“Why did it take you so long to return?” his mother asked instead of answering his question. Or perhaps she didn’t know the answer.

  “Madam Boswell wished to speak with me alone.” He blew out a breath, still unsettled and feeling like a fool because he’d allowed a likely charlatan to put him in this state.

  “What did she tell you?” his mother asked in alarm.

  He was not expecting this reaction, but he told her first of Edward and Ianthe.

  His mother pursed her lips, then nodded. “I do not like it.”

  “Are you going to deny their friendship?”

  “No.” She placed a hand against her breast. “If Madam Boswell saw them, then it must be as she says.”

  Damon blinked at her again. “You trust the old woman?”

  “She has a true gift, not a charlatan like so many others,” his mother assured him. “If she sees or feels something, pay attention and do as she tells you.”

  “I was hoping you would be dismissive of her,” he grumbled.

  “Why?” His mother became alarmed again.

  He then explained the darkness surrounding him.

  His mother frowned. “She does not know the cause or when?”

  “No. She could not tell me anything further.”

  She turned and grabbed his arm. “There is only one darkness we must fear. Witchfinders!” She whispered the last word.

  “I am not a witch,” he reminded her.

  “You are responsible for witches. The darkness surrounds you, but it is another who is in danger.”

  Damon nearly snorted. “I am too cautious to let anyone near who could harm my family.”

  His mother looked pointedly at Miss Cordelia.

  “The Vails are not a threat,” he reminded her. Of that he was certain.

  “Perhaps they aren’t, but that doesn’t mean we can trust everyone in Bocka Morrow. If Madam Boswell saw the darkness, then it was near or will be here.”

  “Nothing will happen to you or my nieces,” he promised.

  “This is why we must not leave Nightshade Manor again. Madam Boswell has warned us, and I do not take such lightly.”

  “I will not be sequestered to this estate for the next three years,” he argued. Except, if that was necessary to keep his family safe, he would do so. “Nightshade Manor is protected so that those who should not be here cannot step on the land, correct?”

  “It only works if the gates are closed,” she answered.

  “Then keep them closed and locked at all times. If I need to leave, I’ll do so by this gate as few know of its existence.”

  His mother frowned.

  “I cannot hide here and wonder when, who, or what may strike. I must be free to come and go.”

  His mother sighed. “I will do as you say for the main entrance. But for this gate, it will be shielded by roses and bushes, only to part for those who mean no harm.”

  It was a concession he could accept. Damon just dreaded having to speak with his nieces again and warn them not to leave Nightshade Manor under any circumstances. Ianthe was already afraid, and he didn’t wish to make it worse. “What she saw could also be nothing more than a storm,” he said, not willing to fully believe an evil darkness was stalking him or his family. He’d remain alert, but he wasn’t going to hide.

  His mother pursed her lips and stared at him out of the corner of her eye. “It is never so simple. Do not take this lightly.”

  Damon held up his hands in defense. “I promise that I will not. I will protect you and the girls.”

  His mother gave a nod as if she was satisfied with his response and went back to watching Ianthe and Miss Cordelia. His niece was now grinning up at her teacher.

  “Miss Cordelia may have been of assistance,” his mother mumbled.

  “Perhaps we will not need to worry about Ianthe running away again,” Damon suggested.

  “I’ll make certain it is not possible.” His mother nodded to the wild roses. “They can keep someone in as easily as they can keep them out.”

  That was a relief. Unless Ianthe decided to take up sailing, then he need not worry about her leaving again.

  Ianthe turned toward them, and she smiled at Damon. He’d not seen her do such since before the butterfly incident. Hopefully she would now settle and accept who she was.

  Damon stepped away from his mother. “I’ll see Miss Cordelia home since her brothers are already gone.”

  Her mother pursed her lips again. “Do not become attached,” she warned.

  Attached? He’d only just met Miss Cordelia.

  “She is not for you,” his mother warned.

  Damon knew the type of woman his mother wanted for him, but as he had no intention of marrying anytime soon, he wasn’t going to waste his breath arguing.

  “Do be careful,” she insisted quietly.

  “I will, Mother.” Did she fear something would happen to him between here and Hollybrook Park? Yes, the old woman said there was darkness, but he was not so very concerned.

  Cordelia hadn’t stood and relaxed her body and mind in such a manner in a very long time. At least not fully by going through the entire process. Instead, she chose small segments to help her through stressful moments, such as earlier today.

  “Do you feel better?” she asked Ianthe.

  “Yes. Thank you, Miss Cordelia.”

  Together they turned to walk to where Lady Chandos was standing with Lord Bentford. Cordelia hadn’t even been aware they’d been watching.

  “Can you return tomorrow, Miss Cordelia? I want to practice a few more times with you to make sure I am doing it correctly.”

  “If your grandmother and uncle do not mind.”

  “Of course,” Lady Chandos answered, much to Cordelia’s surprise. She was certain the woman did not like her. “However, you should come by way of this gate.”

  It was a rather odd request, but she’d do so. Besides, it was a quicker walk than going by the road.

  “I should return home.”

  “Thank you, Miss Cordelia,” Ianthe said gratefully. “I do feel better.”

