From Miss Grey’s incredulous expression, Susan might as well have inquired about dragons and magic carpets.
“I have mybrother,” Miss Grey responded haughtily. “He’s getting a ship.”
A ship! Susan hadn’t considered that possibility. Largely because the traditional path to London was by land. A ship could make an excellent vehicle of escape. But, unfortunately for them both...
“Your brother?” she repeated, unable to keep the trepidation from her voice. “Have you got more than one, by any chance?”
“No, I haven’t got more than one.” Miss Grey’s tone dripped with condescension. “And Joshua only has the one ship, if that’s your next question. Luckily for me, that’s all we need. No more needles in this lifetime! The moment he gets back, I’m gone.”
“I see.” A cold sweat began at the nape of Susan’s neck, now that she’d been given a conversational opening she truly didn’t wish to take. Miss Grey’s brother was never coming back. And, viper though she might be, she deserved to know. Susan just didn’t want to be the one to tell her. “What if Red—er, Joshua—weren’tcoming back? For some reason. Ever.”
Miss Grey stopped sewing. Unguarded fury replaced the scorn in her dark tone. “Why would you say that?”
“I just mean...” Susan wracked her brain, trying to recall exactly what the persistent ghost had told her to say. Where the bloody hellwasRed, anyway? “He wouldn’t have left you without instructions, right? That is... you’d know what to do if he weren’t ever returning. Wouldn’t you?”
“Who the hell do you think you are to suggest such atrocities?” The witch’s eyes burned with brimstone as her handiwork fell to the floor. “My brotheriscoming back. Weareleaving Bournemouth. He wouldneverleave me behind.”
“No. No.” Susan floundered for the right words. If any existed. “I’m not saying he wouldn’twishto return. I’m just saying, what if he’d love to spirit you away forever but couldn’t do so after all? Or get word to you to explain why? You would have an alternate plan, then, wouldn’t you?”
Miss Grey leapt to her feet, destroying the forgotten crumple of cloth with the heels of her boots. “Give me one good reason whythatwould be possible, Miss Peeping Tom. Did youspyon him planning not to come back? Ha! Impossible. You have no way of knowing what he’s intending to do or not do. He’ll be back as soon as he has the ship.”
“Well, it might be possible to surmise he couldn’t return, if he were... dead.” The syllable floated from her mouth so faintly, Susan could scarce hear herself speak the word.
“He’s not dead.”
“Perhaps Red wished to come back, to send word—”
“He’s not dead.”
“—but most of all, wished for you to take care of both yourself and the situation in whatever manner it was that you’d decided upon in case of emerg—”
“Get out! Get out! Get out!”
This time, even the lovebirds in the corner couldn’t help but turn and gape at the spectacle unfolding before them.
Susan backed hastily toward the door. The razor-sharp tip of Miss Grey’s umbrella jabbed into Susan’s chest, to ensure she did so as rapidly as possible.
She fled. But she didn’t get far.
For a doll made of porcelain, Miss Devonshire could sprint across sand at exceptionally high speeds.
“You told Harriet her brother wasdead?” she half-screeched, half-panted upon reaching Susan’s side.
Susan stopped running. She’d already been caught.
“I said ‘might’ be,” she mumbled defensively, but this only inflamed Miss Devonshire even more.
“That is the most despicable trick I could ever imagine someone playing on another human being!” Miss Devonshire’s bow-shaped mouth gaped in both anger and shock. Her big blue eyes narrowed dangerously. “I was a fool to want to give you an opportunity to redeem yourself. You’re obviously vermin without hope of redemption. But hear me now: I will get you for this, Susan Stanton. Youwillbe sorry.”
“I’m already sorry,” Susan stammered, frantic. “My cousin and I are in trouble. I was hoping for your help to—"
The laugh that escaped Miss Devonshire’s perfect teeth was nothing short of terrible.
“I’d never helpyouand neither will Harriet. Not after this. You hurt her. All I’ll give you is revenge so swift, you will never see it coming.” Hatred soaked through each snarled word. “You predicted a death, Miss Stanton.I’llmake sure it’s yours.”
Chapter 19
Susan searched the shore for the missing ghost until her legs gave out beneath her. She crumpled alongside the vastness of the ocean, her dry tongue tasting of sand and salt and hopelessness.
