Magic and Mayhem Collection Volume 1, page 24
“Instead of worrying about me and Miss Vail, perhaps you should put your mind to Markham.” Maybe if Faye was too busy meddling in Markham’s life, she’d leave him alone.
Lord help him from meddling females!
After Diana had arrived back at Hollybrook Park yesterday, she’d gone directly to her chambers and had a good long cry. She then vowed not to go near the castle until all the guests were gone, especially the Earl of Somerton. In fact, she wasn’t going to leave Hollybrook Park.
“Oh, Diana, you must accompany me into Bocka Morrow. I don’t wish to go alone,” her sister, Miranda, begged while they broke their fast.
“Nor should she. Not with so many visiting the castle,” Adam insisted.
“She can take a maid,” Diana suggested, not that she believed anything would happen to her sister between here and the village.
“That’s no fun. I wish for you to go with me.”
“What of Cordelia or Adriana?” One of her younger sisters could accompany Miranda just as well as Diana.
“I need to finish the gown I’ve been working on as soon as we’ve finished our breakfast,” Adriana answered with excitement. Her sister had taken a great interest in designing and sewing gowns of late. Though Diana couldn’t understand her passion, especially when there was a perfectly good modiste in Bocka Morrow.
But at least her sister did have an interest. Since Somerton had broken her heart, Diana couldn’t find any enthusiasm for the pastimes she’d once enjoyed.
Diana looked to Cordelia with a lift of an eyebrow, hoping she’d accompany Miranda.
“I’d like to go into Bocka Morrow, as I need to visit Pennick’s Book Shop.” Then Cordelia pinned their youngest brother with an irritated, bordering on hateful, glare. “However, I’m to watch Edward this morning to make certain that he doesn’t get up to any more mischief.”
“I’m sorry,” he said as if he’d said it so many times already that they should leave him be.
“You shouldn’t have been throwing rocks in the first place,” Adam disciplined. “What even possessed you to do so?”
Diana had only heard a bit of what had occurred yesterday, something about her brother throwing rocks and one struck a female guest at the castle causing her harm.
It was one thing to throw rocks because, well, he was a boy. It was quite another to do so around people. Adam should blister his bottom for having done so. After all, Adam was the closest thing Edward had to a father since theirs had died when Edward was only a year old.
“I was aiming at the pixies.”
“Pixies!” Cordelia slammed her hands down on the table, pushing herself up and out of her seat. “Have you lost your mind? Do you know what trouble they can cause for us? Oh, I’d like to box your ears.”
Then she glared at Adam for having failed as an older brother.
“He’s to be punished,” Adam ground out.
“I’ll see that he is,” Cordelia announced then narrowed her eyes on Edward. “As soon as we are finished here, you are going to march right out to the gardens and begin cleaning out weeds and debris. Then this evening you will go out there and play your flute for their enjoyment, all the while apologizing for your childish behavior.”
Edward’s eyes widened and he looked to Adam for help.
Their older brother shrugged. “It seems perfectly reasonable to me.”
“What of gifts?” Adriana asked.
“Yes, gifts should be given as well,” Cordelia agreed.
“What kind of gift do you give a pixie?” Edward asked in confusion. “They are just little things, all bothersome and such.”
Cordelia glared at him. “They are not bothersome, but can be quite mischievous if angered, Edward Vail. You will deliver gifts.”
“I’ve bits of lace and ribbon left over from the dress I’ve been sewing,” Adriana offered. “I’ll see that they are given to Edward for him to leave in the garden.”
All of this was well and good, but it still didn’t free Diana from having to accompany Miranda into Bocka Morrow. Unless… “I can see that Edward cleans the garden if you wish to go to Pennick’s Book Shop.”
Cordelia frowned. “I thank you, but I need to make certain Edward does as he’s told, with my supervision, or who knows what havoc the pixies may cause.”
