The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (24 page)

The thought of Thea leaving raised his hackles. He would follow her to the bitter end and never let her go. Where were these thoughts coming from? He’d never been a violent man, and yet, he sensed his control slipping. He must break the curse or accept himself and claim the woman he burned for, damning the consequences.

He urged Batair into a gallop. The countryside streaked by, blazing with the colors of late spring. His other side was winning and taking control. The seduction of the wolf tasted hot and tempting.

* * * *

Thea took her grandmother’s book on healing and went outside to sit in the sunshine. Warmth seeped into her cold body. She studied the faded pages concerning all aspects of her healing gift. New recipes for herbs and magic words to help heal specific areas of the body covered many pages. She noted a recipe for a cream to apply to scars.

“Grandmamma,” she called to the older woman working with Elvie in the herb garden. “Would you help me prepare some of these lotions and potions before I return home?”

“Yes, and you can take some seedlings to start your own herb garden. But be very careful. There is a fine line between what people see as healing and what they call a witch.”

“I know. Mama warned me of the dangers.”

“Good. My beautiful daughter, my heart aches with knowing she is gone. Soon I’ll be with her, but you and Elvie will have each other to lean on.”

Thea started to protest, but in the clear morning air it was obvious by the color of her skin, the frail thin bones, and the receding light in her eyes that she was right. Thea and Elvie might not see grandmamma after this visit. Thea must learn as much as possible during this time together. She blinked away her tears.

The day rushed by. Thea cooked their dinner while her grandmother gathered herb seedlings and instructed Elvie. Teaching her about her abilities to recognize a person's innate behavior and in certain situations sensing bad things before they occur.

Chicken browning over the open fire filled the cottage with pleasant odors. Another pot with water and potatoes cooked above the fire. Elvie sat to the side, listening to her grandmother’s instructions and stories.

After eating, grandmamma sent Elvie to the small bedroom and sprinkled herbs around the room before sitting in front of Thea. Outside the night was black and silent.

“Take my hands and close your eyes.”

Thea did as she was told. Her hearing and touch became more acute and every flicker of the fire and crackle in the wood frame of the cottage was amplified. Wind blew against her face, and she fell twisting and turning through the passage.

A knock sounded. The woman pulled the front of her dress lower to expose the full tops of her breast. Her hair brushed to a shine flowed around her. She opened the door with a smile.

He stood in his leather breeches and full sleeved white shirt with a brown vest. His golden brown hair and sherry eyes glowed at her.

“How beautiful you are tonight. I knew you would forgive me.” He reached out, taking her white shoulders in his hands and pulled her lush body against him as he stepped inside and kicked the door shut.

Her ruby red lips met his mouth. She waited until his hands became more urgent and their tongues did the dance of lust, then she wrenched herself away.

“You fool. Did you think I would forgive you?” Her voice rang out with venom. “Never. I will see you and yours in hell first.” Rushing across the room, she picked up a small sack and turning, flung the contents on him. The white powder clung to his hair, face and clothes.

“What are you doing, you crazy woman?” He brushed at the powder, but still he couldn’t remove the white stuff.

Her shrill laugh filled the room. “Your first born son and every first born son after will curse you for what you have brought on them. Oh, some will come to like the power and evil, but not all. And you will hate what becomes of your first born.”

“What have you done?” He shook her, as she continued to laugh. Flinging her aside, he rushed out the door.

“It will wash off,” she hollered, “but the curse will not.”

She went to the fire and mumbled ancient incantations. Throwing up her hands, the fire blazed full. “I will leave a secret. There is a way to save your family,” she whispered to the empty room, “but none will understand it.”

The sound of a sharp bang jerked Thea back to the present. The black cooking pot had fallen to the floor. The fire blazed high, and in her imagination, it had to be imagination, she saw the willowy figure of the black-haired woman laughing.

Grandmamma raised her shoulders and shook her head. “She is strong. She will fight even her own blood to keep her revenge. You must be brave and stronger. Do not allow doubt in your mind. Constantly persevere or she will win.”

Thea traversed the edges of the room, which seemed more confining than usual and bereft of air. She breathed deeply. “Win what, Grandmamma?” She stared across at her frail grandmother. “What family is involved? What curse? With this little information I am to save our family and others? Grandmamma, you must explain more.”

“I can not.”

Thea stared at her, dazed. She reached into her pocket and took out the amulet. “Then now is the time to answer my questions and tell me what this means.”

Grandmamma’s hand shook as she took the wrapped box in her hand. Pulling back the fabric, she opened the lid and gasped on seeing the necklace with the amulet. Her hand lightly touched the smooth part and holding her hand a breath above the deep grooved side, she sat stiff, almost lifeless.

Long minutes later, she raised her head. “Where did you find this?”

“In the attic of my husband’s home, buried at the bottom of a large chest.”

“An amulet can hold power and messages.” Her small, frail hands felt along the edge and traced each ridge. “There it is.”

“What?” Thea asked and leaned forward.

“A tiny spring.” Grandmamma unfastened the brooch on her dress and used the point of the pin to press down on the spot. The amulet slid apart, one side moving down, the other up. Catching both edges, her grandmother pulled the top off. Inside a square area, a folded yellowed paper lay waiting to be found.

Thea reached for it.

“Wait.” Grandmamma shook out more herbs around their chairs. “She will be furious that you have the note and are closer to finding her secrets.” Her grandmother handed her the bag of herbs. “Sprinkle these around your house, in corners and especially around your bedroom and bed. She may try to come to you there, try to challenge you and take control.”

