McNeely, Rachel - The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  The instructions were explicit. Thea read them twice to make sure she would not forget. She whispered, "Thank you, Grandmamma."

  The darkness outside deepened as the moon went behind clouds and there were no stars to be seen. For one moment, everything stilled before a gust of wind, rain and hail began to strike the hut. The ghost of her long gone ancestor was coming.

  She nodded to Wulf, and he strode across the room and closed the window tight.

  “Shall I close the curtains?” Wulf asked.

  “All, but that one.”

  Thea scattered her grandmother's herbs around the corners of the room, then she stood in the middle and closed her eyes. She envisioned a ring of golden light shielding the house. Hearing a large howl, she opened her eyes. In the window pane’s reflection, a wild-eyed woman’s face glared at Thea. Long black hair blew around the ghost's face and neck. Her lips were painted blood red, and her mouth opened, spewing vindictive words into the room.

  “You will not win. If you think I will not destroy you because you are of my family, you are wrong. His family has not paid enough yet to quench my thirst for revenge. I have had years to grow in strength. Cease this fruitless quest to end the curse while you both still live.”

  “Give up the curse,” Thea shouted back. “For over one hundred years his family has suffered.”

  “No, he is the first to suffer. The others enjoyed the power too much. I am only now beginning to reap the benefit of the havoc I created.” Her laughter hurt Thea’s ears.

  Thea sensed Wulf start toward her. “Stay back,” she said, without looking at him.

  Her attention focused on the apparition in the window. “Did his great-great grandfather hurt you so much that you would condemn yourself to this?” Thea motioned toward the window.

  “You read my story on your last visit here,” the ghost said. “You found the amulet.” The apparition’s chuckle was the embodiment of evil. “Was it not a most beautiful wedding gift? I stood outside their home and watched it delivered.” Her dead, hollow eyes flared with hatred. “I knew his selfish wife couldn't resist trying the necklace on, and when he saw her do it, he grabbed the amulet from her neck.”

  “He cut himself and that is how the curse began,” Thea said.

  “How clever you are. The cut activated the powder I drenched on him during his last visit to me.” Her eyes bored into Thea’s. “Let me train you. You'd rule the Ton. What a laugh on all those high society ladies. You would be very powerful. Just follow my instructions.” Her evil glare stared straight at Wulf. “You won't need or want him." She floated around outside the window pane.

  Thea heard the ghost's words, cleverly disguised in an enticing singsong that wrapped around her. Almost mesmerized by the lilting cadence. Thea had to shake herself to ward off the enticing words trying to reach into her mind. “You will not tempt me with your evil.”

  Thea realized the golden shield might not be enough to protect them against the age-old power of her ancestor witch. She pulled the necklace with the amulet out of a small pocket in her gown. Thea raised her arms and shouted "When you are gone this amulet will lose its power too." The amulet began to swing back and forth. The glint of gold flashing as it moved.

  The ghost starred at the amulet and it began to swing in a wide circle, then flew out of Thea's hands, through the air and into the fire where it exploded into a shower of gold particles that fell into the flames. "I no longer need the amulet. I will destroy the two of you with my own powers, unless you join me in my quest and only then will I spare you."

  Holding her arms out toward the window, Thea concentrated on the chant from her Grandmamma’s book. "Evil can not break a good man’s soul. Curse begone, begone, I say and you, the evil one go away, go back to where thou dost reside. To nevermore in this world abide."

  Concentrating on the words, Thea repeated the chant over and over. The pressure on her upheld hands increased, and Thea planted her feet further apart to withstand the challenge.

  * * * *

  Wulf stood ready. He had no difficulty believing what he was seeing was real. What could be stranger than a man changing into a wolf and a family being cursed as his?

  He wanted to do as Thea told him, but he knew if that creature outside the window tried to hurt his wife, he would do whatever it took to rescue her. The consequences were apparent. His family curse would continue indefinitely. But, he loved Thea, and she was his main concern. He'd find a way to live with the wolf.

