The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  On their way home from their visits, her mother reassured Thea that grandmamma did like Thea’s father, but worried about them all. Sadness shadowed her mother’s eyes, and Thea did not believe her.

  “Will he let us go visit her?”

  Thea almost jumped when Elvie spoke. “I hope so,” Thea said. She knew so little about the Marquis to have placed herself and Elvie in his hands.

  “When are you to marry?” Elvie asked.

  Her sister asked the question which concerned Thea the most. “We did not discuss a date, but soon I hope. I don't believe Uncle Rigby and Lord Akers will give up so easily.”

  “Miss Beckett.” The downstairs maid stood in the doorway. “There is a man to see you. He said Lord Radford sent him.”

  “Ah yes, please take him to the kitchen for coffee. I will be down in a moment.”

  The maid nodded her head and left.

  “Who can it be?” Elvie whispered.

  “Our guard, I assume. Lord Radford said he would send someone to be nearby and to accompany us on outings. You must not leave the house without him, Elvie.”

  Elvie nodded vigorously, her blue eyes large with surprise. She caught hold of her sister’s hand as Thea went to leave. “I still feel the darkness in here.” She touched her heart. “We are not safe yet.”

  “I agree. We must be careful until we are safely away from this house.”

  Thea tiptoed downstairs, hoping to avoid her aunt and uncle. Relief washed through her when she slipped into the kitchen unseen. A stranger sat at the long wooden work table, his hands cupped around a mug of coffee. He looked up at her with deep set, tobacco brown eyes. When she walked toward him he stood, and although he was short, his body was thick and hard with muscle.

  “Lord Radford sent you?”

  He held his hat in his hand and nodded. “You be Miss Beckett?”

  “I am Miss Althea Beckett. My sister, Miss Elvie Beckett, is upstairs. You are to protect us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you been long in Lord Radford’s employ?”

  “Since this morning.” He hesitated. “I delivered your letter.”

  “Your brother is one of our kitchen workers.”

  A slight smile crossed his craggy face. “He likes Miss Elvie Beckett. Said she was a good lady, treated folks with kindness, and told me not to fail in taking the message. I din’t.”

  “Thank you. My sister and I will be forever in your debt.” Hearing a noise, Thea walked to the door and glanced out. No one was there. She hurried back to the man. “What is your name?”

  “Garr.”

  “Don’t trust anyone, especially not my aunt and uncle.”

  “I won’t trust no one ’cept me brother.”

  “Good.” Thea checked again and slipped back out the door. She had barely reached the stairs when Aunt Cornelia came out of the front drawing room.

  “Come here,” she demanded.

  Feeling it best to comply, Thea went to her aunt and followed her into the room.

  “Sit.” Aunt Cornelia pointed to the chair across from her. “Why would Lord Radford be willing to marry you? What have you told him about us?”

  Thea studied her aunt’s unpleasant face. Her perpetual frown had left permanent lines across her forehead and around her tight pursed lips. “I do not need to explain anything to you,” Thea stated with emphasis. “Soon, my sister and I will no longer be of any consequence to you or Uncle Rigby.”

  Aunt Cornelia stood in front of Thea, her anger rolling off her in waves of heat. Reaching out with bony hands and surprising strength, she grabbed Thea and yanked her up. Releasing one hand, her aunt swung back and slapped Thea’s cheek before she saw the blow coming. The noise reverberated around the room.

  Suddenly, Aunt Cornelia was pulled back and thrown into her chair. With fists balled, Garr snarled, “Ye don’t touch Miss Beckett nor her sister. Not with me around.”

  “And who the hell are you?” Uncle Rigby hollered, coming into the room.

  “Garr, step back,” Thea ordered. She glared at her uncle. “He is here to protect Elvie and me from anyone who wishes to do us harm.”

  “Get out,” her uncle growled at Garr, “or I will have you arrested.”

  “Lord Radford sent him, Uncle Rigby. Perhaps you should talk with him first.”

