con that I didn’t know which of our ancestors installed the maze. Do you, Aunt Vesta?”

“No, it’s been there for...oh, ages and ages. Dear Papa loved it. He would often go there to contemplate life. But he didn’t create it. I believe he put in the little area in the center—the bench and so on.”

“He placed the sundial?” Con asked. “I was very interested in those figures in the stone around it.”

“Yes, yes.” Vesta nodded her head as if Con had made a telling point. “Triskeles. They are very powerful symbols. I believe Papa had a connection with the Other Side, too.”

“I thought Con and I would take a ride tomorrow morning.” Early. Before Aunt Vesta arose.

“How delightful! There are so many important sites to show him. That ancient barrow. And Holy Well, though that’s perhaps too far. You’d have to have Cook pack you a lunch.”

“Holy Well?” Con asked, looking interested.

“Yes, it’s said that Joseph of Arimathea visited there, but of course Glastonbury was a sacred place to the ancients long before that.”