Page 20 of A Potion for Passion

“Don’t worry—he will. He’s already taken advantage of me, cajoling me into selling his preposterous remedies.”

“But you must be getting a commission?”

Sally was no longer listening. “I’ve a good mind to go over there now, and empty his damn elixirs over his head,” she muttered.

Flora understood how she felt. Lawrence had used both of them for his own ends. She’d like to help with the bottle-emptying. However, her dream of becoming a milliner was at stake, so she must remain calm.

“Sally, please,” she said. “How long have you known me?”

“Four years or so, since you came to live in the old Mullen cottage. Why?”

“Have you, in all that time, had reason to suspect my truthfulness or my behavior? Do I not have an unsullied reputation?”

“Well, up until this morning, I’d have said yes, you do.”

“Good. I’d never do anything to spoil that spotless reputation, especially now my niece is married to the Earl of Beckport.”

“Perhaps. But Lawrence is very persuasive. He has certain charms, skills—”

“Which I can assure you he hasn’t used on me. I’m certain he was just trying to make you jealous, for some nefarious reason.”

The battle light had returned to Sally’s eye. “In that case, I believe I will go and ask him what he’s about.”

“I’ll come with you. He can’t lie to both of us. Afterwards, perhaps we can talk again about my proposal.”

But the issue was not to be resolved. Not to Sally’s satisfaction, nor to Flora’s.

For when they arrived at The George Inn some ten minutes later, Dr. L. E. Campaign, his dog, his wagon, and his riding horse had all completely vanished.