“Then please fill out the manager application form,” Maggie suggested when she stopped laughing.
“Start preparing for interviews in a day or two, girlie. Trust me, we’ll get the inn open in two weeks,” Mrs Crane said with a stern look around the room. No one argued.
???
“Are you happy, Lucian?” Maggie asked later that night as they curled in bed. It had become their thing to sleep together and possibly experiment a little. But they wished to wait until they were married. The day after the angels had appeared, a package arrived in the post signed ‘Luc’. It was the paperwork Lucian required to be a part of this world.
“Yes, I just wish I knew where Wollscombe Hall is. I can sense her anew, and she’s quite happy to be linked to me again. But I don’t know where Wollscombe Hall is. A part of me is missing, but at the same time, she’s not. Very hard to explain, Maggie,” Lucian said softly.
“I wonder why she didn’t appear like the Rakehell Six’s homes did.”
“Maybe we have to wait for an explanation for that,” Lucian mused.
“When are we going to help Mariah with Benedict?” Maggie asked.
“As much as I wish to race to my brother’s aid, I don’t think I’m meant to solve their problems. Benedict is clearly around for a reason. I feel as soon as Mariah learns what has kept him here, that’s when I visit,” Lucian said. Intuition told him he was correct.
“Whatever you feel is best,” Maggie whispered, wincing as she remembered the oath she and her friends had taken. Lucian hadn’t realised that all her friends were with his siblings. She rather dreaded him finding out she’d hidden something so big from him, but she agreed with Lucian’s sentiments. It wasn’t time for Lucian to charge in as his brother’s rescuer. Maggie rolled onto her side and burrowed into Lucian, offering love and silent support. Lucian’s arm banded around her and held her tight.
“My family would have adored you,” Lucian murmured.
“I’d hope so. It worries me. Benedict might wonder who this commoner is with his brother!” Maggie teased and yawned.
“I will soundly beat him should he say anything of the sort,” Lucian growled.
“We’ll free him, Lucian. The Rakehell Six are on our side and their spouses. We have three angels and each other. Whatever trapped him here like you, we’ll crush them together,” Maggie promised, meaning every word.
“My concern is we came because of the murders. Margery was present at the Jekyll and Hyde. This was the final sacrifice. So what on earth could trap him in his inn?” Lucian asked.
Maggie decided that was a fundamental question, and she was grateful he wasn’t asking the other one; could his other siblings all be trapped in their own inns alongside her siblings too?
Lucian
Mrs Crane was the first eager customer through the door on opening day. The old woman was beaming as she stamped into the bar and began exploring the new layout. Behind Mrs Crane came the knitting circle, all offering compliments and praise for the high level of restoration. Maggie escorted them to a table and seated them all before bringing them a complimentary free drink.
“See you got rid of that witch!” Mrs Crane said, nodding at the fireplace where Margery had once stood.
“Yes, I think that is a far nicer picture,” Maggie agreed. The day after Margery had been vanquished, Lucian and Maggie had been astounded to discover Margery’s portrait had been distorted and damaged. The paint had run in smears while Margery’s beauty had faded, and liver spots and lines had shown on her face and hands. Her long locks were gone, and wisps of grey hair remained. Margery looked the very epitome of a wicked hag of a witch.
Maggie had freaked out, and Lucian had immediately set himself to removing the horrific thing. Lucian hid it in the cellar, wrapped up and safe from prying eyes. They’d replaced with a painting of an old sea galleon that had been in Maggie’s apartment upstairs. They’d discovered it hidden behind a panel in the bedroom, and Lucian had cleaned it up and hung it above the fireplace. Maggie had loved the way the ship seemed to head directly for them.
“Yes, far better than that witch lording it over everyone,” Mrs Lake said. A tinkle raced through the bar, and the women sat up straight.
“Katherine, she agrees with you,” Maggie said with an indulgent smile.
“I did actually think that you made Katherine up to cover for Lucian,” Mrs Crane admitted, peering around.
“Katherine, if you wouldn’t mind, menus please for the lovely ladies,” Maggie said, and the women’s jaws dropped open as they stared as menus floated through the air to them. Katherine put each one in front of the ladies and patted their shoulders as she did so.
“My word,” Mrs Button exclaimed, looking around. The menu moved in front of her, and the line saying stew lit up.
“Katherine’s recommending the stew.” Maggie laughed.
“Then who am I to disagree?” Mrs Button chortled.
Katherine let out a happy trill, and Maggie relaxed as she saw the women all ask Katherine what they should have. Lucian monitored Maggie as he welcomed some men to the inn. A smile crossed his lips as he saw how radiant Maggie was. He was going to marry that girl. It was their destiny.
Mariah