Otherworld Challenger by Jane Godman Page B

ventured a suggestion. “Perhaps if you ask her specific questions, so she has to answer yes or no?”
    Jethro nodded. “Was he taken to Avalon?” Bertha continued to gaze around the room, anywhere other than meeting his eyes. “To another location in Otherworld?” Bertha began to rock back and forth. “To the mortal realm?” Bertha started to sob quietly.
    â€œEnough.” Gillespie placed his arm around Bertha’s shoulder. “Even if she knows the answers, it is clearly causing her pain to think of it.”
    Although Jethro ran a hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration, he inclined his head in acceptance and rose. “She will be lucid for a few more minutes. We’ll leave you alone.” He drew Vashti away so Gillespie could talk privately to his wife. “I feel like I just wasted over a week of our precious time.”
    â€œYou know her better than I do, but it seems to me she was afraid to tell you what she knew.”
    â€œWhatever her secret is, it must be huge if she has never confided in Gillespie about it.” He looked across to where Bertha was gazing up at her husband with shining eyes. “Shit. We’re right back to square one.”
    Are we? Vashti wanted to point out his use of the word “we” felt like a step in the right direction to her. Are we becoming a team? The thought made her want to laugh out loud. She didn’t, because her attention was drawn to Bertha, who’d returned to her seat and, after glancing around with an expression of bewilderment, resumed her humming and card sorting.
    â€œI’m sorry.” Jethro packed away his necromancing artifacts and shook his father’s hand in farewell.
    â€œI know you would not have done it if it wasn’t important.” A slight smile touched his lips. “And those few minutes were very precious.” Gillespie turned to Vashti. “The circumstances were unusual, but it was a pleasure to meet you, my dear.”
    They were almost out of the room when Vashti spoke again. “Wait a moment.” She left Jethro waiting by the door.
    She returned to where Gillespie stood watching his wife as she dealt her cards and hummed her endless tune. He looked up as Vashti approached. Although she couldn’t touch him, she went as close as she could so he could feel her presence. There was a question in his eyes.
    â€œFor what it’s worth, I believe the ghost lord chose the right successor. I think you will do a good job.”
    The smile lines around his eyes deepened. “How did you know?”
    â€œIntuition.” She shocked herself with her use of the word. I don’t do intuition. Her eyes dropped to take in Bertha. “You should think about Jethro’s offer. Otherworld isn’t perfect, but she would have more of a life—” Gillespie raised his brows and she smiled “—okay, a death , there than she has here.”
    â€œI will consider it.” His expression told her he was serious. “Will I see you again, Vashti?”
    â€œIf you ever join the other leaders around the Alliance table, most certainly.”
    He lifted his eyes to where Jethro—a silent, brooding figure—stood watching them. “That is not what I meant.”
    Vashti felt the tell-tale blush creep into her cheeks. Oh, good heavens, how was she going to explain to this dear, sweet ghost that he shouldn’t regard her as daughter-in-law material? She was surprised he couldn’t pick up on the fact Jethro had no romantic inclinations toward her. Ghosts must be immune to those sorts of undercurrents. Or had he sensed she was attracted to his son? Was it a diplomatic way of probing her feelings?
    â€œThis is work.” Her voice was firm. “For both of us.”
    * * *
    Dusk was falling as Jethro cooked dinner while Vashti watched him. She got the feeling this was what he did to calm down after a bad day. He must have had