“He’s bound to be plotting,” Celeste agreed. “He’s chivalrous. It had be a matter of pride and honor to a man of his time.”
“Yeah, and I made the mistake of putting a big red cross on the calendar for the thirtieth day. I find Cullen staring at it five times a day, at least.”
“Come through.”
As soon as they entered the room, the conversation died down. “Help yourself to tea or coffee and a pastry,” Celeste said as she sat down.
Sunny didn’t seem to hear the pleasantry, or at least didn’t react. The poor girl looked as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders, and Celeste ached to help her through this difficult time.
Sunny took up the empty seat at the table, taking off her hoodie and throwing it over the empty chair that’d been left for Cullen. A moment later, Wellington jumped onto the chair and started paddling at the hoodie, making himself comfortable.
“Okay,” Sunny said in a serious tone, while stroking the cat, “straight to business.”
“What’s on your mind?” Willow asked.
“Well, it’s the eve of the thirtieth day, right?”
Celeste nodded.
“Or is it?” Sunny shrugged and looked around the table, her expression concerned. “When did the thirty days begin—from the day I arrived in 1820 and Fox struck the deal, or the moment we woke up in 2020? If it’s the former, that’s today.”
Aveline nodded. “That’s a good question. Did Fox say anything about it when you made the deal?”
“As soon as I agreed to make an exchange, he said as little as possible and vanished with a smug smile on his face.”
“That sounds like him, noncommittal by nature,” Celeste said.
Aveline drummed her polished fingernails on the table. “It could go either way. Just rest assured we are as ready as we can be.”
“Fox will certainly be enjoying the potential for confusion,” Willow said with sarcasm.
Celeste berated herself for not thinking of this issue earlier. She could have asked him to his face. Of course there was no guarantee he’d answer with the truth, if he answered at all. He was notoriously slippery and devious. There was a slim chance he might turn up again, later that evening. If he did make an appearance, she would ask him. She cleared her throat. “Full disclosure—I did see him briefly, a couple of days ago.”
As she expected, several of the group groaned, and Sunny looked at her in horror. “You’ve seen him here in town?”
Celeste nodded. “He can turn up at will, and he often watches incognito.”
“Eben did say he might be up at the house on the hill,” Sunny said quietly, glancing at Eben.
“Did he say anything pertinent?” Willow demanded, a stern look on her face.
“Not really. That’s why I hadn’t mentioned it.” Celeste didn’t quite manage to keep the frustrated tone out of her voice.
“I’d been wondering,” Sunny continued, “if I should go up there, to his house, and take the lead.”
Celeste shook her head. “Don’t go there. It’d be incredibly dangerous.”
“What if I have to?” Sunny asked.
“You have to tell her,” Rowena said. The youngest member of the coven, she was usually quiet. But Rowena had once found herself trapped at Fox’s home, and she looked particularly concerned for Sunny.
“I suppose it’s important you know why. He has spellbound the place to keep it secure.” Celeste glanced around the table quickly and noticed the watchful expressions on their faces. “Once he has an apprentice there, the poor soul has effectively signed themselves up to the dark tides. From the outside it’s invisible, but once the bars come down, it’s an eternal prison.”
“Bars?” Sunny shook her head, her eyes glowering at an invisible foe. “I’ll show him effin’ bars if he tries anything with me.”
Celeste was worried by her vehemence.
“No, Sunny,” Rowena piped up. “At the click of his fingers, steel bars rise up and enclose the whole property. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen, I’ve been there, and if it hadn’t been for Celeste I’d still be there now. Don’t underestimate the viscount. It’s a horrible dark and lonely prison when you get locked up inside his house.”
“Oh, deep joy. I was hoping to pre-empt him. So much for that idea.” She lifted the mug of coffee Willow had put in front of her, but put it down again without taking a sip. “The worst of it is, I just don’t know when it’s going to happen. I don’t feel ready and I feel like I’m at the guillotine, waiting for the blade to fall.”
