Page 28 of Witchbane

I hesitated, trying to decide how much to tell her. Then, wanting her to know me even a little, I explained my situation. ‘I am grateful to my mother for persuading my father to send me to live with family in Norway for the past nine years. I wasn’t happy to be called back home to work for my father, but whether I like it or not I am an only child and this is my family’s profession. I am expected to continue with it, however distasteful I might find it at times.’

She turned her head as if to look back at me, but then looked straight ahead again. I could tell she was surprised by my honesty.

‘I didn’t expect you to share that with me.’ Her voice was quiet and I had a feeling she loathed me a little less. Then she added, ‘But you are a grown man of – what?’

‘Twenty-one.’

‘You’re well built and I imagine capable of standing up for yourself. If you don’t wish to do this work, why not say as much to your parents? Be the man you want to be, not your father’s lackey.’

Her words stung and I wanted to hurt her. I also wanted to please her. To kiss her. Damnations, why was my mind in such turmoil? Because I was infatuated by her, that’s why. It had been reckless of me to share my horse with her all the way to Stanthorpe. All I had done was increase her loathing of me, and I only had myself to blame for that.

If only I had resisted giving into my instincts and not raced back to the manor to search for her again. I knew I would find her there. I was a fool and was furious with myself for my actions. A sensible man would have done as I had first intended and returned another day, leading a horse for her to ride. If I had any chance of persuading this woman that I wasn’t beneath her contempt, I must never again resort to foolish decisions on the spur of the moment.

Chapter Fourteen

RUE

It was the strangest feeling riding in front of Theo. Having him pressed up against me was, much to my annoyance, rather more sensual than I would ever have admitted to another soul. His muscular arms either side of me barely touched mine as he held the reins loosely in his hands. I suspected he now regretted insisting we ride this way. Good. I was glad he felt awkward, and that I had mocked him. He deserved it for tricking me and returning to Thistlebury Manor when he knew we wouldn’t expect him to. Vile man.

I had been surprised by his attempt to open up to me and suspected he hoped it might make me feel less antagonistic towards him. How dare he expect me to be so easily persuaded? I was right: he was a grown man and capable of making up his own mind. Why didn’t he stand up to his father instead of following the same dreadful practices? No, no – I hoped he loathed me as much as I did him.

We rode into the town and locals stopped to watch us pass. I was tempted to lower my head and let my hair cover my face, but most people would know who I was, and those that didn’t would soon find out. Instead, I decided to make my grandmother proud and show as much dignity as my strength allowed. I sat up even straighter in the saddle, raised my chin and held my head high. I had heard whispers at the market from those who thought me haughty; today I intended to act that part. I made sure not to catch anyone’s eye, not because I thought myself better than any of them, but because I thought I might fall apart if anyone gave me a sympathetic look.

I was doing fairly well until my terror at seeing the Witchfinder returned and I began trembling again, giving away my true lack of courage.

‘Please try not to be frightened,’ he whispered.

I pressed my lips together, determined not to speak to him. If only he hadn’t been so close to me, I might have been able to hide my fear.

‘I promise I’ll do all I can to protect you,’ he added quietly as we rode slowly along the cobbled street.

I wasn’t sure how he expected to do that. He was clearly unable to defy his father in any way.

We reached the office where the Witchfinder was presently based and Theo reined in his horse. ‘You’ll need to dismount first. I’ll help you.’

I didn’t respond, concentrating on willing my legs not to give way. He took me by the elbow and helped me lower my feet to the ground. I wobbled slightly, then steadied myself.

Theo dismounted with ease. He looped Warrior’s reins around a post and flicked a coin to a young boy, asking him to watch the horse. They seemed familiar with each other; perhaps the boy had been waiting for Theo’s arrival.

I ran my hands over my hair to tidy it and shook out my skirt before smoothing the material. I was determined to retain my dignity and had no wish to arrive like an unkempt vagrant.

Theo’s eyes widened and I realised he was staring at the inside of my wrist. I tensed. He had seen the sigil. Why hadn’t I thought to rub it from my arm earlier? Fool.

‘Accompany me inside,’ he said, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the building without waiting for a response.

He closed the door behind us and, taking my wrist, turned it to look at it. ‘What’s this?’ he hissed, keeping his voice low as he glanced along the corridor, presumably to check we were alone.

Terrified to be caught with this blatant evidence of my practices, I struggled to come up with an answer that wouldn’t immediately lead him to drag me in front of his father. I looked up at him and saw not triumphant glee at his discovery, but horror. Maybe I still had a chance to save myself, but I needed to give him a way out of the impasse we found ourselves in.

‘Well? Are you going to tell me?’

I thought quickly and decided accusation was the best form of defence. ‘Are you telling me you’ve never seen a wounded heart symbol before?’ When he frowned in confusion, I added, ‘You know, when couples send a picture of a heart with an arrow through it?’

He considered my question and his frown vanished. ‘I recall my cousin once showing me such a drawing that she had received from the man she was courting.’ He raised my wrist. ‘This is not the same mark, though.’

‘It is not, but it is no more harmful than the one your cousin possessed.’

He seemed doubtful. ‘What is this then?’