The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  Rushing upstairs, he threw a few items into a leather pouch and went to the small stable in back. He wanted to be at Thea's side if she was in danger.

  The small stable boy stirred and started to get up. Wulf waved for him to stay where he was.

  “I can manage,” he said and proceeded to saddle Batair. “We have a long ride tonight,” he whispered to the horse and the proud stallion shook his head as though in agreement.

  Cool night air blew across Wulf’s face as he galloped out of town. He’d forgotten to leave a note for his mother and Jane. Too late now. He would forge ahead.

  * * * *

  Thea enjoyed sitting at Grandmamma's feet while listening to tales of her mother’s youth. Elvie seemed similarly fascinated. The old woman guided Elvie, telling her about her gift and teaching her how to strengthen it. She and Thea talked no more about Thea’s future and tasks.

  They'd spent a peaceful day outdoors and now, tonight, they enjoyed a warm fire and stories. Thea had not felt so comfortable since losing her parents, but it would end soon. She must return to her new home and the husband she didn’t want to admit she loved.

  Grandmamma stoked the fire and told them to prepare for bed. “Our time is coming to an end.” She glanced at Thea. “You both have things you must do. And I must tell you goodbye most likely for the last time.”

  Thea and Elvie started to protest, but she held up her hand. “It is time. I am old and weary and fear death less than some things of this world.” She reached out and hugged them tight. With a thin bony finger, she brushed the teardrops from Thea’s face. “You will do well, child. Remember, have faith and let no doubt enter your mind. Trust your instincts.”

  Thea nodded. Cold seeped around her when Grandmamma turned to Elvie. There were things she didn’t understand ahead of her. She must conquer them for her and Elvie and perhaps for Wulf also. Outside, in the dark, she sensed something crouched close and threatening. A chill went down her spine.

  Going around the room, she gathered her things, especially the new herbs and ointments. Grandmamma watched and nodded her head.

  “It is time to be prepared. Go child.” Grandmamma gave Elvie a push. “Be ready for the morning.” When Elvie closed the bedroom door, she turned to Thea. "I am going to hide the book. When you return and I am no longer here, you will find it behind these bricks. It holds the secrets of our gifts. Now go to bed," her grandmother said softly.

  Thea watched as her grandmother hid the book where she'd shown her.

  Then, she sat in her rocker and hummed an unfamiliar tune.

  It seemed Thea had only closed her eyes when she heard or felt the thunder of horse’s hooves. Pulling on her robe, she crept to the window. Moonlight shone across the yard, but there was nothing to see.

  Going back to her pallet, she pulled the covers high over her head and huddled as she did when she was a small child and feared the dark. For a second, she pretended nothing could hurt her. Her blanket created a magical defense and she imagined her grandmother as still young and vibrant.

  Hooves clattered louder and harder. The noise vibrated in her ears and through her head. There was no place to hide from the future. Hard knocks on the door brought Thea straight up. Dawn had begun to cast a faint light across her pallet. Grandmamma came out of the bedroom, her nightcap on her head and a wool wrap around her shoulders. Cracking the door a slit, she peered out.

  “Who is there and what do you want?” she demanded, her voice gruff from sleeping.

  Thea heard a male voice, but not the words. Her grandmother nodded and shut the door. “He has sent someone to bring you home. Gather your things. Move quickly. There is no time to spare.”

  Elvie came out of the bedroom yawning. “What is it, Grandmamma? Can we not eat breakfast before we leave?”

  “No. Hurry, child. It is best for you to be under the protection of your brother-in-law and not a tired old lady.”

  They dressed, and then Thea and Elvie closed their bags. Thea went outside and saw a large, tough-looking man holding the reins of his horse.

  “What is your name and who sent you?” she asked.

  “My name is Hawley. Lord Radford sent me. He said you are to come home now."

  “How do I know I can trust you?”

  The man pulled an envelope out of his pocket. “Lord Radford said to give you this letter.”

