by Sonia Parin
When Lexie saw tears well up in her mom’s eyes she went into a state of panic. If Morg caved into her histrionics, there’d be no end to it. “Oh, please don’t cry. Don’t you have an opening night to attend or a sponsor to entertain? What will they think if they see you’ve been crying?”
Morg sniffed. “You’re right. There’s no undoing what’s been done.”
Now was definitely not the time to tackle her mom’s omission. Lexie had decided to believe her mom had never mentioned being the High Chair. She would have remembered. Surely.
Morg sniffed again. “I want you to know you’re not alone.” She gave her a brisk smile. “We’re all here to help. Your cousins have everything under control. Speaking of which, I’ve seen your Guardian. Those broad shoulders. Lean hips and poet’s eyes. You really have done well for yourself. He’s gorgeous—”
“Morg... Mom, can we not go there?”
“Sensitive subject?”
She didn’t quite know. “I wouldn’t want you to let something slip while he’s around. It would make things awkward between us.” More than they already were.
“You’re probably right. In this day and age, he might take exception and lodge a harassment suit.” Her mom gave the bedroom another glance and gestured toward the sitting room. “So which part are you having trouble with?”
“Pardon?”
“You wanted help, I’m here to give it.” Morg strode over to the couch, tested it for comfort and then crossed her legs. “You mustn’t look so puzzled. We’re connected. Of course I can hear you asking for help even if you don’t say it in so many words.”
Lexie slumped down beside her. “I have to get myself and Luna to the manor house in one piece. Or rather...” She threw her hands up in the air. “Intact.”
“Focus.”
“Yes. Mirabelle keeps telling me that. But my mind seems to wander off.”
“Try meditation. You should also take up yoga. That helps with centering.”
“I don’t actually have time. I need a quick solution to get me through the next few days.”
“Have you connected with Luna?”
“Huh?”
“As your companion, she should be tapping into you and vice versa. One with the elements.”
“How do I do that?”
“By talking to her.”
Lexie huffed out a breath. “She doesn’t seem to be interested in anything I have to say.”
“You were always a little strange. Not your average bear.”
“That’s just it. She doesn’t understand those popular cultural references.”
“Bring her up to speed,” her mom said.
“What do you suggest I do? Plonk her down in front of the TV and force-feed her my favorite shows? I don’t have time for that. And what exactly is a guardian?”
“Slow down, Lexie. Your sentences and thoughts are beginning to run into each other.” Morg rose to her feet and paced around the room. “Thank goodness you called me.”
“I didn’t call you.”
“Are you sure?”
They both looked down at Luna.
“Maybe you’ve made more progress than you think.”
“Are you suggesting she called you? Did she fake my voice?”
Morg laughed. “Don’t be silly. She would have sent out a sensation. A mental nudge. But she would only be able to get to me through you.”
Lexie frowned. “Are you saying she’s been pretending she doesn’t understand a word I say? Why?”
“Nothing but a bout of self importance. She needs you more than you need her,” Morg whispered.
“What does that mean?”
“She has to land herself a High Chair otherwise, she’ll never be able to face her family again. Her sister beat her to Mirabelle. You’re her last chance to secure a coveted role.”
“And that’s why she’s playing hard to get?”
“They’re a proud family. And I don’t understand why. Rumor has it their father’s lineage is not so squeaky clean. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of scandal, but they’ve worked very hard to hide it... so it must all be true.”
Luna stretched and yawned.
It’s all nonsense.
Lexie swung round. Luna licked her paw and looked away. Had she heard right? No, she must have imagined it.
“Since you won’t let me redecorate your bedroom, why don’t I give you a little help with this other matter? A little jump-start. Enough to get you there.”
“No. Out of the question. I have to do this by myself...” Lexie looked at the suitcase that now sat by the front door. “Thanks for that.”
“We can at least do something about your apartment. Something closer to the theatre district or Central Park, something on the east side, perhaps?”
Lexie shook her head.
“The west side?”
“Mom, I really appreciate you coming.”
“I hear a but coming up.”
She couldn’t actually kick her mom out... Could she? Jonathan would be arriving soon and she still needed to do a couple of mental practice runs. “I think I’ve got this now. It was lovely to see you and I promise to catch up soon...”
Her front door opened. Jonathan strode in and gave her a brisk smile. “Knock, knock.” He held up a stuffed cat. “This one lost the whiskers, but I think you’ll be fine with the real thing—” Jonathan stopped mid-sentence and stared at Morg. “You didn’t tell me you had company.”
“Jonathan, this is my mom, Morgana.”
Her mom and Jonathan stared at each other without saying anything.
Lexie groaned. “I guess this means you two know each other.” She prayed they’d say no. If she could have one wish, she’d wish for them to say no.
“I have a vague memory of perhaps having met Jonathan,” Morg offered, her finger twirling around a strand of hair. “Yes, I suppose you could say we’re acquainted.”
“You could say that,” Jonathan agreed, his tone hard.
