Her gaze, which had been so unfocused all this time, found a familiar face, and Rufina locked eyes with Evalina Rosier, her husband's cousin. She felt, rather than heard, the words leave the other woman's lips, and all the witch could do was nod rather helplessly.

(Rufina Mulciber had never been helpless in her life, bar once or twice, and she did not care for it in the least.)

"No one is able to tell me what has become of my husband," Rufina answered, casting a pointed and disparaging look at the individual who had escorted Evalina to the tea room.