The walk was indeed magical. Holding Perry’s arm, Edith strolled with him along a tidy, smooth trail that ran slanted to the others, following the pattern of the spokes of a wheel.
Instead of gravel, as in the rest of the garden, the path was paved with glossy stone tiles. Also, it was a few inches above the ground. Perhaps that was why Lady Upchurch had recommended staying in the chosen passageway. One might twist an ankle, falling off the short step in the dim light.
Small lanterns hanging from the hooks of their stands gave the illusion the lights floated midair, but she couldn’t see what was on either side of her. Grass? Cobbles? It seemed a combination of the two.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere.
Perry was tense though. “I reserve my judgement until I understand what this is. I wonder what the surprise might be. After the corpses, I expect the worst.”
“Please stop where you are.” Lady Upchurch stopped in the middle of the pattern where all the paths ended. “More lights, please.”
At her command, several lamps were lit, and a bright yellow glow spread over the paths. The pattern of the paths was exactly like a giant wheel, and Lady Upchurch was standing in the centre. Edith’s smile faltered when a noise like that of stone grinding against stone came. Excited mutters came from around her.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
“The ground is moving.” He held her more tightly. “There are panels on both sides of the path. They’re opening.”
The panels slid, revealing channels filled with water. Lots of water. A big dark expanse of water.
The paths formed a grid over the largest swimming pool Edith had ever seen, and no, she wasn’t impressed. Everywhere she turned, water haunted her.
“Welcome to my Venetian garden,” Lady Upchurch said, raising her arms.
Everyone cheered and clapped as fear coiled around Edith like a snake. She drew in a breath that didn’t bring any relief. No matter how deeply she inhaled, her lungs didn’t work.
“Close your eyes, Edith.” Perry’s voice seemed to come from a distance.
But closing her eyes did nothing to calm her. The thought of being surrounded by dark water and the guests’ shouts triggered her memories. It didn’t matter that the people around her didn’t shout in fear. In her mind, their loud voices turned into calls for help and screams of pain. She gripped Perry’s arm tightly, flinging her eyes open again. Wherever she looked, there was water.
“Close your eyes and trust me. I’ll take you out of here.” His commanding tone was hard to ignore. “Breathe deeply.”
She did as told. He guided her along the path with measured steps while Lady Upchurch talked about something.
“You’re doing great. Keep your eyes shut and lean into me.” He stopped. “Please step aside. I need to pass.”
“What is it?” That was Daphne. “Oh, right. Dear Edith.” The way she said the last two words sent a chill to Edith’s chest.
“Step aside, Miss Ferguson,” Perry gritted out.
“Of course. We don’t want a repeat of the scene in the Scarlet Room, do we?”
Edith opened her eyes. Daphne was grinning.
“So tell me, Lord Ravenscroft,” she said, stepping aside, “is it water that causes your fits? I think it is. I think the fear of water is what Edith and you have in common. Speak. Don’t be shy.”
“I’m not shy, Miss Ferguson. I really don’t like you. Now move!” Perry held Edith closer.
“I know your secret, my lord,” Daphne said. “And I know how to use it against you. Also, watching you twitching on the floor was the most disgusting thing Neville and I have ever seen.”
He cupped Edith’s cheek. “Close your eyes and don’t listen to the harpy.”
Shivering, Edith nodded.
There was the shuffle of feet and the swish of fabric, and a few mutters from Daphne, which Edith ignored. Perry resumedwalking, but someone bumped into her from behind. She lost her balance, and his arm slipped out of her grip.
“Perry,” she screamed, hitting the water.
He cursed but couldn’t grab her.
