James studied her and then pulled himself from the sofa, setting the brandy aside.

  Faye eyed it. “For one who is not bothered by the presence of Miss Vail, you are drinking spirits rather early in the day, aren’t you?”

  James narrowed his eyes on her. “If you are going to persist in speaking of Miss Vail, you can find someone else to accompany you into the village.”

  “Oh, very well. Be miserable. It matters little to me.”

  “Be certain to stop by the apothecary,” Lady Isolda said as she appeared beside the waiting carriage.

  Blast it all. Now he had two meddlesome women to deal with.

  “Why do you need to visit Bocka Morrow?” James asked as they settled into the carriage.

  “I wish to visit the apothecary,” Faye answered.

  James reached for the door to the carriage. Were Faye and Lady Isolda working together to upend his life? “Why?”

  “They carry the most delightful, fragrant soaps. The ones I purchased at Christmas are gone and I wish for more.”

  He let his hand drop back to the seat. It was an innocent enough reason and James did recall his sister going on and on about those delightful little soaps. “As long as that is all.”

  She blinked at him, her face masked in innocence. “What else would there be?”

  His sister was up to something though he doubted Faye was working in concert with a ghost. Just the same, he’d remain wary.

  “Did you know that The Hourglass is rumored to be owned by a witch?” Faye announced as the carriage pulled onto the road.

  “What is The Hourglass?” Though he was quite certain he didn’t care.

  “The apothecary,” Faye answered, as if he should have known.

  James narrowed his eyes on his sister. “Tell me that we are not visiting because of a witch.”

  She blinked again.

  “What are you planning, Faye?”

  “I simply wish to purchase soap. Though you might wish for something else.”

  “What could I possibly want from a witch?” He certainly didn’t need her assistance. Besides, a ghost had already inserted herself into his life, and that was more than enough for any gentleman.

  “A love spell.” Faye grinned. “Then you could win Miss Vail’s heart.”

  James massaged his forehead to relieve the growing tension. Maybe he was surrounded by bedlamites after all. “I’m not going to trick Miss Vail into loving me.”

  Not so long ago he had been certain of Diana’s love. She’d not uttered the words, but it was evidenced in their conversations, dances, stolen kisses, a shared passion… He’d been confident that if he’d asked for her hand that Diana would have accepted.

  In retrospect, having given the matter a good deal of thought, thoughts that had kept him awake most of last night, James had concluded that perhaps she hadn’t loved him at all. If Diana had, she wouldn’t have rejected him so quickly based on rumors or gossip. It didn’t matter that the statement was something he’d said a hundred times, the fact was that she’d heard it, accepted it, then condemned him without once asking him to even explain. That was proof she didn’t trust him, let alone love him. She should have come to him with her concerns, not accusations.

  Perhaps that is what angered and hurt him most. She hadn’t trusted him enough to come to him with her concerns. And even though James’ heart still longed for hers, he would not give it again until he was certain of hers, if he was ever certain.

  “Come now, James, I’m only teasing you. We both know none of this Cornish lore nonsense is real anyway.”

  “Maybe not a love spell,” he muttered. “But maybe something that would cause her to at least remain long enough for me to explain...”

  “You don’t really believe in all this, do you?” she asked in surprise.

  Actually, he was surprised that Faye had mentioned the witch in the first place, since she never believed in such nonsense, as she’d put it.

  James studied his sister. “Why is this so important to you?”

  “Can’t you just talk to her? I worry about you relying on a magic spell to solve your problems with Miss Vail.”

  Faye was the one who mentioned a spell. It hadn’t even occurred to him before, and James still wasn’t certain he believed in witches or spells of any of that.

  “I’ve one brother who is unhappy, miserable even, and I don’t wish to have another living in such a state. You’re only setting yourself up for disappointing if you put stock in these supposed witches.”

  “I’m not the one who mentioned witches in the first place,” his voice rose. “And you are the one who insists on visiting the apothecary, need I remind you.”

