“You look divine, child. Your father would be so proud. Might he appear to us tonight, do you suppose?” he asks, taking the goblet of wine one of the minor witches is offering him with a nod of thanks.

I am careful not to let my sorrow show, for I know very well my father will not appear to us. “Tonight it is not we who will decide who comes,” I remind him.

“Of course, you are right, and oh, isn’t that the beauty of Yulemass? I do so enjoy the element of surprise. Over the years there have been some wonderful communications, you know? Truly astonishing. My goodness,” he says, sipping his wine, “this is splendid. I’m not sure Lord Robert would have selected such quality.”

“Of course he would. He always wanted the best for his fellow witches.”

“Naturally, but … hmm”—he drinks some more—’I think I would have been more selfish and kept such a vintage for myself. Ah, the earl of Winchester approaches. He will no doubt be anxious to offer you his support, as Head Witch and as someone soon to be a member of his family, eh?”

I wince at the reminder that I have not yet had the courage to face Louis and break off our engagement. It has suited my cowardice that he has chosen to stay in the country for now. He writes to me often, and tells me how he misses me. My letters to him are somewhat stiff and say nothing of any importance. He must surely detect the lack of warmth in my words.

The earl stands before us now, every bit as handsome as his son, perhaps lacking the viscount’s youthful vigor, but easily making up for it with the gravitas and charisma of maturity. He bows low.

“Morningstar—how brightly you shine this evening.”

“Welcome to Yulemass.”

He drops his voice. “Druscilla tells me you and she have taken measures to ensure there will not be any … unwelcome visitors tonight.”

“Indeed.”

“I am eager to learn what else you have done in regard to the matter of the Dark Spirit.”

“Else?”

“As Head Witch you cannot be content to simply ward off a being who is in the employ of the Sentinels. Have you formulated a plan? I confess, I had expected to hear from you sooner. Another meeting of the senior witches needs to be called…”

“Rest assured, nothing is more pressing in my mind than the Sentinels. However, I do not believe this is the occasion to discuss the matter.”

“But the matter is gravely serious…”

“And it is precisely for that reason that I will not talk of it further during Yulemass festivities. Believe me, Lord Harcourt, nothing occupies my mind more, and I will not trivialize the business of the Sentinels’ threat by conversing about it in whispers and snatches.”

Without giving him the opportunity to press me further I slip away into the crowd.