Mystified

by Renee Bernard

  The room had a damp chill to it and she shifted to add some wood to the fireplace and stoke the flames there. It would not do to catch a cold now, Mr. Hambly. She set her bag down and pulled out some dried herbs to toss on top of the flames. It was mostly a symbolic gesture of cleansing but it made her feel better.

  “You are real.”

  Elethea’s froze in place and her world came to an odd halt.

  “Who are you?” he asked.

  She stood very slowly and then without any logical thought, pressed herself into the corner next to the fireplace as if she could hide in plain sight.

  He was laying in the bed looking directly at her and after a few gloriously awkward seconds, he spoke again. “May I…ask what you’re doing over there just now?”

  “I am hoping that if I just hold my breath and wait a few moments, you’ll decide that you are dreaming and simply go back to sleep.” She pressed a hand against her heart, betraying her nerves.

  Blade smiled at the impossibly charming plight the angel was in. “A daring plan.”

  “I was very proud of coming up with it so…spontaneously, sir. Pray do not spoil my triumph.”

  “No, I wouldn’t dare.” It was hard not so smile and so he allowed the excuse of fatigue to give in to the impulse. This was ridiculous, really. But all he wanted was to keep her in the room, to dissuade her from fleeing before he could secure her name and a reassurance that she would return. He struggled to sit up. “I believe it is working.”

  “Working?” She took a step toward him, one hand raised in alarm. “Please, don’t! You need to rest!”

  He complied, hoping that for appearance sake, it looked like concession and not the discovery that he was still as weak as a kitten and had just remembered that Dr. Fairfax had taken his nightshirt to transform it into kindling. “I do not wish to make new acquaintances on my back but this does seem a bit surreal, this meeting. I am nearly convinced that this is a dream, so your plan is working.”

  “Oh!” She smiled shyly back at him. “How lucky for me.”

  “Will you tell me your name, dear lady who may or may not actually be real?”

  “I don’t think that’s wise.”

  “If I’m dreaming, I don’t see how wisdom comes into play.”

  “Yes. True. But on the slim chance that you are indeed awake…” Her voice shook as her words trailed off. “I did not mean to intrude, Mr. Hambly, and this is a scandalous way to meet. You are right.”

  “It’s not an intrusion and what scandal if I am talking to a figment of my fevered brain? Even so, let’s apply logic. You are not a maidservant in the employ of the innkeeper, I suspect. You lack an apron but then… But you were here when I arrived yesterday morning. But it’s no matter because I would wager my life that you are not a scullery maid. You were…here all along, weren’t you?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “I had convinced myself that you were not real or that I’d gone a little mad while I was ill.”

  “I am sorry then. I did not think you remembered me at all and I didn’t wish to cause any concern.”

  “Help me put my concerns aside then. Tell me who you are.” It was no longer a plea but a soft command.

  “I am Elethea Fairfax. My father is the physician here in Bocka Morow and I…was here by chance. I waited with you while he was sent for.”

  She’d done more than wait but it didn’t feel right to confront her with it. He was convinced that it was she who had saved his life but her reluctance to admit it made him wonder.

  “Won’t you come away from the wall? I feel like an ogre terrorizing you over there, Miss Fairfax.”

  She took another step forward, but only to the edge of the hearth. “I shouldn’t be here, Mr. Hambly.”

  “But I am glad that you are here.”

  “I…wanted to see for myself that you were better. I was worried. But my father would be furious to know that I’d disturbed your rest.”

  Blade shook his head. “I feel like a man who’s already slept for a century and am not the better for it. Please. Would you sit with me?” He watched her weigh it out, the scandal of sitting with him alone in his bedroom against her need to be reassured that he was well. “Is your father nearby?”

  “He is downstairs in the common room. Mr. Thackery has bought him a tankard to celebrate your recovery.”

  “Then you can tell him you heard me call out and came in at my request.”