  He had not prayed in years. Feeling damned by what he’d become, he avoided churches. But now, Wulf silently prayed for the gentle woman battling the most evil of creatures and an ancestor of her own family. Thea had chosen to fight and risk her life to save him.

  * * * *

  Outside the lightning and thunder increased and rain and wind pelted the sides of the cottage. Her great-great grandmother’s face distorted. Her mouth opened wide, showing the sharp ends of her teeth. Her hair curled like thick snakes blowing in a circle around her.

  Thea blocked the thoughts banging against her head. She continued chanting. Her arms ached from holding them up against the heavy, hot air. She focused all her strength into repeating the chant. Her love for Wulf reinforced her determination.

  The apparition shrieked. Her fury shook the walls, and the windows rattled. Pressure built around Thea.

  “I may not win.” Her great-great grandmother’s ghostly words echoed in the room. “But, I will hurt him.”

  With those words, Thea sensed an imminent strike at Wulf. She didn't dare glance at him. She continued the chant, and her hands and arms held strong. Thea pushed any fears and doubts away before it confused and weakened her.

  A bolt of electric energy hit the window, shattered it and sliced through the air in Wulf's direction. The ghost laughed, her eyes sparkling with hate. Thea resisted the urge to look over at Wulf. Never missing a beat she continued with the chant. Gradually, when she thought she couldn't hold on any longer, the apparition began to fade until howling she disappeared completely. The rain lessened to a soft patter on the roof and the moon came sliding out from behind the clouds. Silence reigned.

  Thea’s arms fell numb to her side. She whirled around and ran to Wulf. He lay on the dirt floor. At first, Thea thought he wasn't breathing. She placed her hand on his chest and felt a slight rise. Leaning over him, she kissed his scarred cheek. "My love, you must live. Please fight for us."

  She placed her palms above his head and moved them slowly over his body to his feet. Dizzy and weak, she straightened her shoulders and tried again. After the battle to break the curse, her strength was depleted. Tears ran down her face.

  A knock brought her head up. Warily, she cracked the door a slit. “Hawley, thank goodness. Help me with Lord Radford.” Thea pulled Hawley inside and over to Wulf.

  “How did you know to come?” she asked, as they knelt at Wulf’s side.

  “As soon as that terrible storm ceased, I thought I’d best check on you. This hut din’t seem strong enough to withstand such a battering.” Hawley touched Wulf’s forehead. “What happened to him, my lady?”

  “A lightning bolt from the storm came through the window. Thea said to cover up what really happened in the room. She pointed to the gaping hole. "I wasn't looking in his direction, but it must have hit him. We must get him home immediately.”

  “Is there not a doctor in this village?”

  “No. We would have to wait for him to come. Send a rider ahead of us. Pay him well to ride fast and hard and have the doctor at the Radford estate as soon as possible.”

  Hawley agreed. He stopped on his way out. “I will be back with the carriage, and do as you say, but ’twill take a good six hours or more to get home after the damage from this storm.”

  “Hurry then. Every moment counts.”

  Thea went back to Wulf’s side. She didn’t know what to expect and hoped Wulf would not change into wolf form when someone else was around. Between the damage her great-great gran
dmother had done to him and the battle to break the curse, Thea knew she must be ready to expect anything. First, she had to get him home where she and Bailey could be his only caretakers. Once she rested and regained her powers, she hoped to be able to help him. If only it wasn’t too late.

  Sitting on the floor, she cradled his head and brushed his hair back. “My love, you must live. We have many happy years ahead of us. Please, I love you. Come back to me.”

  Hawley returned within the half hour. “A man is on his way to the estate. The carriage is ready. I will carry Lord Radford.” Hooking his muscled arms under Wulf’s shoulders and legs, Hawley strained to stand and managed to carry Wulf, and with Thea’s help, placed him inside the carriage. Thea got in and put Wulf’s head in her lap. The carriage jerked forward. They were on their way home.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Bailey opened the carriage door. “Is he alive?”

  Tears streamed down Thea’s face. “Barely.”