  “You mentioned something to make her stay.”

  “Let it go, Faye, I’ve no intention of seeking help from a supposed witch. It was simply wishful thinking.” He glanced out the window. “Perhaps you should worry about Benedict instead.” If anyone needed a keeper, it was his younger brother.

  Faye snorted. “Benedict isn’t my concern, but you and Markham. He needs to start living again, and you need to get Miss Vail back.”

  “Markham is living,” James assured her of their older brother, to which Faye snorted again.

  “He does what he needs for his estate and daughters, but a part of him died right along with his wife. You know that as well as I.”

  Reluctantly, James had to admit that his sister was correct. Yet, he didn’t see Markham falling in love with anyone else and he would most likely remain unattached for the rest of his days.

  “Instead of worrying about me and Miss Vail, perhaps you should put your mind to Markham.” Maybe if Faye was too busy meddling in Markham’s life, she’d leave him alone.

  Lord help him from meddling females!

  After Diana had arrived back at Hollybrook Park yesterday, she’d gone directly to her chambers and had a good long cry. She then vowed not to go near the castle until all the guests were gone, especially the Earl of Somerton. In fact, she wasn’t going to leave Hollybrook Park.

  “Oh, Diana, you must accompany me into Bocka Morrow. I don’t wish to go alone,” her sister begged while they broke their fast.

  “Nor should she. Not with so many visiting the castle,” Adam insisted.

  “She can take a maid,” Diana suggested, not that she believed anything would happen to her sister between here and the village.

  “That’s no fun. I wish for you to go with me.”

  “What of Cordelia or Adriana?” One of her younger sisters could accompany Miranda just as well as Diana.

  “I need to finish the gown I’ve been working on as soon as we’ve finished our breakfast,” Adriana answered with excitement. Her sister had taken a great interest in designing and sewing gowns of late. Though Diana couldn’t understand her passion, especially when there was a perfectly good modiste in Bocka Morrow.

  But at least her sister did have an interest. Since Somerton had broken her heart, Diana couldn’t find any enthusiasm for the pastimes she’d once enjoyed.

  Diana looked to Cordelia with a lift of an eyebrow, hoping she’d accompany Miranda.

  “I’d like to go into Bocka Morrow, as I need to visit Pennick’s Book Shop.” Then Cordelia pinned their youngest brother with an irritated, bordering on hateful, glare. “However, I’m to watch Edward this morning to make certain that he doesn’t get up to any more mischief.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said as if he’d said it so many times already that they should leave him be.

  “You shouldn’t have been throwing rocks in the first place,” Adam disciplined. “What even possessed you to do so?”

  Diana had only heard a bit of what had occurred yesterday, something about her brother throwing rocks and one struck a female guest at the castle causing her harm.

  It was one thing to throw rocks because, well, he was a boy. It was quite another to do so around people. Adam should blister his bottom for having done so. Afterall, Adam was the closest thing Edward had to a father since theirs had died when Edward was only a year old.

  “I was aiming at the pixies.”

  “Pixies!” Cordelia slammed her hands down on the table, pushing herself up and out of her seat. “Have you lost your mind? Do you know what trouble they can cause for us? Oh, I’d like to box your ears.”

  Then she glared at Adam for having failed as an older brother.

  “He’s to be punished,” Adam ground out.

  “I’ll see that he is,” Cordelia announced then narrowed her eyes on Edward. “As soon as we are finished here, you are going to march right out to the gardens and begin cleaning out weeds and debris. Then this evening you will go out there and play your flute for their enjoyment, all the while apologizing for your childish behavior.”

  Edward’s eyes widened and he looked to Adam for help.

  Their older brother shrugged. “It seems perfectly reasonable to me.”

  “What of gifts?” Adriana asked.

  “Yes, gifts should be given as well,” Cordelia agreed.

  “What kind of gift do you give a pixie?” Edward asked in confusion. “They are just little things, all bothersome and such.”

