Page 68 of Witchbane

He reached out and took my hand in his. A sensation shot through me, taking me by surprise, but it passed almost instantly. As if alerted by my reaction, he immediately let go of my hand and took a step back, as if to put a more appropriate distance between us.

‘I’m sorry if I gave you that impression. Your father is well.’

Concerned about my father’s whereabouts and needing to know nothing had happened to him, I asked, ‘You haven’t left him with your … the Witchfinder?’

His eyes widened and I saw that the notion troubled him as much as it did me, which somewhat soothed my annoyance with him.

‘Not at all. Your father is on his way home and as soon as I’ve said what I’ve come here to tell you, I’ll return to him as quickly as I can.’

I was confused, sensing the urgency in his visit. ‘I don’t understand. Why are you here then?’

His eyes locked with mine and I saw he was troubled. Deeply. ‘Your father accompanied me to the Witchfinder’s office, as you are aware.’

I nodded, impatient to hear more.

‘He wanted to plead your case, as he had explained to you earlier.’

Fearful at what was about to come, I winced. ‘And it didn’t go the way he hoped?’

Theo looked downcast. ‘I’m so sorry but no. My, er, the Witchfinder instructed me to take your father home and meet his men a few miles from here. We are then to come to the manor and search each room.’ He hesitated. I supposed he was trying to find the best way to explain something. ‘We’ve been tasked with finding evidence to prove the witchcraft accusation against you and possibly your family.’

‘They are on their way here? Now?’

He looked away, no doubt embarrassed. ‘I wish there was some way I could stop this,’ he said earnestly. ‘I hate to think of anyone invading your home and privacy, and I feel deep guilt for my part in it.’

‘Then why do it?’

‘If I thought it would make any difference to the Witchfinder’s decision, I would refuse to take part. But I believe that if I am here with the other men, it will be a good thing.’

‘How exactly?’ I asked, beside myself with fright at the thought of what this could mean.

‘I’m sorry, Rue. Your father and I did our best to change his mind, but he was determined.’ His expression changed to one of despair. ‘I’ve seen him when he’s this way and there’s no diverting him.’ He looked over his shoulder as if half-expecting someone to arrive at that moment.

‘Are you expecting his men now?’ I asked, horrified at the thought of all we needed to do before they came.

He turned back to me and took both my hands in his. ‘I know there will be no evidence, but I felt compelled to warn you.’

Never mind the repercussions for us, I thought, as the reality of what was happening slowly dawned on me. What about Theo’s standing with his father if this act of disloyalty were ever to be discovered?

I gazed into his dark blue eyes and saw his desperation matched my own. ‘You’ve gone against your father’s wishes for us. I imagine he would not show you much mercy if he discovered what you have done.’

He shrugged, then said, ‘I will be back here soon to carry out my orders.’

I was deeply grateful to him for coming out of his way to warn us and thereby being disloyal to his father. I gave his hands a gentle squeeze and leaning forward, without thinking, kissed his left cheek. ‘Thank you, Theo. I will not forget what you have done for us today.’

He stared at me, stunned. ‘I, er, I had better go. I daren’t be caught warning you.’

I let go of his hands and thanked him again, then watched as he ran down the front steps, mounted his horse and cantered back towards the field without a backward glance.

I closed the door, stunned that he had gone out of his way to help us. I didn’t want to witness his disappointment if he discovered I had lied to him all along.

Chapter Thirty-Three

THEO

My cheek felt hot where Rue had kissed me. I struggled to focus on mounting Warrior and hurrying to catch up with her father. I wasn’t sure how far he might have got while I had been racing across the country to the manor house. I hoped my father’s men hadn’t seen him riding alone.

Warrior flew across the fields, his speed and surefootedness allowing me to mull over what had happened with Rue. She had kissed me. I still felt the pressure of her lips on my cheek, light as it had been. I hoped she wasn’t already regretting her impulse. She must know it was something I would never forget. I lifted my left hand to the place where her lips had touched my skin. Maybe there was hope for us after all. I knew I was attaching too much significance to what had probably been a simple gesture of gratitude, but it felt good not to have her angry with me for once.