Page 97 of Magic Touch
"Trina will need a great deal of healing." So many worries tumble through my mind.
"She will and should come and stay with us to be cared for by you, and so she has a family who loves her." He's so good it's almost too much.
"You don't think the coven will give her what she needs?" I press my cheek to his chest, as most of the townspeople have left in these early morning hours.
His chest expands with a deep breath. "They will care for her, but it was this coven who sent her away when she was not ready. They put her at risk because they thought a girl without family should learn to be useful, even though she was vulnerable. If her mother were still alive, would they have sent her to Kent?"
"I don't know, but I would think her mother would have known she'd not be strong enough to fight dark magic," I admit.
"If you don't wish to bring her into our family, I understand. She has wronged us both, but it was not truly Trina committing those acts, Esme."
Easing back, I meet his gaze. "I know. I have no objections to caring for her. She'll need much care for some time. The things she's done and seen will stay with her all her life, and she'll need to learn to live with them and overcome them."
"Can you think of any other people in the coven who will offer to make her their family?" He lifts his brows, already knowing the answer.
"I don't know, and I can't say that I would trust her care to anyone else. Minerva is a fine healer, but I think she will be sent to Kent very soon." My stomach knots at the thought of my friend facing whatever danger lies in Kent.
William stiffens. "Is Minerva blessed with more than healing powers?"
"I suspect that she holds close her true abilities so as not to frighten the rest of us. Also, she is a strong shield. Dark magic will bounce off her."
"I really have so much to learn about magic and witchcraft. It's all so fascinating." He looks around the room at the remaining witches as if he's trying to decipher each one's gifts.
A long yawn pulls at me. "I think you must take me home, husband."
Grinning wide, he spins me once around the room. "It would be my greatest pleasure.
We gather our household, and William's mother, and make our way out to the two carriages and the cart that will carry us home.
Theodora rides with us. "You make a handsome couple. I'm very happy for you both."
"Thank you, Mother."
Smiling warmly at me, she says, "And I finally get the daughter I always wanted."
"I'm glad you aren't disappointed, Mrs. Meriwether. I'm sure a shopkeeper and a witch weren’t the notions you had to wed your only son."
She shrugs. "One adapts when the shopkeeper and witch is so magnificent."
Heat flushes up my cheeks.
William kisses the back of my hand. "We will bring the young witch Katrina Davidson to live with us, Mother. She's been ill and needs care."
Theodora cocks her head. "The skinny girl who sat on the steps most of the night? She looks as if she could use a few good meals."
"Indeed," I say. Those meals couldn't hurt either.
"There was much talk of trouble despite the festivities tonight." Theodora pulls at the edge of her glove.
"Yes. We have much to do to protect Windsor." I brace myself as the carriage pulls to a stop.
The staff is sent to bed, and other than Theodora's maid, relieved of their duties for the night. William and I are capable of getting ourselves ready for bed. We climb the stairs, and my legs feel like they're full of stones.
We slide into our bed without a word. I love the feel of his body wrapped around mine. In the back of my mind, the oddity of marrying a man who has expectations of a society wife worries me. I shall never be such a wife. Perhaps I am not all that he needs.
"What is it?" he whispers against the back of my neck.
I roll to face him. The fire and the breaking dawn light the room. "I must return to my shop tomorrow. I cannot be a lady who keeps your house and stitches useless pillows or paints tea sets."