  Cordelia glared at him. “They are not bothersome, but can be quite mischievous if angered, Edward Vail. You will deliver gifts.”

  “I’ve bits of lace and ribbon left over from the dress I’ve been sewing,” Adriana offered. “I’ll see that they are given to Edward for him to leave in the garden.”

  All of this was well and good, but it still didn’t free Diana from having to accompany Miranda into Bocka Morrow. Unless… “I can see that Edward cleans the garden if you wish to go to Pennick’s Book Shop.”

  Cordelia frowned. “I thank you, but I need to make certain Edward does as he’s told, with my supervision, or who knows what havoc the pixies may cause.”

  Diana’s encounters with pixies had been few. In fact, until yesterday, when they helped Sirs Orwen and Gilbert hide the path, she’d not had dealings with them since she was a child. And, given what they’d done, she wasn’t all that anxious to help her younger brother apologize. The pixies should be apologizing to her for leaving her vulnerable.

  Miranda grinned at Diana and stood. “Shall we?”

  As their breakfast was concluded, there wasn’t any further argument she could make and thus Diana found herself making the trek into Bocka Morrow. Thankfully Miranda had suggested the shorter path to the village. It may take them through Keyvnor land, but Diana was unlikely to encounter Somerton.

  Unfortunately, no sooner had she stepped onto Keyvnor land than those blasted knights were back.

  “We have news,” Sir Orwen announced.

  “It’s urgent that we speak. Love hangs by a delicate thread. If you do not act, the mate of your heart might be lost to you forever,” Sir Gilbert insisted in his overly dramatic manner.

  Had Diana been alone, she would have told them to go away, not that it ever did any good to do so.

  “There is no insurmountable situation that can’t be overcome, and I urge you not to be led by emotions.”

  Diana narrowed her eyes on Sir Gilbert. Oh, she’d love to give him a tongue lashing. Led by emotions indeed! How dare he make such a suggestion. Yes, her emotions were engaged, but so was her mind and she knew what was best for her. Not two ghosts who have been haunting these lands for centuries.

  “Your heart aches for him as his does for you,” Sir Gilbert insisted. “They are meant to beat as one. Hearts and souls united. A passion to surpass all others. Desire that others can only dream of. A future to behold, bathed in gold and hope. A life of—.”

  “—Bugger it,” Sir Orwen barked. “This is a serious matter, not an epic love poem.”

  “Their love is epic.”

  Diana blew out a sigh and rolled her eyes. She’d get no peace while these two continued to pester her.

  “I promise that you will enjoy yourself,” Miranda insisted and linked her arm with Diana as she misinterpreted the sigh.

  “Exactly what are you shopping for?” Miranda never mentioned a specific item. Not that it mattered, but the more she was in conversation with her sister, the better chance she had of blocking the menacing knights and their inane chatter.

  Miranda shrugged.

  Her sister never did anything without a purpose.

  “Why are we really going to Bocka Morrow?” Diana demanded.

  “To visit the apothecary.” Miranda admitted.

  “Yes, yes, the apothecary, an excellent idea,” Sir Gilbert proclaimed.

  “No. It isn’t. She’s a witch,” Sir Orwen argued. “We are in this predicament because of blasted witches.”

  Now Diana did want to listen to them and if she were alone, she’d demand to know why witches had cursed them in the first place. Though, if they were as irritating three centuries ago as they are now, that could have been reason enough.

  “Such language in front of the maidens,” Sir Gilbert chastised. “You really must do better, Orwen.”

  “Only one heard me and Miss Vail has not exactly been innocent in her speech. She’s thrown out a ‘blast’ on more than one occasion.”

  Usually when she was around them.

  “Why the apothecary?” Diana asked as she couldn’t get any answers from the knights.

  “Um, errr,…well…soaps. The wonderful rose and sage one I purchased before we traveled to London is gone and I must have more.”

  Though it was a reasonable explanation, the fact that Miranda took time in answering heightened Diana’s suspicious. Her sister wanted to visit the apothecary for another reason.

