Page 23 of Magic Touch
We all chuckle.
Brianna says, "I've cleaned the cottage for you all. I live just a mile down the lane if you need anything at all. I see you've brought some help, but if you need more, just let me know, and I'll come, or find another to suit your needs."
"Just like your mother." Prudence cups Brianna's cheek. "Efficient and kind."
"Thank you, Great Mother. Shall I stay and see you settled?" She tucks her brown hair under her cap, and looks nervously down the road.
Prudence says, "Run along. I'm sure your mother needs you more than we do."
With a kiss on her grandmother's cheek and a wave, Brianna runs down the road and out of sight.
"Henry?" Prudence calls.
At her side in a moment, Henry offers his arm. "Madam?"
"Will you and Anne get me settled in my room? I need to rest. I'm not as young as I used to be."
I'm speechless as my staff rush to do the witch’s bidding without so much as a look back for my approval. "I guess I know where I stand."
Esme's laughter is worth any amount of indignity. "It seems we are both unnecessary, Sir William. Shall we have a look around the property?"
It is by far the most tempting offer I've had in a long time. "I would be delighted."
At my feet, Simon cries.
Esme crouches and scratches his head. "You may stay here or come with us as you wish, little one. We shall be here for a little while, but don't get lost. You are too small yet to find easily."
With a loud purr, he rubs her fingers, then scrambles into the cottage as Samuel hauls one of the bags inside.
"I was surprised to hear that you've not spent much time in the country. I would have thought with all your herbal remedies, you would need some way to gather ingredients." I keep my hands clasped at my back to hold off the desire to touch her.
"Tradespeople sell and barter with me. Minerva has a small garden and trades with me often. I manage, but it would be nice to have a garden and woods closer. I shall make good use of my time here." She runs her hand along the bark of an oak tree.
We wander to the pond that sits like glass, not fifty yards to the right of the house.
Strolling along its bank, she looks right and left. There's a gleam in those green eyes that I can't decide if I love more than life itself, or if I'm wary of the mischief there.
She grins. "Shall I show you a bit of magic then, Sir William?"
"If you'll not use my title when we're alone, Esme, you may show me any manner of thing." The bells of danger ring in my head, but I push them aside.
A gentle blush makes her even more lovely, if such a thing is possible. She turns to the water, reaches out a hand, and mutters a few words under her breath.
A few drops of water scatter as if a pebble had been dropped in the middle of the pond.
Eyes locked on the spot, Esme keeps her hand outstretched. Her gaze is steady, while her face flushes joyfully.
I turn to the water as a fountain begins to gurgle up from the center. It spins and sprays water across the stillness before it shoots up into a geyser. The violence of it fades to a calm wave that crosses toward us.
Esme puts her hand palm up, and the crest of the wave touches her middle finger. Water slides down the finger, into her palm, where she cups it, then sends it back to the pond.
A moment later, there's not a ripple again. It's as if the magic never happened.
Stunned, I sit in the soft grass and look over the still pond. "How did you do that? Is it a spell?"
She sits beside me. "No. Most witches do not need spells to manipulate the elements. We are of the elements, therefore asking is usually enough. Spells are to create magic on a grander scale."
"When you removed the bullet from my leg, was that a spell?" It makes me think of her hand on my leg, which already has my shaft responding.
