Page 17

Adelaide’s face instantly lit up. “Oh, she is a sweet baby, so much like her mother. Little red curls, can you imagine?”

“She sounds delightful. I look forward to seeing her when I return home.”

Adelaide shook her head and gave me a sad smile. “I have always admired your demeanour. You are so… in control of yourself. Even now, in mourning, you are the picture of calm.”

My chest tightened at her words, and I released her hand lest she feel the sweat that erupted on my palm. I had thought to be playing the role of the grieving widow, and yet all anyone said to me was that I was too calm, too controlled. I was handling Acton’s death rather too well, and panic clawed at my ribcage as I considered what would happen if anyone began to suspect.

I gave myself a mental shake. My guilt was causing my mind to play tricks on me, seeing discovery around every corner, a dark ghost festering in the howling crevices of this house. Acton’s ghost, whimpering and whining as he climbed up from Hell, determined to trick me into revealing my crime, and send me to the gallows.

He would not take me with him.

I took a deep breath, and leaned back on the chaise. “Father always said the most attractive trait in a woman was the ability to keep quiet.”

Adelaide laughed out loud and waved a hand through the air. “Oh, your father and his ways. I’ve no idea where he learned them from, our father was nothing like that, and you’d think growing up with four sisters would have swayed him somehow.”

“Well, as his only child, and daughter, I can assure you he was not swayed by that influence.” My tone was more bitter and rueful than I intended it to be, but there was no denying it to myself. Not anymore. More than three years ago, my father’s decision to place me in this marriage had set into motion the events that had led to Acton’s death. He couldn’t have known. I did not know myself then what I was capable of.

How much we are able to learn about ourselves under duress.

Aunt Adelaide’s brows were pinched together, her lips pursed and pale, but before she could speak, reprimand me for my unbecoming tone, the door opened, and Mary appeared with a tray of tea.

And hot on her heels - who else, but Azriel. He was dressed in a fine suit, a heavy coat on his shoulders and his top hat in his hands. He smiled widely, a sickening flash of bright white teeth, and ran a hand through his unruly dark hair.

“Aunt Adelaide, I’d heard you’d arrived.” He advanced on us, and Adelaide rose to her feet, her face pulled into a taut smile. “What a pleasure to see you again.”

“Azriel, it has been so long.” She demurely pressed her cheeks to both of his in turn, looking as though the action might cause her physical pain, her lips pulled into such atight line they had all but disappeared. “My sincerest condolences on the loss of your father.”

“Thank you. I know he thought highly of you.” His gaze swept to me on the chaise. “Evie, I trust your bath did you good?”

Adelaide made a tiny suppressed squeaking noise, and Mary’s hands shook slightly as she served the tea, causing the pot to rattle for a moment.

I held Azriel’s gaze and nodded. “It did, thank you.”

“My father used to complain about your bathing habits.” He gave me that damned cocky grin. “Said it wasn’t healthy to be so clean.”

“Yes, he often complained to me, too. But he did also appreciate a pleasant-smelling wife, so I suppose we shall never know how much it truly bothered him.” I was sure the smile on my face was anything but friendly, but Azriel’s face just beamed even brighter at my insolence.

He leaned on the chaise with one hand, his nose drifting closer to me, and I had to stop myself from physically recoiling at his proximity.

“Well, it is true,” he purred. “You do smell wonderful.”

Mary quickly straightened and cleared her throat. “I beg your pardon, Mr Caine, shall I fetch you a service too, so you may take tea with the ladies?”

“No, thank you, Mary.” Azriel waved a hand, and gave me another smile. “I have business to attend to in town.” He turned to Adelaide and took her hand, raising it to his lips quickly. “It was a pleasure to see you, Aunt Adelaide. I do hope we shall see each other again soon.” He strode to the door then looked over his shoulder back at me. “I shall not be here for dinner, stepmother.”

“Very well.”

He disappeared through the door, and Adelaide clicked her tongue loudly.

“Upstart,” she spat out.

“Aunt Adelaide, he may still hear you!” I chided her, and she rolled her eyes.

Mary bit her lips together as though suppressing a laugh, and inhaled deeply through her nose. “Do you require anything else, madam? Mrs Hollings has just prepared a fresh cake.”

“Oooh, a cake?” Adelaide was suddenly very interested. “What kind of cake?”

“A Victoria Sandwich, I believe.”