Whispers of Lord Ewan seeking a husband for Darla ran rampant in Dundhragon. He was marrying off his daughter for political gain, why not Darla. So why did it bother him when Maxwell confirmed the arrangement?
“Congratulations,” Wesley said.
Maxwell turned to him. “Please don’t mention it to her. She’s aware of the intention, but not that someone has been selected. Now, are we ready for tomorrow?”
Darla stood in the garden workroom gathering an herbal remedy. She poured the cooled concoction into a small pot. Leo would be out of salve. He needed the herbal today.
She took the pot and went to the library, hoping to find Wesley so he could go with her. She stopped short, disappointed. Wesley was nowhere to be seen. She didn’t want to admit it, but she enjoyed their time together. There were no pretenses. They were both comfortable with each other. Perhaps he was in the garden, but a look about proved he wasn’t there either.
Disappointed, she mulled over what to do. She was fortunate yesterday. No one saw her leave the house and everyone saw her return with Wesley. Mother assumed he had escorted her to the village. Dare she try that again or wait for someone to go with her? Leo would be in pain if she didn’t get him the medicine.
Spiders, snakes, or the dark didn’t scare her. She was a grown woman who could take care of herself. If she left now, she would go and be back before anyone realized she was gone. Her decision made, she wrapped herself in her shawl.
Darla went along the garden lane that met up with the path into the village. People hurried past her, chattering on their way. Others by themselves kept their heads down and moved on.
Bits and pieces of conversations with Wesley during their walks in the garden came to mind. Mulberry leaves and silkworms, London and Paris. He told her about fashions and the English court. They laughed together when he designed a plan to take her to meet the king.
How amazing they found so much to say. They argued, negotiated, and teased each other. And, she looked forward to the next day.
As she walked on through the village, she recalled how he saved her on deck during the storm and how frightened she was for him when he fought the pirate captain.
With closed eyes she imagined his touch. Was she brazen to stroke his hand before she left the library? She didn’t expect him to squeeze her fingers, but his small display of affection made her heart soar.
She arrived in the village to long shadows created by the setting sun. People hurried about eager to get home. As she went farther down the lane, a sense of urgency rippled across her shoulders. She checked to make sure she had the salve, then crossed the lane. The cottage was further up the alley.
Movement in the shadows across the way made her stop. Her heart jumped into her throat. Now was too late for her to think she should have had someone come with her.
Who was there? She was determined not to back away. She blinked, trying to adjust to the darkening light. Wesley? She was about to let out a sigh of relief until she spied someone with him. He had his arm around a woman and held her close.
Her breath, her light, her spirit drained out of her until she was empty. But still, she watched them for some perverted reason.
His head tilted close to the woman. Darla stretched her neck as if offering herself to him. She pursed her mouth as Wesley’s lips drew closer to his goal. At the last moment, she closed her eyes, unwilling to see them kiss. Her heart pounded. Her spirit empty. She opened her eyes hoping the vignette was an illusion. Frozen in place, she stared into Wesley’s eyes.
Her throat burned as she widened her eyes to stop the tears. Caught, her heart twisted, she turned and hurried up the lane, any place as long as it took her away from him. But there was no way to remove the image. He had every right to be with whomever he pleased.
Her pace slowed. Why not me? Tears traced down her cheeks. She wiped them away as fast as they fell. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. He owes you nothing and you owe him less.
Leo’s cottage was not too far ahead. With every step her anger grew. Not at him, but at her foolish musings. He’d made her no promises. He was kind, listened, and made her laugh.
She came to the end of the lane and stopped.
Justin and one of the men from the village stood in front of her.
“Look who’s here. The witch.”
A prickly sensation ran across Wesley’s back. Before he lifted his head from whispering to Therese, thanking her for the pearl, he knew Darla stared at him.
“What is it?” Therese asked as she turned and followed his gaze. “Who was that?”
“A friend.”
“I don’t think she’s too happy.” Therese pulled her shawl around her.
He hardly made out her words. Before he realized he was going after Darla he was halfway up the lane.
What was she doing, spying on him? When he got a hold of her, he would tell her a thing or two. He rounded the corner and hurried up the lane.
There. Her body shifted and he noticed someone with her. Who was she talking to?
Wesley got a good look. Justin. The man’s clothes were stained, his hair greasy. His sunken eyes were threaded with scarlet so densely they appeared pink.
“Look who’s here. The witch.”
Darla didn’t move. She didn’t flinch.
Curses fell from Wesley’s lips as he raced forward.
“Come on. Leave her alone.” Justin’s friend pulled on his arm, but Justin wiggled out of his hold.
“Are you afraid of a little spell? I tell you all we need is a little of her blood, dab it around the boat, and we’ll be protected. You can’t back down now. You hold her and grab that little pouch around her waist she’s so fond of. I’m told she always carries it.” Justin took out his knife and waved it at her.
“As above so below. As within so without,” Darla chanted with her hands raised and fingers stretched pointing to them. “Let me see, how to finish the curse. I can make you into toads. No, that won’t do. You’d give the little creatures a bad name. Something more particular to you.”