Morg looked amused while Jonathan appeared to be standing his ground, almost as if he expected to have to put up a fight.
“At the risk of coming across as an egocentric oaf, can we maybe focus on me?” Lexie asked.
“That’s a familiar trait,” Jonathan said under his breath.
Morg chortled.
Lexie folded her arms. Her gaze jumped from one to the other. So much for drawing the focus back to her. “I’m sensing some history between you.”
Morg gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “It was such a long time ago.”
“Jonathan is only a couple of years older than me. It can’t have been that long ago... whatever it was.”
Her mom sat up. “It was definitely not what you are implying.”
“Yeah, what she said,” Jonathan was quick to add.
“But something happened... between you,” Lexie insisted.
“You could say that. But it’s all water under the bridge.”
“Says you,” Jonathan muttered.
“Clearly, there are two versions. His and hers. And I’m going to be sandwiched between you. Your timing could not be worse.” She tapped an imaginary watch. “I’m due to leave in a few minutes.” As if on cue, Luna appeared.
Right. Let’s do this.
“Huh?” Lexie eyed Luna. Had she just communicated with her?
“Darling, I could come with you,” Morg suggested.
Considering her mom’s schedule, Lexie knew it was only a token offer. “Thanks for the offer, but as the saying goes, two’s a couple, three’s a crowd.” She looked at Jonathan and thought about her mom’s description of him. The twinkle in his eyes had been replaced by a storm.
Lexie was still waiting for someone to explain his connection to her. She still had no idea what his role entailed. Now there was the question of him and her mother.
She didn’t have the time to deal with any of that. Luna settled down by her luggage, her tail giving an impatient flick.
Someone’s i
n a hurry to get going, Lexie thought. “Okay. It’s time to click my heels. Mom, thanks for the clothes. You’re a lifesaver. Jonathan. Thanks for coming to see me off. I know you don’t have a choice.” She went to stand by her luggage and did a mental head scratch. What now? Did she hold Luna’s tail? Hug her? Maybe she should take extra precautions and actually tie Luna up against her.
“Focus, Lexie. Hold a clear image of your destination,” Morg said.
“That’s the best advice you have?” Jonathan asked. “She needs to think about Luna and the luggage.”
“What would you know? You’re only pretending to be her guardian. She hasn’t officially taken you on.”
“And you never told her you were the High Chair.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I didn’t need to tell her.”
“Newsflash. She didn’t know you were... are the High Chair.”
“Guys.” Lexie’s gaze jumped between Jonathan and Morg. What had come over them? “Guys. I’m about to go. As in... I’m leaving. See you later.” They were still at it. “Oh... for heaven’s sake. Get me out of here—”
Lexie hovered in that infinitesimal moment in time that was neither here or there.
As she felt herself shift through time and space, she wondered what Luna would look like without a tail.
Chapter Three
Lexie hovered for a second. Then she fell and landed hard. “Ouch.”
She’s fine.
How can you be sure?
Because I’m her mother.
“Mom? Is that you?” Had she really heard her mom... and still bickering with Jonathan?
Yes, baby. It’s me. I’m here.
Lexie tried to get past the strangeness of hearing her mother’s voice in her head. “Actually, is it in my head?” Or was she merely localizing the voice in order to make sense of it. It would be too strange if her mom was... everywhere. And Jonathan...
That had definitely been him but not as loud and clear as her mom. This had better be something new. If he’d been able to tap into her thoughts before...
Lexie tried not to think of all those stray thoughts she’d entertained about him.
“I’m going to hazard a guess and say I’ve landed in the closet,” she muttered. All those practice runs appeared to have done more harm than good.
She waited a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dark. Stretching her legs slightly she didn’t encounter any obstacles. Unlike her cramped space at home, this closet felt roomy enough to suggest she’d landed in a deluxe sized walk-in wardrobe.
“Um... Luna?” she whispered. “Luna... did you make it?” Please, say yes. Lexie strained to hear. She could sense movement around her but couldn’t see anything. “If you’re here, give me a sign.” She held her breath and again strained to pick up the slightest noise. “Remember, rule number one. Do not lose your cat. I can’t be the first Mackenzie to lose my cat.”
She felt the swish of a furry tail whipping the air in front of her and then she saw a pair of bright eyes zooming in on her closer and closer until a wet nose pressed against hers.
“All right. Now I see you. I told you we had nothing to worry about.” She drew in a deep breath. “Last but not least, did the luggage make it?” Luna turned away and gave her another swish of her tail. “Get my priorities straight?” She leaned forward and crawled over to the closet door. She gave it a light nudge, enough to peer out and see that she’d landed in someone’s bedroom.
“It’d be fantastic if we actually landed in our bedroom. But what are the chances of that happening?” Hearing footsteps, she clamped her hand over her mouth. Clearly, the chances were nil. This was someone else’s room. Lexie stilled. Now she’d have to wait for the occupier to leave.