  “In time it becomes habit, I promise.” She then turned to her hostess. “Thank you for inviting us to tea.” Even though that invitation had been for the purpose to chastise her.

  “You are welcome to return to assist Ianthe when she needs you, and your brother is welcome to visit my granddaughter as well.”

  That was another surprising comment. Cordelia didn’t think Edward was liked any better than she was. Then again, they were only welcome if it benefited Ianthe, and not welcomed as a guest to tea. That would likely never happen again.

  “I will escort you home,” Lord Bentford offered.

  “That really is not necessary.” It wasn’t all that far. In fact, she was currently standing on her family’s estate. Only the wall separated Hollybrook Park from Nightshade Manor.

  “I insist.”

  This afternoon was certainly filled with the unexpected, but Cordelia would not question such a turn of events. She was relaxed and quite content with her circumstances.

  Once they’d stepped through the trees that sheltered the small clearing, they turned toward the gardens at the back of Hollybrook Park.

  “What was your fear? If you don’t mind me asking, that is.”

  Oh, why had Madam Boswell said anything? “Water,” she answered simply though it was far more than that.

  “Water?” he repeated.

  She needed to explain so Bentford would not think her a complete ninny.

  “Large bodies of water to be specific. Especially the sea. Any body of water that would be over my head and in which I could drown.”

  “Have you always been afraid?” he asked.

  At least he wasn’t laughing at her, though he could still consider her silly but was too polite to say anything.

  “No. It happened when I was ten,” she answered. “My younger sister, Adriana, has always been drawn to the water. She liked to be on the beach and would wade in when nobody was looking. I used to go with her, and we’d remove our shoes and stockings, walk along the beach, and run from the waves to keep our dresses from getting wet.” She smiled at the memory of when she was innocent of the dangers. “One day Adriana decided that she was going to swim, not just go only as deep as her knees, but further out. I told her not to, but she didn’t listen to me and went in the water anyway.”

  “Did she know how to swim?” Bentford asked.

  “Yes. We were taught as we were learning to walk, but we were still forbidden to go in the water unless my grandfather or servants were present.”

  He nodded as if he understood.

  “The sea was rough that day. It didn’t look rough, but it was, underneath, and it pulled Adriana out, away from the beach and then under. I called for her, but she didn’t come back up and I was too afraid to go after her.”

  “What happened?”

  “I started screaming and ran back to the manor, but my grandfather was already coming down because he’d been watching. When he got there, she was on the shore and alive.”

  “How?” Bentford asked in surprise.

  “According to Adriana, a merman saved her.”

  “Merman?” he questioned.

  “Yes.” Cordelia chuckled. “I am certain that it must have been a fisherman, or anyone for that matter, but not a merman.”

  “What did your grandfather say? Does he know who saved her?”

  Cordelia frowned. “I never asked.” In fact, they never discussed the incident again.

  “It must have been terrifying to watch your sister disappear like that and be helpless.”

  “It was,” she admitted. “Even though Adriana had survived unscathed, I suffered nightmares and panicked every time she or Edward was near the water. Then I began to fear that the caves would flood while my family was down there with cargo, and everyone would be swept out to sea and I’d never see them again, or that the cliff would collapse, and our manor would fall into the sea, and we’d all drown. I was afraid all the time until the new governess taught me how to calm my fears.” Cordelia stopped as they reached the terrace at the back of Hollybrook Park and turned to Bentford. “I know that it is not rational. The caves are not going to flood because they never have. I also know that our home is not going to fall into the sea. I know all of this, but I am still deeply terrified of the sea. Therefore, I never go into the water, nor have I been on a boat.” Her face heated. “You must think me silly.”

  He stared down at her, his brown eyes warm with understanding. “No.”

  Her breath hitched in surprise at his understanding. Even Adam and Edward dismissed her concerns. As for Adriana, she still felt the pull to the sea and could not understand Cordelia’s fear when she hadn’t been the one who had nearly died. In Adriana’s mind, if she wasn’t afraid, then Cordelia shouldn’t be either.

  “Thank you for seeing me home,” she finally said.

  “It was my pleasure,” he returned as he started to smile. “Especially since you admitted to your secret. Why else would there be cargo in the caves?”

  She certainly had not…Cordelia groaned. “I assure you that I am not usually so careless with my words.” Was he now going to worry that she could not be trusted?

  Bentford chuckled. “I am not concerned.”

  Cordelia frowned up at him. “You are not?”

  The smile slipped as he studied her with a seriousness that should cause concern and she feared what he may say next.

  “No, Miss Cordelia, I am not.” His brown eyes darkened as he looked into hers. “For an inexplicable reason, I find that I trust you completely.”

  Her heart hammered in her chest. He did not know her, yet he trusted her. Those may have been some of the most important words any gentleman had ever said to her. “I won’t betray your trust, Lord Bentford. On that you have my word.”

  He continued to study her, and anticipation swelled in her chest, though she had no idea why. This had never happened to her before.

  Then he blinked and stepped away. “Thank you for helping Ianthe today.”

  “Yes, of course,” she practically stammered as she wondered what she had hoped he would do.

  A kiss.