  “That is a very plausible lie, Mr. Hambly.” She did her very best not to smile but lost the battle entirely. “I would compliment you on your quick wit but what would that say? Is it ever good for a man to be a good liar?”

  “I am not deceptive by nature, Miss Fairfax.”

  “No. You do not strike me as such.” She cautiously came to take the chair by the bedside, politely setting it at a discreet distance from his reach for the sake of… Elethea hesitated. What dictates what is right? I could set the chair in the hallway and it would not change anything of my knowledge of his form, his face, or slow the pace of my heart’s beating. She blushed and took a seat, perching there lightly to prepare for what seemed inevitable flight.

  “What was that you were putting into the fire?” he said.

  “Sage. It’s meant to banish illness and malevolent spirits.”

  “Superstition,” he said dismissively but it was softened by the kindness in his eyes.

  “You give no credence to superstition or myth, Mr. Hambly?”

  “I cannot. They claim too much of my world without any effort or welcome from me so I make it my habit never to invite such nonsense into my presence if I can help it.”

  “Of course,” she said respectfully. He had every right to feel wary in light of the history of his family and the present troubles—but a small cold weight pressed against her heart. His look of admiration and warm glances would vanish if he realized her true nature. Men with no tolerance for rustic customs were not likely to be happy to know a witch.

  Elethea’s girlish pleasure at the thrill of Blade Hambly’s attentions faltered. I am stealing these moments, each smile he gives me; taking what is not mine for they would not be offered if he truly knew me.

  “What are you thinking about, Miss Fairfax? Where do your thoughts take you?”

  “I dare not say.”

  “Please.”

  She shook her head slowly. “I have not had much experience in conversation with any man who is not my father, but I can tell you that I am absolutely certain that nothing good can come from giving voice to my thoughts without multiple layers of censure.”

  He laughed. “I don’t believe that for an instant. You have the look of an angel, Miss Fairfax, so I doubt you could invent a wicked thought—even if you tried.”

  “What a mischievous dare! To prove that I am right, I must—what? Shock you with some speech of my innermost secrets?”

  “I would not complain to hear them,” he said softly.

  She shook her head. “You cannot make such a promise with any confidence.”

  “I know my own mind very well.”

  “But you do not know mine,” she said.

  “What a delightful impasse,” he said. “An unfamiliar one but still, it feels like a challenge.”

  “And you enjoy challenges?” she asked.

  “Very much.”

  “There’s a surprise.”

  “Is it?” he asked.

  “I was thinking that it is very wicked of me to accept compliments from you, Mr. Hambly. I feel like a pickpocket taking advantage of the moment.” Elethea looked him directly in the eye. “Your gratitude colors your view of me but I am not unhappy at the illusion.”

  “It is never wicked to accept a compliment.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Your modesty is very becoming but when you deflect compliments, you make the giver feel pressed to flatter you even more. Now that seems like a wicked game to me.”

  “Oh, so what should I have said?”
>
  “You should have said, thank you.”

  “Thank you.”

  God, he loved a good debate and Miss Fairfax was shyly keeping pace with him and even challenging him to keep up.

  Blade smiled. “Should I test your resolve and say something about how clever you are?”

  “Are compliments the sole topic of conversation at your fingertips? Not that—they aren’t lovely to hear but I would be more comfortable if we discussed the weather or local developments or even if your appetite has returned and if you would like me to send up some broth for you.”

  “You have me at a disadvantage, Miss Fairfax. I have never really had small talk with a young lady whilst abed and somewhat undressed.”

  Her blush was a glorious thing to behold but it made him regret instantly reminding her of the precarious nature of their meeting.

  “I should go, Mr. Hambly.” She stood gracefully, immediately stepping aside to put the chair between them. “It is selfish to linger.”

  Damn it.

  “I shall let you go but only in the hope of meeting you again as soon as I am on my feet.”

