“We are very glad you’re here, darling.” The dowager duchess’s tone was warm and genuine when she spoke, and I relaxed. She might have a different style than her daughter’s, but she was just as kind and lovely. “Emma has said only the best things about you, and we can always use more good witches in this town.”
She and her daughter were vampires like the duke, but I was glad to see they liked witches. Unlike the vampires of human myth, they had no need to shy away from the sun.
Both women turned to gaze up the hill at Lavender House.
“Why, it’s already looking better,” Vivienne said. “It will be stunning when you’re finished.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Call me Vivienne.”
“And me, Madeline,” said the younger woman. “Have you spoken to Aria at the Enchanted Garden about landscaping? Surely she can get you set up quite nicely.”
“I’ll do that.” I’d hardly started thinking about the garden, but it was an excellent suggestion.
“We’ve got the caterers arriving at ten to start setting up,” Vivienne said. “Do you mind if we go up and have a look to see where things should be placed?”
“Of course. Let me show you around.”
“I’ll drive,” Vivienne said, gesturing to her short heels. “These aren’t suited for a walk up the hill.”
“Of course not.” I smiled and climbed into the back of her massive car. It was upholstered in the softest, smoothest leather I’d ever felt, and I was pretty sure the dash was inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It was the perfect car for a dowager duchess.
At the house, I showed them around, grateful that it was on its best behavior. All the same, we all agreed that the main festivities should be set up outside. The rest of the morning passed in a whirlwind as the caterers and band arrived and set up. Meg, from The Sea Shanty, came with a portable bar and two of her best kegs. Emma, Holly, Aria, and Tabitha arrived to help, and excitement was in the air. Even the weather was great, with a cool breeze and bright sky.
By the time the guests started to arrive, I was buzzing with anticipation, praying this would work out. The band played on the side lawn, right next to a portable dance floor. How Vivienne had got one of those at short notice, I had no idea. The air smelled delicious with the grilling sausages and vegetables, and a long table was set up with salads and desserts.
By two, the yard was full of people. I recognized Charlie the plumber and his friends, Carlos the electrician and Lee the roofer.
Emma sidled up to me and pointed them out. “Perfect, right? They’re just what you need.”
“The dream team,” I said, remembering what I’d called them back at the pub when we’d met. “I’ve never been so excited to see a roofer in my whole life. And don’t get me started on the electrician.”
Emma grinned. “I doubt you’ve ever spent so much time thinking about one.”
“True.” I looked around, searching for Judith’s familiar white hair, but I couldn’t see her anywhere. I was pretty sure she’d arrived, though, since I’d caught sight of her floral dress as she’d walked toward the bar. “I’m going to go look for someone. Thank you again for helping me with this.”
“Oh, I love loaning out Vivienne and Madeline. They’re like a tactical party-planning team, ready to be deployed at any moment. They’ll be in a good mood for a week after this.”
“They strike me as frequently being in a good mood.”
“They really are. I’m lucky they’re my in-laws.”
We said goodbye, and I went to find Judith. She was nowhere to be seen in the garden, so I checked the house. There were a few people inside, though most were still too shy—or worried—to enter. I hoped that would change as time passed.
I found Judith standing in the room where the heart of the house was hidden. We’d covered over the wall where the crystal resided, but it still pulsed with power from its hiding place. There was nothing on the exterior to indicate what was inside, though.
“Do you sense something there?” I asked as I walked in.
“I do.” She sounded confused but intrigued, and turned to me. “Do you know why?”
“I do.” I smiled. “I was able to see more about the spell that gave the house a personality. The heart of that spell is in a crystal within the wall. I cleaned out the space where it sits, and I think it really improved the house’s mood.”
“It definitely did.” She looked around, a broad smile on her face. “You’ve really brought this place back to life. It looks beautiful.”
“Thank you. There’s a lot of work left to be done, but I’m hopeful.” I searched her face, unable to stop thinking about the woman I’d seen in the vision. “You remind me of the person who cast the spell, actually.”
“Really?” She gave a small laugh. “Do I look like her?”
“Not exactly, no. I don’t know why you remind me of her.” I gave my voice a prodding tone, hoping she might fill in some of the blanks.
“Perhaps she was an old woman like me.”
She was trying to distract me. “No, she wasn’t. I think there’s a connection between you two, though.”
“Surely not.” She shrugged. “Perhaps it’s just that I live next door.”
That made absolutely no sense, but I couldn’t say it to her face. “Maybe just a coincidence.”
“That’s probably it.” She agreed readily, and I knew there was more to this story than she was telling me. But I couldn’t exactly call her a liar to her face.
“I think there are some people here to see you, dear.” She pointed to the space behind me, and I turned.
Charlie stood in the doorway, along with Lee and Carlos.
“Hi, guys!” I turned back to Judith. “I’ll see you later. Thank you for coming.”
She waved me away. “Go on, dear. Talk to your friends.”
I left her where she was, staring at the wall that hid the crystal, and walked over the men who had just stepped inside the room. They wore the heavy work boots and worn jeans that were the uniform of contractors everywhere, though it was clear they’d put on their good jumpers for the party.
I smiled at them. “Thank you for coming. Charlie, Lee, and Carlos, wasn’t it?”
“It was.” Charlie grinned at me. “Thank you for having us. You’ve really done a lot with this place.”
I gestured to the room behind me. “I’ve got it all fixed up and ready for some professionals to come in and work their magic.” I winked, making it extra obvious and even a little cheesy. “Like you guys.”
“Oooh, was that what this was all about?” he said, his tone distinctly flirty. “You just wanted to lure me and the guys here?”
“Guilty.” I raised a hand. “Truly, though, I was hoping to show you that the house is safe to work in.”
“It seems good.” He looked around. “The beer and sausages were a nice touch. And the band is excellent.”
“I thought I’d grease the wheels a little.” I shrugged. “Anyway, I want to meet the town, and this is a great opportunity.”