“It’s all about discretion, dear. I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times.”
When Lexie heard the bedroom door open and close, she waited a few minutes to be on the safe side and then crawled out, her gaze fixed on the canopy bed. The curtains hadn’t been drawn so she couldn’t see the person inside.
Since the voice she’d heard had been a woman, she decided to assume there was a man in the bed. Enjoying a late afternoon nap? Or basking in the aftermath of some illicit rendezvous?
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Lexie,” she whispered. Still on all fours, she looked over her shoulder at Luna. “We have to look on the bright side. We both made it here in one piece. Tail. Paws... Whiskers. All there.” Luna threw her nose up in the air and leaped over her. “You go ahead and check out the room and I’ll look for the luggage.” She rose to her feet and peered inside the walk-in wardrobe. No sign of her purple suitcase.
She considered checking in with her mom but then decided to wait until she’d made it safely out of the room.
I’ll be right here when you need me.
“Mom?”
Yes, dear. Why are you whispering?
“Long story. Are you going to listen in on everything I say?” she asked as she looked in amazement at the massive wardrobe. The owner must have had ten of everything and in all shades.
You could try switching me off.
Could she do that to her mom?
Or, you could use me as your aide-de-camp.
Lexie cleared her throat. “Did I leave my suitcase behind?”
No.
She sighed and turned. Where could it have landed? It had to be somewhere in the house. She refused to think she’d lost it in transit...
Is something wrong, Lexie?
“Mom. We’re going to have to keep... radio silence for a while.”
She looked over at the canopy bed. At this stage, she’d have to cut her loses, get Luna and leave the room before she made enough noise to draw attention to herself. Her luggage would turn up. For all she knew, it might have landed in her original destination. By the front door. The butler could be standing outside looking at it right now and wondering where its owner was.
You need to have a look at this.
“Who said that?” Not Morg. “Luna?” Lexie peered around the side of the bed and saw Luna emerging from within the canopy bed. “Hey, have you been snooping around?”
There’s something you should see.
“It is you. Talking to me.” She smiled. That had to mean something. “Say something else.” Luna gave a brisk shake of her head and went to sit by the door.
Something’s not right with that man. Looks odd.
Lexie nudged the curtain and peered inside. “I don’t have the benefit of night vision,” she whispered, “What did you see?”
Lexie heard a distinct impatient grumble. Luna strode across the room, jumped onto the bed and daintily strode across the man’s chest.
Does anything seem odd to you?
“Apart from hearing your voice in my head?” She heard another impatient grumble. “Okay. When you walked over him, he didn’t stir.” Lexie took a chance and drew the curtain open. Light from the windows spilled in. “Oh, yes. I see it now. This man is quite, quite dead.” And he had an apple stuffed into his mouth. Lexie took two steps back, shuffled her feet sideways, shifted toward the door and ran out of the bedroom. “This cannot be happening to me.”
There’s a dead man in that room and all you can think about is yourself?
“It’s called self-preservation.” Once outside the bedroom, Lexie leaned against the door and took a moment to calm her thumping heart and erase the image of the naked... dead body from her mind.
“May I help you?”
One more minute. Was it too much to ask? She’d only needed to get her head around what she’d just seen. “I think I’m lost,” Lexie said as she opened her eyes. “I must have taken a wrong turn.”
“And you are?”
“Alexandra Mackenzie.” She didn’t expect him to introduce himself. His haughty demeanor said it all. He was the butler.
His attention dropped down to Luna.
“Alexandra Mackenzie, accompanied by Luna.” Or was it the other way around? “We ar
e guests.”
He nodded. “You are in the wrong wing. These are the private rooms.” The butler stepped aside and gestured with an elegant flourish of his hand. “This way, please.”
Lexie tried to take a step. She really did. It would have spared her so much trouble. Unfortunately, she had a conscience, the type that succumbed to guilt and middle of the night remorseful tossing and turning.
“Actually, on our way to getting lost... we sort of stumbled into the wrong bedroom.” She hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “You might want to go in there and then perhaps call the authorities.”
“I would?”
She nodded.
“This room?”
“Yes.”
“Lord Bradbury’s room?” He drew the door open and stepped inside. Moments later, he returned and locked the door. “The authorities have been informed. If you follow me, I’ll show you to your room.”
Lexie happily disregarded the odd behavior. In his place, she might have asked a few pertinent questions. Just as well she didn’t have to face someone like herself. Travel always took its toll on her. Travel at the blink of an eye left her feeling dazed. She would like nothing better than to find a soft pillow...
“By the way, have you seen a purple suitcase? I seem to have misplaced mine.”
“I shall keep an eye out for it.” The butler opened a door and gestured for her to enter.
“Oh, this is a splendid room.” Her own canopy bed. The flower patterns on the curtains were embroidered in rich shades of gold, green, pink and purple. Lexie turned to smile at the butler just as he drew the door shut and turned the key from the outside.
“Um. Mr. Butler, sir...”