  “As soon as you are on your feet, you will be on your way to Castle Keyvnor, Mr. Hambly.”

  “Are you saying we will not meet again, Miss Fairfax?”

  “It is unlikely.”

  “Why unlikely?”

  “Because I would never wish any harm to befall you—not even for the pleasure of another conversation but I struggle to see how else it would happen. I am the daughter of the village doctor, Mr. Hambly. It would be presumptuous to attempt to put myself in your path and I can’t think of a logical reason why the heir presumptive to the title would wander into Bocka Morrow, can you? So that leaves us with random chance and the odds are not cheerful.”

  It was his turn to smile. “So if I felt ill? I might see you?”

  “You are rarely ill, Mr. Hambly. Remember?”

  “I have never before regretted my good health until this moment.”

  “Fie! Don’t tempt Providence, sir! If the fey hear you, they’ll make nothing but mischief for you until you think better of it.”

  Blade laughed. She was so sincere and so delightfully misguided that he decided she was all the more charming

  “What is this?” Dr. Fairfax spoke as he opened the door and abruptly ended the merry exchange. The effect on Elethea was dramatic and Blade sobered instantly at the sight of her looking so forlorn and guilty. “Elethea. Out!”

  “Yes, Father.” She kept her eyes down but risked one quick glance at Blade. “Good evening, Mr. Hambly.”

  “Elethea, mind yourself!” Dr. Fairfax almost growled out the words before he pivoted to his patient. “Pardon me, Mr. Hambly. My daughter sometimes assists me and acts as a nurse. It is not unseemly that she do so but in this instance, she oversteps and should not have disturbed your rest.”

  “She was not disturbing me. She is a mindful and caring attendant and I was glad for the company, doctor.”

  “Oh, well…yes…” Dr. Fairfax’s ire was muted slightly as he ushered Ella out the door to close it behind her, lingering to make one last attempt at smoothing over the awkward social stumbles of his only child being found alone in a man’s bedroom—even if the man was a patient. “Women are so foolish and I’m sure her curiosity and wish to meet you overcame my strict instructions that she not bother you. It won’t happen again, Mr. Hambly. I will call on you in the morning.”

  He was gone after her before Blade could protest.

  Damn.

  I need to get back on my feet as quickly as possible because that is a woman worth chasing…

  Chapter 8

  Elethea was fighting the urge to cry. She’d defied her father. There was no denying it when she’d been caught outright in the man’s room. The lecture on the ride home stung like nettles but she was doing her best to bear up under it, diverting her mind with one bright fact. Mr. Blade Hambly had expressed a desire to see her again.

  Even if it was unlikely.

  “It is one thing to attend someone under my supervision or even—in a moment of crisis, Elethea! But this was completely uncalled for and unwarranted! Have you no sense of decorum?”

  She kept her head down, aware that answering a rhetorical question was not going to alleviate his fury.

  “Have you no sense of shame?”

  She closed her eyes.

  “Well?” he asked more loudly and Ella was forced to look up at him.

  “Of course, I do. I was never within arm’s reach of that bed… the fire was going out and I didn’t want him to catch a chill. Mr. Thackery is only now regaining Sally’s help with things and I saw him down in the common room with you and I wasn’t sure if…you’d been diverted by the celebrations before you’d attended to Mr. Hambly… Wasn’t it wiser to check?”

  “He was in a state of undress!”

  “Father,” Elethea took a slow calming breath before she went on, “I think you’re aware that as I’ve helped you set broken bones and as I’ve tended to our neighbors, there’s almost nothing I haven’t seen. I did not—nothing scandalous happened tonight. We talked. He was glad of the company and we talked. That is all. I would hope that after everything you would trust me more. I would never embarrass you or do anything to harm your reputation. Why, Father? Why would you be so quick to assume that I value my own reputation less than yours?”

  His expression softened slightly. “I—I may have overreacted. It’s only that—” He cut himself off as if he wasn’t sure he should finish his thought aloud.

