Page 62 of Hexbound

"Perhaps Lady Eberhardt?" Ianthe turned to him.

Rathbourne smiled faintly into his cup

"I doubt it." Bishop watched his half brother. Something was going on. "She claims she's too old, and dealing with that rabble will drive her into an early grave."

"She's a Triad Councilor," Ianthe pointed out, "one step below Drake directly. If anyone has the experience to step into his shoes and adequately fill them, she would be the one. Everybody's already half afraid of her."

"I can't imagine why," Verity muttered.

"I doubt it will happen." Agatha wouldn't volunteer, not with the level of scrutiny into her private life that such a position would bring.

"Mmm, what a shame," Rathbourne murmured. "Whomever could we turn to?"

"You're not helping," Ianthe shot back.

"Is there something I should be aware of?" Bishop asked.

"Absolutely not," Ianthe replied.

"Yes," Rathbourne added. "I couldn't imagine who would have the power to deal with Drake's position, or who has the experience, what with running the day-to-day minutiae and handling unruly sorcerers?"

Bishop was starting to understand. His gaze slid to Ianthe and the seven rings she wore on her hands. She'd recently passed her seventh level tests and could face down practically any sorcerer in the Order. "You know that's not a bad—"

"Not another word," she said crisply. "I hear enough of it from your father."

So this was Drake's solution? That was interesting and, the more he thought of it, the more he liked the idea. Ianthehadbeen Drake's right hand for nearly seven years. She'd taken care of more than enough dirty business, stood at his side, held her own in the rare Solstice meetings that drew the entire Order together....

"You'd have my vote," he replied.

Ianthe rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her. "I don't know which one of you is worse. I have enough on my plate." She turned to Rathbourne, her gaze turning pleading. "I've only just brought my daughter into my home after all of these yearsandfound you. Can we not have a moment to enjoy that? I have Thea to teach, and my responsibilities are already numerous. And you know what people think...."

Rathbourne shrugged. "I'm the mad, bad Earl of Rathbourne, darling. I've long grown weary of worrying what people think."

Bishop was struck anew by the camaraderie they shared. He glanced toward Verity, who seemed just as out of place as he did.

"Well," he said, as he stood to leave. "Now that is settled, I think Verity and I had best be on our way."

"If you need anything else, let us know," Rathbourne murmured, seeing them to the door. "We both share the same interests."

"Do we?" Bishop asked, accepting his coat and hat from the butler. "I didn't think you cared for the Prime."

The other man was of the same height, but considerably broader through the shoulders, and wore the power of an earl well. Their eyes met. "We are making peace," Rathbourne finally admitted. "And Drake's passing would shatter Ianthe. That's enough for me."

That, at least, he could understand.

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Chapter 15

NO SIGNOF Grave sorcerers the next day, or any clue that might lead to Elijah Horroway. Just mud and filth, and when the heavens opened up, Bishop had been forced to retreat home as curtains of rain blanketed the city.

Nothing would be moving out there tonight. And as much as he wanted to get his hands on the Chalice as soon as possible, the second Verity had started shivering, he'd had to concede defeat.

She'd headed for her private bathing chambers the moment they entered his house, and Bishop had gone to find her some bath towels, trailing water through the house. He'd even warmed them for her, which made him feel a little uncertain.

Curse you. Taking the stairs two at a time, he strode along the hallway with them.You know you can't have her.

Temptation, however, knew no boundaries. At least not when it came to her.