The Jezebel (Taskill Witches 3)

“It not being how I remembered it. Sometimes the memory is better.” He looked at her then. “You’re braver than I, for you are making a return. Tell me, why is it that you left the Highlands?”

“Our father left us, and our mother followed him. Searching for him was a journey that broke us apart and broke our hearts.”

Roderick listened to her tale of sadness and grief. He knew what her mother’s quest had brought about, and he understood the sorrow he often saw in Maisie’s eyes.

“I think our father turned his back on his clan and the magical ones, because he couldn’t live with our mother’s strange ways.” She knotted her fingers together and glanced at them both quickly. “And who could blame him?”

That was a leading question. Roderick didn’t want to say the wrong thing, so he said nothing. Neither did Clyde.

“He headed south to find his fortune. The last word he sent was that he was taking to the sea,” she added. “Much like you, seeking a better life and a good wage.”

Clyde lifted his head. “What was his name? I knew a man from Fingal once, a long while back.”

“Roy, his name was Roy.”

Clyde stayed for a silent moment, thoughtful, as he considered his reply. “Aye, I knew a man called Roy from Fingal, and now that I think on what you’ve said, I believe it was him, your father.”

“You knew him?” Maisie’s eyes lit with curiosity.

“I’m afraid that your father did not find his fortune at sea, for the sea took him. Perhaps within a year or two he was swept overboard in a heavy storm. I’m sorry to tell you this.”

Maisie stared at him with a troubled expression, then shook her head. “I’m glad you told me, for you have solved a question that for many years haunted those of us he left behind.”

Clyde nodded. “It is better to know the truth than to wonder endlessly.”

“Thank you. I’m so glad you knew of him and remembered what had happened.” She turned away and went to sit on the edge of the bed.

Clyde looked at Roderick for guidance.

Roderick nodded at him and the old man left. Roderick joined her sitting on the edge of the bed, took her in his arms and held her.

She wept silently, and clung to him with her forehead pressed against his neck. It only made Roderick ache to know who would hold her this way when she was troubled and he was not there. Then she chuckled.

Looking at her in surprise, he saw that her cheeks and lashes were damp with tears, but she was smiling. “It is for my mother I cried. I remember him, and for all those years we wanted to know what became of him, because we still loved him even though he left us. Yet now it is my mother I feel sorry for, thinking he was having a wild old time at sea. Perhaps it was better that way.”

Maisie lifted her head and laughed, and Roderick smiled, too. He didn’t quite understand the sentiments, but he was relieved that the burdens seem to have been lifted.

“You have helped me solve many riddles that have plagued my life, Roderick Cameron.” Her eyes twinkled and she wiped away the tears that clung to her lashes.

He wanted to do more than help her solve riddles. “I will go with you. I’ll take you to Fingal.”

Maisie stared at him. “But your

ship, your men?”

“Brady is capable enough. He can take charge while I am gone.”

She wrapped her hand around Roderick’s much larger, callused one. He stared down at it, noticing how different they were. She was a lady, and a witch, a woman he did not fully understand. He was a simple seafaring man with callused hands and rough ways.

“I treasure every moment we have together, but you must not feel obliged to care for me.”

“I don’t feel obliged. I want to escort you safely until you are with your people again. I promised I would take you to your destination.”

“And I said my destination was Dundee, not Fingal.”

“I stand by my word. I said I’d see you safely. I cannot let you travel alone, not now, not since we have grown close.”

She smiled, but a different emotion shone in her eyes.