  Bailey directed two footmen to carry the marquis to his room. Thea thanked Hawley and hurried inside. She heard Bailey dismiss the footmen.

  “I will undress him,” Bailey said. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “You know about the curse.” Thea entered the room and closed the door. “I know he trusts you.”

  Bailey nodded. “I served him and his father. He is the better man and hated what befell him.”

  “I believe the curse may be ended, but I am not sure what will happen before he wakes. We must protect him as much as possible. I have no idea what manifestations may occur due to the witch’s bolt that hit him and during any final throes of the wolf.” Thea paced around the bed. “You and I must nurse him and keep the others away. I sent for the doctor to allay suspicions.”

  Bailey continued to undress Wulf as Thea talked. “The doctor will be here soon."

  “Good. Hopefully he will see him and leave before anything occurs that might appear unnatural.”

  “I will stay with him now, my lady. You must rest.”

  “Thank you. First, I need to find my sister and speak with her and wait to see the doctor before I could ever sleep."

  “She had been worried about you. If she'd known where you were, she would have insisted on joining you. Garr and I decided it best not to tell her.”

  Thea patted Bailey’s shoulder. “What would Wulf or I do without you?” She smiled, seeing Bailey blush.

  As soon as she went out of the room, she saw Elvie hurrying up the stairs. She threw her arms around Thea and hugged her. “I was outside and just heard you'd arrived. I wanted to help, but no one would tell me where you went. I've been so worried.”

  Thea turned Elvie toward her bedroom and put an arm around Elvie's waist. “Come keep me company while I bathe and change. I will explain what happened.”

  Refreshed by her bath, Thea sat in her wrapper while Elvie brushed her hair. “I am so tired, but I must stay awake until after the doctor comes. Bailey will sit with Wulf while I nap.”

  “I can help,” Elvie said. “Please do not treat me like a child.” Her voice betrayed her hurt.

  Thea swung around. “Forgive me. My only desire has been to keep you from harm.”

  Elvie frowned. “Mother and you have always protected me. I am almost eighteen and much stronger then you realize.”

  “You’re right,” Thea said. "From this point on, you will be included in decisions and tasks.”

  A pleased smile crossed Elvie’s face. “I will check and see if the doctor has arrived while your maid helps you dress.”

  Thea’s shoulders slumped. She refused to think about losing Wulf after all they went through to end the curse.

  Elvie stuck her head in the door just as Thea finished dressing. “The doctor has arrived and is with Lord Radford.”

  Thea pulled away from the maid’s final touches on her gown, and wrapping a wool shawl around her shoulders, went directly to Wulf’s room.

  Dr. Parker listened to Wulf’s heart. He was a tall, broad shouldered man with bushy red hair and twinkling blue eyes. He straightened and smiled.

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance again, Lady Radford.” He bowed to her. “You might not remember, but I did manage to attend part of Lady Jane’s betrothal ball.”

  “I must admit there were so many new faces.”

  “Yes, there were, and I did get called away early to deliver an impatient young man.” He went back to Wulf’s bedside. “You said he was hit by a lightning bolt?”

  Thea steeled herself for his questions. “Yes.”

  “He is a lucky man to be alive. The curious thing is I see no mark where the bolt hit him. Most times a burned area indicates the entrance and exit.”

  “The storm was fierce, and I was looking toward the window when the lightning hit. I didn't see where the strike hit him.”

  Dr. Parker nodded. “Not to worry. Some doctors would recommend bleeding him, but I am coming to doubt the validity of such treatment.” The doctor looked at Bailey. “Keep him warm and talk to him, both of you. And if he wakes, give him liquid nourishment. I will return tomorrow, and let us hope he has regained consciousness by that time.”

  The doctor gathered up his bag and stopped in front of Thea. “I will be honest with you, Lady Radford. The longer he does not awake, the higher the risk he will not survive.” He stared into her eyes. “You do not appear to be a hysterical miss. I know I can count on you to stand steady through this ordeal.”

