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Tabitha could not stop herself: she smiled at him. How masculine he sounded in that moment, how like a man, exasperated at what he surely thought was feminine obstreperousness. He looked incredulous and irritated and…alive. She’d pat him on the cheek if she didn’t think he’d snarl or run off. Or…or bite her. Instead, she asked, “Who is Palu?” and turned away; he appeared to be discomfited by prolonged observance.
“A Welsh cat of legend, a goddess attached to my homeplace who protects those in her care from danger. What are you going to do with that plant?”
She would ask Timothy if he knew anything about Welsh mythological cats. “It is, of course, helpful for congested hearts. But an Italian apothecary showed me that the merest pinch in chamomile tea is a gentle purgative.”
“I cannot believe even the smallest amount of poison is safe.”
“Neither did I, until I witnessed how effective it was.”
“Witnessed.”
“Yes. Saw the results of its efficacy.”
“Tried it yourself, I wager.” This was delivered in a tone that had a lightness to it, perhaps of laughter?
“I cannot ask anyone to ingest something I would not.” Tabitha was staunch in this viewpoint. “It was enough work earning the trust of others thanks to perceptions of the weakness of my gender.”
“Others.” His voice came from the opposite side of the grove. His nimbleness was truly astonishing. How swift would he be at full strength? “Men.”
“Men, yes. And certain women. Some ladies preferred my counsel to that of a male physician, but many more would hear my advice and then allow a man to negate it. It was a waste of everyone’s time, mine and theirs.”
“The healing goddesses of the Celts are fierce. One does not call upon them for aid unless one is willing to be transformed utterly.” The duke had moved again, swifter than thought, and stepped farther into the light. “Ceridwen is one such, and we felines also call upon the Egyptian pantheon, and thus, Sekhmet.”
“How fascinating. So many gods and goddesses to invoke.”
“Gods and goddesses, indifferent to my dilemma—” He cut himself off, visibly appalled at what he had almost admitted.
She would lose him if she pursued that line of thought. “The wolves follow the Romans, whom my brother Timothy says borrowed their pantheon and the terms for the pack hierarchy from the Greeks.”
“Stole them, more like. Although, in truth, many on this island descend from ancient Rome. The wolves will do anything to hold sway.”
“And by the Duke of Lowell doing so, many are safe under his aegis.”
“As you and your brother are safe.” The duke canted his head, assessing her. “You do not strike me as one who seeks safety.”
“Who does not seek safety?”
“One who casually imbibes poison,” he mumbled.
A gentle wind soughed through the branches of the birch trees, the air bitingly cold as it was wont to be in early spring in England. She tightened the scarf she had wound around her neck, over the shawl wrapped around her shoulders, over Timothy’s heavy coat. She was sure she looked a veritable crone. Everything she owned was serviceable, made with longevity in mind. She suddenly wished for a brighter shawl, a frivolous scrap in a flattering color, that complemented her…hair? Did ladies wear things that enhanced their hair?
“You are forever out of doors.” He hesitated and came closer.
“My work requires it. And it happens to suit me. The work and being outside. I dislike confinement.” For one who was cautious in her language, she had erred grievously. “Oh. I apologize. That was thoughtless of me.”
She left it at that and watched him watch her as though waiting for something. He said, “Her Grace of Lowell would be flustered to have made such a statement and deluge me with apologies.”
“If anyone deserves to be swamped with those, it is you.”
“While you are not. Flustered.”
“I have misspoken and corrected myself.” Years of needing to be as direct as possible to non-English speakers left her often sounding abrupt, but it had taught her to express herself precisely and simply. “If you would like to discuss what I said, please do.” Discussion did not occur. “And you may speak frankly to Her Grace. She is keen to become fully accustomed toversipellianways.”
“You have an instinct for them.”
Tabitha didn’t know if she did or she didn’t. “Travel requires one to keep an open mind.” She slid her shears back into her pocket and hoisted her trug.
“It is more than that.” He reached out to take it from her like the gentleman he was, but stopped and backed away until he was once again hidden from her sight.
