My eyes flew to Cate and Tom, who were silently watching Justine.
“So I thought,” Justine said. Then glancing at me, she pressed a finger against a cheek as though in serious contemplation. “Let’s see, Selah. I believe that would make you my great niece. Though, if you ever call me auntie in public, I shall have you laughed out of London.”
I gaped at her, shocked beyond reason. Did this trollop really think me such a fool? Or that Cate and Tom would willingly participate in her ridiculous schemes? “She’s insane,” I said, my voice beginning to shake. “What are you waiting for? Make her stop.”
They didn’t move, nor offer a word of denial. Tom met my eyes for a mere second before dropping his head to the floor. Cate’s face had turned ashen, and her mouth compressed to a thin angry line.
Panic fluttered in my chest. “Do something! Call a servant and have her thrown out.”
“Spare me the dramatics,” Justine said, rolling her eyes. “I thought you would be pleased to know that you still had some family left in the mortal world.”
Her words bit deeply into my already besieged spirits. Justine Rose cannot be goddess born...She cannot be family.
“It’s not true,” I cried. “You’re lying!”
Justine went to the bed and flopped down as though she owned the place. “You almost discovered the truth a week ago at All Hallows. I barely escaped the crypt in time and had to redress in the nave.” She snickered. “Good thing the current rector isn’t prone to late night wanderings, or he would have gotten an eyeful.”
“No more, Justine,” Cate said wearily. “You’ve caused enough trouble for one day.”
Confusion tugged at me, pulled my head from left to right, then back again. Justine smiled like a clever cat, while Cate and Tom watched me with cautious expressions and worry filled eyes.
It can’t be true. I won’t let it be true.
My chest constricted, tighter than any stays had ever held me. The sound of panting gasps seemed to fill the room as shadows crept from all sides and surrounded my vision. Reaching behind me, I searched frantically for the armchair before I ended up face first on the carpet. Something hit my calves, and I fell in a heap onto the cushion.
A hand clasped my arm. “Breathe, Selah,” Cate said, with soft-spoken authority. “You need air.”
Warmth infused my skin. In an instant, I felt the tightness release, replaced by a sense of calm and detached understanding. Another minute found me fully restored as though nothing had happened.
Yet everything had happened.
Cate and Tom are my great grandparents. The notion took on a shape of its own and nestled deep into the fabric of my thoughts. Another idea soon followed, clear as the first. Justine Rose is my aunt.
I turned to Cate. “What did you do to me?”
“Don’t be afraid,” she said, rubbing my arm. “In a manner of speaking, I calmed your emotions and helped you to see the truth. If not for Justine’s interference, I never would have revealed so much at once.”
She made it sound reasonable. And yet...”You manipulated me.”
“No more than a strong tonic. Just quicker and without the sharp taste.”
My mouth dropped open in a show of resentment. “You put thoughts in my head!”
“Only the truth, Selah, so you could understand more readily. Heaven knows the acrobatics I already go through to keep the servants from finding out. The last thing I needed was for you to become hysterical and do something rash.”
I shook my head. “You can’t do that. Brigid’s power doesn’t work that way.”
Justine snorted. “Of course it does, you simpleton. I’ve been doing the same thing for Nora all week. How else do you think she could learn all the lines so quickly?”
It took a moment for her words to sink in. When they did, I looked at her anew, at the simple gray frock and severe bun pinned tightly to her head. Understanding rippled through me. “You...” I stammered. “You’re Margaret Fox!”
Justine cocked a brow. “What of it?”
“You’ve some nerve to involve Nora in such a scheme.”
“Involve her!” Justine repeated. “She begged for a chance to perform on stage. And it was her idea for me to pose as George Fox’s great niece.” She flipped a handful of the plain gray skirt. “I have a reputation for style to uphold, so believe me, it has been no small sacrifice to be seen dressed like a dowdy spinster. I consented because Nora thought it the only way for her to go out unattended.” She gave me a knowing look. “And who am I to ruin her dreams for the sake of vanity...or jealousy.”