Page 11 of A Duke Under Her Spell
Ye will never find the treasure ye seek.’
And with that the maiden leapt from the tower
Surrendering her life, but never her power
For if ye go walking in the forest of Arkley
Ye might just find the witch of Blackleigh.”
Felix smiled as shivers ran along his skin just as it had when he was a boy. “A damning tale to be sure.”
“It is at that.” The Earl nodded in agreement. “I will never forget the look in my grandfather’s eyes when he first told me the tale. It was as if he were lost in the very moment itself. It was told to every generation of my family for as far back as anyone can remember.”
“Many have come here searching for the treasure, but none have ever found it.”
“Did you ever look for it, Your Grace?” Lady Cordelia asked, her manner reserved, but her eyes were wide with curiosity. Felix could tell that she was enthralled by the tale.
“No, I never did.”
“How could you not? It is within your possession,” the Earl asked indignantly. “Not even as a boy?”
“Nay, not even then. It was forbidden by my father. He deemed it unsafe, foolish behavior for the heir of Arkley.”
“And you never disobeyed him?”
“Nay, never.” Felix could not imagine disobeying his father. He had had far too much respect for the former Duke, as well as a healthy dose of fear for whatever punishment his actions would have warranted. Felix had taken his responsibilities as his father’s heir very seriously from a young age. As his father had died sooner than expected, Felix’s diligence had proven to be wise.
“I see,” the Earl eyed him doubtfully, but said nothing more on the matter.
Felix rang for tea and within moments footmen arrived with trays of food and drink. The sound of a horse approaching caused the party to turn towards the forest. Oliver approached with Miss Wright at his back. Felix waved them over and assisted the healer from the horse. “Miss Wright, won’t you join us for tea?”
“Thank you, Your Grace, but perhaps it would be best if I were to go and settle in first.”
“Settle in?” Lady Cordelia inquired with an arched brow eyeing the newcomer suspiciously.
“Yes, Miss Wright has agreed to come and stay with us here at Arkley Hall as a healer for my mother. I am most grateful, Miss Wright.” Felix bowed humbly over her hand.
“A healer?” Lady Cordelia turned her nose up in disdain.
“Yes, she is the first to offer hope for the Dowager Duchess’s condition. We are quite pleased to have her here.”
“And where do you hail from Miss Wright?” Lady Cordelia asked.
“Arkley Forest,” Miss Wright answered. “My family has had a croft there for many generations.”
The Earl’s brow raised. “Oh? Wright you say?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“Any relation to the witch, Abigail Wright?”
“To the healer, Abigail Wright, yes,” Miss Wright corrected. Felix cleared his throat and gave the Earl a warning look. “Did you know my grandmother?”
“We stumbled across one another in the forest a time or two, yes. A woman of unique character, if I might be so bold in my saying so.”
“Yes, she was.” Miss Wright’s eyes took on a faraway look as if she were remembering a pleasant moment in the past.
“I am sorry that I did not get the chance to meet her,” Felix replied sincerely. “I would very much like to have met the woman who taught you your healing skills. I was just about to go and look in on Mother before you arrived. Please, allow me to escort you to your room and then you may return and join us for tea or perhaps you might join me for a chat before dinner this evening.”
