Page 79 of Magic Touch
"I understood your meaning." William shields Henry by moving in front of him. "I have no desire to be other than I am. The crown is safe from me, and I will defend it with my life. As to the other question, I would die to protect those in my care, as I would to protect Esme. I hope I shall not have to take life, but I am prepared to do what is right." Meeting Winnie's eyes, he adds, "I would do the same for you, Miss Treacher."
Winnie's cheeks turn pink. "I believe you would, Sir William."
Mable Bale turns toward the stairs. "He wishes to be judged by Goddess."
With one arm leaning on the railing, Sara Beth is watching. "You told him that the verdict of Goddess is final?"
"They did," William says.
Ambling to the center of the room, Prudence stands beside William and faces the coven. "I suggest we save another exhausting bout of magic for tomorrow. I, for one, need my rest."
"Agreed." Sara Beth joins us. "Trina is awake and has no recollection of the events these last few days. Her memory before then is spotty. Minerva will try to help her piece things together after she's rested."
"What will happen to her?" William asks.
Sara Beth opens her arms and shrugs. "That will depend on the circumstances of her possession. We shall have to wait and see."
Giving a nod, William takes my hand. "Then if you approve, High Priestess, we shall go home and return tomorrow afternoon."
For a moment, Sara Beth looks like she might say no. Then she gives him a nod. "If you run, I will find you, Sir William Meriwether."
"I will not run from you or my destiny. I will see you all tomorrow." Hand in hand, we go to the back door of the coven house with Henry at our heels.
Henry says, "I didn't know where you would spend the night, Miss Esme. I have brought Simon to Sir William's townhouse. I hope that was not presumptive."
A carriage waits in the alley. I've no idea how it was arranged, but I'm happy to not have to trudge home after such a night. "Thank you, Henry. That will be fine. I can check on my shop in the morning."
I'm glad to be back in Windsor. As we drive past the castle, I feel relief. "I think I'm better suited to the city."
William lifts our threaded fingers and kisses my knuckles. "What makes you say so?"
"I'm more at ease here. Though I hadn't really noticed my unrest until just now. It's good to be home." I lean my head on his shoulder.
"Is it okay that we're going to my townhouse? If you prefer your shop and rooms, I will follow you there." His cheek rests on the top of my head.
"Perhaps I misspoke. I prefer the city to the country, William, but wherever you are is my home. When I thought you would drown, and I had failed to save you, I knew nothing would ever take me from you again." My chest tightens over what a fool I've been. "Can you forgive me for shutting you out?"
He wraps his hand around my outer thigh and drags me into his lap. "Your concerns were valid. There is nothing to forgive. I will never stop loving you. Even if your goddess banishes me to some hellish solitude, I will love you still."
I meet his gaze and cup his cheek. " Goddess was present when you drew a first new breath on the edge of the pool. If she disapproved, she'd not have given me the ability to breathe life back into you."
"Why did she allow something evil to crawl inside Trina? Is she not one of Goddess's children? Should she not have been protected?" There is no mistaking the anger in William's tone.
"I don't know the answer to that. Choices are made. Perhaps Trina made some bad ones. Hopefully she will tell us what really happened in Kent."
The carriage pulls to a stop, and I slide from William's lap before Henry opens the door and places the step for us.
William jumps down and offers me his hand. I don't need the help, but I take his hand and keep hold of it as we climb the stairs to his townhouse.
Rogers opens the front door. "Welcome home, Sir. I'm happy to inform you that your mother has arrived this afternoon."
I freeze on the top step. "I shall return to the carriage. Please gather Simon for me."
Tightening his grip on my hand, William shakes his head. "Come and meet my mother, please."
My heart has lodged in my throat. "It is late, and your mother will think I’m your mistress or worse. Wouldn't it be better to meet your good mother during normal calling hours?"
His eyes fill with worry. "Please, Esme. Don't run away now."