  The words fluttered across her mind, and Cordelia immediately pushed it aside.

  “Send word of when it would be convenient for me to visit with her tomorrow, and I will make arrangements. I don’t wish for her to suffer with her fears longer than necessary.”

  “Thank you.” He then offered a slight bow, then turned to make his way back to Nightshade Manor.

  Cordelia stood and watched him go, admiring the width of his shoulders and his stride, which was full of confidence and purpose.

  She had wanted him to kiss her, she admitted. She’d never felt such a desire before and it was one that she would need to ignore. Cordelia was also certain the want would pass and it had occurred simply because they’d confided secrets and he trusted her. Further, she was too rational and reasonable to become smitten with a gentleman she’d just met.

  Chapter 12

  Damon certainly didn’t fault Cordelia for having a deep fear of the water. And, had Ianthe not started to learn to control her fear, there was no telling what would become of her. It was likely she’d be too afraid to leave Nightshade Manor just as Cordelia was still afraid of the sea.

  He supposed it was no different than his sister Maia. She had fallen out of her window trying to reach a tree when she was only eight. The result had been a broken arm, though it could have been far worse since she was on the third floor. She’d only survived because Maia had landed on a stack of mattress ticks that the footmen had brought out to be fluffed up and refilled with straw.

  She’d been terrified of heights following her fall and she still avoided windows on the upper floors of any building and refused to step out onto balconies. When asked if she wanted to take in a particular view from anywhere higher than the first floor, Maia always declined. She also believed that anyone who wished to ride in a balloon had lost their mind and belonged in Bedlam. Therefore, Damon well understood Cordelia’s lingering fear.

  After he crossed the clearing and entered through the gate, as his mother promised, the rose bushes filled and covered the entire wall. He suspected the same had happened on the other side of the entry.

  He should have warned Cordelia and Edward for when they visited. Except, his mother had also said that it would be revealed to those who did not bring danger, so it should part for the Vails.

  As Damon stepped into the manor, he paused when he heard voices coming from the parlor.

  Had his mother invited more guests to Nightshade Manor? The woman had wanted nobody here, but she was entertaining for the second time in one day.

  The warning of danger played in the back of his mind, but Damon dismissed it. If his mother was concerned, she would not have allowed anyone in the house, and therefore, he crossed to the parlor to see who the newest guests were.

  As soon as he stepped within, he stifled a groan and wished he would have gone straight to the nursery. What the blazes was Miss Vera Perkins doing at Nightshade Manor? Though, unfortunately, he had a very good idea, which he would discuss with his mother in private.

  “Damon, I’m so glad you’ve finally returned.”

  “Mother,” he greeted and forced a smile. “Miss Perkins.”

  “Lord Bentford,” she offered with a nod. An older woman, who he took as a companion or chaperone sat in a chair silently sipping tea and was not introduced to him.

  “As soon as I knew that we were going to be spending some time at Nightshade Manor, I asked Miss Perkins to join us.” His mother smiled brightly. “Miss Perkins arrived while you left to look for Ianthe.”

  It was a shame Miss Perkins hadn’t arrived later, and after the gate had been shut to keep intruders out. Except, it would have likely opened for Miss Perkins since she was a witch, and not a witchfinder. Witches always found safety at Nightshade. Maybe if they told her of the danger the family faced, Miss Perkins would flee except he feared she’d likely use the concern as a reason to remain until danger to witches passed.

  There could only be one reason she was here, and Damon was not pleased.

  “Given what Ianthe is experiencing, I thought she might be of assistance.”

  If his mother wished for other witches to help his nieces, she could have brought her own daughters.

  “I appreciate the invitation,” Miss Perkins offered. “I’ve always wanted to visit Nightshade Manor. It is certainly lovely.”

  “Thank you,” his mother returned pleasantly. “I’ll take you through the gardens tomorrow. You do enjoy mixing teas, lotions and such, do you not?”

  “It is a pleasure of mine.”

  “Damon, why don’t you escort Miss Perkins about the estate so that she might become more familiar?”

  “I apologize,” he offered. “I must check in on Ianthe, especially after the day she has had.” He nodded to Miss Perkins. “If you will excuse me.”

  Instead of letting him simply leave, Miss Perkins stood. “Is something wrong with the poor dear? Perhaps I could be of assistance.”

  “I am certain she will be well. I simply wish to assure myself.”

  He turned and quit the room before either Miss Perkins or his mother could stop him.

  Bloody hell, he thought of all places he’d be safe from his mother’s matchmaking here, but they were barely in residence before his mother had invited the first eligible, meaning a miss who was a witch, on her list in hopes of seeing him wed. He may need to reside here for the next few years, but that did not mean he was going to allow his mother to invite potential wives until he settled upon one. He would not have it.

  Hopefully Miss Perkins’ visit was short because he had no intention of courting her.

  With a deep breath, he stepped onto the nursery floor and found his three nieces within. Clio was playing with a doll, Nephele was practicing her violin and Ianthe was standing as she had in the clearing with Miss Cordelia, with her eyes closed, hands at her side and taking in even breaths.

  He was glad to see her practicing and hoped that was all she needed to overcome her fears.