  Thea scanned the short note. Wulf wanted her to go with this man to the ancestral estate. He would meet her there. You will be safe with Hawley, Wulf wrote. She noted his personal hand stamp.

  Raising her head, she found the man watching her. “What or who must I fear?”

  “You've heard of Lord Akers?”

  “Yes, I have.”

  “He be makin’ plans. Lord Radford wants you where he can protect you.” Hawley looked up and down the road. “Where’s your carriage?”

  “Go to the inn. Our driver is staying there and will bring the coach around.”

  Hawley nodded and touched his forelock. “I will return soon.”

  “Good,” Thea said. “We are ready.”

  Elvie and Grandmamma joined Thea outside. Grandmamma faced Thea first and then Elvie. She placed a thin gold chain around each of their necks.

  “Wear them to remember me. Use all your gifts and strengths to make your futures bright. Remember the things I have taught you.” She watched the carriage come to a stop beside her granddaughters. “When it is most difficult,” she stared into Thea’s eyes, “call on your mother and me. We will be but a thought away.” She reached up and pulled Thea’s head forward and kissed her brow. The two women stared at each other and Thea felt some of her grandmother’s strength pour into her.

  Thea watched Elvie receive her necklace. Hawley hurried them to the carriage, helped them in and shut the door. He motioned for the driver to leave, then spurred his horse forward to lead the way.

  Thea stuck her head out the window and waved until she no longer saw Grandmamma. Elvie sat huddled in the corner, tears running down her face. Thea hugged her. They both knew time was running out for their grandmother. If they returned at all, it would most likely be to see her laid to rest.

  “We are alone now,” Elvie whispered.

  “No, we have each other.” And hopefully Wulf.

  Thea felt the outline of the amulet in her reticule. How could she tell Wulf about the necklace and not tell him about his ancestor and hers. They needed him, but if he suspected, as she did, that they were connected to his family's curse, he might throw them out of his home. She had so many questions and no answers.

  Halfway back, Thea heard the pounding of hooves again. Was it Lord Akers coming for them? The carriage slowed and stopped. She and Elvie stared at the door when it swung open.

  “Hawley did well,” Wulf said. His eyes swept from Thea to Elvie. “You are all right?”

  “We are fine.” Thea heard the tremble in her voice.

  “We will talk when we arrive home.” He closed the door and the carriage pulled forward.

  Thea breathed a sigh of relief. Wulf was here. For now, they were safe.

  But who will protect you from him? The whisper blew in Thea’s ear. She shook her head hard. Elvie sitting across from her looked puzzled. Then Elvie squinted and sat very still.

  “She does not want you to succeed and will try many tricks to thwart you,” Elvie said and shuddered. “She is evil and strong. Beware.”

  “I know, but thank you for the warning.”

  Elvie blinked her eyes. “She was one of our kin?”

  “Yes.”

  Neither said anything more. What was there to say, Thea wondered, when finding out such a monstrous truth? And worse, Thea looked just like her. Wulf might hate her. He must not find out. A dull headache formed behind her eyes as they rode along.

  The carriage slowed. In the distance, Thea saw the house. She straightened her skirts and hat. Gloves on and her pelisse wrapped around her, she was ready when Wulf opened the door. He took her arm and he
lped her down. A trail on warmth flowed from his hand through her body.

  “Welcome home, my dear.”

  Her eyes met his. They shone with a bright fire, and his mouth curved up. “I am sorry your visit was cut short.” His low, deep voice rumbled through every nerve in her body, and she fought not to throw herself into his arms.

  “It is all right. We packed last night. Grandmamma is weak and the excitement of our visit was trying for her.”

  He nodded and moved around her to assist Elvie. What a fine specimen of a man he was. Tall and broad shouldered, his fine brown wool jacket and leather buckskins enhanced the solid body underneath. A hunger for him startled Thea. Where did that come from? A deep need to touch him and kiss him flooded her insides. Feelings she’d never felt so strong or allowed herself to feel. Were they her own senses or did her great-great grandmother project them onto her?

