Harm's Repair

Chapter 1: Family Gathering

Sept-Tours. November 2010.

Diana paused on the stairs leading down to the great hall. Was Rebecca crying? She listened intently for a moment, half a mind to retrace her steps, but all was quiet. Just a new mom's nervousness.

She glanced up at the stone walls. During all the centuries they'd stood as silent sentinels, they'd never heard the sound of a baby de Clermont ... until now. Everyone in the household would need to adjust.

Yesterday she and Matthew arrived at Sept-Tours with the twins Philip and Rebecca. Their traveling party also included Ysabeau, Marcus, Phoebe, Jack, and Leonard. During the flight, she was careful to pay special attention to Leonard, her new son-in-law. She'd been relieved to hear that Marcus and Phoebe were so welcoming. She and Matthew had been just a little preoccupied.

After the twins were born, they'd only stayed in London for a few days before heading for France. Now that Benjamin had resurfaced in Oxford, Matthew wanted them in a more secure location. But was any place safe from Benjamin and his ally Satu?

During Diana's first stay at Sept-Tours, Satu had abducted her from one of the gardens adjoining the chateau. In the past month, Benjamin had attacked Phoebe and nearly recaptured Jack. Security was at the top of everyone's minds.

Diana paused as the words from Philippe resonated in her head. Think and stay alive. This wasn't the time to give in to fear. Whatever happened, they'd emerge victorious.

She smiled as she thought back on Jack and Leonard's reunion with Pierre and Françoise. The two de Clermont retainers had been privy to Jack's secrets ever since Philippe found out about him. They knew more about the young couple than she did.

She continued down the stairs to the great hall. Jack and Leonard were standing by the massive fireplace, engaged in a quiet conversation. Lobero wasn't as restrained. He gave a joyous bark at seeing her. Jack immediately shushed him and winced apologetically at her. "I'll put Mop outside so he doesn't wake the twins."

"It will take more than a few barks to wake them up. I cast a spell to dampen outside sounds." She turned to Leonard. "I expect the hall looks a little different than when you last saw it."

He nodded. "Our last visit was in 1812. Much of the furnishings are new."

"1812? That year makes me think of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Were you ... ?" Her words trailed off as she watched Jack sniff the air. "What do you smell?" she asked.

"Figs ... bay leaf ... rosemary." A blissful smile crossed Jack's face. "Philippe—Grand-père—is here."

"I can smell him too," Leonard said, his face transfused with excitement.

"I wish I had your noses," Diana exclaimed, sniffing in vain for any whiff of Philippe. Corra emerged and flew over to the fireplace mantle, letting out a cackle seemingly in celebration. "When did you learn you could smell ghosts?"

"We can't very often," Jack clarified. "Up to now, the only ghosts I've been aware of are those of Goody Alsop, Susanna Norman, and Annick Guerin."

Diana remembered Jack telling her about Annick, the wife of Susanna's son Jeffrey. She was a weaver and a scryer.

"It's the same way for me," Leonard said.

"You can detect their presence in the crypt?" Diana prompted, trying to come to terms with yet another aspect of Jack and Leonard she hadn't realized.

"No, at the Dog and Whistle," Jack said. "The Normans bought the inn in the early 1600s. It survived the Great Fire and is currently owned by their descendants."