Page 42 of Potions and Proposals
“Love should be about more than common interests, and Emerson is here forwork. The Order told Rosie they’d be sending someone days ago; he didn’t come here on a whim. He volunteered to collect the grimoire and because he is going to be working at the university,” Lucinda stated firmly.
“Even so, no harm in getting to know him. The spellmighthave brought Emerson to you. He made it past the gargoyles and the armoured knights, which tells us he has a true heart. And he’s of magical descent – a healer at that!”
Grams! Whose side are you on?!
Lucinda made no instant reply. Waiting for her response, Benedict forgot to breathe. The previously empty jug in his hand started to overflow as he lost control of her element. He put it on one of the bowls to stop it soaking the wooden floors.
“I can’t get to know him, Grams. I agreed to the binding. What would the town say if I’m with one man while about to be bound to another? I’m trying to win over the coven’s confidence; a love triangle won’t play in my favour.”
Grams laughed. “A love triangle? Perhaps it’s you who has feelings for Benedict. I suppose you’ve known each other since you were kids…”
“Benedict and I are apoliticalmatch. Can we please not talk about this when both men are in the next room?”
“I won’t push you to do anything you aren’t comfortable with. I only ask that you don’t close yourself off. Let your element guide you,” Grams said, her words slightly muffled. Benedict guessed they were hugging.
She only has my fire to guide her,Benedict thought.He was grateful that Lucinda had kept their switch a secret, even when mentioning it could have stopped Grams’s pestering. Such information would’ve sent her family into a tailspin. Todiscover their beloved pure water was in the corrupted veins of a Matherson– he couldn’t imagine the uproar. Even if they’d treated him and his mum as family, magic ran thicker than friendship.
“The last of the dishes,” he announced, pushing open the door, unable to take another second of Grams convincing Lucinda to give Emerson a chance. A member of the Order, bonded to a High Priestess? The heavens would burn, and hell would freeze over.Regardless of biblical consequences, there was no way he’d allow her heart to be won by another. Not before he had a chance to claim it for his own.
Pausing, he told himself to get a grip. Her heart was none of his concern. She might be his fiancée, but as she’d said herself, they were a political match, nothing more.
“Thank you for your help.” Grams took the dishes.
Benedict wanted to talk to Lucinda, but she fled without a second look. He wished she’d stop avoiding him.
Grams rested a hand on his arm. “If you want her trust– her heart – I’m afraid you’re going to have to earn it.”
Peter had said something similar. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Benedict lied, helping her load the dishwasher.
Grams rolled her eyes. He decided to leave before he overstayed his welcome.
“I’ll say my goodbyes,” he said, kissing her cheek. “Thank Wilhelmina for dessert for me, and tell Lucinda there’s another meeting for the festival tomorrow morning.”
Grams shooed him from the kitchen.
Outside, he pulled at the collar on his long coat. His feet refused to move; he couldn’t leave without talking to Lucinda. He knew how dangerous it was to sleep with fire magic when you were riled up – one bad dream might burn down the house. He didn’t know why he cared all of a sudden. Then again, he didn’twant to be accused if Hawthorne House went up in flames the same night he’d come for dinner.
Benedict rounded the house, spotting a tall oak tree which gave him access to her balcony. He looked down at his leather shoes and sighed.Not exactly the best for climbing,he thought, plucking up the nerve to reach for the first branch.She’d better not set me on fire for trying to help her.
“I’m sorry for how Benedict spoke to you. His family were prosecuted by the Order for generations. Don’t take it personally,” Lucy said to Emerson by the front door. If she were to be honest, she considered Benedict’s reaction better than it could have been. She figured he’d shown restraint because her mother and Grams had been present.
“With the Mathersons’ history, and all that has transpired between his family and the order, I wasn’t expecting a warm embrace from him. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d set me on fire – at least you’d have been able to put me out,” Emerson quipped. Thankfully, he didn’t hold a grudge. She didn’t want him to report Benedict’s hostile behaviour.
“Thank you for understanding. I’m sure once you get to know him you’ll see he doesn’t quite live up to their reputation,” Lucy said, taking the topic as far away from elemental magic aspossible. Even if they didn’t get along, the thought of the Order coming for Benedict caused a lump in her throat. It made her uneasy that Emerson knew so much about them. She reminded herself he’d passed her earlier tests.And if Grams had sensed anything off about him, she certainly wouldn’t have been encouraging me to date him.
“Leaving so soon? I’ve put on a pot of coffee,” Wilhelmina offered, finding them in the hallway.
“It’s been a long day, and I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome,” Emerson said, putting on his jacket. He’d taken Lucy’s advice and not reattached the pin. At least he was polite enough to say goodbye. Benedict had disappeared without a word, which did nothing to settle her nerves.
“I’ll see you tomorrow; we open up at eight. Please don’t feel you have to come first thing.”
“I’m used to university hours, so early works for me,” Emerson assured her.
“There’s another meeting about the Autumn Festival tomorrow morning. Benedict told Grams before he left,” Wilhelmina added, her strained expression telling her daughter she had no choice but to attend.
“I won’t miss it. Rosie will still be there to open the library. I’m sure she would be grateful for your help again,” Lucy said, hoping Emerson wouldn’t mind.
“No rush. Rosie invited me for breakfast, so I can walk with her.”