Diana’s encounters with pixies had been few. In fact, until yesterday, when they helped Sirs Orwen and Gilbert hide the path, she’d not had dealings with them since she was a child. And, given what they’d done, she wasn’t all that anxious to help her younger brother apologize. The pixies should be apologizing to her for leaving her vulnerable.
Miranda grinned at Diana and stood. “Shall we?”
As their breakfast was concluded, there wasn’t any further argument she could make and thus Diana found herself making the trek into Bocka Morrow. Thankfully Miranda had suggested the shorter path to the village. It may take them through Keyvnor land, but Diana was unlikely to encounter Somerton.
Unfortunately, no sooner had she stepped onto Keyvnor land than those blasted knights were back.
“We have news,” Sir Orwen announced.
“It’s urgent that we speak. Love hangs by a delicate thread. If you do not act, the mate of your heart might be lost to you forever,” Sir Gilbert insisted in his overly dramatic manner.
Had Diana been alone, she would have told them to go away, not that it ever did any good to do so.
“There is no insurmountable situation that can’t be overcome, and I urge you not to be led by emotions.”
Diana narrowed her eyes on Sir Gilbert. Oh, she’d love to give him a tongue lashing. Led by emotions indeed! How dare he make such a suggestion. Yes, her emotions were engaged, but so was her mind and she knew what was best for her. Not two ghosts who have been haunting these lands for centuries.
“Your heart aches for him as his does for you,” Sir Gilbert insisted. “They are meant to beat as one. Hearts and souls united. A passion to surpass all others. Desire that others can only dream of. A future to behold, bathed in gold and hope. A life of—.”
“—Bugger it,” Sir Orwen barked. “This is a serious matter, not an epic love poem.”
“Their love is epic.”
Diana blew out a sigh and rolled her eyes. She’d get no peace while these two continued to pester her.
“I promise that you will enjoy yourself,” Miranda insisted and linked her arm with Diana as she misinterpreted the sigh.
“Exactly what are you shopping for?” Miranda never mentioned a specific item. Not that it mattered, but the more she was in conversation with her sister, the better chance she had of blocking the menacing knights and their inane chatter.
Miranda shrugged.
Her sister never did anything without a purpose.
“Why are we really going to Bocka Morrow?” Diana demanded.
“To visit the apothecary.” Miranda admitted.
“Yes, yes, the apothecary, an excellent idea,” Sir Gilbert proclaimed.
“No. It isn’t. She’s a witch,” Sir Orwen argued. “We are in this predicament because of blasted witches.”
Now Diana did want to listen to them and if she were alone, she’d demand to know why witches had cursed them in the first place. Though, if they were as irritating three centuries ago as they are now, that could have been reason enough.
“Such language in front of the maidens,” Sir Gilbert chastised. “You really must do better, Orwen.”
“Only one heard me and Miss Vail has not exactly been innocent in her speech. She’s thrown out a ‘blast’ on more than one occasion.”
Usually when she was around them.
“Why the apothecary?” Diana asked as she couldn’t get any answers from the knights.
“Um, errr,…well…soaps. The wonderful rose and sage one I purchased before we traveled to London is gone and I must have more.”
Though it was a reasonable explanation, the fact that Miranda took time in answering heightened Diana’s suspicion. Her sister wanted to visit the apothecary for another reason.
“What do you hope to gain from this witch? What is it that you need?” Had she been so caught up with her own misery that Diana had missed a concern about her sister?
Miranda shook her head. “Nothing for me but something for you.”
Diana stopped. “Me? I need nothing.”
Miranda pulled on Diana’s arm to keep her walking. “I see two options. One.” She held up her index finger. “Something to heal your heart so you are no longer in pain.”
Oh, if only there were such a potion or spell.
“The other.” She held up another finger. “A love potion so that you might win Somerton for good.”
Diana stopped again. “I will not use a potion or spell to trick him into loving me.”
“Very well,” Miranda sighed. “Something to heal your heart, though I do believe you are being shortsighted as to the other.”
