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When the invitation came as Evelyn had hoped it would she did her best to remain composed even if on the inside she was positively delighted that her hunch had played out the way she hoped it would. Even without the enchantment it seemed Sir Malcolm was interested in spending time with her, Evelyn's natural charms more than enough to snare him. It was positively flattering to her ego and Evelyn was certain that her good mood would carry her through at least until she was due to meet Sir Malcolm.

It certainly gave her plenty of inspirational thoughts and Evelyn contemplated delaying dressing to take full advantage of them. Her hand caressing breast and skin through the thin silk of her nightgown at the memory of Sir Malcolm's mouth on her and the tightness of his hand on her hip as they…

"Mother."

Of course there was always something lurking ready to ruin things and Evelyn felt her good mood quickly evaporate as Hecate hovered nervously in the doorway to her bedroom.

Resisting the urge to scowl as it would crease her face Evelyn grudgingly conceded to acknowledge her duplicitous offspring as she reached for her warm dressing gown, wrapping it tightly around herself like armour. "Daughter."

Taking her mother's first words to her in days as an invitation to proceed albeit with extreme caution Hecate stepped further into the room her dark eyes narrowing as they raked over her mother's slender figure, lingering on the letter that Evelyn was folding up and slipping into the pocket of her dressing gown.

"Who was the letter from?" Hecate couldn't help but ask. She had been born curious her mother insisted, normally a good thing or at least it had been once upon a time but felt like eons ago now.

"What business is that of yours?" Evelyn retorted sharply, her eyes watching her only child in the mirror's reflection as she took a seat at her dressing table and reached for her hair brush.

Running the silver backed brush through her thick dark curls Evelyn couldn't help but tense as her daughter stepped closer. Even now the sting of Hecate's future betrayal caused a frisson of pain and panic, pain Evelyn did her best to ignore and panic that was quickly suppressed. Fool me once little monster but only once, no Evelyn wouldn't permit even her own child to live if she tried to murder her this time around.

"Here let me." Hecate insisted, her dexterous fingers reaching out to stroke her Mother's thick dark hair just like she had when she was much younger and would wind the long strands around her fingers for comfort.

Reluctantly but without any reasonable excuse to refuse Evelyn surrendered the hair brush, surprising herself that her daughter's touch was actually still so soothing despite everything. She was a tactile creature that enjoyed being pampered and even in the face of the very real threat Hecate presented to her Evelyn would never turn down a free head massage or someone else brushing her hair. Closing her eyes Evelyn soaked up the soft little touches, all but purring in appreciation as Hecate's nails raked lightly against her scalp.

"We've missed you the last few days. I've missed you." Hecate's soft honeyed tone was meant to sooth and cajole, to encourage her to talk; Evelyn should know she had taught her daughter personally after all. Yet Hecate had a long way to go before she could turn those skills on her own mother and expect Evelyn not to notice she was fishing.

Even so that didn't mean she couldn't bait the girl a little, especially if it meant enjoying her touch a little longer.

"I've been busy dear heart." Evelyn replied with a contented sigh, deliberately using the now rarely uttered endearment from Hecate's childhood when her daughter had been the only thing she had treasured in this vile world.

"Too busy even for me?" Hecate asked and Evelyn imagined she could hear the pout in the younger woman's voice even as those clever fingers of hers moved to rub delicious circles against the nape of her neck.

"Too busy even for you." Evelyn answered a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as the clever little minx slid one hand down to dip under the collar of Evelyn's dressing gown sharp little nails lightly rasping against the sensitive skin between her breasts.

"Well I think you should make it up to me."

Tilting her chin up Evelyn permitted the girl's kiss, tongues flicking against lips catching the taste of honey and cardamom…

Clever clever little thing Evelyn was almost impressed. She must remember to add a little of that spice to her own lips before her next encounter with Sir Malcolm just in case. Evelyn may have chosen to avoid enchanting him by magical means but that didn't mean she had to play fair.

Yet as the hand on her breast turned demanding and grasping and Hecate sought to dominate their kiss Evelyn batted her away. Impulsive childish little creature. Even now when Hecate should have continued her careful touches and probing, her daughters own immature desire to prove herself to dominate reared its head and like a headstrong fool Hecate gave into it rather than keeping her real goal in sight.

And the look Hecate shot her as Evelyn turned down her advances was barely above that of a toddler about to have a tantrum, perhaps the little chit would also stamp her feet in anger like she used to. It was perverse but Evelyn actually found herself amused more than anything, honestly had Hecate forgotten who she was dealing with?

"I am busy pet no time to play today."

"Busy with what?" Hecate all but demanded only the sudden flash of warning in her mother's eyes had her moderate her tone to something just on the right side of respectful.

"I'm sorry mother but I just want to help. We are all left behind in the house with nothing to do and I thought we would have moved against Miss Ives by now?"

"Patience daughter, did our initial attempt teach you nothing? A direct assault only put our enemies on their guard and dear Miss Ives is hardly unprotected. No better to let them think the danger is passed that they overreacted and let them lower their guard. This is a war we will win only by stealth and with great patience."

"But I thought you wanted me to at least go after this Mr Chandler to discover of our suspicions about him are correct?"

"Oh they are most assuredly." Evelyn retorted unable to keep the bitterness from seeping into her tone as she remembered the feeling of her throat being ripped out and the sudden hot rush of blood as it choked her. "Mr Chandler is unquestionably Miss Ives faithful little puppy, well a rabid mongrel at least."

"But how did you…"

"How is not important." Evelyn hissed turning to glare at her daughter who had dared to question her judgement again. "What is important is that we cannot allow him to suspect us in the slightest. No it is far better that you remain away from Mr Ethan Chandler daughter that way should your paths ever cross it will solely be as Miss Hecete Poole, I will not have my plans unwound because you want to play with the puppy."

"So you do at least have a plan?" Hecate retorted and this time there was no hiding the challenge in her tone.

"Careful daughter you over reach." Evelyn hissed stalking towards her recalcitrant child. "My plans are my own and you would do well to mind your tone lest I feel the need to relieve you of your tongue."

Momentarily cowed Hecate's gaze found the intricate pattern of the oriental carpet fascinating, unsure if she was supposed to flinch or not as her Mother's fingers stroked the side of her cheek, the gentleness a mere mask for the real strength in those fingers.

Relishing the girl's submission Evelyn allowed her fingertips to brush Hecate's full lips in a consolatory gesture as she lifted the girl's chin and her gaze. "And since I am rather fond of your tongue dear heart I would prefer not to be driven to such extremities."

Forcing a tremulous smile Hecate nodded her agreement, leaning into the older woman's touch as Evelyn pressed their lips briefly together as a sign of forgiveness but pulling away before Hecate could even think of deepening it.

"Now off with you it is growing late and I have things I need to do."

Or more importantly someone she needed to prepare herself for. Already the anticipation of the afternoon spent with Sir Malcolm was banishing the lingering sweetly sour taste Hecate's kisses had left on her mouth. Let the little chit sulk and plot her revenge, Hecate was going to have to learn to share or it was she that was going to be out in the cold…Even a Mothers love could only be stretched so far.

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