Penmort Castle (Ghosts and Reincarnation #1)(124)

“She’ll be safe in your rooms,” Cassandra asserted. “Even if something happens, she gets outside the castle walls, or to your rooms, she’ll be safe.”

Cash’s head turned to Abby and he muttered, “I’m supposed to trust this?”

To that Abby replied softly, “I do.”

Abby watched a muscle jump in Cash’s cheek and she knew he didn’t like any of what he was hearing but he looked back at the table and forged ahead. “Let’s talk about Saturday night.”

“We have it all figured out,” Angus told him. “Fenella and Honor are going to get Nicola to talk Suzanne into taking Abby up to one of the parapets. Fenella tells us that Vivianna likes Suzanne, she’s less likely to suspect her of setting a trap, so once she gets –”

Cash cut in by saying, “No.”

Angus blinked then repeated, “No?”

Abby looked at Cash and saw he was no longer being patient, he was now angry.

“No,” Cash retorted. “Abby’s not going anywhere near the parapets. Not with Suzanne.”

“Suzanne wouldn’t hurt Abby,” Fenella squeaked and Cash’s head turned to her.

“She also wouldn’t help her,” Cash returned.

“He has a point,” Honor muttered and Fenella turned wide eyes to her sister.

“Moving on!” Mrs. Truman commanded. “What’s Plan B?”

“She likes the conservatory. Maybe Abby can pretend to wander–” Fenella started.

“No,” Cash stated again.

“Not the conservatory either?” Jenny asked.

“Too many windows,” Cash answered and looked at Angus. “I don’t want Abby near any windows or stairs, she uses only the bathroom in our room, and she’s definitely not stepping foot on the f**king roof.”

Oh Lord, Abby thought, Cash is using the f-word.

Softly, in hopes of calming him, Abby murmured, “Cash.”

But at the same time, Jenny mumbled, “Maybe we can arrange the showdown in a silk tent in the Sahara.”

Cash’s gaze sliced to Jenny, Jenny caught his scorching glare and bit her lips.

Then Cash announced to the table at large, “This morning, I did some research as well. Five women, not including Vivianna Wainwright, have died at Penmort, two fell from the roof, one fell down the stairs and two fell through a window.” He paused and skewered Angus with a look. “I’ll repeat, no roof, no windows, no stairs. Now, what else have you got?”

Everyone looked at everyone else

Finally Angus spoke. “The gallery.”

“The gallery is on the second floor,” Cash reminded him. “That’s a flight of stairs.”

“Yes, but Vivianna likes that room and Abby can stay away from the stairs and the windows,” Angus replied. “The gallery is huge, we’ll have plenty of room to move in there.”

Cash took a moment to consider this then he jerked his head in a nod. “The gallery.”

Mrs. Truman spoke up. “You can’t be anywhere near.”

Cash looked at her. “I get that,” he said then continued, “but I’ll not be far.”

“You can’t be anywhere near,” Mrs. Truman repeated.

“I’ll not be far,” Cash repeated in turn.

“Cash,” Cassandra put in, “she may not appear before the master but that doesn’t mean she can’t see him. You can’t hide from her.”

“Abby’s not going up alone,” Cash returned.

“No, she isn’t. Me and Cassandra will be there,” Angus said.

“If she can see me, she can see you,” Cash retorted and Angus shook his head.

“She can’t see me, lad, not unless I want her to,” Angus replied softly.

“And how does that work?” Cash asked, his voice dripping with disbelief.

“Glamour,” Cassandra answered and Cash turned to her and raised his brows in question so Cassandra went on, “The McPhersons have a cloaking glamour. It’s magic, handed down for generations and hard to explain, just trust me, it works.”

With visible effort, Cash allowed this to pass then he asked Cassandra, “And where will you be?”

“I’ll be close,” Cassandra told him.

“You’ll be very close,” Cash told her and Cassandra nodded then Cash turned to Angus. “How will you get her?”

“Can’t say. Family secret,” Angus replied.

Cash looked at him a moment then said with soft menace, “I’m sure everyone in this room will take your secret to their grave.”

And Abby was sure too. The way he said it, anyone in that room would be stupid not to.

Cash went on. “Now, tell us, how are you going to get her?”

Angus looked at Cassandra then Jenny then Mrs. Truman and Abby noted that they all shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Finally, Angus’s eyes went to Cash and he spoke, “Witch’s trap.”

Cash waited for more, Angus didn’t give it to him so Cash demanded, “Explain.”

Angus glanced at Cassandra then back to Cash. “I’ll set a witch’s trap in the gallery. To be trapped, she has to form, which Abby will get her to do. Then I’ll drive her to the trap. She won’t see it, she won’t feel it, but once she’s in the circle, she won’t be able to get out of it.”