The Keepers

Chapter 13

"We're going to need another place setting." Donatella casually announced as Ezra helped the woman into the empty chair on the other end of the table.

"Yes, Madam." Wesley placed the half-empty wine bottle on the sideboard and rushed out of the room.

"Ooh, we finally have enough for a gathering!" Eliza clapped her hands together. Looking at their hostess, however, she quickly contained her excitement.

"First things first, my dear." Donatella turned toward the Countess. "Let's give this poor woman a chance to catch her breath." She looked at the newcomer before addressing her. "Welcome to my home. May I ask your name?"

The woman bit her lip as her eyes darted between the strangers in the room. Josie noted she looked like she was wearing a nightdress and she kept one hand on her abdomen.

"Mrs. Thomas Blackburn," Sam answered instead. "Or Margie, if you'd like." The brothers had retreated to the back of the room, keeping out of focus.

Morrigan stood and walked to the woman. "How are you feeling, Margie?" The Irish beauty reached for Mrs. Blackburn's face, but she pulled away from the comforting touch, reacting like a cornered animal.

"It's all right. Take your time." Donatella's voice was calm and soothing. "We're here to help you."

"What . . ." Margie tried to form the words, but nothing more could leave her mouth. She nervously tugged at the nightgown at her midsection, her hands shaking with fear.

Morrigan returned to her chair, and it took Josie a moment to realize what was happening. Recalling her own arrival at the manor, the girl knew Margie was full of questions. Like her, she just wasn't ready to hear the answers.

Trying another way, Margie finally managed to speak, her voice dripping with sadness. "I was in my home one moment and then wandering the moors the next."

"We found her on our regular sweep—" Ezra added, but Josie's Great Aunt wasn't interested. Ignoring the young man, she continued to address Margie.

"And we'll make sure that you find your way back, if that's what you'd like," Donatella repeated the same message she'd told Josie the night before. "Thank you, Wesley."

The butler had brought another plate and silverware for the guest. When he lifted the lid, however, it didn't contain the expected main course, but pudding.

Josie loved pudding, but Mother only made it on special occasions. The girl looked longingly at the woman's plate and then onto her own. Instead of finding the remnants of her steak and vegetables, she was staring at her own dessert.

Josie sighed. She needed to be more vigilant of the manor's surprises. This one was definitely pleasant, but the odds were not in her favor. Deliberately making her lost, unexpectedly transporting her through space, and even attempting to drown her were things she didn't want to repeat.

Picking up her spoon, the girl started on dessert. As she cut into it, the soft, brown cake revealed a warm, chocolate filling. In between bites, Josie glanced at the newcomer who still wasn't eating. Instead, the woman held her hands in front of her, slowly turning them around. It was as though she saw something on them that wasn't really there, or perhaps looking for something that was there before, but had since disappeared.

"Join us, gentlemen." Ignoring the guest's odd actions, Donatella addressed the brothers who were still quietly standing in the shadows.

"If it's acceptable, we'd like to confer with Mr. Hyde." Sam stepped forward.

Before Donatella could refuse, the former physician stood. "Of course. Let us retreat to the parlor. If you'll excuse me, ladies." He bowed his head before ushering the Mollicks out of the room.