Spellmaker (Spellbreaker Duology #2) - Charlie N. Holmberg Page 0,3

daughters, Ida and Josie. But they all looked at him intently, causing Bacchus to rub his half beard to see if there was food in it.

Fortunately, Duchess Scott clarified their interest before he had to ask. “You’re not even halfway through, dear.”

He glanced down to his plate, to the half-eaten mutton and vegetables staring back up at him. Everyone else’s dishes had already been taken away by the help.

Offering a weak smile, he said, “I suppose I’m lost in thought today.”

Josie perked up. “Not about Miss Camden, is it?”

Duchess Scott frowned. “Josie.”

Bacchus didn’t reply, but she was correct. He had been thinking about Elsie. He’d sent a telegram to Brookley that morning. Brief but to the point. He would have contacted her earlier, but he’d thought it best to wait. Alas, there weren’t any straightforward rules of decorum for how to comfort a lady after she was nearly murdered by her possessed employer. Cuthbert Ogden had still looked unwell when Bacchus had left the hospital in London, and Elsie had appeared little better. She’d told Bacchus everything, and although he believed her, he still struggled to wrap his head around it.

Cuthbert Ogden, behind all the murders and stolen opuses. Except he wasn’t.

So who was?

Bacchus dug his knife into the mutton and finished sawing off the piece he’d been halfheartedly working on for the last couple of minutes. “Just upcoming plans,” he finally said.

“You’re welcome to stay, of course.” The duke leaned his elbows on the table.

“You are very generous, thank you.” Bacchus chewed the mutton, swallowed. Thought. “I should be getting everything arranged this week.” Barbados called to him—he had responsibilities there, friends, employees who depended on him—but he was too anchored in England to want to leave. Anchored by unanswered questions and an unsure future. He didn’t have the same limitations he’d suffered for half his life, for one. That changed things. And then there was the question of how to approach a certain woman—

Baxter, the butler, stepped into the second dining room just then, the sound of the door echoing against the high ceiling. It wasn’t as large as the usual dining room, but that one was still under repairs following Abel Nash’s attack on Bacchus. The attack Elsie had nearly died to stop. And Bacchus was far more skilled at putting holes in floors than repairing them. Even a master physical aspector—a spellmaker who could affect properties of the physical world—could do only so much.

The butler bowed. “I apologize for interrupting, Your Grace, but there’s a visitor in the drawing room for Master Kelsey.”

Meal forgotten, Bacchus stood from his chair, trying not to notice the way Josie lit with excitement. His own pulse quickened. “Who?”

“A Mr. Ogden, from Brookley.”

Bacchus tried to mask his surprise. “He’s alone?”

“Yes, my lord.”

Bacchus glanced back to the duke, but it was the duchess who waved at him. “Go on. We’ll see you at tea, perhaps?”

Bacchus nodded and followed the butler, nearly mowing him over on their way to the drawing room. When Baxter opened the door, Cuthbert Ogden turned from the window, dressed modestly but with finesse, his hair combed back. He was a stout man, solid, his color fully returned. He was a few inches shorter than Bacchus and had his hands clasped behind his back.

He smiled. “Ah, Master Kelsey. I was hoping to discuss the ornaments you wanted before your return home.”

Bacchus’s brows drew together. “Orna—”

Bacchus nearly choked on his question as Mr. Ogden’s voice inserted itself into his mind. Gooseflesh rose on his arms. It was true, then. This man was a rational aspector, a magician of the mind. Something Elsie had uncovered during their chase through the St. Katharine Docks.

“Yes, thank you for seeing me.” He nodded to the butler, who gave a cursory glance to their visitor before silently excusing himself. “I was hoping you’d be able to work on a tight schedule.”

Mr. Ogden nodded. “Of course.”

Bacchus gestured past the door. “Would you care to discuss it on the grounds? My legs are in need of exercise.”

“Gladly.” Another smile, and Mr. Ogden followed Bacchus’s direction. Neither of them said another word as they followed the hallway to the first door that led outside. Mr. Ogden waited until they were some distance from the house before speaking again.

“It is my understanding that you’re aware of certain things,” he said, hands still clasped behind him as they walked.

Bacchus matched his posture and speed. “If you’re referring to the events a week prior, then