Page 53 of Potions and Proposals
“Forgive him – the dead don’t get tired.” Benedict wished his brother had an off switch, but oddly, Faye didn’t seem to mind.
Getting into the back, Benedict focused his attention on the view outside the window, lost in his thoughts. He’d hoped to bring Lucinda some good news, to have her light up as Fayedid when Peter started singing along with her song after song. They were both behaving as though Benedict wasn’t there, which suited him just fine. The more she was distracted by Peter, the less likely she was to ask about what they’d been up to in the middle of the woods.
It didn’t seem long before Faye dropped them at the Manor. He watched as Peter, obviously reluctant to leave, kissed Faye’s hand and thanked her for the ride before disappearing. Benedict doubted his brother knew she was in a relationship.
“Can you do me a favour?” Benedict asked through the open window before she pulled away.
“It’s the least I can do,” Faye said.
He frowned, not sure what she was talking about.
“For the job at the bakery. I know it was a couple of months ago now, but… thank you.” She wouldn’t meet his eye, but he could hear in her voice how much it meant to her.
Benedict resisted the urge to curse. He might’ve got her husband the job at the Clover pub, the only vamp bar in town, but he hadn’t had a hand in the bakery hiring her. Peter must have used his likeness again to pull strings. But why would he have helped Faye? They’d seemed like perfect strangers to each other today. It seemed he wasn’t the only one with women troubles.
“Don’t mention it,” was all he said, using his brother’s meddling to his advantage for once. “Could you not tell Lucinda about today?”
Her grip tightened on the steering wheel. “We haven’t talked in a while. Not much time to hang out, these days,” she said sadly. “But if she comes by the bakery, I won’t say anything.”
“Thank you. Just… I don’t want her thinking I was up to anything out there.” He’d hate for this little adventure to sow any discord between them.
“You’re going to be bound, right?” she asked, concern edging her soft voice.
“Yes, on All Hallows’ Eve. I’m sure Lucinda would love for you to be there.” He pulled at the back of his neck. It still felt strange to say. “If she’ll have me.”
“I don’t know what’s changed between the two of you. I remember the two of you hating each other in school, but…” Faye took a breath. “Please treat her right. She has the best heart. Don’t break it.”
He looked her in the eye, having no intention of breaking his word. “I won’t.”
Waiting by the coffee cart outside the Alchemy & Anarchy bookstore, Lucy couldn’t stop thinking about how she had unknowingly agreed with Benedict on how to handle the festival. Glancing across the town square, she decided to bite the bullet. She would stop by the Manor to talk about the potion failing, and find out why he hadn’t come to the meeting. She felt oddly at ease once she’d made up her mind, even if she didn’t want to see his disappointment.
A tap on the shoulder startled her out of her thoughts.
“We were just talking about you!” Wilhelmina beamed, kissing her daughter’s cheek. Emerson followed her out of the bookstore, carrying a full brown paper bag.
“I hope that’s not true,” Lucy joked, wondering what her mum had revealed to him. Oversharing was in her nature.
“Don’t worry, it was all complimentary.” Emerson smiled as Wilhelmina ordered for everyone.
“How nice of her to lie for me.” She felt far from perfect. “What brought you together?”
“Rosie had to go out and didn’t want to leave me in the library alone. Wilhelmina stopped by to return a book and mentioned the bookstore. I couldn’t forsake such an opportunity,” Emerson said, brightening as Lucy did whenever books were involved.
“Sorry to keep you waiting– the meeting ran on longer than I expected,” she explained, hoping he wouldn’t hold it against her, though he seemed perfectly happy. It wasn’t every day a member of the order got to spend the morning with the most powerful witch this side of the River Lux.
“Mrs Crawford is very particular about the details. I should’ve known the meeting would run on. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have caught you above ground at this hour,” Wilhelmina chimed in teasingly, handing Lucy her tea. She wished she’d told her mum to ask for something iced, but she’d been distracted by their arrival.
“Do you not need a sleeve?” Wilhelmina eyed her suspiciously. “It’s awfully hot.”
Lucy stilled as they all looked at her hands, wrapped around the cup. Thanks to Benedict’s element, the heat didn’t bother her.
“What? I just used my water to cool it down,” she lied, even though there was a steady stream of steam rising from the takeaway cup. Emerson handed her a sleeve anyway, and she placed it on the cup.“Mrs Crawford wasn’t all that hard to crack– even Mr Lark agreed to my plan,” she added, trying to shift the focus back to the meeting.
“There wasn’t any doubt in my mind they’d agree to your proposal,” her mum said, the praise making Lucy redden. “Your dedication to your work isn’t lost on any of them.”
“Even I can vouch for that,” Emerson added. “I’ve seen the volume of work you’ve translated. I have to say, I was surprised when I arrived to find you’re so young.”
“And beautiful– even if some sunlight would help,” Mum said, nudging Emerson.
