“It is science not magic.”
Sir Rowan said, “If I was you Victor I’d keep it down, I’m trying to help you.”
“Sorry. You are right. You were going to go to explain how Rayne is a marvellous detective and should be lauded for her abilities instead of being the rumours for the bathhouse.”
Sir Rowan frowned but he didn’t correct Victor instead he said, “Those who can’t treat all levels of society with respect doesn’t have a place here. Keep your mutterings to inside your own home but when you are on the clock you are to represent the city of Londinium. Understood?”
There was a murmur of voices but they were cut off when Sir Rowan repeated. “Understood?”
Fields was the first to answer, “Yes Sir.”
Rayne wasn’t fooled. This wasn’t the end as she saw the sparks flying in Fields eyes. She had warned him before that he didn’t have his house in order. She had wished they could have done this in a less public way but it had needed to be done.
Sir Rowan came to stand next to her and looked down at the chest. “What do we have here?”
“The slaver was kind enough to keep records of all his clients. We should pick up all his accomplices in Londinium before word spreads and they scatter.”
Sir Rowan nodded. “Martins.”
It took a moment for Gerry Martins to eventually shake himself off and step forward. “Yes sir.”
“Go through these records and find the names of those in Londinium. Organise your squad to pick them up. If you need help ask Henry to back you up.”
Rayne wasn’t angry that someone else would finish the case. She was exhausted and Martins was a good man.
Chapter Twenty One
Medea took the box from Everett’s hands. “You shouldn’t be carrying the heavy stuff. You might hurt your side.” Everett grunted but allowed her to take the box from his hands. Victor’s house was not what she expected. It wasn’t as luxurious as Everett’s parents but it was comfortable.
It suited Rayne’s personality more than the gold leaf that was prevalent in the Duke’s house. Rayne saw her and tilted her head to read the side of the chest where a paper tag hung from the handle.
She pointed up the stairs and said, “That one is for the bedroom.”
Medea was halfway up the stairs when she heard Everett say to Rayne, “I must get you to help me move.” Medea stopped to listen to the conversation. She hadn’t realised that Everett was planning to move out of his parent’s house.
Rayne seemed equally surprised, “You are moving out? Why?” It seemed Medea wasn’t the only one curious about the new decision.
Everett shrugged. “I thought it might be time for me to take a wife.” Rayne glanced at her on the stairs and out of Everett’s view. Medea flushed. But there was no accusation in Rayne’s eyes, just an acknowledgement that Medea was the reason for Everett’s decision.
Rayne and Everett spun towards the door when their mother said, “You are abandoning me?”
Everett caught up his mother’s hands. “No, of course not, mother. But I’m an adult and I think I should have my own place. I’ve already spoken with Dad. He thinks it is a good idea.”
Lady Ancaster ignored the reference to her husband and glared up at Medea. “This is all your fault. My boy had just come home and he was going to stay.”
Everett caught his mother’s shoulders and turned her so she was looking at him. “Leave her out of this Mom. This is my choice.”
Rayne said, “At least he is telling you in person and not in a letter like the time he left the country for a year.”
Everett shot a glare at Rayne and Medea couldn’t blame him. This wasn’t the time to remind Lady Ancaster of past misdeeds.
Katherine came in with a basket tucked under her arm. She was completely unaware of the tension as she asked Rayne, “Where does this go?”
Lady Ancaster turned on Katherine and asked, “Did you know your brother is moving out?”
Katherine shrugged. “Sure. It makes sense if he wants to marry Medea at some stage.”
Lady Ancaster gasped like a landed fish. “You don’t care?”
Katherine frowned and asked, “Mom are you feeling alright? You are sweating.”
Before Lady Ancaster could answer the colour drained from her face. Lady Ancaster flopped to the ground like someone had taken out her legs from under her.
Katherine dropped the basket. Medea placed the chest on the stairs and rushed down. Katherine snapped out some orders.
