Page 2 of The Love Potion
“Ah, my lady,” Madame Ilie said with a heavy sigh. “A love potion is a very delicate process. It draws two together in a binding spell that only God can break—”
“Yes—”
“And it must be fashioned specifically for the two. Every potion must be different.” She shook her head. “It is very difficult. Very expensive.”
“I have the money, but I will not be cheated.” Zoe leaned forward. “Can you do this?” She turned to the older woman who did not appear to even breathe. “Can you?”
There was a long pause as no one spoke. Then the old woman’s veil rippled. That was all, but it was enough, apparently, for Madame Ilie.
“Who do you wish to catch? Do you demand marriage?”
Zoe jerked her head around. “Of course, I want marriage. What kind of person would enchant someone just to have them trail behind them like a puppy? And mind, it does not have to be a long-standing love. Just long enough—”
“For the wedding?”
“Exactly.” She arched her brows. “Do you have such a thing? Can you make it?”
“Who is the gentleman?”
Zoe sniffed. “Do you really need to know—”
“It must be made specifically for the woman and the man. I must know his name, his preferences, his past. Otherwise, it will not be effective.”
Kynthea had a moment of hope that this would dissuade Zoe from her path. The girl was secretive about her matrimonial choice, though she was open about everything else. But her hope died a second later when her cousin heaved a disgruntled sigh.
“Very well. The gentleman is His Grace, the Duke of Harle.”
Kynthea couldn’t restrain her gasp. Of course, her cousin would set her sights on the number one most desired bachelor in England. “Zoe, he’s twice your age!”
Undeterred, her cousin put more power into her voice as she listed his lordship’s attributes. “He likes cherry tarts and horses. Indeed, he once had the finest stable in England but it’s now lost its power because he’s not training them correctly. Since I too like horses a great deal, we shall make an excellent match. I have an adequate dowry, a fondness for cherry tarts, and an understanding of exactly what must be done to ensure that his stable remains at the peak of English pride for years to come.” She shot Kynthea a self-satisfied smirk. “We shall be an excellent match. All I need is a slight push to get him to realize the inevitability of our union.”
“With a love potion?” Kynthea said dryly. “Why not put it to him as bluntly as you have stated now?”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Because men need to feel as if they have come to a decision themselves.” She turned her gaze back to Madame Ilie. “It’s an easy thing. We’re already well matched. So will you make the potion or not?”
The woman pursed her lips as she seemed to consider. “You know nothing more of this man?”
“I know a great deal more about him,” Zoe returned. “His looks are as excellent as my own, his money as well. He became the duke at the age of eleven when his father raced a horse that wasn’t ready. The horse stumbled, the duke was thrown, and… Well, his son became the new duke. What else do you need to know?”
“That is his public face, my lady. I need to understand something more personal.” Zoe was about to object, but the lady held up her hand. “I can fashion a potion. It will look like water but have a scent. You must wear it like perfume when you next meet him.”
“And that will make him fall in love with me?” Zoe asked, her voice high with excitement.
Madame Ilie hedged. “It will begin the process. But you must then get the potion on his skin as well. As I said, it is to match you two together.”
Zoe nodded as if that made sense. “It should not be too hard—”
“Not hard?” Kynthea rasped. “Gentlemen are covered from head to toe. Their shirt points and cravats cover their necks. They wear gloves on their hands and hats upon their heads. Do you mean to splash this in his face?”
Zoe frowned. “I suppose if it is necessary. I know! I will trip and accidentally splash it on his face.”
“You think that will make a good impression?” Kynthea pressed. “Zoe, this is madness.” And if her parents found out, Kynthea would be sacked for sure. Imagine purposely throwing a love potion in a duke’s face!
Zoe dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “I’ll have someone else do it.”
“But—”
“So will you make it?” Zoe asked Madame Ilie. “Will it work?”
