Page 103 of Heir of Uncertain Magic

“And what’s that?”

She pulled her shawl tighter. “I’ve been offered the director position.”

Merritt’s lip parted. “What, really? Hulda, that’s excellent!” He grasped her upper arms and searched her face. “Aren’t you excited for it?”

“I am.” She took a deep breath. “I am. I want it, and I reallyamthe best person for it.” She smirked, but the expression fell. “But the position will require me to spend a lot of time in Boston, especially in the beginning, as we get everything running again.”

It took Merritt a beat to understand. “And I am not in Boston.”

She nodded.

He smiled, warmed by her concern, and ran his hands up and down her arms, banishing the chill. “We’ve made it work so far, haven’t we? And once the Brits are out of the way, it’ll be fine.”

She rolled her eyes. “The rest will leave next week. But itisa concern.”

“It’s what you love.” Merritt remembered being in a pit in the middle of his kitchen while Hulda, whom he’d then known as Mrs.Larkin, hovered above him, unsure how to get him out. She’d encouraged him to give the house a chance, told him why taming Whimbrel House was important to her. He knew that had not changed. “I won’t get in the way of it. I’d be cross if I had to stop writing.” Speaking of which, he had an article he needed to finish, and a third book to start while his editor sat with the second. “Perhaps I’ll be wildly successful and rent an apartment down the street.”

She chuckled. “Thank you. Really, truly. Thank you.” Glancing away, she rolled her lips together. “I do want you to understand that ... it’s not only BIKER. That is”—she fidgeted—“that’s not the only thing I love.”

Warmth bloomed in his stomach and spread out to his limbs. “MissLarkin, I am not athing.”

She swatted at him. “Do not make this difficult.”

“Am I difficult to love?”

She met his eyes. “No.”

Those strands came loose, so he tucked them behind her ear again. “I love you, too.”

He leaned down to kiss her, but the reeds sang,Ssssshhhhhheeeeeee.Glancing up, he saw a new vessel docking and a familiar figure stepping out of it.

He waved a hand. “MissTaylor!” He hadn’t seen her since the confrontation with Baillie. He took Hulda’s hand, and they walked out to meet her. “Wonderful to see you. Do say you have good news for me?”

Beth smiled. “I do! I’ll be stationed here, until otherwise assigned.” She glanced knowingly at Hulda. “Though I do have a very good casefor staying. That is, is an enchanted house still an enchanted house if its enchantments move bodies? Surely it requires more study. Wouldn’t you agree, MissLarkin?”

Hulda smiled. “Owein will be very happy to see you.”

Beth beamed. Reached into her satchel and pulled out a few letters. “I took the opportunity to check your mail for you, Mr.Fernsby.” She handed them over. “Is Mr.Babineaux inside?”

“He is, but with a terrible concoction he calls cheese. You’ve been warned.”

“Oh dear.” She chuckled before stepping around them and heading to the house.

Curious, Merritt thumbed through the mail. “Oh, a letter from my editor. Hopefully not too many revisions.” Another letter about property taxes, an advertisement, and one that had no return address on it. The writing was feminine.

Hulda turned back to house. When he didn’t follow, she paused. “What is it?”

“Not sure.” He broke the seal on the letter and pulled out a single paper, only the size of his hand. It read,

My Dearest Merritt,

I am so, so happy to have seen you. It will not be the last time, but don’t write back here, just to be safe. Your sisters will want to hear from you.

Scarlet Moore

57 Adelaide Ave.

Albany, New York 12205

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