“Would it help if you spent the day here in The Cauldron, with me? We can go over things again.”
“Thank you, but I can’t. Cullen wants to visit his family home. For some reason it’s really important to him. There’s something he wants to show me there. That’s the plan for today.”
“We’ll shadow you,” Eben said, nodding across the table at Aveline. “Several of us will be close at hand in case you need assistance.”
“Absolutely.” Aveline took off her glasses. “Coincidentally, I’ve been looking at the history of Hollingswell, in case it revealed anything of interest, and it occurred to me Nathaniel Fox would have visited Cullen there, if they were childhood friends. Both men would have been considered nobles and it would’ve been appropriate for them to mix as youngsters. It strikes me Fox will know Hollingswell. He would likely have been there many times over the decades.”
“That’s a good point,” Willow agreed.
“Great,” Sunny commented, somewhat forlornly. “So if he turns up today, he knows his way around better than I do.” She turned her attention to Eben and Aveline. “Do me a favor—if he arrives and I appear to go with him willingly, don’t intervene. I’ll signal if I want you to step in.”
Aveline nodded. “Just feel it, and we’ll know.”
“Why don’t you want their help?” Celeste asked warily. She had the feeling Sunny might hive off on her own. That wasn’t good.
“I do, but I made this deal and it’s my responsibility to sort it out, or...see it through.”
“Our magic is stronger when we work together,” Willow offered.
“Willow’s right,” Celeste agreed, “we need to stick together.”
“No.” Sunny sat back in her chair and shook her head. “It won’t be enough.”
Celeste frowned. “But if we all—”
“I’ll be ready,” Sunny interrupted. “He knows you’ll all be ready too. The only thing he doesn’t know is I’ll be ready, really ready.” She meshed her fingers together anxiously. “I felt my grandmother’s presence these last few days. And I feel stronger for it.”
Celeste noticed Sunny kept her eyelids lowered. She wasn’t telling them everything. “I’m glad she’s with you, but you must draw on our group strength.”
“You’ve taught me everything you know,” Sunny said, in what was obviously a well rehearsed speech, “and Aveline has uncovered a lot about my heritage, but it comes down to tactics. I need to ambush him. I need to do something he’s not expecting.”
Eben pointed at Sunny. “This is why you didn’t bring Cullen.”
“Yes. I don’t want him to know what I’m planning to do.”
Celeste tried not to panic. “Which is?”
Sunny met her gaze. “I don’t want you to know, either.”
They exchanged glances.
Celeste nodded.
“Don’t worry, I’m not totally stupid,” Sunny continued. “I know I’ll still need you. I’m going to make him think I want to learn from him. Cullen might not be able to accept that, and... and he has to believe it, in order to convince Fox too.”
Reluctantly, Celeste agreed. “It would certainly flatter his ego. You think you can pull it off?”
“It’s going to take some major acting out.” Fretfully, she rubbed her face with her hand. “I’ll give it my best try.”
Celeste took a deep breath. She really was Hanna’s grandchild. “In that case, the least
I can do is arm you by telling you some of his, erm...foibles.”
“Foibles?”
“Things he can’t resist in a woman.”
Unsurprisingly, all faces around the table turned to her.
Celeste steeled herself. This wasn’t going to be easy. She’d need to reveal intimate facts about her relationship with Fox, and they’d all been gagging to know the details for decades.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Cullen checked the dagger at his belt.
He’d vowed to keep at least two weapons about his person at all times, now the thirtieth day had arrived. He would’ve preferred to have his sword at hand, but apparently it wasn’t allowed during this future age, a fact he couldn’t quite comprehend. Nevertheless, Sunny forbade him to carry it around outside the cottage, so he settled on two daggers, together with a stealthily concealed garrote wire in his back pocket.
