Page 61 of Witchbane

Rather than looking angry or hurt at my outburst he seemed surprised, even glad. I frowned at him and he shook his head, serious once more.

‘Why do you smile?’ I asked. ‘I meant to offend you.’ His laughter threw me briefly before my anger flared. ‘Are you mocking me?’

His amusement vanished instantly. ‘I would never do such a thing,’ he insisted. He seemed to consider what to say next, then shrugged. ‘You said my name.’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘I like the way it sounds when you say it.’

I was still trying to make sense of this when he continued speaking.

‘I understand your resentment of me, Rue. I really do. I am hopeful, though, that one day this will all be behind us and we can become friends.’

‘Friends?’ Was he mad?

He must had heard the derision in my voice and stepped forward. ‘I am not a bad man, Rue. Truly I’m not. When I say I am determined to do all I can to prove your innocence, I mean it. Tracking down your father and persuading him to come here was, I believed, a way to do that. Or at least the start.’

He took my free hand in his and I was too stunned to respond. I looked up at him and into his blue eyes. They were a much deeper blue than my own, I realised, and I felt as if I was being pulled into them. I wanted desperately to believe him. To trust that I had someone on my side, someone with a say in the outcome of this investigation. Or, at least, with the ear of the Witchfinder.

‘Do you believe me?’ he asked, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

The touch of his skin on mine was pleasant, even though I didn’t wish it to be. I wanted to be contrary and insist that I did not believe him, but he seemed intent on wanting me to see him for himself, not for whom he represented. Could my initial attraction to him have been right all along? Or has the blackness been deceiving us? I had missed dancing with him, and kissing him too. But perhaps I should hold back and keep my distance, as a way of protecting myself?

‘Rue?’

His voice sounded gentle, as if I were in a dream. Was it the shock of seeing my father again, or something else? I felt compelled to step into his arms, shocked at myself and how I was reacting to him again. I wanted to snatch my hand from his.

Instead, I spoke from the heart. ‘I do believe you want the best for me, Theo. However’—for I knew I must be completely honest, or as much so as possible while protecting those around me—‘we both know there is only so much you can do if your father decides I am guilty. In that case, nothing you or I can do or say will save me.’

He stared at me and I could tell he was contemplating how to react.

I heard my father’s voice and realised I had been away from my grandmother and aunt far longer than I had intended. I snatched my hand from his. ‘My grandmother and aunt will wonder where I am.’ I didn’t want him to work out that I had used the drinks as an excuse to be away from the withdrawing room. On the spur of the moment, I decided to turn the blame onto him. ‘Especially as you have been out here for most of that time.’

His cheeks reddened. ‘I apologise. I wouldn’t wish them to think anything untoward might have happened.’ He took a few steps back as if to adjust the distance between us appropriately.

I felt a little mean. ‘You could take that tray and carry the drinks through to them, if you want to allay their suspicion.’

I only meant to ease his discomfort. My grandmother knew full well there was little chance of me being caught in a compromising position with Jem and Pierre nearby. I felt a little as if I was betraying myself but had to admit, if only to myself, that I had enjoyed our time here in the kitchen.

He picked up the tray and held it as I placed a cloth on it and then the three glasses.

‘If you’d like to follow me through?’ I didn’t wait for an answer and led the way.

‘You took your time, young lady,’ Aunt Sorrel said giving an annoyed sniff.

‘I’m sorry, Aunt Sorrel,’ I said appearing apologetic. ‘The water took a while to boil, then I took my time choosing the most perfect sprigs of camomile for Grandmama.’

‘You’re here now,’ my grandmother said, motioning to Theo to place the tray on the table in front of her.

He handed drinks to my father and grandmother and returned to his seat before drinking from his own glass. I took the opportunity to shoot an inquisitive look at my aunt and grandmother, hoping to glean a sense of what had been discussed, happy to see the three of them calmer and less antagonistic towards each other.

I sat on the seat next to my grandmother and, when none of them offered any explanation, I guessed that a kind of truce had been reached between them. I decided to keep my thoughts to myself and ask my grandmother to explain everything to me later.

I eagerly anticipated discovering what she had planned. I would also use that opportunity to discuss when we should invite the rest of the coven back to the attic and finally carry out the spell.

My grandmother took a sip of her tea before speaking. ‘Your father has agreed with me that it would be too much for us all for him to remain here for the night so soon after his reappearance.’

‘That’s right, Rue,’ he said a smile on his face that didn’t quite meet his eyes. He was nervous, that much was clear, and I softened a little towards him. However difficult this was for us three women, it can’t have been easy for my father to show up without warning and have to explain himself. ‘I’ll accompany Theo to the Witchfinder’s office and ascertain exactly why you are being investigated.’