“I told her simply that my son had died, and I’d come to kill hers. The woman was on the verge of her death, but still she fought me like a lioness. I almost admired her. Mary barred me from her son, hard enough that the maid Bess could lock Liston out of reach. Clifton’s wife died in my arms. It seemed the decent thing to do, to speed her on her way. And, of course, I needed a sacrifice, and though she was not the child the ceremony called for, she was all I had. I took her to her room and performed the ceremony. If she had just let me have Liston, it might have worked, but a sick woman already dead wasn’t sacrifice enough for the mother gods.

“The night wore on, and I buried him there in the chimney breast, kept him safe with all the magic I could muster and knew that one day my time would come again. I whispered to Bess on my way out of the door. I made a bargain with her. If she kept her silence, I wouldn’t come for Liston again. Only one other saw me leave: the clockmaker. Perhaps he had an idea of who I was and what he thought I might have done, but he had secrets of his own to keep. And I have always escaped discovery, because I am careful and sure. I wait for the right soul to present itself, and then I wait for the dark moon, and though I haven’t succeeded yet, tonight I know that I am close. Joseph, as poor and pointless as he is, has a joy of life that makes him shine very brightly. A feast fit for the old gods.”

“A feast?” Joseph turned to Charlotte. “Am I to be eaten?”

“No.” Charlotte held the boy’s hand in hers. “Why are you so proud to be such a proficient murderer, Catherine?” Charlotte asked. “How can taking the lives of others possibly honour the memory of your son?”

“You, who have never been a mother, you cannot understand the love that drives me! It was easier after I persuaded Leonard to fund the orphanage and had Poole installed there. It kept her quiet and suited my needs. Those boys Poole found for me, they would have been dead before they were twenty anyway—poor, sickly and worked half to death. I allowed them to serve a greater purpose than to be mere fodder for the factories. I honoured them and him every time I tried to bring my boy back to me, and I will try again and again until either he is in my arms or I am taking my last breath.”

Anne watched as Lady Hartley looked up.