Page 34 of The Secret of the Three Fates
How many?
He tapped my thigh twice and I squinted into the darkness,barely able to see the two shapes making their way to the bridge above where we sat nestled in the reeds. The pair moved quickly, keeping to the shadows as best they could.
We were safe, hidden amongst the overgrowth. Perhaps not an ideal spot during the day, but in the darkness, we might go unnoticed at least for a time.
Ruan tapped me again on my thigh, a gesture I believed meant we should sneak back to the castle. He stood quietly, pulling me to my feet, and the two of us crept out of the reeds and away from the two figures.
Hand in hand we walked through the halls until we reached my room. It was a weakness to depend on him, but there was something steady and reassuring about Ruan that called to me—reminding me of those Cornish rocks he loved so well.
He pressed the door open and ushered me inside before throwing another log onto the fire and turning on the faucet of the great claw-foot tub beneath the window. The pipes groaned and hissed as the basin filled with hot water.
Ruan hesitated before turning around to face me, jaw tight.
“We’ll warm you up. Then, Ruby… I’m afraid we need to talk.”
CHAPTERFIFTEENA Coerced Admission
WEneed to talk.
Were there any four words in the English language that inspired more dread in a person’s heart? Probably not. I allowed myself twenty extra minutes to soak in the tub in avoidance of said conversation, but I knew I couldn’t put it off forever. Besides, the water had grown tepid. Fully thawed, dry and dressed in a fresh nightgown, I wrapped a plaid blanket around myself and entered Mr. Owen’s room. Ruan had recently poured a kettle into the teapot sitting on the table, filling the room with an unusual herbal scent. Must be another of Ruan’s teas. I suppose there aresomebenefits to having a witch around.
“You said she walks in her sleep?” Mr. Owen asked Ruan, eyeing me carefully across the table, as if I might turn into a newt if he looked away. “And she’s no recollection at all…”
Ruan shook his head, his back to me, as he tended the fire. I had the distinct impression he was making himself busy to not think about what almost happened tonight.
“How very extraordinary…” Mr. Owen murmured.
“The sleepwalking isn’t what bothers me. I’ve done it since I was a child.” Ruan poured me a cup of tea and placed it in myhands. “I’m more concerned about who else was out there by the lake? I know why I was there—” Well, actually I didn’t, but that was yetanotherproblem for another day.
Ruan snorted and I shot him an irritated look. It seemed he heard me well enough tonight.
“Ruby…” Mr. Owen said, snapping my attention away from Ruan.
I cleared my throat and took a sip of the tea, scalding my tongue in the process. “Let’s not quibble about me for a moment, I am simply saying that I am more concerned that there were two other people at the lake tonight searching for something.”
“Others?” Mr. Owen’s brows rose as he turned to Ruan with a frown. “Why didn’t you tell me that, lad?”
“I was less interested in them than I was that she”—he pointed at me with his own teacup, sloshing the tea over the rim onto the saucer below—“nearly drowned herself.”
“I’m perfectly fine.” I turned back to Mr. Owen. “There were two men on the bridge tonight. I think they were looking for something. Do you have any idea what?”
“Do you think it was the inspector?” Mr. Owen’s skin grew pale. “Ruby, you must stay away from him, you must give him no reason to suspect you further!”
“A fine thing for you to say, since your prevarications are the reason he suspects me in the first place.” I turned to Ruan, half expecting him to agree with me, but instead he was studying the depths of his teacup in a determined attempt to avoid looking at me. I drew in a sharp breath. “You’re keeping something else from me, aren’t you? Something you haven’t told me yet.”
Ruan muttered to himself in Cornish before finally looking up at Mr. Owen, his eyes flashing with the faintest hint of silver. I’d never seen him so angry. Not even when we were in Cornwall. “I won’t have secrets between us. I gave you my word to hold my tongue years ago, but things are different now. She deservesto know the truth of it all. And as you knowIcannot breakmyword, you had better do it yourself.”
“I was going to tell her. You don’t have to threaten me, Pellar.” Mr. Owen grumbled, hand trembling as he poured me a glass of whisky, and slid it across his table. I could only recall one other time when Mr. Owen had offered me a drink unbidden, and that was when he’d finally managed to get me released from Holloway Prison where I’d been detained after transporting illegal books for him. And frankly we both needed it after that adventure, it was his way of making amends—which did not bode well for whatever was coming next.
“Ruby, there is one other small thing I have not told you…”
My nostrils flared as I tugged my blanket tighter around my shoulders. “You told me there were no more secrets.”
He looked up at Ruan before turning to me, his dark brown eyes glassy. “Aye, lass. I know I did and I am sorry for it.”
“And Ruan knows…” A second betrayal.
“Do not be angry with the lad. He doesn’t know what it means… but he knows what I sent for. I didn’t want you any more involved in this matter. What with the inspector already braying for your blood and Malachi all too willing to rub my nose in it. I wish we’d never come, but it’s too late for that.” Mr. Owen rubbed his eyes before gesturing to Ruan with his forefinger. “Go on and show her, lad.”
