The Ashwin cab trundled down the cobbled pavements of the Kensington streets it's dark finery an imposing figure in the London smog, the well trained horses trotting along at the drivers command.  Inside where Rowena Bleakmore Ashwin, Maude Elward Bleakmore, Thaddeus Conroy Beck and Barnabas Gates. Rowena sat perched near to the window straining to read the latest H. Rider Haggard - Allan Quatermain novel by light, from the gas lamp that her footman Thaddeus Beck was dutifully attempting to hold steady for his Mistress.  Maude Bleakmore tutted and scowled at her niece thinking the activity quite unbecoming and inappropriate,  Rowena peered up from her book looking over her reading glasses at her aunt with a forced pleasant smile<em>"Something the matter auntie ?”</em>,  Maude frowned at Rowena and glared at the book she was reading the lines creasing in her facial features<em>“Why do you insist on reading that awful nonsense!”  </em><br/><br/>The imposing figure that was Barnabas Gates sat next to Maude cricked his neck and turned to regard the two women with a silent stare,  his eyes studied the book that his ward was reading and he chuckled slightly. Maude turned and glared at the masked man for a moment before shifting uncomfortably in her seat and looking to the cab window.<em>“Driver do hurry along now!” </em>she exclaimed before looking to Rowena<em>“I don't know why you insist on using your coach Rowena.”</em><br/><br/>Rowena closed her book and gently placed it to one side taking of her spectacles and placing them in there ornate silver case,<em>"OH have some patience aunt, my driver knows the way and we will be there shortly and neither late nor too early.  I don't know what your hurry is anyway, the mummy is not a perspective suitor there will be little for you to do this evening.”</em>She smiled warmly at her aunt who smiled back<em>“I hope that will be the case for you too, its embarrassing enough that you went on performing your tricks at the last social occasion.”</em>Rowena sighed and glanced out of the window<em>“Yes auntie of course, that was however requested of me.” </em><br/><br/>The rest of the short journey passed by in awkward silence, as the cab pulled up at the beautiful town house Thaddeus opened the cab and held the door open as Barnabas stepped out. He  waited at the cab on the street glancing about as adjusted his heavy overcoat, Thaddeus meanwhile hurried to the door of the house to inform of the arrival of the Ashwin guests.  Once that duty was done he returned to the cab to inform his Mistress that they where on perfect time and assisted both her and her aunt from the cab before closing the door. The driver looked down from the cab at the two women and glanced to Rowena he coughed slightly and waited until they where inside and nervously spoke up.<em>“Err..Mr Beck you don't spose, it be proper if I visit quick downstairs ? Only there's a right chill tonight an I could use a cup.” </em>Thaddeus glanced back to the driver<em>“I will ask, you best be quick however and just a cup Mister Cockley, I know of your reputation with drink.”</em><br/><br/>Rowena moved into the house with her aunt at her side Barnabas and Thaddeus close behind, it was barely a few steps into the house before Rowena paused and resisted the wave of feeling that threatened to overwhelm her senses and make her cry out in shock. She gasped slightly and raised her hand to her mouth trembling and wavering on her feet slightly, her aunt looked at her suspiciously and jabbed subtly with her elbow the large figure that was Barnabas raised his gloved hands and steadied and supported Rowena gently by the shoulders.  She stepped forwards away from him and turned to her aunt<em>“Sorry auntie, I felt rather faint for a moment there do forgive me.”</em>she looked to Barnabas thankfully and knowingly.<br/><br/>There small entourage moved into the room with the other guests and Rowena and her aunt glanced slightly about the room with polite nods and graces to the hosts.  They settled in a corner of the room awaiting any that may approach them, Rowena idly held an exquisite fan in her hand toying with but careful not to send out any wrong signals much to her aunts disappointment.  Rowena's mind whirled with the feelings she had felt and she masked the dread and wonder behind a well practised facade. She leaned in close to speak to Barnabas as he stood in place behind her and inclined down to hear her through his bandages.<em>"Something wicked this eve comes.” </em>