  Thea dropped her head down when he turned so he would not see in her eyes what she couldn’t hide. She took her sister’s hand, and they hurried up the front stairs to greet Mrs. Sanders.

  “It is good to be home,” Thea greeted the housekeeper. “I have a headache. I’d like to rest.” She fled up the curved stairway and did not look back. Wulf would wonder at her quick escape, but she was not prepared to deal with his questions and the fire burning in her belly for him.

  * * * *

  Thea wandered around her bedroom touching familiar things. Already it had begun to feel like her home. She heard the connecting door open. The door Wulf always kept locked. Her hand flew to her throat, and she swirled around in time to see her husband walk in.

  “I am tired and prefer to be alone,” she said, trying to infuse coldness into her voice and failing miserably.

  “If you are tired, sit in your chair. But I have traveled all night and we must talk.”

  He held his expression blank. The air sparked between them as two strong wills went head to head. Finally, she succumbed. She went to the chair he’d indicated.

  He stood by the fireplace, one booted foot on the low bricks that ran around the perimeter. “When I arrived in town, Hawley told me Akers had hired men and had some plan regarding you. I sent him ahead while I confronted Akers. He has been warned. In case we have any problems, you are not to leave the house without me, Garr or Hawley as an escort.”

  “You trust this Hawley?”

  Wulf moved to the chair beside her and sat. “I hired him originally to find out about your father’s will. I did not believe your parents would have left two daughters without any funds.”

  “You checked on Papa’s will? How?”

  “There are ways if you have money. As I suspected, your uncle went to an unscrupulous solicitor and they fixed the will. You and your sister were left all the money but a small amount. Your uncle was to receive the title and ancestral home, which were entailed, and also enough income to run the estate but not enough for your uncle’s rich taste.

  “Papa did think of us. I had difficulty believing otherwise.”

  Wulf took her hand in his. “You were right. I’m hiring a barrister to handle this in court. We have the original will, and I believe the money will be returned to you and your sister.”

  “Uncle Rigby will be furious.”

  Wulf nodded. “And possibly dangerous, so you see why you and Elvie must be careful.”

  Thea leaned toward him. “How can I ever thank you?”

  A wry smile crossed his face. “In time I will think of a way. Rest. We will talk more tomorrow. I have many questions about what you found out at your grandmother’s. It can wait one more day.”

  Thea breathed a sigh of relief and realized he noticed. He always watched her closely. “Thank you. I believe I’ll eat in my room tonight.”

  He stared at her for a minute, then turned on his heel and strode to the door. The door shut softly behind him and the lock clicked in place.

  She clasped her hands. They had money. Uncle Rigby cheated her and Elvie. There was never a reason she had to marry. Other than her uncle's greediness, and his fear that they might discover the truth. She'd love to see his face when he was told the real will was going to court.

  The only one she was sorry for was her cousin, and Thea determined she'd make certain Amy had as many seasons as she needed to find a good husband. Elvie would have her time in town too, thanks to Wulf finding out the truth.

  When Wulf walked toward her the first time on the veranda, a sense of fascination and fear floated around her body and she still reacted in the same way. What was causing her sense of fear? When would he trust her with his secrets? And when he did would it take away the fear or make it worst?

  “When will you trust him?” the voice answered in her head.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Thea put her dinner tray to the side, changed into her nightgown and reached for the book on herbs that she’d brought from her grandmother’s house. Snuggled in her chair with a blanket across her knees, she began to read.

  The pain in her neck woke her. She straightened and moved her head around. A chair was not the best place to fall asleep. The house held the silence that only came in the early morning hours. Thea closed her book and blew out what was left of the candles. Almost without thought she went to the window.

  A full moon cast bright light on the lawn and across the nearby trees. Tree limbs bent in the strong wind, and in the distance, a wolf howled. The hair raised on her arms. She had to know if her vivid imagination was right. Fear tightened her throat, but her determination held her in place.