  “This is my house, and he will go.” Uncle Rigby pointed a finger at Garr.

  Garr continued to stand in front of Thea to protect her. His face flushed red, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Then my sister and I will also leave. Elvie and I will wait at the country estate until Lord Radford comes for us.”

  “You will stay here and do as you are told. He has not married you yet.”

  “The betrothal announcement should be in tomorrow’s paper.” She didn’t know if that was true, but maybe it would stall him until she and Elvie could leave.

  “Only weddings are announced in the paper,” he blustered.

  Uncle Rigby’s morning attire showed wrinkles, and he had removed his cravat. His thinning hair gave evidence of his fingers pulling through it. If Thea didn't dislike him so much, she would feel sorry for the man. His plans had gone awry, and he was not taking it well.

  “Garr, ask for a carriage to be prepared for tomorrow morning. We will leave early for home.” She looked back at her uncle. “If you try to stop us, I will send another message to Lord Radford.”

  “So, that is how he knew. Who is the traitor in this household?” he yelled and looked around the room.

  He grabbed Garr by the collar. “Do you know?”

  Garr stood still and silent in his grasp. Uncle Rigby pushed him away. Garr staggered, before catching himself.

  “You will stay here and attend the balls with Amy and your aunt. You will be pleasant to Lord Akers. Who knows if Lord Radford will follow through as he's said? Time will tell.”

  A knock at the front door brought silence to the room. Thea heard the butler’s snippy voice and another deeper familiar voice answer. The butler came into the room.

  “Lord Radford is at the front door, Lord Beckett.”

  “Lord Radford has chosen not to wait for the butler,” Wulf said, and stepped into the room. He studied the assembled group.

  Thea saw him note the anger in her aunt and uncle’s faces and Garr positioned in front of her. Lord Radford’s hands clenched when his gaze fixed on the red hand print on her cheek.

  “Who dared touch her?” His voice had an ominous tone. No one answered. “Miss Althea?”

  “It is all right. I bruise easily.”

  “It is not all right.”

  “I did,” her aunt said. “She deserved it. Her impertinent tone infuriates me. You will have to keep her on a tight leash or she will take control.”

  He sauntered over to stand in front of Aunt Cornelia. “You will not touch her again.”

  “You can not tell us what to do in our home and you can take this man with you when you go,” Uncle Rigby said.

  “How easy you forget about our agreements. I can see Miss Althea and her sister can not stay with you until the wedding.”

  “And where will they stay?” Uncle Rigby asked the belligerence clear in his voice.

  Lord Radford turned his attention to Thea. “Where would you like to reside until our wedding?”

  “I told my uncle we would go home to the country in the morning.”

  “He was agreeable?”

  His gentle tone almost brought tears to her eyes, but she looked down and blinked, not wanting him to think her a coward.

  “No.”

  “Do you have any other relatives?” Lord Radford put his finger under her chin and lifted her face. His gaze held Thea’s.

  “One, our grandmother lives in a village not far from our home. I think she'd take us in.”

  “Hah, that crazy old woman. Gossip says she is a witch. See what you are marrying into.” Her uncle sneered.

  “My grandmamma is a healer,” Thea protested
, frightened by the expression on Lord Radford’s face. “She is not a witch!”

  Thea wondered at the deepening color of his eyes. She could sense anger barely held in. He must be like so many of the others who thought witches were evil. She must hide her and Elvie’s secrets, which meant she must lie to him.

  “She is an old woman who nurses the sick in the area. A good woman,” Thea added. There, she had not exactly lied.

  He looked from her to her uncle. “I prefer for you to stay in town until we are wed. I am on my way to the Archbishop’s office for a special license and decided to stop by here first. I can see my visit has been just in time. We will wed soon. You and your sister can stay with my mother and sister until then.”

  He raised his hand when Uncle Rigby started to protest. “Garr and I will wait here while you pack. I will see you to my home.”

