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 Dianadidwant 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 outsideof 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,ifrumors 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.