Diana didn’t need either, which her sister would learn once they reached the apothecary.
Chapter 6
James paused outside of the apothecary. Was he really going to ask for a potion from a witch?
Shaking his head, he pulled the door open for his sister, then jumped out of the way as a black cat ran out. Of course there’s a black cat. The proprietor was a witch, if rumors were to be believed, and didn’t all witches keep a cat?
His rational mind had decided that whoever owned the shop was no more a witch than he was. But, given this was Bocka Morrow with residents who believed in magic, ghosts, pixies, and mermaids, they’d believe a woman who sold herbs, teas, and soaps to be a witch.
With those thoughts, James stepped inside and was immediately assaulted by the strong aroma of herbs, spices, and flowers. His nose nearly burned from the onslaught.
“May I help you?” An older woman with long black hair streaked with grey greeted him. Blue woad markings of Celtic symbols were upon her fingers and knuckles, which were quite fascinating. As it was impolite to stare, James focused on her face. She certainly had the eccentric appearance of a witch, he supposed. Though she was far from the hag he’d imagined.
“I’m with my sister.” He nodded to Faye who was sniffing the different soaps.
“Are you certain there isn’t something you need for yourself?” She pinned him with such an intense stare that James wondered if the witch could see into his mind, his soul.
“You come seeking help, yet you are afraid to ask.”
James hated that his face began to heat. He was not a gentleman who became embarrassed.
“I can assure you, that I am in need of nothing.” Besides, if he did ask the witch for assistance, he’d never hear the end of it from Faye.
“Come.” She stepped from behind the counter. “Share a cup of tea with me and tell me what burdens you.”
“I should remain with my sister.”
The witch chuckled. “Your sister will smell the soaps over and over until she decides. She’ll then spend time with the sachets and candles.”
There was no harm in a cup of tea, he supposed, and hopefully, the air wasn’t so pungent in the other room, as he was beginning to develop a headache.
The witch led him to the back where there was a small kitchen and he took a place at the table as she went about heating water. She said nothing, nor did she ask questions and James grew uncomfortable sitting in the silence.
“I am Brighid,” she finally said as she gathered cups. “You are?”
For a moment he considered giving a false name so that nobody would ever learn that he was here. “James Bryant.” Instead, he just omitted his title.
Brighid tilted her head and smiled. “It is an honor to have the Earl of Somerton in my humble shop.”
How the blazes did she know who he was?
Then again, she was a witch, supposedly.
She placed a cup in front of him, the liquid was not as dark as the tea he usually enjoyed, but light, almost a pale greenish, yellowish-brown. James leaned forward to sniff.
“Sip and reflect. I will return momentarily.”
He didn’t come here just to drink tea. Blast it all. And what the hell did she wish for him to reflect upon? He already knew what he wanted: A chance to explain to Diana and to also protect his heart to keep from falling in love with her again or being hurt.
Oh, Diana did enjoy being in the apothecary. A delightful little shop filled with herbs, candles, and whatnot. It also smelled delightful, as if she’d stepped into the garden filled with fragrant wildflowers. She paused just inside the door and inhaled deeply, bringing all the fragrance into her being before blowing out a breath and almost instantly she relaxed.
“Faye,” Miranda proclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
Lady Faye Bryant was the younger sister of Somerton, and Diana quickly glanced about the shop. Thankfully he was not here.
“Shopping, of course!” Lady Faye smiled brightly. “Isn’t this delightful?” She held up a lavender soap to Miranda to sniff.
“Lovely! I must get one for myself.”
Maybe her fear of having to speak with Jam…Somerton was causing Diana to be suspicious of everyone and every place. And she must refer to him as Somerton, even to herself. The days of intimacy were gone.
“How may I help you?” Brighid glided from the back of the shop toward the two women.
“It is my sister who needs your help,” Miranda answered.
Diana shot Miranda a look. “My sister is mistaken,” Diana ground out.