  “This is improper,” Uncle Rigby protested. “Most irregular. People will talk.”

  “I think not. My mother is held in the highest esteem by the ladies of the Ton. In the meantime, I will stay at my estate out of town.”

  He motioned for Thea to go pack. With relief, she brushed by her aunt and uncle and hurried out of the room to find Elvie. She must warn her about what to say regarding grandmamma.

  * * * *

  Wulf waited until she was gone before turning his attention back to her aunt and uncle. “Don’t think you can try any tricks because I am not in town. I have friends watching and Garr and others to protect them. It would be foolish of you to force my hand.” He twirled his cane. “Remember our earlier conversation.”

  “I do not believe you have any evidence of wrongdoing on my part,” Beckett protested.

  “Do you wish to test your belief?”

  A flicker of fear crossed Beckett’s face. His hands tightened, and then opened.

  Wulf nodded. “I did not think you would want to take my challenge.”

  Moving as though he’d been invited, Wulf sat in a nearby cushioned chair. He settled himself to wait for Thea and her sister, his cane secure in his hand. “Garr, please let my driver know we will be here for a longer visit. And see if the cook has any coffee left in the pot.”

  “Of all the gall,” Beckett said, before stomping out.

  His wife pulled her skirts back as she passed Wulf, distain on her face. “You will rue the day you marry her. Mark my words.”

  A slight chill passed through Wulf. There were undercurrents here that he didn’t understand. He shook his head. It didn’t matter. He offered for her and would not back out. Whatever she was hiding, he would deal with it at the time.

  He had not told her about the curse. Whatever he learned about her could not possibly be as dire. He reached up and rubbed the right side of his face. It was cold and misty outside, the aching had returned.

  * * * *

  Wulf helped Thea and her sister into his carriage. He was thankful he’d brought the landau and not his curricle. He instructed his driver to return for their baggage after he drove them to Wulf's home. Fog curled up from the river and silence prevailed while they rode along.

  Elvie’s soft voice cut through the tension. “You are very kind, Lord Radford, to take me in and to be so good to my sister.”

  Wulf glanced at Thea’s sister. Small with silver blond hair and large, sky blue eyes, she projected an aura of innocence. He bent his head slightly. “You’re welcome.”

  “Will your family be agreeable to us living at their house?” Thea asked. She sat in her usual position, back straight with hands clasped in her lap, but he noted a tremor in her rigid posture.

  “It is my home and, after we marry, will be yours.”

  He sensed she was aware he did not answer her question completely. His mother wasn’t going to be pleased. The carriage slowed and pulled to the curb. Wulf jumped down and held his hand out to Thea. He assisted her and her sister to disembark.

  The two young women stood close together staring at the large grey edifice. The fog, thicker than when they’d left her uncle’s house, gave the building a haunted appearance. He saw Thea swallow, take her sister’s hand and square her shoulders back, before they climbed the two steps to the door.

  Desire curled hot and urgent inside him. He was glad he was going to his country estate later this evening. He no longer trusted himself to be this close to her when the beast was so near to coming out.

  “Welcome to my home.” Wulf motioned them inside. “Bailey, please inform my mother and sister we have guests.

  “I believe being near each other will help you adjust quicker to your change in homes. I'll see you have adjoining rooms.” Even he noticed the deep rasp of his voice.

  Thea glanced at him. A startled look reflected in her eyes, like a small doe caught unaware in the forest. “We do not want to be an imposition. If you would lend us the use of your carriage, we could stay with grandmamma until the wedding,” Thea said, her voice thin and whispery.

  The quiver in her words made him want to protect her. His hands itched to pull her close and envelope her against his hot body. He cleared his throat.

  “No. The two of you will be safe here. I have to go out of town for a few days. I’m leaving later this afternoon, but Garr will be watching over you.” Relief mixed with anxiety shown on Thea's face at his words. She was so open. Could he trust she wasn’t just a good actress?