Medea asked, “Is there anything I can do?” She almost expected Lady Ancaster to throw some harsh words her way. Instead she kept silent and Medea knew then that Lady Ancaster wasn’t faking an illness.
Katherine said, “Find Victor. See if he has any Laundanum.”
Everett said, “That stuff is addictive. You never let us have that stuff.” Medea didn’t wait to hear how that argument went but instead went looking for Victor. At least that was something she could do.
She found Victor in one of the up-stair rooms and dragged him back. With everyone there they carried Lady Ancaster to a couch. Victor crouched next to her and frowned. Medea kept to the back as she didn’t feel like she had a place here.
Everett came to stand next to her and reached for her hand. She squeezed his fingers and hoped she communicated to him she was also worried.
Katherine said, “It is her heart, isn’t it?”
Victor rubbed his forehead before he answered, “Yes. It is out of rhythm. There is a little I can do but it will put strain on her heart.” It was unspoken but this was serious and death could come from it.
Everett said, “This is my fault.”
Katherine turned towards them, “Don’t be a fool, Everett. This is a disease. I know you are a duke’s son but that is the most arrogant thing I’ve ever heard you say. To think you affect mom at all besides annoying her.”
Lady Ancaster was looking a bit better as the colour had returned to her cheeks. Whatever Victor had done it had eased the issue. But Lady Ancaster said breathlessly, “I agree boy. You annoy me but you didn’t cause this.”
Katherine turned sharp eyes on her mother. “This has happened before, hasn’t it? Why didn’t you tell us?”
Lady Ancaster waved it away. “I didn’t want to bother you. I’d rather see all of you settled before I leave this earthly coil.”
Katherine said, “Well, then we will have to get you better as I’m way too young to marry.”
“Ah, but you are already sixteen. Plenty marry that young.” Lady Ancaster was definitely feeling better if she was trying to wheedle with her daughter to marry.
“Well, that isn’t going to be me so you can just get that out of your mind.” She patted her mother’s hand before she stood.
Victor finished whatever magic a dragon could do and also got to his feet. Medea said, “Let me get you something to drink.”
Lady Ancaster said, “Please don’t. You aren’t a servant Medea. I’m sorry I had a turn. It was just a surprise, is all. I know my boy is sweet on you.” She motioned for Medea to approach. Medea had to drop Everett’s hand. She crouched by Lady Ancaster.
Lady Ancaster leaned forward a little as she spoke. “I only just got him back and now he wants to leave again. When he told me he had offered you a job instead of asking for your hand I was hoping to have him for a little longer.” She reached out and covered Medea’s hand. “Don’t let me chase you away.”
Medea swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’m done running, Lady Ancaster.”
“That is good, my girl.”
Books by Nix Whittaker
Glyph Warriors
Hero is a man
You can run
Sorrow also sings
Blind leading
Wyvern Chronicles
Blazing Blunderbuss
The Mechanicals
Wyvern’s Trim and other stories
The Jade Dragon
Ruby Beyond Compare
Wyvern Mys
teries
Lady Golden Hand
Model Humans
Model: Serenity
Model: Scribe
Model: Rustic
Kitsune Shapeshifter Series
Zero Foxes Given
Thank you
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www.nixwhittaker.com
About the Author
Nix Whittaker is a high school teacher in a small rural town tucked away in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. She immigrated to New Zealand, when she was a young girl, from South Africa and has completely embraced the New Zealand lifestyle.
She has been writing from a young age when she read all the books available for people her age and was forced to write her own just to feed her voracious appetite for Literature.
She got into reading as she had dyslexia and the teacher thought reading would improve her spelling. Frankly, it never did, but it did lead her to a passion for the written word.
She studied at Auckland University, but opted for the quiet life in the rolling countryside and views of Tongariro National Park. She lives with her dog and her three cats and writes between planning lessons and socializing with friends.
You can contact her at [email protected]
Or at her website www.nixwhittaker.com
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