She looked at the sky and tapped her finger on her cheek. The two men bounced from one foot to the other and grew paler by the minute.
“Ah yes. I can make your ballocks fall off. Of course, I’m not proficient with this spell, so you’ll never know when it will happen, when you bathe, relieve yourself, or other more intimate times.”
A well-practiced evil grin spread across her face that left no doubt she enjoyed the torment she inflicted. She stretched her arms and flexed her fingers reaching toward the two men.
“Yes, that will do.”
Justin’s friend took off running down the lane. Darla lowered her arms.
“Oh, what a pity, your friend has left you and the curse is specifically for two people.” Her brow wrinkled. “Ah, but I’m sure I can refocus it all on you.”
Darla raised her hands again. This time she pointed at Justin’s crotch. Her expression turned intense as she glared at him. The drunk squirmed. His eyes lit with fear. Slowly, he lowered his knife.
Wesley took advantage of the man’s preoccupation and worked his way behind him. As soon as he was in place he tapped the drunk on the shoulder.
Justin gave a small yelp. When he turned, Wesley threw a right fist across his chin and laid him flat. Satisfied the man was out, he marched over to Darla and grabbed her hand.
“Where are you going? What were you thinking? And what is this nonsense about casting a spell?”
“You sound like my father. In what order do you want me to answer those questions?”
Her angry tone startled him. Did she think she could stop Justin’s attack with words?
“What I do is none of your concern.”
A man just threatened her life and it was none of his concern? She turned to move on.
He caught her elbow and hauled her around to face him. Her anger was evident, but he wasn’t sure if it was due to what she witnessed between him and Therese or his action with Justin. She
stared at him and said nothing. He didn’t move. He could be just as obstinate.
She shook her hand free of his grip.
“He thought I was a witch so I obliged him.” She stormed away, heading toward Leo’s cottage.
“One minute, I’m not done.” He caught up with her.
“Ballock,” Wesley’s voice was low. “What do you know about, about that?”
She stopped so abruptly he bumped into her.
“It’s a man’s most valued possession. Threatening that would make him reconsider his actions.” She moved on.
He had to stop from reaching for his crotch. Her words almost made him laugh. He couldn’t help but admire her quick thinking. But he wasn’t finished. He hurried to catch up with her.
“Now I understand why your parents don’t want you out alone. You terrorize people.”
She turned her head and gave him an icy stare. She raised two fingers and laid them on his chest. “Every time you kiss a tart, may she leave you with a broken heart.”
He stared at her aghast at her words, then threw back his head and let out a great peal of laughter.
“You may dismiss Justin’s threats as much as you like, but he drew his knife. Your parents’ fear is not imagined. It is very real.”
“Must I repeat? The incident is no concern of yours. I’m capable of taking care of myself no matter what my parents, or you, think. There was no need for you to come after me.” She stopped at Leo’s door.
“That may be so, but I will stay with you and see you home. Threatening a man’s manhood can make him very angry. What did Justin mean your blood could protect his ship?”
Darla raised her hand to knock on the door, but he grabbed it.
“Do you know what a caulbearer is?” she asked without looking at him, but her slight trembling told him she was not as strong as she wanted him to think.
“Yes, I do.” Of all the answers for her to give, he didn’t expect her to declare she was a caulbearer. Born under the veil gave him a new perspective. “That’s why he called you a witch. Many a sailor has given their last penny to buy the birth veil. If he knows you’re a caulbearer he also knows it’s not your blood that will prevent drowning.”
He released her hand. It remained upturned, stiff as a marble statue, poised to knock on the door. Her expressionless face never wavered.
Her resolve, he suspected, came from other similar incidents. No, her reaction spoke for itself. She’d been called a witch before. But from the edge of fear in her eyes, she hadn’t expected Justin to make an outright threat against her life.
This was worse than he thought. He’d witnessed witch hunts in Europe—angry mobs dragging women and children to towers, throwing them off and telling them to fly. The memory made him ill.
“You have my thanks for coming to my rescue, but please. I don’t want to interrupt your liaison.” Again she tried to knock on the door. Again he grabbed her hand.
“You didn’t interrupt anything.”
“Perhaps not, but I found my presence awkward.” His glance focused on her trembling lips. She went on. “I had thought … never mind what I thought. I was wrong.”
She looked down at the packet in her hand.
“What did you have wrong?”
Her chest heaved and she squared her shoulders as if some great weight was lifted. Still she refused to look at him.
“From your actions I thought we were getting to know each other on another level. I was wrong. You enjoy the sport.”
Her words hit him hard. Never had a woman called him out. Rather than her letting lose her emotion, it gathered around her like armor. It made him feel small.
“Well, that proves what a terrible caulbearer I am since we’re supposed to have insight into the future. My crystal ball didn’t show me you with—”
“My brother’s wife, Therese.” Not a total lie. His hand brushed the pouch at his waist. He didn’t tell her about the pearl Therese gave him in exchange for a drawing of her necklace.
Darla turned and merely stared at him unable to speak.