  The wolf came to the edge of the trees and hesitated, then loped across the lawn heading toward the same side of the house as before. As the huge animal came close, it stopped and raised its head. Golden eyes stared at her. She stumbled back, her hand going to her throat. Her pulse beat rapid and hard. She wanted to be wrong.

  Cold seeped deep in her bones. The wind whistled mournfully down the chimney and sparks flew up, but she felt no heat. Golden eyes and the soft, golden brown fur of the wolf's image burned into her mind.

  She’d heard tales of werewolves, but hadn't believed them. Putting on her wool wrapper, she hurried along the dark corridors and down the stairs. This time she'd have her answer. She pulled on the heavy side door and stepped into the darkness near where the wolf disappeared each time she’d seen him.

  The beautiful animal had stopped at the hedge. A low warning growl came out of his throat. The hair raised on the nape of his neck and golden eyes flashed in the blackness.

  They stood as statues. Thea held her breath, afraid to move a muscle. The wolf came closer. She moved a step toward him. The growl sounded less threatening this time and lower.

  She reached out and touched the soft fur and the scarred muzzle. The wolf stared at her. On instinct, she knelt and put her arms around the strong neck, rubbed her face against him and felt the heart inside the large, strong body beat fast.

  Careful in her movements, Thea rose and stood before him. The huge head raised and a loud howl echoed across the countryside. He turned and went to the hedge, stopped and turned, his eyes looking at her one more time before sliding through the crack and disappearing from sight.

  Thea pulled her shawl tight around her and went to the side door. Hurrying through the empty house, she rushed into her room, closing the door with a definite snap.

  Breathless, she wrapped her arms around her body and felt her heart thumping heavily. Stepping to the fireplace, she put out her hands toward the heat. She was so cold. Minutes ticked away as her mind struggled with what she'd seen. The crack of the door opening shot through the silence and caused her spine to stiffen.

  Her mind insisted he wouldn't come to her tonight, even as she sensed him standing behind her. The heat of his body warmed her back before he touched her.

  Strong hands wrapped around her arms and pulled her against hard muscles. His hands moved forward and wrapped firmly around her breasts, caressing their softness, causing her nipples to harden. His lips closed over
her neck and nuzzled along the skin, sending tinkling spikes of heat to her core.

  Her body betrayed her, leaning into him, her breasts straining toward his hands, as though begging him to continue. Her head fell back against his shoulder, and an ache centered at her core, hungry for his touch. She was lost to herself, wanting only him, not able to pull away.

  He caught her up in his arms and carried her to the bed where shadows covered them. Sitting her on the edge, he slipped the fragile nightgown off her shoulders and down to her waist. He knelt in front of her and his lips moved from her neck down to her breast. She gasped when his lips pulled on one nipple, while his hand ran along her shoulder to her other breast and continued down to open her legs. Pushing the thin material of her gown aside, his fingers found the place that ached and begged for his attention.

  She pulled his head closer against her breast and threaded her fingers through his thick hair. His wild scent sent heat rushing in her veins. Desire swirled through her lower region. Involuntarily, her legs opened wider, giving him more access.

  When he pushed her flat and started to place his mouth on her most private spot, she pulled herself away, moving up on the bed. “No,” she said, her voice faint.

  “Yes.” The sound of his warm voice stopped her backward motion.

  He stood to take off his breeches, his only article of clothing. Never removing his eyes from her, he crawled onto the bed and moved toward her, covering her body with his.

  His lips started at her forehead with tiny kisses, moved along her cheek and captured her mouth. His tongue caressed the seam of her closed lips. They opened, inviting him in by wrapping her tongue around his and letting herself explore his warm mouth. He tasted of sweet coffee and a hint of whiskey.

  While he ravished her mouth, she realized on some level that his hands continued to move along the sides of her breasts. Then his lips followed the same path, kissing her nipples, then along her stomach until arriving at her core.