Glancing back at the house, he kept watch for Sunny’s return. It was a beautiful summer’s day—just days from midsummer—and he stood in the orchard, contemplating the fact it might be his last day here with Sunny, while watching the sunlight push through the heavy canopy of leaves above. It was a heavenly spot. The sun dappled across the grass below, turning it into a moving carpet of light.
He surveyed the crop of apples. The boughs were heavy with fruit, some even trailing down to touch the ground at their tips. He’d worked hard on the house and the gardens, repairing the thatch and bringing the land under control. Sunny’s home would prosper henceforth. Even while he labored, preparing for an enforced departure beyond his control, he grew angry and frustrated because he was unable to make the choice to stay by her side. If it was the last thing he did, he would protect her. He would gladly give his life rather than allow Nathaniel Fox to have his way with the woman he loved.
When he heard his name being called, he glanced across the orchard. Sunny walked down the path toward him, holding two glasses of freshly crushed apple juice. He smiled at the sight of her, admiring the gentle sway of her hips as she walked. She was a vision. She’d filled his life. He’d never met a woman like her, and he doubted he ever would again. “You’re like Eve, tempting me with your apple nectar.”
“Heh, you better believe it.” She set down the glasses and sidled up to him to give him a long, slow kiss. “If I’m Eve, this must be the garden of Eden.”
“Paradise...” He breathed her scent in. “Did your lesson with Celeste go well?”
“Yes,” she replied quickly. “Got back about fifteen minutes ago. I’ve just been doing some finishing touches to our special website.” She smiled at him. “It’s almost done.”
She’d been designing a guide to living in England in the early 1800s. It was a bit of history, and he hoped it would be useful to people who might be interested. They’d had a lot of fun putting the material together. The fact she’d done it for him was very special. Not that he fully understood the technicalities of the internet, even after nearly four weeks struggling to do so. He left it to her, turning his hand instead to the house and land.
He’d employed two local retired gentlemen to maintain the gardens and fruit bushes for Sunny from now on, while she was working, and he’d ensured Sunny would have a good crop of fruit and vegetables all year round. He’d also been able to negotiate a contract to supply a small local hotel with apples and summer fruits. Whatever happened, he was proud to have given her a bit of security. There was just one last thing he wanted to secure for her, and it necessitated a visit to his family homestead.
“Thank you.” He took her into his arms and kissed her forehead. Lord, the feel of her was so good. Would he ever truly be able to give that up? “Thank you for that—and everything.” He looked down into her eyes. They had long ago declared the depth of their love for one another.
She looked at him wistfully.
He knew what it was about. They had vowed not to speak of Nathaniel Fox until the time came to deal with it and he was steadfast about it. She wasn’t happy about the visit to Hollingswell either. Was that because it was his family home?
Sunny’s mother had sent her a framed embroidery for the cottage that read, ‘Home is where the heart is.’ Sunny said it was her mother’s way of telling them she approved of her life in Cornwall, after all. It was where his heart was too, but here in her time.
“Take that worried frown away, my love,” he added and smoothed his thumb across her brow. Perhaps she thought today’s planned trip to Hollingswell Hall, his family estate and the place where he’d grown up, would make him want to go back in time. He knew she feared the worst, that he was homesick. The fear was written all over her beautiful face.
He did need to see Hollingswell Hall right now, to strengthen his resolve about what was the right thing to do. And, more than that, there was something in particular he needed to do there.
“Yes, we must get on our way.” She adopted a breezy smile and glanced at her watch. “I’d like to get changed first. I’d like to wear something pretty to visit your family home.”
“What you’re wearing is pretty,” he replied.
“No, I must change into something appropriate.” She glanced away, as if avoiding his gaze. “I’ve got our picnic basket ready,” she quickly added, “and I called and checked, the first afternoon tour is at two-thirty. I’ll be ready in an hour, then we can get on our way. It’ll give us time to have our picnic on the grounds, before we take the tour.”
“Do we have to view the place with the tour guide?”