Thea shook her head. “This can not be happening. How can this be unless our family does descend from witches? I thought we were healers and psychics, not witches.”

“Deny your ancestors if you wish. But no matter how hard you try to pretend they are not what they are, they will follow you. Use your abilities for good or evil.
You
always have a choice, but there are consequences to both.”

Thea watched her grandmother pull the paper out and carefully unfold it. Grandmamma nodded. “Here is your message.” She held out the paper to Thea.

The message written in bold black letters, not faded with time, seemed to swirl in front of Thea’s eyes. She blinked once, twice, and the words flashed up at her.

Two lines must intersect,

Two opposing forces break,

The amulet shall heal the rift,

And evermore the curse be slaked.

Puzzled, Thea went to hand the paper to her grandmamma to read.

“No. I am not the one to see it. I am not allowed to help you with this. Neither is your sister. You will know whom to share it with. When you complete what is necessary, you will have many answers. Until then, much darkness and danger will surround you.”

“You will not help me?”

“I can not.”

Thea stared at her grandmother. She’d been so sure Grandmamma would give her all the answers. This was not going to be easy.

“There is one more thing,” Grandmamma added. “Your husband is unhappy and looking for his own answers. When you come to understand more, there will be a moment when you will have to decide whether to tell him of your family and our secrets. There are risks either way.

“Your head will tell you what must be done at that time. Your heart will fear the results. Trust your instincts. This is a pivotal time and there will be no going back once the decision is made.”

“That is all you can tell me?”

The old woman smiled, but her eyes held deep sadness. She pulled Thea into her arms and held her tight. “I do love you, my darling granddaughter. You will know I am at your side encouraging you to do what is needed. I believe you have the strength and love to succeed.”

Tears fell on Thea’s cheeks as she leaned back and kissed her grandmamma. “I will miss you. Even though I did not get to visit often, I knew you were here, always within reach.”

“I know. Go to bed. We will enjoy the rest of our visit and leave the mystery alone for now.” Wearily, her grandmother walked into the room she shared with Elvie and shut the door.

Thea moved toward her pallet and heard soft laughter. She glanced around the empty room and suddenly she wanted to run from this place, run as fast as she could, but she knew there was no way to escape whatever the future held.

* * * *

Wulf sent a message to Hawley as soon as he reached town. While going through correspondence in his study, he heard his mother and Jane return from shopping. He stepped out to greet them.

His mother raised her eyebrows. “Ulric, we did not expect to see you return to town so soon. I hope you and your new bride are not having problems.” She raised her lorgnette to study him.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Mother. Thea and I are doing quite well. She and her sister are visiting her grandmother, and I have come to town to attend to some business.”

“Ah, going your separate ways already.” She sighed. “I will not get a grandchild with you two in separate places.”

Jane rushed up and gave Wulf a hug. “I am so glad to see you.” She blushed. “There is someone I want you to meet.”

“A special beau?” Wulf quirked his eyebrow at her.

“He is handsome and nice and you will like him. I am sure.”

“I do not think I can like anyone who will take you away from us,” Wulf said.

Jane laughed. “How you love to tease me.” She grabbed his hand. “You must come to the ball tonight and meet him. Please.”

“This is unfair. You know I am seldom able to refuse you what you want.”

“Thank you.” Jane danced around him. “Now I am going upstairs to try on my new gowns. See you tonight.”

Wulf watched her fly up the stairs. Looking back, he saw his mother staring at him. “What is it, Mother?”

“What is the real reason you have come to town?”

“As I said, I have several meetings planned, one with my solicitor. Do not worry. I will be returning home within a couple of days.”

She nodded and took off her pelisse and gloves before heading toward her sitting room. She stopped at the door. “Yes, you wouldn't want to be in town for the full moon.” With that said, she disappeared into the room.

Wulf felt the verbal slap.
Stop her generous allowance
. The words echoed in his head. No, he would ignore her as he always did.

He returned to his study and lit his pipe. A brief knock and the door opened. Bailey entered.

“There is a rough looking man at the door. He says you sent for him?”

“Bring him to my study.” Wulf hid a smile at Bailey’s affronted look. “And send coffee to us.” This time he heard a distinct huff.

Hawley hesitated at the door and only entered after Wulf motioned him in. He stood his hat in his hand.

“Be seated.” Wulf nodded at a chair. “Would you like a cheroot?”

“No, my lord,” Hawley said and sat gingerly on the edge of the chair. “I coulda met you anywhere. You din’t have to have me here.”

“Here we have privacy.” Wulf waited while the footman entered with the coffee. Wulf handed Hawley a cup and went to sit behind his desk.

“Tell me what you have found.”

“The bloke keeps it all well hidden, but me friend, he’s good and he found out there are two wills.”

“As I suspected.”

“Yes, my friend copied the original will and I took it to your solicitor since, until I got your message, I thought you were out of town. Mr. Deems will show the papers to you,” Hawley said.

Wulf took a sip of coffee. “You’ve done well. Would you like a full time position with me?”

“Might. I heard some rumors. I thought you might be interested in them.”

“What rumors?”

“Heard Lord Akers ain’t givin’ up. Word is he still wants your wife. Heard tell he’s hired some disreputable sorts to help him.” Hawley took a sip of coffee. He held tightly to the fragile china cup.

“Do you know his plan?”

“No. They bragged about workin' for him, but I don’t think they know yet what they have to do.”

Wulf’s blood ran hot. Thea and her sister were away from him and unprotected. A perfect opportunity for Akers to attack.