Page 26 of Witchbane

‘But I don’t want to leave Thistlebury Manor. I’ve only ever lived here.’ I glanced at the faces of the people I loved and trusted above all others. ‘I only feel safe here. Safer than anywhere else, that is.’

I saw by their expressions that none of them knew what to say next, and I felt badly for causing them this distress.

My thoughts went to Theo and why he had come to find me.

Grandmama rested her hands on her hips. ‘I agree. Rue must go while she has the chance. We must remain calm and carry on with our work while I consider our next step.’ She waved for us all to leave and do as she had instructed.

I accompanied Aunt Sorrel, Jem and Pierre out to the yard, deciding that the best way to stop fretting was to harvest a few vegetables for our next meal. Pierre returned to the barn and my aunt to her cottage. Not wishing to go back to the kitchen to listen to Grandmama’s concerns about Theo, I pointed to Jem’s home.

‘May I borrow a basket for the vegetables?’

Knowing my thoughts, he glanced at the kitchen and smiled. ‘I’ll fetch you one.’

He had just disappeared into his family’s cottage when I heard the sound of horse hooves coming swiftly down the drive. Surprised at its urgency and assuming someone needed my grandmother’s help, I ran the length of the house to see who it was – realising too late that I had made a huge mistake.

Chapter Thirteen

THEO

Ireached the end of the drive and, certain I had been right that the Underwood woman was on the estate, pulled gently on the reins to make Warrior stop. After a moment’s hesitation, I turned him around and cantered back towards the manor house, furious that these people were taking me for a fool. I decided to go straight to the back of the yard, where I would be able to see the back door of the main house as well as the cottages and barns, and could spot her should she come from any of those places.

I was starting to slow Warrior when a girl ran out from the back of the house and skidded to a halt in front of him. Horrified to think of her falling under his hooves, I pulled on Warrior’s reins. I didn’t know whether it was the shock of my unexpected reaction or her appearing in front of him that frightened Warrior, but he reared back, his front legs flailing in the air and he snorted loudly. The girl screamed and stumbled backwards.

‘Rue!’ a man shouted as he rushed to help her.

I stroked Warrior’s neck to soothe him. By the time he was calm and slowly shifting from one hoof to the other, the man had reached her and hauled her out of the way. He glared up at me, his arms still around her waist. I recognised him from somewhere.

Then it dawned on me where I had seen him. And he had called her Rue. My heart stilled. Horrified to realise who she was, I looked at her, straight into the turquoise eyes I knew so well from my dreams.

‘It’s you,’ I said, my heart breaking to discover she was Rue Underwood.

She glowered. Despite her determined stance, I saw she was trembling and hated that I was the cause of her fear.

How cruel life was to let this woman enchant me, only for me to then have to take her to my father for interrogation. For a moment I struggled to speak. I had dreamt of finding her ever since I had held her in my arms, hoping to court her. Not this. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. ‘You are Rue Underwood?’ I asked, hoping despite all the evidence in front of me that I could still be mistaken.

‘You didn’t know it was me you were looking for?’ she asked, an amused expression settling on her face. Her smirk at my discomfort was the reaction I needed to make me focus. She might be the most breathtaking woman I had ever seen, but if she was guilty of evil acts, as my father must believe her to be, then I had to carry out my duty.

‘Thank you, Jem,’ she said, her smile gentle as she diverted her attention to him. She brushed dust from her skirts and ran her hands over her hair to tidy it. Then she turned her attention back to me with her head held high and her eyes boring into mine. ‘I am Rue Underwood.’ There was an unmistakable defiance in her voice. ‘And you are the Witchfinder’s son.’

Jem stood shoulder to shoulder with her. I pictured the pair of them running away from the festival hand in hand. They swapped glances. I wondered if this was her sweetheart and not just the friend she had made him out to be. My chest tightened as envy swept over me.

‘What could you possibly want with Rue?’ Jem asked.

I admired him wanting to protect her and wished I wasn’t the reason for their anger.

‘It’s not him who wants me,’ Rue said mockingly without looking away from me. ‘He’s just the messenger sent here to do his father’s bidding and fetch me.’

Her reaction infuriated me. How dare she look down on me! I wondered if maybe that woman from the market had been right to comment on Rue’s haughty demeanour. I recalled my father telling me she was the daughter of Lady Thistlebury and frowned. She wasn’t dressed as I expected an heiress would. I looked from her to Jem. He was without doubt one of the estate workers – his speech and dress proved that – so was it possible that he could be her beau? Was that something Rue might consider because of her reduced circumstances?

I dragged my thoughts back to my duties. I might not be the offspring of a lord but, as things stood now, I was the one with the upper hand.

Ignoring her comment, I said, ‘As I’m sure you are aware, I am here to take you to Stanthorpe for questioning.’

Her boldness slipped momentarily. ‘Stanthorpe?’

‘It is where the Witchfinder is temporarily based, as I’m sure you know.’

Jem gave her a gentle nudge. ‘I shall take you by cart.’ He looked up at me. ‘My mistress does not have a horse and I’m sure even you will not expect her to walk all that way.’