“Yes, because it’s only a small Heritage House, that’s the way they run it, for security’s sake.”
He nodded, disgruntled, for he felt sure it would make his task more difficult to achieve.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The picnic was wasted.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, casting long shadows over the grounds at Hollingswell Hall. They walked through the gardens before picking a spot to eat, but neither of them were hungry.
Something was wrong. Cullen had barely said a word to her since they’d left the cottage, and he’d hardly eaten anything at all.
“You feeling okay?” she reluctantly asked as she packed up the picnic basket.
He nodded, then looked at her outfit as if trying to make sense of it. “Yes, I’m quiet because I’m admiring you. You’re more beautiful than ever today.”
It was an excuse for his distraction, she knew it. But then she was equally distracted. Cullen hadn’t even noticed Aveline, Eben, and Rowena were strolling in the grounds too.
“Thank you.” She could scarcely look at him in case he guessed she’d glammed-up for another man. Man, or demon? She sighed.
Celeste had informed her that, amongst his other foibles, Fox liked a bit of sophistication in his women, and if she was going to convince him she was interested in what he was offering, it would be better to have him in a good mood. She’d dug out a dress she’d worn to a friend”s summer wedding the year before—the most expensive dress she owned, a long, sophisticated number in cream silk with dangerously thin spaghetti straps and a low scooped décolletage. It was impossible to wear a bra with it, but it was flattering and she did feel more confident in it. Goodness knows she needed any help she could get. She’d worn her hair up, grabbed some jewelry to wear, and gone overboard on the makeup. Her heels were high and elegant. Cullen hadn’t seen her dressed quite that way before now.
“I wondered at first if you’d forgotten your undergarments,” Cullen added, peering at her chest dubiously.
“Don’t worry, it’s acceptable. The dress demands it takes centre stage, no undies required.” She chuckled.
“I’m not worried, but 'tis hard to look at anything else.” He dragged his attention away and stared back at the house, as if piecing it together with his memories of the place.
Sunny did up the leather straps on the picnic basket and rose to her feet. They sauntered back to her little Fiat and she locked the basket safely inside, before they approached the Hollingswell
Hall entrance.
Several tourists were already gathered for the two-thirty tour.
Cullen scarcely seemed to notice them. He appeared to be a million miles away.
With an ache in her heart, Sunny faced the fact he was homesick. He’d wanted to come here today because he was missing his family, that’s all there was to it, and she had to toughen up and accept it. He’d leave her soon enough, whatever the outcome with Fox. No matter what he said in moments of passion. His obligation was to a past time. He wanted to go inside his home, he wanted to do the full tour. He obviously needed to connect with his old life.
And there she was hoping he might stay forever.
Up until a few days ago, she’d been almost certain he would stay. He seemed content. They were so deeply in love. Life was perfect. She tried not to count the days, but it was hard not to be reminded, not to savor every moment and wish for more time.
Now they were here, tension rang between them.
Cullen was preoccupied, and Sunny felt the presence of Fox looming closer by the moment.
The tour guide rapped her clipboard against her thigh and ushered the party of tourists together for the commencement of the tour. The dark clouds scuttled closer. “Let’s get started, before the weather turns,” the guide announced.
Cullen cursed under his breath.
Sunny looked at him, surprised. He appeared to have taken an instant dislike to the guide for some reason, which was something totally out of character for him. In their time together, Sunny hadn’t witnessed him clash with anyone. Presumably he couldn’t bear to see what he felt were strangers lording about in his family home. He had a scowl on his face that could turn milk.
With each passing second, her chest grew tighter, her hopes for the future fading as she felt him being lured away from her by the past. Perhaps when Fox appeared, Cullen would go willingly? Her planned actions may never come to fruition. Her heart ached at the thought of it, but it was Cullen’s choice, always had been. She’d fight for him, if he gave her a sign he wanted her to.
A Coven of Her own Page 19
