Page 26 of Heart of a Witch
“Morning, love,” I said, then sat upright, noticing she was already pulling on her stockings. “You not staying for breakfast?”
She stretched her thin, rosy lips into a smile. “I should go before my husband notices, although I’m sure he won’t after his night at his gentlemen’s club. He will have drunk his weight in brandy—to our advantage.” She whispered a kiss against my lips after pulling her shoes on. “You know, you should find yourself a wife sometime.”
I wiped the beads of sweat that had collected above my brows. “Why ever would I do that?”
“For company, Elijah. I’ve known you since we were in school. You get lonely.”
I smiled. I’d always liked Amber, and if she hadn’t got married to that oaf, I supposed she would be the least objectionable option, but even she had tired of waiting for me to propose all those years ago. “I suppose you do make marriage sound so very charming.”
She rolled her eyes. “You are a man, Elijah. You don’t need to marry for security or reputation. You can choose someone you really like. Besides, my husband isn’t that bad. He’s just a little… boring.”
“Is that why you’re in my bed and not his?” I smirked. “I’m not complaining.”
“You’re so bad.” She kissed my cheek. “I love it.” She stood. “I best be going. Good day, Elijah. We shall see you at your ball.” She squeezed my shoulder as she left.
I exhaled deeply. I wished she hadn’t had to leave so soon, because once I was alone, images of the nightmare flooded back. Then came the sounds of Corbin screaming, but at least this time they weren’t real.
I stood, forcing out a tense breath, then pulled off my shirt. Amber hadn’t yet asked why I never took it off during the night. Perhaps she thought us so hot with lust that we couldn’t fully undress before fucking.
A housekeeper knocked on the door. “Mr. Shaw, sorry to wake you,” she said through the door.
I shook my head. She knew I was up. She’d have seen Amber leave. I pulled my pants up and opened the door. “What’s wrong?”
“We’ve just received word Father Shaw is returning tonight.”
“Where’s Corbin?”
She cleared her throat, averting her gaze. “Master Corbin hasn’t been seen since yesterday evening.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, searching for the thread of patience I had to have somewhere. “Do you know where he went?”
“One of the maids spotted him when she left last night, down by the old apothecary shop on Canal Street, with some of his friends.”
I gritted my teeth. That was kind of her to call those heathens his friends. They were more like users of his money to fund their habits. “I’ll go to their hangout spot before my suit fitting. Please have the maids draw me a bath.”
She nodded and turned to leave. I bit my bottom lip, feeling bad for what I’d said the other day. “Thank you.”
She half smiled and hurried down the corridor. Once she’d gone, I rubbed my forehead, smoothing the wrinkles. I had to straighten Corbin up before Father returned. He was hard enough on my brother as it was, which was half the reason Corbin was down there to begin with.
Father had told him since he was young about how he was the product of witchcraft and the reason for our mother’s death. It was bullshit, but my brother suffered for our mother’s actions regardless. I wondered what was worse: believing he was the reason she’d died or being hated by the only parent he had left?
***
The town center was emptier today than normal. I straightened my shirt, glad for the walk to clear my head. Fractured dreams from the night before slowly faded the faster I went. I waved at the only remaining priest left behind, who was unsurprisingly about to enter a not-so-secret brothel, as he diverted himself past the white building. I wouldn’t have said anything, but fuck if he knew that.
“We need to get your uniform first.” A voice I didn’t recognize pulled my attention to the other side of the narrow street. Straight, dark hair ran like silk down her chest and stopped at her waist. Her black dress hugged her curves, with lace barely covering her bronzed arms and neck. She argued with a younger version of herself, who I assumed was her sister.
Passersby glared at her when they walked past, looking her up and down. Their disapproving pinched frowns I knew too well. Whenever someone new came to town who was a little different, they were given the same welcome.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, crossing the road after a carriage pulled by. Her eyes found mine, widening as I approached. My heart skipped a beat when she smiled. I hadn’t expected such a warm, approving smile, or kindness in her gaze.
I stopped in front of her, glancing at the young one, then back at the mystery woman. “Hello.” I croaked but quickly cleared my throat. “Uh, I’m Elijah. You must be new to town.”
Amusement glittered in her eyes. “I’m Victoria.”
I extended my hand, and she shook it, taking a step closer. I breathed in her scent: jasmine and honeysuckle and perhaps something else, but I couldn’t pinpoint what.
“This is… Eva.” She hesitated, pointing toward the shorter version of herself, who smiled back at me broadly.
