The Libertine (Taskill Witches 2)

Jessie reached over and kissed Chloris on the cheek. “It is the landlady.”

Chloris nodded, understanding.

Jessie saw her on her way.

As she turned the corner of the street, Chloris’s footsteps slowed. Ahead of her lay her home. She knew too well what that meant. At her back, the home of her heart, and she knew so little of what might lie ahead if she took that path.

Her footsteps grew slower still, but each step she took made her want to turn back, and that’s what she needed to feel. She needed to be sure. She would return home and collect the few small possessions she had that belonged to her mother. Then she would go to him and give him her answer.

No matter what had brought them together, he was everything to her.

I love him. I always will.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“Witches?” Gavin Meldrum reacted with astonishment.

“Believe it, for it is true.” Tamhas Keavey observed his friend closely. He stood in Gavin Meldrum’s study, choosing his words carefully. He wanted to incite Gavin to action against Fingal, but it was also important that Tamhas himself came out of this well.

His determination to put an end to Lennox Fingal had only been strengthened during his journey. After all that had passed, and the hasty ride flanked by angered townsmen, his deepest desire was that the whole of Edinburgh was roused to hunt down the master of Somerled. But he was also cautious about losing Gavin’s respect. If Gavin believed Tamhas had not protected Chloris during her time in Saint Andrews, their good dealings in commerce might cease to be.

Gavin frowned. “I can scarcely believe that they run amok in Saint Andrews, where pilgrims have traveled to worship for hundreds of years.”

“That is the worst of it, isn’t it? It is shameful. They seek to overthrow order with their spells and their heathen beliefs.”

“How did it happen, and what has it to do with Chloris?” Gavin crossed to a wine table and poured out two glasses of claret while Tamhas related the tale.

“They gathered together as a coven close to Saint Andrews and under the protection of a wily leader. He gained them respectability, and trade. Meanwhile they dripped their poison. Sadly, they have influenced many in the burgh. They sought to be involved in matters of great import, to spread their wicked messages and their evildoings.”

“They weren’t ousted because of this?”

“Oh, I tried. I led the bailiff to them as soon as I had gathered evidence against them, but they had run, afraid for their lives, as well they should be.”

“Good man,” Gavin responded, and held out a glass.

Tamhas accepted the glass Gavin offered and swigged from it heavily, glad of the fortifier. Then he lowered his voice, lest the men who had traveled with him overheard what he said. They were waiting in the hallway outside while Tamhas spoke with Gavin in private. “My understanding is that Cousin Chloris went to them in order to try to become a more fruitful wife to you, Gavin.”

He paused, allowing his words to be understood.

Gavin seemed most surprised. “How so?”

“They promised her their magic would make her fertile, and poor trusting innocent that she is, she believed them.” He shook his head. “I quizzed her on the matter, and she said there were...rituals...”

Gavin’s expression did not alter, but his eyes flickered. “Do you know what these ‘rituals’ did to her?”

“I sent her home as soon as I found out she had gone to them seeking advice.” It was a slight deviation from the truth, but Tamhas had to manage this situation well. It was Lennox Fingal he wanted Gavin to be asking about, Fingal he wanted him to hunt down and obliterate.

A tap at the door interrupted their discussion.

A servant entered. “Sire, should I offer the men refreshment?”

Gavin nodded. As she was about to leave he called her back. “Where is Mistress Chloris?”

“She went out to pay calls.”

“Did she say where she was going, or when she would return?”

The girl shook her head.