Page 71 of Magic Touch
It's all said kindly, but I don't like the idea of Sara Beth touching William. I'm not jealous, but I am uncomfortable. In fact, the jealousy I felt in the country has gone from me completely. I wonder if it was a spell conjured to create a rift between William and me.
I hold my tongue as Sara Beth raises her hand toward William's chest. She stops inches from him and looks at me. "Esme?"
"William is of his own mind. What we share cannot be blemished." I can't stop the truth of that from pulling my lips into a grin.
With only the slightest raise of her brows, Sara Beth presses her hand to William's chest.
Blue light emanates from where she touches him. It folds over her hand and across his chest.
The witches all stare with surprise.
Trina rises like a cat ready to leap out the window.
Simon throws himself at her and scratches her face before hissing and scurrying to the corner by the hearth.
William grabs Sara Beth's wrist and keeps her hand on his chest. With his other hand, he points at Trina. "Stay."
The bubble that appears around Trina flows from William and glows blue before it settles to a clear barrier. This is made from his magic, and is far more beautiful than the magic he borrowed.
Inside, Trina screams, but no sound penetrates the magic.
Releasing Sara Beth, William says, "I wanted to make sure you know the truth of my magic. I will hide nothing, Sara Beth Ware. What I am, I am. You will either accept or condemn me, but it will be truth, not lies, that sway you."
In my heart, I'm cheering for him, even though I keep silent. What he did was brilliant. There is no evil in him. If there was, Prudence or I would have felt it. It's important that Sara Beth knows this, too.
She draws a long breath and stretches the fingers of her hand that touched his magic. "As I told Great Mother, we shall deal with one drama at a time, Sir William."
Minerva wraps her arm around my shoulder. "That was extremely impressive. I want to know everything about this relationship, Esme."
"I beg your pardon?" I want to tell the world, but never expected anyone to actually ask.
She drops her arm. "Forgive me. I am too familiar. I feel as though you and I are friends, but perhaps I flatter myself."
Taking her hand, I squeeze. "We are friends."
With a grin and a shrug, she says, "What's a little gossip then, between friends."
"I'm not much of a gossip." I can't help my smile. I've never had close friends beyond my mother. The people who frequent my shop often gossip about each other, but I only listen, never add.
"I will teach you. I'm a master of the gift."
We both laugh, and arm in arm, walk to the steps leading to the upper floor. Minerva says, "The others will come up and lay a table. You can help me cook if you aren't too tired."
By the time we reach the top, more clomping follows on the stairs. Above is a sitting room and dining room, along with several doors that I assume lead to bedrooms. Minerva pulls me to a kitchen at the back of the house.
I worry over William, and I'm not comfortable with the female camaraderie. "I should make sure Sir William is all right, and that Trina is secure."
"They will bring her upstairs, and the rest will settle in the other room while the food is prepared. Sara Beth will summon the full coven and will wish to have privacy for that." Minerva pushes her dark hair back into her bun, and takes two large pots down from hooks over the stove. "You don't have to tell me anything. I'm happy to have your company, and I can tell you all about your shop."
I peek into the dining room as William pushes Trina through a door that looks like a closet.
Sensing me, he turns as he closes the door and gives me a wink.
My cheeks heat, and I rush back to the kitchen. "It seems to me you had everything under control at the shop."
Minerva grins and tells me about Mrs. Cauly and Mrs. Bates. She tells several other stories while we chop vegetables.
A blonde witch enters with a plucked chicken. She places it on the worktable. "I'm Winnie Treacher. I don't think we've ever met, Miss O'Dwyer."