  “What do you hope to gain from this witch? What is it that you need?” Had she been so caught up with her own misery that Diana had missed a concern about her sister.

  Miranda shook her head. “Nothing for me but something for you.”

  Diana stopped. “Me? I need nothing.”

  Miranda pulled on Diana’s arm to keep her walking. “I see two options. One.” She held up her index finger. “Something to heal your heart so you are no longer in pain.”

  Oh, if only there were such a potion or spell.

  “The other.” She held up another finger. “A love potion so that you might win Somerton for good.”

  Diana stopped again. “I will not use a potion or spell to trick him into loving me.”

  “Very well,” Miranda sighed. “Something to heal your heart, though I do believe you are being shortsighted as to the other.”

  Diana didn’t need either, which her sister would learn once they reached the apothecary.

  Chapter 6

  James paused outside of the apothecary. Was he really going to ask for a potion from a witch?

  Shaking his head, he pulled the door open for his sister, then jumped out of the way as a black cat ran out. Of course there’s a black cat. The proprietor was a witch, if rumors were to be believed, and didn’t all witches keep a cat?

  His rational mind had decided that whoever owned the shop was no more a witch than he was. But, given this was Bocka Morrow with residents who believed in magic, ghosts, pixies and mermaids, they’d believe a woman who sold herbs and soaps to be a witch.

  With those thoughts, James stepped inside and was immediately assaulted by the strong aroma of herbs, spices and flowers. His nose nearly burned from the onslaught.

  “May I help you?” An older woman with long black hair streaked with grey greeted him. Blue woad markings of Celtic symbols were upon her fingers and knuckles, which were quite fascinating. As it was impolite to stare, James focused on her face. She certainly had the eccentric appearance of a witch, he supposed. Though she was far from the hag he’d imagined.

  “I’m with my sister.” He nodded to Faye who was sniffing the different soaps.

  “Are you certain there isn’t something you need for yourself?” She pinned him with such an intense stare that James wondered if the witch could see into his mind, his soul.

  “You come seeking help, yet you are afraid to ask.”

  James hated that his face began to heat. He was not a gentleman who became embarrassed.

  “I can assure you, that I am in need of nothing.” Besides, if he did ask the witch for assistance, he’d never hear the end of it from Faye.

  “Come.” She stepped from behind the counter. “Share a cup of tea with me and tell me what burdens you.”

  “I should remain with my sister.”

  The witch chuckled. “Your sister will smell the soaps over and over until she decides. She’ll then spend time with the sachets and candles.”

  There was no harm in a cup of tea, he supposed, and hopefully, the air wasn’t so pungent in the other room, as he was beginning to develop a headache.

  The witch led him to the back where there was a small kitchen and he took a place at the table as she went about heating water. She said nothing, nor did she ask questions and James grew uncomfortable sitting in the silence.

  “I am Brighid,” she finally said as she gathered cups. “You are?”

  For a moment he considered giving a false name so that nobody would ever learn that he was here. “James Bryant.” Instead, he just omitted his title.

  Brighid tilted her head and smiled. “It is an honor to have the Earl of Somerton in my humble shop.”

  How the blazes did she know who he was?

  Then again, she was a witch, supposedly.

  She placed a cup in front of him, the liquid was not as dark as the tea he usually enjoyed, but light, almost a pale greenish, yellowish brown. James leaned forward to sniff.

  “Sip and reflect. I will return momentarily.”

  He didn’t come here just to drink tea. Blast it all. And what the hell did she wish for him to reflect upon? He already knew what he wanted: A chance to explain to Diana and to also protect his heart to keep from falling in love with her again or being hurt.

  Oh, Diana did enjoy being in the apothecary. A delightful little shop filled with herbs, candles and whatnot. It also smelled delightful, as if she’d stepped into the garden filled with fragrant wildflowers. She paused just inside the door and inhaled deeply, bringing all the fragrance into her being before blowing out a breath and almost instantly she relaxed.