Page 26 of Infernal Vices

“Then I suppose this is where you come in, Benedict.” Cavendish turned to pin his dark eyed gaze on me.

“Me?” I gasped innocently.

“You are a confidant of Brother Ashe, yes?”

“I…I…I” I blustered, unable to believe that I was yet again becoming embroiled in matters that did not truly concern me. I was sure I would not want my sister to be used in such a manner and I had a feeling Charles would rally against the idea too. He adored Cecily and I doubted he would permit her to be dishonoured in this way.

“It has pleased me to see that you’ve made quite the friendship with our young Ashe, Benedict. Maybe Benjamin is right. It would be…appropriate if you made the first approach and suggest the match?” Blake said a mischievous twinkle in his peculiar heterochromatic eyes.

“Bless-ed is the seed, my brothers. Yesss, bless-ed is the seed,” he hissed softly. “Now is our time. I can feel it.”

“You can?” I was perplexed.

“Indeed, Brother. With the vessel returning preparations for the great work will resume. Finally…finally it is all coming together.”

“Bless-ed is the seed,” Cavendish repeated. I was still not used to the rote parroting of that blasted phrase and I awkwardly stuttered, “Yes, bless-ed is the seed.”

“It is time to inform our brothers of the coming of the vessel.” Blake delighted.

“Agreed. We can use my country house as the location for the ritual. It will suit our purpose and afford us the privacy we require,” Cavendish informed.

“But, the search continues for the sacred phallus?” Blake sighed.

“Indeed, I do not think that will take long. My man, Grimsbane is about in London. He will leave no stone unturned.”

I felt distinctly uncomfortable at the thought of one of Cavendish’s bully boys searching for the Greek artefact and hoped they would not be able to track it to me. I reached for my glass.

“Is there anything else we can do to aid Leopold?”

Cavendish became animated at the change of subject. “Very kind of you to ask, brother, but the travel arrangements are all in hand. All you need to do is secure a wealthy young lady to play the part of his fiancée and keep an eye out for the Greek artefact,” Cavendish asserted. I nodded.

That was all easier said than done!

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