  “It’s only that what?”

  “Your mother. Do you know we fell in love in one meeting? One conversation?”

  “No!” Elethea smiled. “That isn’t possible, is it?”

  He sighed. “I would have said no, it wasn’t possible but she was an exception to every rule, wasn’t she?” He reached over to pat her on the arm. “Dearest girl. Blade Hambly is exactly the sort of man I can see a girl being foolish over and I don’t want you to…experience the heartache that will come when you set your sights on the wrong man.”

  “I haven’t set my sights on him, Father.” The words tasted like vinegar on her tongue and Elethea’s heart nearly skipped a beat at the revelation.

  “Of course not. Yes, that’s good.” His attention returned to the reins in his hands. “In a few months, in the Spring, you’ll meet someone suitable and then by all means, an attachment will be welcome.”

  Elethea held her breath, a sense of dread growing inside of her. “And how is it that you’ve acquired such a keen sense of prophecy, Father?”

  “It’s not prophecy. I’ve begun inviting colleagues to visit and made some arrangements for introductions. It is only a matter of time before one of them sees the value in a doctor’s wife already having the upbringing and experiences of a doctor’s daughter.” He was smiling now, the spat forgotten. “Your future is assured.”

  She said nothing because there was nothing to say.

  I am my mother’s daughter.

  Oh, Goddess save me! What if I’m already falling in love with a man I just met? A man I can’t have…

  Father will be very disappointed to have a spinster daughter but perhaps now is not the time to tell him that while I agree that my future is probably assured, it isn’t the future he has in mind.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning, Elethea made her way to the village apothecary to place an order for some powders for her father and a few items for her own now depleted medicine bag. The apothecary’s daughter was a true friend and fellow witch and the sight of Brighid behind the counter lifted her spirits. She waited patiently until a small group of ladies from Keyvnor had made their purchases, including one Miss Hawkins who wisely selected some of Brighid’s wonderful soaps.

  Elethea kept a discreet distance to allow the lady privacy as she clearly was after a potent aphrodisiac. Ella smiled. If some people thought only Spring was a season for matches, they were fools. Miss Hawkins was
a woman on a mission and Ella envied her for the chance.

  As the group left the counter and then exited the shop, Elethea stepped forward to capture her friend’s attention. “Brighid! So busy today! I’m so glad for you and your father.”

  “With all the souls pressing in to wish us well or stir up mischief, was there any doubt my soaps would become quite popular?” Brighid said. “It won’t be long now before we can all make our wishes for the new year. I for one am counting the hours—and planning on picking a few apples myself!”

  Elethea smiled. Allantide was such a grand festival as the women of the village made a show of bewitching apples they’d picked by marking them with a unique sign before dropping them into a vat of water. The hope was that their true love would bite into their apple. It was a jovial game and many a match had been made at Allantide.

  “Of course, it’s simple magic at best, bobbing for apples,” Brighid said giggling. “But it makes me happy.”

  “Happiness is never a bad thing and for every cheerful couple meeting at Allantide, it makes them less likely to hate us,” Elethea said. “The vicar’s sermon last week was so…firm. I do wish he’d stop lumping anyone who follows the Old Ways in with child snatchers and prostitutes. Would that everyone viewed us with as good a regard as we view them…”

  “You need a young man to prove his worth,” Brighid said. “Let’s find one for you!”

  Ella shook her head. She had no plans to inscribe any apple because a part of her was already arguing that a certain gorgeous gentleman was not going to put his face in a barrel full of water and apples and he was the only one she would ever want…

  Impossibilities. When did my soul embrace impossibilities?

  “You deserve the best, Ella!”

  “So my grandmother claims.”

  “Then you should believe her,” Brighid said sweetly and held out a bar of her best and most sensual fragrances for Ella to take. “Maevis is the wisest of the elder nine in the Circle. Why not ask your grandmother to cast for—”