Brighid approached and stared into Diana’s eyes. It was quite unnerving.
“Someone has broken your heart,” she said after a moment.
She was not willing to admit as much. “I’ve learned a lesson,” she corrected.
“Yes, I see. You use anger as a shield.”
How the blazes could she know such? This was the very reason Diana hadn’t gone to Adam’s grandmother, the wizened gypsy, because she could see too much and Diana didn’t wish for anyone, especially her family, to know how deeply she’d been hurt by that rogue.
Lady Faye came forward and placed several soaps, candles, and sachets on the counter, then Miranda did the same.
“Excuse me.” Brighid returned to the other side of the counter to complete the purchases while Diana wandered about the shop. There was nothing here to help her. Only time would ease her pain.
“Diana, Lady Faye brought her carriage and offered a ride back to Keyvnor. Do you mind?”
“You may come with us as well,” Lady Faye offered.
“No, go on ahead.” Besides, she preferred to return alone.
“Though you don’t seek anything for yourself, what did your sister hope you would gain by coming to my apothecary?” Brighid asked after Miranda and Lady Faye had exited the shop.
“Nothing you can provide,” she assured the old woman.
“One never knows.”
Diana blew out a sigh. “The first was a love spell, which is quite silly. Even if such existed, I’d not use it. If a gentleman cannot fall in love with me naturally why would I wish him to do so under the influence of magic.”
“Few are as wise as you,” the witch chuckled. “I know the rumors that surround me, and many misses have come seeking such a charm.”
“Yes, well, I’m not so foolish and I’ll never be fooled again.”
“Be careful that you do not guard your heart so tightly that you miss out on the very thing you seek.”
“I seek nothing,” Diana insisted.
“Do you not?” Brighid questioned, her eyebrow raised as she studied Diana. “You said the first thing your sister suggested was a love spell, what was the second.”
“Something to ease the pain in my heart.”
“Yet you do not ask for such.”
“No. It’s safer to remember the pain so mistakes are not made again.”
Brighid tisked. “I fear you are blinding and binding yourself. You might believe you were foolish before, and perhaps you were, but forsaking any chance at love is equally as foolish. Do you wish to grow old alone?”
These were words that Diana did not want to think on. Further, Brighid was wrong. “It’s preferable when a heart cannot be trusted.”
Brighid took Diana’s hand in hers. “It is not a love spell you need, nor something to ease your pain, but clarity to see the truth.”
Diana blinked at her. Clarity would ease much in her mind. “Does such exist?”
Brighid took a deep breath. “I must think on it.”
Chapter 7
James had finally taken his last sip of tea, though he’d done little reflection. His need was the same as when he’d first entered the establishment. All he wanted was a peaceful conversation with Diana. A chance to explain. However, he also wished to protect himself so that she didn’t have a second opportunity to crush what was left of his heart beneath the heel of her kid boot.
As Brighid had not returned, James stood and made his way back into the shop, certain that Faye had found what she needed and was ready to depart. Instead, he found Diana, her hand wrapped in those of the witch.
“Miss Vail,” he greeted.
Diana jerked at his voice and glance toward him. “Lord Somerton,” she replied crisply.
Brighid looked between the two, studying. “Your sisters brought you here?”
He nodded.
“Yes,” Diana answered.
“Where is my sister?” James asked when he noticed that Faye was not about.
“She returned to the castle with Miss Miranda, in your carriage,” Brighid cackled.
She wouldn’t. James strode toward the door and out onto the walk. His carriage was gone.
She had better be in hiding when he returned to the castle, or he’d…James wasn’t certain what he’d do but considered whether she was too old to be taken over a knee.
Irritated, he pushed his fingers through his hair and stepped back into the apothecary.
“I believe the sisters are trying to bring about a match,” Brighid observed. “Am I correct?”
“We need no assistance,” Diana ground out. “There is no match. There never was.”