  “I will not give up on him,” Thea said with determination.

  A kind smile crossed the doctor’s face. “Good.”

  * * * *

  After a few hours sleep, Thea went to relieve Bailey. “Has he stirred at all?"

  “No.” The old butler glanced at Wulf. Sadness was etched in the lines of his face.

  Thea touched his arm. “He will recover, Bailey. We must believe in him.”

  Bailey started to say something, shook his head and shuffled out of the room.

  Thea pulled a chair to the side of his bed and took Wulf’s cold hand. She rubbed his skin, hoping to infuse warmth into him.

  “Come back to me, my love. Wherever you are, return to us.”

  Not a flicker of an eyelash. She continued to talk, telling him about her childhood days, riding her pony and climbing trees to her mother and father’s despair. She smiled to herself, recalling the happy times. Bone-tired, she leaned back in her chair, one hand keeping contact with him.

  She must have dozed. Suddenly, a jerking movement brought her fully awake. Wulf thrashed around in his bed. Thea jumped up and leaned over him, trying to keep him on the mattress. She yelled out for help.

  Bailey must have been sleeping outside the door as he rushed in immediately. “What happened?”

  “He just began to have these spasms.”

  Bailey went to the other side of the bed to help restrain Wulf. “This doesn’t look good.”

  “Don’t.” Thea put up a hand. “Say nothing negative where he can hear. I refuse to lose him.” Thea saw Bailey’s expression and knew he thought she was refusing to accept the inevitable. Wulf would live. She did not allow any other thought to enter her brain.

  Dr. Parker returned the next day and his face reflected the worry seen on the other’s at Wulf’s bedside. “His color is not good.” He shook his head. “He continues in his deep sleep. I am sorry, Lady Radford, but there is no known treatment for people receiving a shock by lightning.”

  Thea didn’t reply. She could not tell anyone a dead witch did this to Wulf. Thea did not know the repercussions herself. She’d been trying to read some more of the book she’d brought with her, but there was little information regarding the present situation.

  “Thank you for all you have done, Dr. Parker. We will continue to care for my husband.” She walked out of the room with the doctor. “We will send for you if there is any change. There is no need for you to come every day.”

  “I will visit when I can. Bless you, my lady. No one else c
an give him the loving care you do.” He started out the door and came back. “Would you like for me to contact his mother?”

  “Not yet. There is no need to distress her at this time.”

  The doctor looked doubtful, but agreed to wait. Thea watched him ride out of sight before returning to Wulf’s room.

  Stale air hit her when she opened the door. Going to the window, she pushed the window pane up and breathed in the crisp morning air. Bailey and she had agreed to keep Wulf's spasms secret from the doctor. They suspected they were part of the process he must go through to dispel the curse. They didn't want to arouse any suspicions, and both thought Dr. Parker would not be able to stop whatever Wulf had to endure. Expelling the curse was obviously not going to be a simple process. Thea sent Bailey out to rest.

  She stood beside Wulf’s bed, as she'd done since she'd regained her energy. Centering herself, Thea placed her hands slightly above his body. She swept her hands over his head and neck, and then along the rest of his body. She concentrated on sending the warm healing powers into him. With gentle movements, Thea waved her palms across his body and hummed a tune her mother used during her healing sessions. Thea prayed her healing powers were strong enough now to help.

  He could not go on much longer without food or drink. She’d tried to place drops of water on his lips and into his mouth, but it wasn't enough.

  The days fell into a rhythm. Once or twice each twenty-four hours, the spasms shook his body. Every day, Thea used her healing powers. After several more days, even Thea doubted Wulf would live. She sent word to his mother and sister.

  Refusing to leave his side, Thea rejected Bailey and Elvie’s attempts to help her more so she could rest. Thea sensed the time was near when he would be rid of his monster or die trying.

  Thea didn’t understand. Her battle was to stop the curse, but her powers were not strong enough to prevent Wulf’s injuries. She must keep all her negative thoughts at bay. There was time enough later to rethink what happened in the cottage.