  “I plan to get that special license before I leave," Wulf said. "We will wed soon after my return. Plan to go to my country estate the day after our wedding.”

  * * * *

  Everything happened so fast. Thea found it difficult to believe they were starting a new life. And what would it hold for them? Hopefully she had chosen well.

  The marquis could not be as terrible as Lord Akers. When he stared at her, as he was now with his reddish-gold eyes, heat ran through her body and an unfamiliar ache settled low in her abdomen. Fear and attraction held her captive.

  “Who are our guests?” His mother’s cool, regal voice ended the spell binding them.

  Wulf bowed. “You have met Miss Althea Beckett, Mother. May I introduce Miss Elvie Beckett, Miss Beckett’s sister?” Nodding his head to Elvie, he said, “My mother, Lady Radford.

  Lady Radford did not attempt to hide her displeasure. Bringing her dangling glasses to her eyes she inspected each girl, and as though finding them lacking, turned to her son. “What is the meaning of this? I told you my feelings earlier.”

  Wulf bowed his head to her, a mocking expression on his face. “And I told you mine. Miss Beckett and I are to marry in a few days, after I return from my visit out of town. She and her sister will reside here until the wedding with you as a most proper chaperone.”

  “Even my presence will not stop the gossip.”

  “It hardly matters. Once Miss Beckett is my wife, she will be as accepted as I am.”

  “Which does not say much,” his mother responded.

  “We plan to reside in the country. You may use the town house for as long as you wish.”

  “Please,” Thea interrupted. “We do not want to be a problem. We can go to our grandmother’s.”

  “No,” Wulf repeated, continuing to stare at his mother.

  “What is going on?” Jane breezed in, smiling.

  “Jane, would you take Miss Beckett and Miss Elvie upstairs to the Rose and Silver Lace rooms. Mother and I need to talk.”

  “Oh, how wonderful to have company. Come.” She grabbed Thea’s hand to hurry them up the stairs.

  Wulf motioned to his mother to join him in his study. Thea glanced back and saw his mother following him very reluctantly. She obviously did not approve of Thea as her future daughter-in-law.

  Chapter Seven

  Wulf lit several additional candles in his study to chase away the gloom caused from the inclement weather.

  “Sit.” He went to a nearby oak cabinet and filled two glasses with brandy. “I am well aware of your fondness for this.” He handed one to his mother who still stood stiffly just i
nside the door.

  He turned and walked to his desk, leaning against the front edge. “Now, say what you want, but you will not change my mind. You wished to see me wed and so I shall be.”

  “To a penniless fortune hunter!”

  “Versus a debutante with a dowry who would still be a fortune hunter? I did it your way the first time, Mother. Not this time.”

  “Have you told her what you are?” A look of disgust crossed her face, and Wulf hid the flash of pain it always caused.

  “I will tell her when the time is right.” He took a swallow of his brandy.

  “Like your father told me on the day of your birth?” Her body visibly shaking, she collapsed into the nearby chair.

  For a second, he caught a glimpse of pain in her face and voice. He sat his glass aside and went to her. Kneeling at her feet, he wrapped his hands around hers.

  “I didn’t know. I thought you’d known from the time of your marriage,” he said softly.

  Yanking her hands back, she took a deep swallow of the brandy. The tremble in her hand caused a trickle of liquid to fall on her gown.

  “I hated him.”

  “As you have me for all these years.”

  “Yes.” She stood abruptly, almost knocking him to the floor.

  He regained his balance and straightened, then watched her pace the room. Sparks flashed from her eyes, and her skirts swished around her rapidly moving body.

  “I was glad when he died. I would wish for your death too if it meant an end to this madness.”

  Realizing her words, her hand went to her mouth. “I didn’t mean that,” she said, her breath shuddering. “I only want it to stop.”

  “No more than I.” Wulf tipped his glass and took another swallow enjoying the fiery heat that warmed his belly. But her words, hurled like daggers, left behind an icy chill that went to his bones.