Gene of Isis

Cavandish had vowed that I would never be destitute so long as he lived, and his family was in accord with him. I was very grateful for their generosity and kindness, but I had no intention of imposing on them for one moment longer than it took me to work out what on earth I was going to do.

‘I’m sure Lord Suffolk shan’t disinherit you now.’ Susan had come up to my room to try and cheer me up.

‘I don’t want his money if it means I have to hear him say, “I told you so, you s-silly girl!’” I stuttered at the thought of my next meeting with my father. I had hoped there wouldn’t be one.

My father was actually my prime suspect in regard to the two men that I’d envisioned threatening Lord Hereford. Lord Granville had higher connections than either Mr Devere or Mr Hamilton—the cousin of the deceased viscount.

‘Well, word has it that Mr Devere would not be averse to courting you again.’ Susan tested the waters on that count.

‘Again?’ I was infuriated. ‘He never courted me in the first instance.’

‘I will leave if you are going to get unpleasant.’ Susan let me know that I was dangerously close to insulting her brother-in-law-to-be. ‘He didn’t court you, because you never granted him the opportunity. I can’t understand what you could possibly have against Mr Devere. He is charming, lively, witty and handsome… almost as handsome as my dear Lord Oxford…but you know I am partial to dark-haired men.’ She wafted away on a daydream for a moment.

I took a deep breath, hoping to avoid insult. ‘It doesn’t matter what I think, as it seems everyone else in the world has already decided that I must marry him! That is what I have against Mr Devere.’

‘So it is Mr Devere’s fault that he is so well thought of and thus highly commended to you?’ Susan’s skill at argument and her sound reasoning came to the fore.

‘No.’ I hated to concede her point. ‘I just resent not being given a choice in the matter.’

‘Is it fair to suggest that you’re not being given a choice when you haven’t even studied the option?’ Susan broke into a smile, knowing she’d snared me. ‘Have you? I think you fear finding him as agreeable as everyone does.’

‘I don’t feel very well.’ I sat on the bed and then collapsed onto my back.

Susan suspected that I was just trying to escape answering her.

‘I really do need some rest,’ I appealed, at which she gave me a disappointed look, ‘but I promise I will give Mr Devere more thought.’

My vow apparently appeased her as I got a kiss. ‘Rest well, my friend. May your pondering lead you ever onward to a brighter future.’ Susan left and I was finally alone.

I had imagined that I would burst into tears at this point, but I was numbed with shock; fate had triumphed over my will. Why had I not seen this coming? Merely because, in being trained to control and play down my talents they had been stifled. Why had I been given such gifts if I was not meant to use them for whatever purpose necessary? That was not to reflect badly on Lady Charlotte: her training and quiet wisdom had made it possible for me to pursue my full potential without ending up in a mental asylum. She had also made my father a promise, that I would not shame him with my skills, which were now fully under my control—or so I thought.

Speaking of using gifts to their best purpose, I felt my treasure stone bumping against my palm and I sat up. ‘Albray,’ I called, looking about for the knight, who did not materialise. ‘Albray!’ A flutter of panic beset my stomach. Perhaps I had neglected my pact too long and he had given up on me? ‘Albray?’

I am here, he advised calmly, as if wondering what on earth was the matter with me.

‘The law of three requests,’ I scolded myself as enlightenment dawned. There were nine metaphysical laws and this was one of them—it had been so long since I had been given cause to consider occult laws, they were slow to come to mind. ‘I am sorry. My metaphysical doctrine is a little rusty.’

Is it any wonder when you dedicate so little time to the study?

He was having a niggle at the fact that I hadn’t summoned him since our first meeting, nearly a month before. ‘I’m very sorry that I haven’t contacted you before now, but my life has been hectic what with all the courting, proposals, wedding arrangements and now funeral arrangements!’

I understand, he granted with a bow of his head. It was a shame about Douglas. I liked him. He was a good man.

‘What do you know of Douglas Hamilton?’ I was shocked by the condolences.

All that you do, he said, and I understood that our bond gave him a psychic attachment to me. In fact, I tried to warn you with a vision, but the message didn’t get through until you awoke.

‘I see.’ I took a deep breath. Our connection was a bit disconcerting but by the same token it could prove beneficial. ‘What do you think my betrothed died of?’

I agree with you, he stated with certainty. He was murdered, not by any of the people you suspect, but by someone who indirectly controls the outcomes of all.

‘All of the above and none.’ I softly repeated what Lord Hereford had said of the cause of his worry. ‘Not the king!’ I retorted with my only guess.

No. He smiled, amused by my speculation. Not the king.

‘Then who? The church?’ The church certainly didn’t figure greatly in my father’s life, nor in Mr Devere’s as far as I had been able to ascertain.

Albray shook his head. More widespread, more secret.

‘A secret society?’ My father certainly didn’t seem the type, nor any man that I could think of. ‘I don’t think so.’ I tried not to smile at the suggestion. ‘Most secret societies perished during the Inquisitions.’ I thought that perhaps