Page 35 of One Night with an Earl

“Ah, I told you I had my suspicions. If the intent of the reading is love or because of a man, a ring is placed on top of the cup and will show your future. If the intent is wealth, then a coin is used.”

“You tricked me! You should have told me that was your intent.”

“No. If there was no man in your life, then the ring would have revealed nothing.”

There was a man. A very compelling one.

“What else do you see?” Ana asked.

“Hmm. There is still your future to read in your cup.”

Anticipation replaced anxiety, and to Ana’s surprise, she wanted to hear the rest of her reading.

Queenie took her sweet time, tilting the cup this way and that. “For your future,” she said, “I see an achk, an eye.”

Queenie held out her cup, and Ana could see a round shape that resembled an eye.

Ana gasped and clasped her fingers in her lap. “What type of eye?”

A deep crease appeared between the old woman’s eyebrows. “I cannot tell. It could be a protective eye or—”

“A mean eye, an evil one.” Ana’s fingers tensed in her lap.

Queenie’s watery brown eyes met hers, and Ana experienced a feeling of unease. Could her reading have to do with the new Earl of Drake? Oliver’s family already had caused the destruction of her own. Could he mean her further harm?

Ana’s brow furrowed as she looked at Queenie. “Could the man you saw be the reason for the evil achk?”

“Like I said, it could be a good eye or a harmful one. But if your man is responsible, then he may either be your salvation or your ruin.”

Her heart tumbled in her chest. “Which one?”

“I cannot tell. The lines of your future are broken.”

How convenient. Just when she thought she would get some answers, Queenie could not read any further. “That’s all you see?”

The old woman rose. “These things are never as clear as one desires.” She rubbed her lower back. “I apologize, but I grow weary, and have not felt myself in a while. I’m not as young as I used to be, Anahit.”

“Of course.” Ana helped her gather the cups and carry the tray from the room.

“I see you are still troubled. You must learn to trust yourself. Not all Englishmen are bad. Your mother loved Lord Woodbridge.”

“This man is different.” And dangerous.

Queenie waved her hand, and her voice lowered an octave. “Longing and passion. Oh, to be young once more.”

Chapter Thirteen

The days leading up to the Royal Exhibition swiftly passed. As their carriage pulled up in front of Somerset House, Ana had mixed feelings.

She gazed out the window at the winding staircase leading up to the impressive white stone building. She’d previously attended the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition with her family, and she’d enjoyed admiring the paintings and fine works of art. Her mother’s eyes had lit with delight when she’d spotted an Arabic mural, and she’d pointed out a grove of fig trees to Ana. For years, Ana had longed to return, but instead of heightened anticipation, today’s visit was fraught with worry.

Lady Malvern was seated beside Penelope and across from Ana on the padded, leather bench. Lord Malvern had claimed an appointment and stayed behind. Penelope looked lovely in a pale-yellow silk dress trimmed with ribbon and a white bonnet adorned with a matching yellow flower.

“Remember to smile, Penelope. You never know who may be in attendance, especially Lord Drake,” Lady Malvern said.

“I’ll remember, Mama.”

Penelope glanced at Ana, her lips curling in a calculated smile, before lowering her lashes.