The Lord and the Banshee (Read by Candlelight #13) - Gillian St. Kevern Page 0,26

done that. They seem to be doomed to follow the same paths they traversed in life. But why does she not wail?”

“For heaven’s sake, shut the curtains and come away from there.”

Pip jerked his hand away from the window. “I beg your pardon.” He pulled the curtains shut. “Is that better?”

Cross winced. He had not meant to snap. “Yes.”

Pip sat down on the bed. “Does your head hurt? I can ask Mrs O’Flaherty to have a compress prepared.”

“I want to talk to you.” His skin felt clammy, his mouth dry. Cross reached for Pip’s hand, needing to feel his warmth. “I don’t like this banshee business. This is three times now she has appeared to you.”

Pip squeezed his hand. “You’re worried for my safety?”

Cross frowned, tightening his grip. “Did you think that we would not care that your life was in danger?”

Pip grimaced. “I thought you would think me foolish for worrying at all. After all, banshees are well known to herald death, not cause it… And there is no reason for the banshee to single me out. I cannot come up with any theory to explain it.”

Cross grunted. He had not been able to discern any animosity harboured towards Pip by any of the house’s occupants. True, Lord Connaught resented the banshee and might feel that Pip’s presence gave her a legitimacy that would make attempts to sell the castle more difficult—but he had invited Pip to investigate her and had only to ask them to leave to get rid of them. If Mrs O’Flaherty and her daughter wished to drive anyone off, Lord Connaught made a far better choice than a visiting paranormal enthusiast.

Pip continued. “My health is not troubling me. If anything, the interest provided by the banshee and the mere fact of having you and Julian present has done much to rejuvenate me. I have more energy than I have felt in months.”

Cross scanned Pip’s face. He did look well. Another reason he had not had the heart to deny him his banshee, despite the potential risk. “It is not necessary to find a banshee in order to enjoy our company. Or indeed, to take a vacation as a family.”

Pip’s mouth twisted ruefully. “I must admit, that I too, missed the vacations we took when Julian was younger… But I did not invent the banshee’s curse in order that we might revisit those occasions. With your health, I thought there was no question of you leaving London.”

Cross swallowed. “My health?”

Pip grimaced. “It is probably only noticeable to one who knows you, but it seems to me that your temper has been more uncertain for months now. I wondered if you were not quite feeling yourself.” He peered at Cross. “And this is not normal. When we return to London, I will insist that you speak to Mereweather.”

“As it happens, I’ve already seen Mereweather.” The words tasted sour.

“Oh?” Pip waited, expression expectant. Faith in Mereweather’s remarkable reputation—or in Thomas’s inability to disappoint him?

He could not do it. “A liver complaint. I must take things quietly from now on.”

“Is that why you’ve been off your food?” Pip patted his hand. “You should have said something. Mrs O’Flaherty would not object to preparing you an invalid’s diet, I’m sure.”

“My pride would not allow me to broadcast my weakness.” Cross leaned back against the pillows. “The O’Flahertys are our hosts, but they are by and large strangers to us. I do not wish to put them out.”

“Everyone falls sick. It is no weakness.” Pip squeezed his hand. “You would feel much more comfortable at home in Foxwood, surrounded by our staff. Shall we go home?”

Home. The word gave him an immediate stab of longing. To be back in Foxwood, with Pip and Julian… “But your banshee?”

Pip sighed. “I shall find it hard to part with her. It is not often that one gets a chance to observe so singular a phenomenon—and one with living relatives! And of which the facts of her life may be discerned by the existing record…” He stroked his chin, his eyes going distant. “Truly a unique opportunity…”

Cross watched him with a sinking feeling. “And the danger to yourself? You have not forgotten that the banshee’s act of distinguishing you among those present has apparently marked you for death?”

Pip’s grimace was that of a little boy discovered eating his dessert before his dinner. “I had forgotten. I do not now feel myself to be in any danger. Having been the cause of you and Julian coming