The Libertine (Taskill Witches 2)

“Please do not look at me that way,” he begged. “I was in error, badly so. I had been working for years to make my people accepted, to avoid the fate that has fallen upon so many of us this last century in the Lowlands. Your cousin was the worst contender, constantly trying to undo everything I did to guarantee our acceptance in Saint Andrews. I have told you what kind of man he is.”

“I know what kind of man he is,” she responded coolly. “What concerns me is that I do not always know or understand what kind of man you are.” That hurt him, and it hurt her when she saw the pained look in his eyes. But it had to be said. “I had not realized you were driven by that. I thought you wished to help me.”

“I did. I cannot deny that there was some pleasure in thinking how shocked he would be if he knew I was under his roof and in your bed.”

Chloris reeled. Covering her eyes with her hands she shook her head. “Please do not say any more.”

“But I must, for that is how it began. I beseech you, Chloris. It is very far from being that way now. When I asked you to meet me, to be with me forever, it was because that situation had changed. I love you. That is why I came here to Edinburgh, to plead for you to leave with me, to plead for your hand and your heart.”

There was contrition in his expression, and she wanted to believe him, but it was all too much. “I cannot order my thoughts, please. There is too much to think on.”

The chime of the clock marking the half hour brought her back to their surroundings. “I must leave now. I do love you, Lennox, but I need to let my thoughts settle.”

“Promise me this, for all the precious moments we have shared, that you will try to forgive my poor judgment.”

Chloris stood there, looking at the desperation in his expression, and her whole world was spinning. She nodded, then collected her cloak and forced herself to turn away and walk to

the door.

He whispered her name.

When she paused at the door, he said, “I will be waiting for your response.”

“I know, and I will return and give it to you soon.”

Her legs trembled under her as she went down the stairs. When she reached the hallway, Jessie emerged.

“You will come with us, yes?”

The question, her smile and the fact that Chloris was quickly warming to Lennox’s sister, made the tears well. Chloris wiped them away and looked back up the stairs. “I fear we do not understand each other well enough.”

Jessie studied her silently for a moment before she responded. “That will come. It is not easy at first, because the things that draw us together also conspire to keep us apart. We have to sacrifice part of what we were to meet in the middle.”

Chloris stared at Jessie. “You are a wise young woman.”

“I know that he loves you.”

Chloris nodded. “And I love him. But I am not like you, I do not understand your nature and your ways, and I think that puts distance between us.”

Jessie grasped Chloris’s hands in hers. “But you will. My lover, he is not one of us, and he is my defender still.”

“I had not realized.” Chloris felt her encouragement.

“It will be that way for you, too. Lennox is fierce in his affection for you.”

“I need to be sure.”

Jessie studied her and squeezed her hands. “You already are.”

“Perhaps.” Chloris mustered a smile.

Jessie reached into her pocket and drew out a small wooden object. She pressed it into Chloris’s palm. “Here, take this. It is a charm that Lennox crafted for me and it will protect you. If you need him hold it to your heart. He will know.”

Chloris stared down at the small wooden object. It was roughly hewn but pretty, and it resembled a wildflower. It made her think of the forest where they had lain together amongst the spring blossoms. She shook her head, offering it back. “I cannot take it if it is yours.”

“Take it.” Jessie lifted the flower from Chloris’s hand and pushed it into the pocket on Chloris’s skirt.

Behind them a door clicked open and a woman stepped into the hallway.