Page 24 of A Spot of Tea and Sorcery: Vol. 6

“Are you feeling all right?”

Luna turned to find Ward watching her closely as the carriage rumbled slowly along the drive, wedged between luxuryautomagic mobiles. Hastily, she painted a smile on her face. “Yes, of course. It’s all very splendid, isn’t it?”

Her date laughed. “I’ve got to say, the way this carriage lurches about is making me a bit seasick. Maybe I should have just rented a limo or something!”

“Oh, no, the carriage is a nice touch,” Luna hastened to assure him before turning her gaze back out the window again. In the back of her mind, she heard the long-ago echo of Extremely Great Aunt Amelia’s voice, spoken over a cup of bitter tea:“My, my! For such a scrawny, ill-favored little creature, you’ve got quite the romance in store for you. I see ballgowns and carriages, moonlit gardens, and a daring man risking all to save you from certain doom.”

Luna’s brow puckered. Ballgowns, carriages, moonlit gardens . . . despite Extremely Great Aunt Amelia’s subsequent protest that her Sight wasn’t what it used to be, all these visions seemed to have manifested out of nowhere. As for the daring man, well! Ward had protected her last night, hadn’t he? He’d risked a lot by turning over the evidence of her broken earring. If anyone were to find out, he could lose his job. He was nothing if not daring.

“So, no rhinoceroses after all,” Luna murmured, looking down at her hands in her lap. She turned her wrist, staring at the patch of bare skin where a tattoo ought to be, and could almost swear she felt the sheen of ensorcelled cream smeared there. She hastily moved her corsage to cover it.

“Hey, why so glum?” Ward reached out and took her hand, threading his large fingers with hers. “Tonight’s going to be a night to remember. Just wait!”

Luna managed another weak smile. “All right, Ward,” she said and closed her eyes.

For some reason, she couldn’t stop seeing an image of her carpetbag, sitting on the floor back in Mr. Grimm’s apartment.She was going to have to go back there. After the ball. To fetch it. Before heading to the station. Perhaps she should have brought it with her now, but that might have given Ward ideas! No, it was better like this. Only she didn’t know how she’d manage it without seeing Mr. Grimm again . . .

Mr. Grimm.

A mental door yawned wide, bidding her to enter. Hastily, she slammed it shut. If she let herself start thinking about him, start thinking about that moment upstairs . . . if she let herself dwell on what she had done, or almost tried to do, or possibly seriously attempted . . .

No!

She wouldn’t think about it. None of it. It was her last night in the city. She should do everything in her power to enjoy herself. After all, she was attending the most glamorous event of the season with the handsomest man in Ballycastle. Surely that was one for the memory bank!

“You can leave your coat in here if you like,” Ward said as their carriage drew nearer to the top of the driveway. “You won’t need it.”

“Oh, right.” Luna nodded and hastily undid her buttons. She felt very conscious of Ward’s gaze on her well-fitted bodice and bare shoulders. Strange how a similar look from Mr. Grimm had set her blood boiling, but from Ward it just made her skin feel slithery and uncomfortable.

“Ye gods, Luna!” he exclaimed, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her close to him. “You’re justit,aren’t you?”

So saying, he planted another kiss on her, trying to catch her lips. She turned her head, and he caught the corner of her mouth instead. “Careful!” she cried, covering her discomfort with a giggle. “You’ll smear my makeup.”

He chuckled at that. “I’ll do my best, but make no promises,” he said, his voice a low growl. “You’re too much for me, did you know that?”

The carriage rolled to a stop at the head of the driveway. The footman hopped down to open the door. He handed Luna out first, and she took a moment to fluff her rumpled skirts. Guests and dignitaries and luminaries from across the kingdoms lingered on the great front stairs, dazzling in gowns of sapphire and silver and shimmering iridescence. Thank the goddess she’d not tried to wear Myrna’s green dress after all! Luna couldn’t imagine how out of place she would have been. But, thanks to Mr. Grimm’s powers, her double-delight dress was without equal. What blossom in creation can outclass a rose, after all?

Ward offered his elbow and led Luna up the stairs. For just a moment, Luna allowed the little girl inside her to revel in the fulfillment of every childhood dream. If this wasn’t a proper princess moment, she didn’t know what was! And Ward certainly made for a dashing prince-stand-in. He spoiled it a little by leaning close and murmuring in her ear, “Sorry I’m a bit sweaty. I’ve never been to a big do like this before! It’s all new to me.” He grinned then and shot her a wink that once would have sent tingles all the way to her toes. “It helps knowing I’ve got the prettiest girl in Ballycastle on my arm.”

Blushing, Luna dropped her gaze, toying with the little corsage of gardenias on her wrist.

A herald stood at the door, stunning in gold braiding and a traditional silver wig. He announced them as: “Officer John Ward, Special Sorcery Suppression Department, and Miss Luna Talbot.” The next moment, they were through the doors and swept into a glorious, glittering world of chandeliers and gold and dazzle. Luna stared out on the sea of strangers before her, and found herself fervently wishing she was back home right now. Home in The Arcane Bouquet. Tucked away in the nookbehind the counter, sipping a cup of orange llarmi tea, her feet propped on a stool in front of the dilapidated stove. Enchanted ballgowns notwithstanding, a little homey mouse like her was not meant for this world!

A happy squeal broke through her daze. Luna turned to see a vision in lavender wafting her way. “Miss Witch!” a cheerful voice cried out, and Luna’s hands were grasped in satiny gloves. “What are you doing here?”

It was one of her Silly Young Things. But, of course, after all those orders she’d fulfilled, she had to expect to bump into quite a few of the High Society misses she ordinarily served. “Oh, Miss Peabody!” she said with a smile, watching how the girl surveyed her rose gown with obvious appreciation and no little jealousy. “I’m so glad to see you. And . . . and is Oliver Trimble around?”

Miss Peabody flushed prettily and stepped in close to Luna, or as close as their massive skirts would allow. “Ollie hasn’t taken me under the rose arbor yet. But the night is young!”

“And have you thought about whatyouwant?” Luna asked, recalling details from the tea vision she’d scried for the little miss only yesterday.

Miss Peabody tossed her curls. “We shall see!” she said airily. With another friendly press of fingers, she scampered back to her group of fashionable friends, if one can be said to ‘scamper’ while clad in a gown and jewels like that.

“Friend of yours?” Ward asked, eyebrow quirked.

Luna smiled. “Client, actually.”

As they moved deeper into the ballroom, Luna was accosted by several more such clients, many of whom grabbed her by the hand and dragged her away to introduce her to their friends, proclaiming her the “cleverest tea witch youeverdid meet, noreally,you simplymustvisit her tea shop on Addle Street! It’s ascream!”It would actually be quite a good way to drum upbusiness for the shop. If it weren’t for the fact that she was leaving.