“Oh? And who else would you invite? I can’t wait to hear who you think would find me suitable company. Keep in mind I’ve never shot anything and I cut a very poor figure on a horse. Nor have I ever attempted to pass myself off as a witch.”

She shakes her head, laughing. “No one. That’s the beauty of it. I wouldn’t invite anyone else. There would just be you and me.”

“And a modest crowd of servants.”

“We only keep a small staff there while we are up in London, which is most of the time now. Mama prefers it here. I think she mainly tolerated the place for Father, and for us when we were children. She will not go there if she does not have to. Oh, Bram, do let’s go! Even for a week. I think we would be safer there.”

“Spirits can’t travel?”

“They can, but whoever it is who is controlling this one would not know we were going until it is too late. A Sentinel must use a train or car like the rest of us. And if he were to follow us, he would not get within two miles of the house. The estate is large. We would be safer there, at least for a while. We could be just the two of us. Together.”

He tries to take in the full implications of what she is telling him. The idea of having her to himself, day and night, is too marvelous to contemplate.

“But, we would have to come home … I shouldn’t … compromise you, Lilith.”

“Bram, look at me.” She places her hands firmly on his shoulders, and her words are level and serious. “I am a grown woman. I can make up my own mind. I love you. I want to take you to Radnor Hall. After … after what has just happened … well, I refuse to think beyond that. If you don’t want to…”

“I do!” He laughs.

“Then it’s decided. I’ll make the necessary arrangements. We can catch the train to Ludlow.”

“And when we are there, will you tell me more? About what it is you do. I know how much it means to you, the coven, I want to understand. Will you tell me?”

“I will. I will tell you so much your head will spin and you will become bored of the very idea of witches and who they are and what they look like and how to spot them.” She laughs, and is then quickly serious again. “We cannot risk things going on as they are, Bram. I have to find other ways to protect you. And I have to think about how I am to confront the Sentinels. Time away, with you, is what I need.”

“When?” he wants to know, completely caught up in the idea now, pulling her tighter to him. “When is this wonderful, marvelous, incredible thing to happen?”