Chapter 22

Why did Daniel look so shocked to see her? Beth frowned at him over Luna Margaretta's shoulder, mystified by the abrupt stiffness that came over Daniel's face where he stood in the doorway. Was he still angry at her after all? That show of contrition earlier had been convincing, but Daniel didn't wear his heart on his sleeve so clumsily. Maybe he still had lingering resentment to deal with. But that expression didn't look resentful at all. More taken aback and confused, if anything. Was he all right?

"Oh, love! You're here." Margaretta beamed like a blooming flower when she turned and spotted her son. In her dress and with her hair done up for the first time since she had fallen ill again, she looked like a different person. "I was going to send for you later but you can come with us now if you want," she called to Daniel. "We've just had a runner come ahead and let us know that Beth's mother, Luna Dahlia, is on her way this second. It's too dark outside to navigate comfortably so I'v