Gene of Isis Read Online Free Page A

roof, or thinking about having to deal with my little outbursts for the rest of his life! ‘My daughter is not a psychic!’
    ‘Then how would you explain all this, Lord Suffolk?’ the earl asked, wondering if he’d overlooked some more reasonable explanation.
    ‘Mental illness,’ Father pronounced, very definitely. ‘And I’m having her condition seen to.’
    The Dowager Countess Cavandish went ghostly white, and became mired in thought.
    ‘I’ve had her committed to a very good—’
    ‘Committed! ’ The Earl of Derby was horrified. ‘For solving the mystery of my brother’s death, for saving those dearest to me and the entire future of my family line, you’ve had that blessed angel committed!’ My father had never seen his friend so irate. Lord Cavandish was a powerful man in the House of Lords who had similar ideals and visions to my father, so he had no desire to have a falling out with the earl over this matter.
    ‘Do I question what you decide is best for your children?’ Father defended his decision, although parental guilt at his hasty action was beginning to wear him down a little. We may not have had much of an affinity, but I was still his child and Father couldn’t bear the thought that he hadn’t done what was best for both of us.
    ‘Thomas.’ Lord Cavandish spoke in a most informal tone to try and share the revelations he’d had in the past few days. ‘I’ve just finished telling you that I had no idea what was best for mychildren. I thought they were in the kindest of care. Nevertheless it is clear that I’ve been too wrapped up in my own business agenda to care what was truly best for my family. I should never have left my children in the care of a total stranger. Please, forgive my impertinence, old friend. I desire only that you draw some benefit from my mistake.’
    My father felt a deep sense of alarm. The earl’s words rang true and clearly Lord Cavandish had learned a very painful lesson, which my father had yet to confront—his own selfishness.
    ‘Your daughter is in great peril,’ Lady Cavandish announced, anxiety causing her calm tone to falter slightly. My father showed considerable restraint in not rolling his eyes, when she added: ‘A very dark presence has gained access to your beautiful daughter because of her selfless aid to our kin.’
    Father hated it that he understood perfectly what the Dowager Countess was saying. ‘He’s the darkest ever …’ My father repeated the observation I had made to Nanny Beat about Dr Rosen, and the words stung at his heart like a thousand wasps. ‘Why must all the rubbish that spouts from that child’s mouth make such perfect sense?’ It was infuriating to my father. And it was totally bewildering. ‘That child will be the ruin of me.’ He stood up and resolved to take action and correct his oversight.
    ‘I can assure you, my Lord Granville, that quite the opposite is true.’ The Dowager Countess Cavandish rose from where she sat and asked: ‘Where is the Honourable Miss Granville now?’
    ‘The asylum is a few hours from here.’
    Lady Cavandish heard and felt the panic that was rising in my father. ‘Fear not.’ She squeezed my father’s arm to reassure him. ‘Your daughter has manyguardians watching over her…and my presence here today is a firm sign of that! All shall be well.’
    My father was not the kind of man to graciously accept such comfort or admit that he should even need it, and especially not from a woman he’d never met before! But at this moment, he was mildly thankful for it.
    ‘Let us make haste then.’ Father turned toward the doors of the downstairs sitting room which led to the foyer, to find Nanny Beat standing in the doorway. ‘Yes, you may come,’ he replied before she’d even asked the question. ‘I wish to speak with you en route.’
    Nanny burst into tears, she was so grateful. ‘Oh, thank you, my lord and god bless—’
    ‘No time for tears, woman.’ He put his arm around