Page 31 of Bait N' Witch

Only she’d stopped that thinking in its tracks. No way was she changing who she was just to compete with this woman. For what?

The introductions went fine, Persephone asking her to call her by her first name and welcoming her to the area. Then, as the girls tromped inside and they followed, the tone changed subtly. “I do ask that you don’t interrupt the lesson.” Persephone turned to Greyson. “Remember the last nanny who insisted on helping?” She gave a delicate chuckle.

Grey’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t comment.

“I wouldn’t dream of interfering,” Rowan assured her. Really. She wouldn’t. Not having grown up among witches, she hadn’t a clue about how they learned their magic.

“Good. Several of your predecessors have been inclined to offer suggestions. I’ll tell you what I told them. I’ve been licensed to instruct for ten years now, and I teach the six- and seven-year-olds at the Denver Coven’s gifted academy. I certainly don’t need advice from a…” She paused and gave Rowan a cool once-over. “I’m sure you understand.”

Amazing how a reasonably worded request could be altered by a tone that spoke volumes. Basically, Persephone had just called her an inept magical user who could never compare to a licensed teacher. Did Grey catch it? A quick check of his expression told her no.

He knew Persephone better than she. Maybe the other woman hadn’t meant it that way.

The next few minutes proved that notion wrong. In that short span of conversation, Rowan pegged Persephone as a self-important snob with—if her simpering attitude toward Grey gave any clue—designs on nabbing the widower brother-in-law for herself. Meantime, he, like every other man on the planet, failed to notice the female cattiness happening under his nose, taking the comments at face value.

Rowan schooled her expression to be pleasant. “I’ll just observe quietly from the corner. Perhaps I’ll even learn something new.”

Persephone’s smile came across full-on condescending. “Just don’t try anything without help.”

Wow. The woman meant to be a bitch. Persephone’s message came across loud and clear: I’m the better witch and hands off.

“I think she gets the point, Persephone,” Grey said in a voice that brooked no argument. “I wouldn’t have hired her if I didn’t think she was capable.”

Okay. So maybe not quite so unobservant. And the warmth that bloomed inside her at his defending her was dangerous.

“It’s fine,” Rowan said, only to be on the receiving end of his frown.

The other woman paused, then smiled kindly. “I didn’t mean anything—”

“I should hope not,” Grey said.

Persephone turned to Rowan. “It’s nothing against you personally. The other nannies have all had ideas. I’m sure you understand.”

Were all traditionally trained witches this competitive? “I can see how frustrating that could be. You have no worries from my side. I promise.”

She received a simpering smile for her troubles. “The chair in the corner is comfy.” Persephone waved a careless hand.

“Of course,” Rowan murmured and moved to the spot on the other side of the room from where Grey had chosen to be.

A childish urge took hold, and she stuck her tongue out at Persephone’s back.

A choked sound had her jerking her gaze to Grey, who straightened out the amusement curling his lips and gave her a look that reminded her of Tanya when she was unimpressed.

A sheepish shrug and she’d turned away, wincing as she did. Caught acting like one of the girls when she was supposed to be the adult in charge of them. Just sad. Now, sitting in a literal corner so she wouldn’t be “in the way,” Rowan couldn’t decide which was more difficult—hiding her growing dislike for the woman, hiding her incredulity at the rudimentary lesson taking place given what she’d seen the girls do at home, or hiding her amusement at the girls’ obvious boredom with the exercise. Persephone had them growing flowers, but in fast-forward, like watching a time-lapse video—a trick Rowan had learned at the age of five.

“Good job, Atleigh,” Persephone praised the now beautifully blooming violets.

Lachlyn rolled her eyes behind her aunt’s back. “Aunt Persephone, can we try something else now?”

Persephone ran a critical eye over Lachlyn’s single bloom. “Let’s focus on getting this spell right first. Once you master the basics, then we’ll move on.”

It didn’t get much more basic than growing a few flowers in a pot.

Rowan bit down on a laugh as Persephone turned her back on Lachlyn to help Chloe, and Lachlyn suddenly showed her true aptitude. With a wave of her hand, the girl grew a bunch of flowers at ten times the speed, resulting in a bouquet similar to her sister’s. At Atleigh’s warning glance, Lachlyn pulled a face, then reversed time and returned the plant to a single bloom.

Both girls checked the adults in the room—first Persephone and then Grey, who was busy on his laptop. Then they glanced toward Rowan, who raised her eyebrows and again struggled not to laugh out loud at the rueful expressions turned her way. In answer she sent them a conspiratorial wink. Atleigh and Lachlyn blew out silent breaths of relief even as they exchanged a glance. Persephone chose that moment to turn back to them, and Rowan remained quiet in her assigned corner.

After all, Persephone had been quite clear about not wanting any help.

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