‘It’s a sign,’ he said. A few snowflakes had settled disarmingly on his eyelashes and his white teeth flashed as he smiled.
‘A sign of what?’ She wondered if she looked that happy to him.
‘That this is right.’
As they walked through the snow to the front door – Allie picking her way carefully in Jo’s foolish shoes – she told him her plan to meet Lucinda.
‘What will you ask her?’ His arm was tight around her waist, his body warm against hers.
‘That’s the problem,’ she said, as they reached the door. ‘I don’t know.’
‘She’s your grandmother – she’ll understand.’
Inside the warmth that had seemed so claustrophobic before was now welcome. The party had not abated, and the cacophony crashed over them like a wave.
‘I’m going to run upstairs just to fix ..’ She gestured at her face.
Smoothing the snow from her hair, Sylvain smiled into her eyes then he brushed his lips against her cheek so lightly it made her shiver. ‘Come and find me.’
‘Where will you be?’
‘In the great hall.’ He let her go with a regretful sigh. ‘With my parents.’
Dashing through the crowd, Allie ran up the grand staircase hoping she’d get a chance to be alone with him later, after his parents had left. Maybe this time they could go somewhere warmer. And start where they’d left off.
I’ll just clean up my mascara and then …
She never finished the thought.
At the top of the stairs, Isabelle was talking to someone – even from here, Allie could hear the tension in her voice. Then a strangely familiar, powerful voice floated back to her. Looking up, she saw Isabelle – she was standing next to Lucinda.
Frozen in place on the stairs, Allie felt dizzy with excitement and fear. They were speaking too quietly for her to make out most of the words but she knew they were angry. She was still deciding what to do when she heard Isabelle’s shoes tapping out a furious pattern as she walked away.
Holding her breath, Allie stood still to listen. She could hear nobody else up there. Was it possible Lucinda was alone?
Slowly at first, then with increasing speed, she ran up the stairs. But when she reached the wide landing her heart sank. It was empty. Lucinda must have left so quietly she hadn’t heard.
Crushed, she was just turning away when a faint sound made her turn. That’s when she saw Lucinda, standing in a nook, half hidden by a heavy curtain as she looked out the window.
Closing her eyes to summon her courage, Allie stepped closer to her. ‘It’s snowing.’
Her voice sounded strange and she cleared her throat.
‘Nobody should be surprised.’ Lucinda hadn’t turned around. ‘It was predicted after all.’
‘I’ve been … wanting to meet you.’ Allie fought to hold her voice steady.
‘And I’ve been wanting to meet you.’ Lucinda turned to face her. ‘Allie Sheridan. My long lost granddaughter.’
TWENTY-NINE
‘Come closer,’ Lucinda said. ‘So I can see you.’
After a moment’s hesitation, Allie did as she said.
‘You’re very pretty, you know.’ Lucinda’s cool grey eyes, almost exactly like Allie’s own, swept her from her heels to head. ‘Except your hair. What on earth have you done to it?’
‘It’s temporary.’ Allie’s voice was weak. ‘It will wash out. In a few … weeks.’
‘Thank God for that.’ Lucinda had a regal posture – she held her head as if she wore an invisible crown. ‘You haven’t got any tattoos have you?’
‘Not yet,’ Allie admitted, a little disappointed in herself.
‘Not yet.’ Lucinda echoed her words with a light laugh. ‘Do think about it before you do it. What looks good at sixteen looks ludicrous at fifty. I see it all the time. Your grades are good. You’re excelling.’
Her manner of switching subjects within the same breath was dizzying; she dominated the conversation with powerful ease, wrong-footing Allie from the start so she could never assert herself enough to ask a question. Besides, she was so busy studying Lucinda it was hard to focus her thoughts. Her grey dress fell to slim ankles under a matching jacket with a raised collar. The emerald ring on her right hand was as big as a pound coin. Platinum and diamond earrings sparkled discreetly beneath her hair. Despite her age, she had an athletic figure and a youthful face.
‘I like it here.’ Allie was determined to gain some control. ‘If I like where I am, I work hard.’ Remembering that she wouldn’t be here without Lucinda’s help she added, ‘Thank you … for getting me here.’
‘It’s not just hard work.’ Lucinda eyed her sharply. ‘You’re naturally intelligent. Isabelle told me you were and I see she’s right.’
Her praise made Allie’s cheeks heat up, but she couldn’t be distracted. This could be her only chance. She took a step towards her, pleading with her eyes for understanding.
‘Lucinda … Grandmother …’ It felt good to say that. ‘Help me understand what’s happening. I don’t know what to do. Nathaniel has Christopher, and he’s trying to take me. Can you protect me? Please?’
As she spoke, Lucinda’s gaze softened, just a little. But her words offered little comfort. ‘I am protecting you. My dear, have you no idea what’s going on? Hasn’t Isabelle told you?’