Page 81 of Magic Touch
Rogers returns with a platter of meat and cheeses, along with some fruit and wine.
He places it on the coffee table. "Cook apologizes that she has nothing grander. Anne said you had eaten."
William takes a small plate and napkin, and pops a piece of cheese in his mouth. "Tell Cook this is perfect. We did eat, but it was a difficult night, and this is exactly what we needed."
Rogers bows and leaves.
Once William fills the plate with one of everything on the platter, he hands it to me. "Eat, Esme. I know you're starved."
I don't know why my cheeks fill with heat over him caring for me in front of his mother, but I know I'm blushing like a girl.
He pours wine and offers a glass to his mother before he fills his own plate.
"You are in love with this woman?" Theodora lifts her wine and sips. Her eyes are the kindest I've ever seen, and when she looks at her son, the love there is vibrant.
Once he's swallowed a bite of ham, he puts his plate aside. "I love her with all my heart, Mother."
"Well, then, I shall not complain." She takes another sip. "You are a witch, Miss O'Dwyer?"
"I am. A healer. I have a shop on the other side of town." After eating a few bites that curb my hunger, I put my plate down and sip from my wine glass.
"And was it you who healed William's leg? I saw when he entered that he no longer limps or grimaces."
"That was the event that awakened his magic. It was not done intentionally. I wanted only to take his pain and help him. Since then, things have become rather—complicated." There's no point in lying about anything. This is the one person who may have answers about William's magic.
"How fascinating. From what my husband told me, his family came from a long line of healers. Is that your gift as well, William?"
"We are not really certain of the full nature of my magic. I can heal, but there is more. What else did Father say?" William sits forward, his eyes sparking with interest.
"He didn't like to talk about his ancestors. He said the sordid past of the Meriwethers was best left buried. I wanted to tell you. I thought it might help if any strange abilities came to light. However, your father said he wanted you to have a normal life with all the society and trappings he and his father had worked so hard to obtain." Tears make her eyes shine bright in the candlelight. She pats them away with her handkerchief. "I understood his wishes, but never thought him right."
"Then why didn't you tell me, Mother? Father has been dead for several years." William's tone is kind.
The love between mother and son is so obvious, I'm struck by how much I miss my parents.
"You were a man grown by the time your father passed. We thought surely you were past an age when any small magic would have appeared. I didn't see the point in telling you something you would never believe. You'd have thought me mad." She finishes her wine.
"Probably so," William admits. "My magic is, I'm discovering, unique. Perhaps that is why it lay dormant for so long."
With a shake of her head, Theodora declines another glass of wine. "Tell me what trouble you are in. Why did I feel I had to come to Windsor?"
"The coven here in Windsor is wary of male witches. They think they may need me for some coming danger, but they will test my magic to see if I follow the path of the light or the dark." Without rancor or fear lacing his words, he says it as if it's to be expected.
Theodora looks at me with wide eyes. "And if your coven finds something they dislike? You will let them harm him?"
Before I can speak, William says, "Esme is not a coven member. She has nothing to do with their decisions."
"My question stands." She narrows her gaze.
"I don't believe they will find any darkness within William. He is the kindest, most thoughtful, and honorable person I have ever known." I raise my hand to stop whatever she opens her mouth to say. "However, if the coven should wish to harm him, I will do all in my power to protect him, as they would be making a grave mistake."
Mollified, Theodora relaxes. "I do not know you, Miss O'Dwyer. Because my son loves you, I must trust you."
She stands and looks at both of us. "You both look ready to drop with exhaustion. I will say goodnight."
Simon cries as he jumps up on the seat she just vacated.
Scratching his head, she smiles. "I like this one."
