Page 70 of A Sorceress Comes to Call
Cordelia had gone rather pale, possibly at the mention of ghosts, but took a deep breath and said, in a voice that almost didn’t squeak, “I should like that very much, Lord Evermore,” and then shrank back into her chair as if the effort had exhausted her. Hester wondered how much of that was performance and how much was simply the difficulty of keeping up an act in front of her mother.
The Squire glanced at his new bride-to-be, who smiled. “That is a very kind offer, Lord Evermore,” she said.
“Then it’s settled,” said Richard. “I’ll send my man back to make the arrangements.”
“Good of you,” said the Squire, clapping him on the shoulder. “Fine thought. Haven’t been out to the Evermore estate in years, have I? Is Old Bernard still in the stable?”
“He claims he’s retired, but everyone knows better.”
“Wonderful, wonderful. I remember when we went out for grouse…” He coughed, his mustache twitching. “Not that we’ll have time for hunting, of course, not just overnight. Though they do have some marvelous hunts up north, as I recall. Just the territory for elk. Might look into one or two while Eva’s shopping.”
Doom laughed. “I shall try not to spend all my time at the shops, dearest.”
“No, no. Mustn’t skip them on my account.” He patted her arm. “I know how you girls can get.”
Hester judged the distance to her brother’s ankle and regrettably decided that she couldn’t quite ding him in the shins with her cane.
“I’m sure that in three weeks you’ll have time for at least one hunt,” said Doom caressingly.
And let’s just hope that three weeks is also enough time for us to find a way to stop a sorcerer.
CHAPTER 25
“Miss?”
“Yes, Alice?” Cordelia turned away from the window. It was dark and there was nothing much to see except the black-on-slightly-less-black cutouts of trees.
Alice chewed on her lower lip, unaccustomedly serious. “You’re going to be marrying Lord Evermore, then.”
No, I’m not, she wanted to say, but couldn’t. “He’s offered for me, yes.”
The maid nodded. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn,” she said, “but it struck me that you might not know. When you go to live with him, it’s expected that you take your lady’s maid with you, if you have one.”
My lady’s maid? But I don’t have… oh. “You mean, you? Do you want to come with me?”
“If you’ll have me, I’d be glad of it.” Alice paused, her eyes grave. “I don’t much feel like staying here after the Squire marries, you understand.”
“No.” Cordelia looked back out into the dark. “No, I don’t blame you.” She would have liked to take Alice with her. At least she might have saved somebody that way. We’re going to the town house first, Hester said. If Alice comes with me, she’ll be safe for a bit. Maybe I can ask Lord Evermore to hire her. “I’d love to bring you with me. What do I have to do to make that happen?”
“I’ll speak the housekeeper,” said Alice, “and she’ll come ask you. Then you just have to tell her.” She took Cordelia’s hands. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” Cordelia dredged up a smile, trying to think of what Penelope would have said. “You could have been free of me, but now you’ll have to keep putting up with my ignorance.” And the locked doors. And the way I sleep in the closet sometimes.
Alice laughed. “I’ll go tell Mrs. Bell at once.” She squeezed Cordelia’s hands, then hurried out.
Cordelia went back to staring out the window. Was there something out there? She thought she saw a light in the trees for a moment. Falada, pacing around the house again? She shuddered.
Cordelia?
It wasn’t quite as shocking the second time, but Cordelia still jumped sideways and nearly crashed into an end table. She grabbed the curtains to keep from falling over, heard a warning creak of fabric, and let go immediately before she tore one by accident.
“Penelope?” she whispered.
Yes. Me again. I didn’t mean to startle you.
“What happened last time? You just stopped talking.”
Sorry, Penelope said. What I’m doing is sort of like focusing my eyes, and they get tired. Then it slips and I can’t always get the focus back. I didn’t mean to stop talking to you, but I was startled and it slipped.
