Page 34 of Magic Touch
I raise my hand for calm. "If madam wishes to assist, who am I to stop her or you from enjoying her company? Be easy, Anne."
Esme takes the basket from me and gives me a warm smile that shoots desire straight to my groin. She puts the basket on the table. "Great Mother, Mr. and Mrs. Thymes have sent a gift and an offer to use their shop. Many people in town have requested blessings and healing. They are quite excited about your arrival."
Putting a pea pod aside, Prudence pulls back the cloth. "How lovely of them. This is most kind. Who else did you see?"
Sitting on the long bench, Esme plucks up a pod and shucks the peas into the bowl. "Pauline Mercer is heavy with child and wondered if you would give your blessing."
Prudence sighs and her eyes fill with tears. "Little Pauline is with child. Last I saw her, she had braids and was chasing a puppy."
I see no reason to be excluded and sit next to Esme. "She's a lovely woman. Grown now. Everyone in town wished to see you. It was quite something. I felt a bit remiss that we didn’t go the first day to gather well wishes for you. Will you accept the apothecary's offer to use his shop?"
With a nod, Prudence smiles, then brushes her tears away. "It has been many years since I was here. In the past, when I was younger, I always went to town and helped where I could. Since I've grown older, I don't travel as much, and my return to this place of my birth has suffered. I do send a coven member and gifts each spring."
"I didn't realize you were born here, Great Mother." Esme voices my thoughts as well.
"Oh, yes. This is my home from before I moved to Windsor. It was my grandmother's home before that. She was a powerful witch and saved the town from flood many years ago." Prudence hands the basket across to Anne. "We should make good use of these gifts, my dear."
Anne rushes off with the basket toward the larder.
I try my hand at shucking, but the peas fly in every direction.
Esme and Prudence laugh.
I give up on helping, but I don't wish to leave the good company. "Madam, I can only say that you have been missed here."
Chapter
Ten
ESME
Did I invite a man to my bed? I can't quite remember how we left it. So many emotions course through me. I want him in my bed, but if he doesn't come, it probably indicates good judgment on his part.
After all, a shopkeeper and a landed gentleman have no business together. Yet, how happy my parents were. They came from different worlds and made a life together.
Witchcraft was their commonality, and love their binding force.
I'm being an imbecile. Love is not what William or I are feeling. Lust, certainly, but love doesn't happen in a few days.
In my nightdress, I comb my hair in the mirror. My curls fight back against my attempts to tame them, but I continue to try.
A soft knock stills my hand and my heart pounds. "Yes?"
The door opens, and William stands on the threshold. His cravat is missing, leaving his shirt open at the collar. Golden hair peeks through the opening. His hair stands out as though he's been running his fingers through it. He wears neither stockings nor boots, and somehow, his bare feet make him seem vulnerable.
"May I come in?"
I swallow my nervous excitement and nod. I put the comb on the dressing table as William closes the door and crosses to me.
He picks up the comb and takes up the chore of taming my curls. "This is like a dream."
"You dream of combing my hair?"
"I do." When he works through a knot, he's much gentler than I am. "I dream of all the little things you must do to be so beautiful."
Simon jumps from the bed, gives a stretch, then jumps into my lap. Absently, I pet him and close my eyes. "I haven't had anyone do this since I was a small child."
His lips touch my ear. "Do you like it?"
