Free A Game of Shadows by Irina Shapiro

blushed when Louisa caught him looking at her across the table.  His shyness was so refreshing compared to the young men she met in Virginia, who were always boasting of their wealth and standing in the community.  Theo had no need to boast; he’d been born a lord, and his wealth needed no trumpeting.  Lord Carew Senior had been as wealthy as Croesus, and he provided well for his sons, tasking them with marrying well to consolidate their wealth and influence with other powerful English families.  The woman Theo eventually married would want for nothing, and Louisa had every intention of being that woman. 
    There was no time to waste , and Aunt Maud would be the best source of the information she needed, having known Theo from the cradle.  Aunt Lou, who was a keen observer of people and very outspoken in her views would have been her first choice, but she didn’t want to ask her for fear that she would tell her parents, who might interfere with her plans.  Aunt Maud, however, with her blunt way of putting things would surely let something important slip; something that Louisa could use to her advantage in snaring her prey.
    She stepped carefully, the gravel of the path hard and uneven under the thin soles of her slippers , and the dew on the hedges likely to leave wet stains on her skirt if she weren’t careful, but the misty shade of the narrow path was cool and pleasant, a strange hush permeating the maze as if it were a world unto itself, mysterious and full of old magic.  Louisa slowed her pace as she neared the center of the maze, strolling as if she didn’t have a care in the world and humming a wistful tune under her breath.  She stepped into the square of sunlight, feigning surprise at the sight of the old lady, seated regally on a bench, her face turned toward the sun, her walking stick leaning against the bench at a precarious angle.
    “Aunt Maud, how nice to see you.  May I join you?   I was just taking a walk before it got too hot, and the maze is so pleasant in the morning, isn’t it?”
    Louisa didn’t wait for an answer as she sat down next to Maud, her face alight with a charming smile.  She had to admit that although Aunt Maud managed to ruffle everyone’s feathers and put a few noses out of joint, she felt a sort of pity for her.  How sad it must be to be old and unwanted, with no children or grandchildren to carry on your legacy.  Who would really care once Maud died?  Louisa supposed that there would be some interest in her vast fortune, but no one would really miss the acerbic old lady, or visit her lonely grave next to a husband who never loved her in life.  She strongly suspected that Aunt Maud knew that as well, which made her only more determined to torment everyone while she still could. 
    If only she could be a little kinder like Mr. and Mrs. Taylor.  Louisa had always loved Cook, but she came to know Mr. Taylor after he decided to stay with them and marry Mrs. Dolly.  She had to admit that she learned to like the strange old man, and sometimes joined him on his walks where he happily pointed out various plants to her, glad that someone shared his interest in nature.  Louisa had always had an interest in herbs and plants, fascinated by the secrets they held.  Plants had the power to heal, but some had a darker purpose and those who knew how to use them wielded power over life and death, using nature’s cruel beauty to serve their secret purpose.  She used to follow Bridget around as she went out with her basket, collecting various items that she used in her medical arsenal.  It was useful knowledge, and Louisa liked useful things.  They came in handy when you least expected them to.
    “Do you like the maze?” Louisa asked companionably, getting more comfortable and raising her face to the sun just like the old lady.
    “Yes, it reminds me of the maze at our country estate when I was a girl.  My future husband followed me there one evening to inform me that my father