“I was surprised to see her. She brought news of my family.” He gave her a moment to gather her thoughts.
“Are they well, your family?” she said, in a gentle tone.
“Yes. Thank you for asking. Let’s go inside and help Leo. Then, I’ll take you home.”
“I am capable of taking care of myself, but I appreciate you seeing me home.”
Relieved and confident he had controlled the situation, Wesley raised his hand to knock. She grabbed it and turned to face him.
“But you must admit, Justin and his friend were scared, weren’t they?” Darla’s wide grin made him laugh.
“Remind me not to make you angry.” He knocked on the door.
“You have a way with healing.” He walked with Darla as they made their way through the empty lanes to the road that led home.
“I do what I can.” They continued on in silence.
“I was thinking of your necklace.” He reached into his pouch. His hand around the large pearl Therese had given him. “You mentioned you needed something to complete it. Perhaps this would do.”
Wesley placed the large teardrop shaped pearl into her hand.
She stopped and stared at the gem, then at him. Her lovely mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“I can’t take this.” She pushed it at him. A small frown wrinkled her brow.
“It would be perfect hanging from the center amber.” She looked at him and the beginning of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth and widened.
“Yes.” Her voice was filled with a gentle softness. She looked at the pearl. “Perfect.”
“Then it’s yours.” He closed her hand around the gem. They continued on. He marveled at her face lit in an intoxicating smile. His spirit soared, lifted by her surprise and excitement.
As they turned the corner to approach the house, he pulled her behind him and stopped.
She peaked around him. “Why are there soldiers here?”
“I’m not sure.” Had Fynn done something? Had someone uncovered their plot?
“Come on. Your father is with them.” They hurried up the path to him.
“You have my thanks for escorting her home,” Father’s voice shook the entryway.
“Why are there two of Lord Ewan’s soldiers at the door?” Darla asked, not looking at his face, but rather at the fine mosaic spiral on the entryway floor.
“I thought you were smarter than this. How could you put yourself in such jeopardy? We’ve been sick with worry not knowing where you were.” Her father approached before she could get farther than the door. He stood tall, his clenched hands at his side, Mother not far behind.
“I had no intention of worrying you. I simply took a salve to Leo.” She looked from her father to her mother. “He would be in great pain if I didn’t bring it to him.”
Her answer should have been enough.
“You are not to leave this house. Do you understand?” Her father stepped closer, his voice lashed out, cold and commanding.
“I assure you—”
“Enough.” He slammed his hand on the door jamb. “Someone tossed rocks through the library windows.”
“When we couldn’t find you anywhere, we didn’t know what to do. Your father secured the house and was ready to organize a search party. That’s why there are two soldiers at the door,” Mother said.
Deep lines marked her mother’s face. Her father’s looked much the same. Ripples of guilt washed over Darla for causing them pain by her reckless behavior. Her drive was to get Leo the medicine, but when she’d witnessed Wesley kiss the woman, she hadn’t cared about anything, not her parents and not herself.
Look who’s here. The witch, echoed in her head.
“Justin. I wish I had put a spell on him,” she muttered.
“What’s that about Justin?” her father demanded.
Her mother pushed past and grabbed her shoulders. “What spell?”
&
nbsp; She glanced at Wesley, who stood next to her. Thankfully, he let her deal with the situation.
“On my way to the cottage, I had words with Justin and one of his friends. They both had too much to drink. Nothing important.”
“What words?” her father roared. His outburst made her shoulders quake. She glanced at Wesley. He didn’t say anything, but if she didn’t tell her parents, she was sure he would.
Justin’s type of intimidation was nothing new. Whether here or in Dundhragon, she learned quickly to strike back and not become a victim. But this time was different. Never was she so distraught. Never did she threaten to curse anyone. Never was she so brazen and cared nothing about her safety.
The image of Wesley with the woman persisted. But the way she reacted was so wrong. Her jealousy. Her vulnerability. Never had she wanted a man’s attention, Wesley’s attention, so strongly. She looked at Wesley, then her father.
She saw no way to protect her parents from the truth.
“He called me a witch,” she said, her voice unsteady. A gasp from behind her father made her look up. Her heart ached at the mask of fear on her mother’s face. She focused on her father, afraid what he would say next.
He said nothing.
She steadied herself. She had to tell them everything.
“He called me a witch, so I threatened to cast a spell.” She straightened her back, her voice ringing clear.
Father’s gaze snapped to Wesley.
“Where were you when this happened?”
“Running up the lane to stop her,” Wesley said.
She picked up Wesley’s hand and showed her father his knuckles.
“Wesley stopped Justin.”
“Do you have any idea what you have done? All Justin has to do is tell a few of his friends what you said, whip them into a frenzy, and they’ll be here declaring you a witch. You’re to stay in this house and not leave, not even the garden. We must get you away.” Her father raked his hand through his hair, his other hand at his waist.
Wait, how did this go from an encounter with a drunk to her being confined to the house? Exiling her? She closed her eyes. Her anger made her impulsive and reckless. All for nothing.
The Pirate’s Jewel Page 10