She thought for a moment. “Okay. You have to tell me. Just say it.”
“You know I don’t want to hurt you?”
She nodded. “Just say it, whatever it is.”
“How many times have you felt sick like this, since I started living here?”
She barely paused. “This is the third time.”
“And what happened the first and second time—who came to visit?”
Her voice was quiet. “My grandfather.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Well, Jonas just told me your grandfather’s flying back for a third visit. He’s on his way right now. I’d guess he’s likely to turn up here tomorrow afternoon, if what Jonas says is true.”
“That’s what Stephanie was ringing Mum about?”
I jerked my shoulders stiffly. “That’s what I’m guessing. Jonas said she would.”
Nina frowned. “But why did you—how did you know I was going to be—what were you looking for in my mug?”
I ground my teeth, hoping she’d work it out herself. But her frown only deepened.
“Tell me, Beth, for God’s sake. What were you looking for in my mug and my mince pie?”
“Okay. The thing is, I saw something odd, in your hot-chocolate mug, after your grandfather’s last visit. You must have drunk it just a few hours before he arrived, and it had a—like an oily substance at the bottom. And you felt sick after drinking it.”
She gazed at me. “And . . . ?”
“Well, I don’t know, Nina.” I felt angry with her suddenly. “You tell me. Why would you get sick every time, if it isn’t just some weird, huge coincidence?”
Her eyes were enormous. “I don’t know.”
“Well, maybe—maybe—” I had to force the words out. “Maybe someone put something in your drink. Or your food. To make you sick. That’s all I’m saying.”
Nina shook her head slowly. “No, that can’t be it. Who would? And why would they? You’re making this up. I don’t believe you.”
“How are you feeling right now?”
She frowned down at her lap, and when she eventually replied, her voice was small.
“Sick. Nauseated. Like I want to throw up, but I can’t.”
“Well, let’s go and see a doctor. They’ll know . . .”
“No!” She looked horrified. “I’m not allowed. Mum would never . . .”
I leaned forward. “Come on, Nina. You can do it if you want to. I’ll ring Jonas. He’ll pick us up, take us to the surgery in the village . . .”
“I’m not allowed,” she repeated, but this time her tone was blank, and I sensed she wasn’t to be persuaded.
Slowly, I leaned back against my headboard. My muscles were already aching from the morning’s skating, and a wave of tiredness crashed over me.
“I told you I didn’t have any answers,” I said.
She gave me one last, long look, and then she left, closing the door softly behind her. I curled into a ball on my bedspread and waited for another knock. Whether it came this afternoon, or tomorrow morning, I knew Leonora would seek me out and ask me to play the role of Nina again.
* * *
* * *
I was sure it wasn’t my imagination. Leonora seemed much warier of me as we waited for Markus’s father to arrive this time than she had on the previous visits.
“Don’t forget,” she said, “you can be short with him. Make it clear there’s no question of you ever wanting to join him in America.”
I nodded stiffly.
“Tell him again what you said the first time,” Leonora said, “about never wanting to leave Raven Hall or it would break your heart.”
“Got it,” I said. “I’ll remember. Don’t worry.”
I twisted my bracelet around my wrist, squeezing each charm in turn between finger and thumb. “Flag iris,” I whispered. “Greylag goose. Reed warbler.” As if the chanted words might somehow bring me luck. Leonora watched me from the corner of her eye, and I wished she’d focus on the driveway like she had on the previous visits. Did she know what I’d said to Nina yesterday afternoon? An image of Leonora eavesdropping on that conversation sprang up in my mind, and my skin felt cold.
I had to concentrate on getting through this visit, and making sure Nina recovered properly. What else could I do? If I told anyone outside the family that I was worried Nina had been poisoned, they’d never believe me. I wasn’t sure I even believed it myself. The whole thing seemed so unlikely. I was beginning to think it more likely there was something wrong with me.
“Here he comes,” Leonora said, finally.
I fought back déjà vu and trudged after her to wait in the hall while Markus went out to meet the car. Earlier that morning, I’d dragged the cheval mirror out of my bedroom and left it in a room at the far end of the corridor. Now I turned my back on the hall mirror for the same reason. I couldn’t bear to see my reflection any longer—the juvenile plaits, the uncomfortable high-necked dress. Hurry up, old man, I thought. Let’s get this stupid game over and done with.
“Ms. Averell,” he said as he stalked into the hall.
“Hendrik.” Leonora nodded stiffly by my side.
The old man’s expression softened as he turned to me. “Well now, Nina. This is a quick visit, but I’m very interested to hear your views on a little proposal I have for you . . .”
He turned toward the drawing room, clearly expecting me to follow. Leonora reached out and pinched my arm as I moved away from her. A silent reminder of what I was supposed to tell him. She hurried away to the kitchen then to fetch the tea tray.
Markus’s father settled on the sofa nearest the fire, and I perched next to him. Markus took a seat opposite me, and his smile was surprisingly relaxed.
“It’s great to see you, Dad,” Markus said. “Really good.”
I frowned at him. I doubted Leonora would be pleased to hear him sound so sincere about his father’s visit, but she was still out in the kitchen.
“I’ll cut to the chase,” my supposed grandfather said. “I want you to come back with me, Markus. I’ve got a position all lined up for you, and in five years you’ll take over the company. It’ll be the best thing for Nina. And for you, too, of course. I won’t hear any argument. This place is going on the market next week.”
Markus’s mouth gaped like a startled fish’s.