Page 101 of Witchbane

‘Good. I doubt any of the other militiamen who were there during their arrest will care what happens to these women,’ I said aware that my father will have already sent them to investigate other poor souls. ‘You had better go back in. Do not mention having seen me.’

He glowered at me but didn’t argue.

I raced back to Rue, surprised she had done as I asked and was waiting for me.

She grabbed hold of my sleeves. ‘Did you manage to do it?’

I heard the desperation in her voice and wanted to pull her to me to comfort her. ‘I did.’

She closed her eyes and rested her head against my chest. ‘Thank you, Theo,’ she said sighing wearily.

I held her tightly, relishing having her in my arms once again and wishing we could stay that way for longer. ‘If you must come inside, please follow my instruction.’ I took her by the shoulders, held her slightly back from me, and kissed her cheek. ‘We don’t know whether the plan has been successful. If I tell you to run, or hide, or anything, you must do it.’

Her only response was to lean forward and kiss me on the mouth. I glanced around in case one of my father’s cronies saw and, unable to help myself, pulled her into a dark doorway. Taking her in my arms, I kissed her with all the passion I dared show, my heart racing when she responded with equal eagerness.

Hearing voices from somewhere inside, we parted and stood back, ready to head for the door that led to the dungeons.

‘Do you promise?’ I said, for she hadn’t answered me.

‘If I must.’

‘Yes.’

‘Then I promise.’

That settled, I took her hand – but then I heard someone calling her name. Rue gasped and, pushing past me, ran to her aunt.

They hugged. Sorrel took Rue’s face in her cut hands, insisting she was unharmed, despite their bloodiness and her swollen, bruised eye.

‘I just want to go home.’

Her wrists were bloodied too, and her clothing torn in places, but I was relieved to see she didn’t seem in any worse state than when I left her. I went to join them.

Sorrel gave me a knowing smile before looking down at our hands and lifting them to study the matching linen cloths binding them. ‘I must admit, I’m rather confused.’

Did I dare believe my hopes had come to fruition? ‘Are you telling me my father’s obsession of you has been erased?’

She gave a weary sigh. ‘It does seem that way. He told the guards to release me not two minutes ago.’

‘And the other women?’ Rue asked.

Her aunt’s smile slipped. ‘I do not know. I believe they are still in cells.’ She hugged Rue closer. ‘I am relieved you are no longer in danger, dearest Rue.’

Rue glanced at me. ‘I’m not?’

‘Has the accusation against her been retracted?’ I asked hopefully.

Sorrel shrugged. ‘I hope it will be. Why would he let me go and still want Rue? With the two of us free we can work together to do whatever is necessary to help secure the other women’s release.’

‘That might not be necessary,’ I said, happy to share my thoughts. ‘If I am correct, then there is a chance the others will soon follow you out of this place.’

My father’s forgetting his resentment of Sorrel Norman solved so much, I thought, relief washing over me. At least now he could continue his work as Witchfinder and my mother’s lifestyle would be protected, though I would need to stay nearby until I was certain his brutal behaviour towards her had waned along with his loathing of Rue’s aunt.

Hearing the rumbling of wooden wheels on the road, I looked over to see Pierre and Rue’s grandmother arriving, followed closely by Lord Thistlebury on his horse. I wondered how he had heard what had happened. Someone from the estate must have let him know.

Ophelia Tredwell’s hands covered her mouth in delight when she saw her daughter standing outside and free.

Pierre stopped the cart and, taking a cloak from Mistress Tredwell’s lap, ran over to Sorrel and placed it gently around her shoulders. ‘I’m to take you back to the manor,’ he said quietly, before giving me a grateful smile. ‘We’re very thankful for all you’ve done, sir.’