Manipulatingpeople wasn’t Mallory’s preferred way of doing business; experience had taught her that being upfront and honest was by far the best way to proceed. However, sometimes it was important to adapt to particular clients and she didn’t feel bad about twisting Old Man Stone-arm into doing what she wanted. Quite the opposite. And it was clear from High Priestess Vanessa Pitcairn’s face when she opened her front door that the witch felt the same.
‘I don’t know what you did or how you did it, but you’ve worked a miracle.’ Unexpectedly the witch drew her into a hug. ‘A bloody amazing miracle,’ she whispered. She pulled back. ‘Richard Stone-arm phoned me less than an hour ago. The Association’s solicitor is already preparing the paperwork and the restrictive covenant will be removed by the weekend.’
Mallory smiled happily. ‘I’m pleased to hear it.’
‘How did you do it? We’ve tried everything over the years – everything – and yet it’s only taken you a few days. Are you sure you’re just a squib?’
‘You don’t need magic to be powerful.’
‘Clearly.’ Vanessa gazed at her, still baffled as to how Mallory had achieved the seemingly impossible outcome the Pitcairn witches had always wanted.
Mallory took pity on her. ‘It was quite straightforward. The problem wasn’t Richard Stone-arm – in fact I suspect that he’s very happy at the final outcome because it’ll make his life easier. He told me that he likes you. It was his father, Old Man Stone-arm, who was causing the problems. Unfortunately he doesn’t like witches very much,anywitches, although the Witches Council is at the top of his list. Neither does he like being toldwhat to do. Or rather,’ she amended, ‘what not to do. I simply played on those aspects of his personality.’
‘I can’t say I understand, but I’m definitely grateful,’ Vanessa told her. ‘This will change everything for us. It’s only a few plants and herbs to you, but to us it’s our entire livelihood. I can’t thank you enough.’
‘All I need is what we agreed upon.’
Vanessa nodded. ‘The bellarmine jug is on its way. Give me your address and I’ll come by your place with it on Sunday morning.’
Mallory held her breath. ‘Really? An original jug?’
‘Yes.’
‘Without anything inside it?’
‘Yes.’
Mallory wanted to be absolutely sure. ‘That I can borrow until after August?’
Vanessa smiled. ‘That you can keep. It’s the very least I can do. I’ve pulled a few favours – somethingyouwill approve of. You will own the jug forever.’
Mallory exhaled; this was more than she’d expected. Given how difficult it had been to get hold of the darned jug, it would be good to keep hold of it once Chester Longchamps had finished with it. It might well come in handy in the future. ‘Thank you,’ she said whole-heartedly.
The High Priestess shook her head. ‘No. Thankyou.You are truly a wonderful woman.’
‘Alexander MacTire deserves a wonderful woman,or so you keep telling me.’ Boris jabbed at the first picture he’d pinned upon the wall. ‘She,’ he declared, ‘is wonderfulandalmost perfect for him.’
Mallory frowned at the photograph. ‘I’m not so sure.’
‘She’s his type physically.’
She was already shaking her head. ‘I’ve established that looks aren’t what turns Alexander on.’
‘Bullshit. If he says that, he’s lying.’
‘It might be what draws his attention to someone but looks won’t keep his attention. Remember, we’re looking for someone who will be with him for life. He wants a mate, someone who’ll be by his side as he leads the MacTires into the future. This has to be about more than looks.’
‘Mallory,’ the spriggan said patiently, ‘we’ve been through the guest list several times and we’ve researched every available woman. These are the top five and you know it.’ He pointed again at the first photograph. ‘Isadora Jones has to be number one. She’s intelligent, ambitious, kind and beautiful.’
Mallory picked up the first page of guest names; there was a star next to Isadora’s. ‘Alexander has dated her before.’
Suddenly Boris looked smug. ‘I looked into that. They dated for a couple of weeks more than ten years ago. They’re different people now, more mature. They know what they want whereas before they were young, naïve and easily confused.’
As Mallory stared at the picture of the stunning blonde werewolf, she had to admit that she’d be a good match for Alexander. On paper, anyway. She sighed. ‘Fine.’
‘Fine? Is that all you can say?’ He eyed her suspiciously. ‘Don’t you want him to succeed?’
‘Of course I do.’
