Jade mounted Zara behind me, and we rode for the outskirts of Carver, my friend and my sister conversing all the way as if they were the closest of companions.
Tessa’s eyes lit up when she saw Rowena, but she collected herself enough to introduce herself to Jade. While Jade exclaimed over the beeswax candles infused with lavender oil, I crossed my arms and balefully watched Tessa explain to Rowena that though her family name was Tanner, she had found the stench of her parents’ business unbearable. She had begun to make candles to combat the smell of animal flesh and the soaking of hides in urine.
Rowena nodded as if Tessa was telling a fascinating bedtime story about defeating a dragon.
“Are you seeing this?” I hissed at Jade.
Jade looked at me while bringing another candle to her nose and sighing. “They are so lovely. When Fox told me she didn’t like the way the keep candles smelled, it got into my head, and I can’t stand it now either.”
“They likely just use tallow, I wager,” Tessa said, having overheard.
“Well, they have to make them in bulk, don’t they?” I challenged her.
Rowena and Jade looked at me like I was crazed. The once-charged witch, abortionist, and outlaw who hated the church and kept folks’ banned books for them was suddenly defending the chandler practices of her accusers.
Tessa, gracious woman that she was, took no offense and nodded. “Oh, I understand. People need light in their homes. Can’t have flaming torches everywhere. Easier to make them cheap and with fat if you’re making them for so many. Your man’s a blacksmith, isn’t he? Does he make candlesticks?”
Jade answered for me and then began to ask if Tessa liked fish and would she like some smoked fish for a candle.
Rowena was looking at me with wide eyes. “Don’t be so rude,” she whispered.
“Don’t be so stupid,” I answered.
Her eyes went to the candlemaker. “It’s too late.”
“Trouble,” I quipped.
I was both wrong and right. Tessa changed everything but, because of Thane, there was no trouble.
Rowena must have gone home that night and convinced Thane to let their spare room to Tessa. She said Sheridan needed another source for candles and that the Ecclestonian woman could work alongside Rowena in the apothecary and sell her trade there. When Thane met Tessa, her size and attitude had apparently impressedhim. He was gone for long periods of time, and he liked the idea of a strong person at home with his wife and daughter.
And everyone who met Tessa liked her.
But I would wail about it to Avery, who, having found a fellow countryman in Tessa—and also a player of cards—wouldn’t hear a word.
“She is a damn sight more fun than half the folk in these parts,” he countered. “And nice too. Why take issue with this?”
I bit my tongue. I had never fully explained my sister and Ilsit to Avery, as it was not my secret to tell. Before I could make up my mind, Fox interjected.
Robbie thinks Rowena is in love with the chandler.
“Well, now,” said my husband, a grin on his face. “That is interesting.”
“It is an interestingcrime!” I shouted. “She is, firstly, already married. Secondly, two women or two men cannot be together?—”
“Not in this shit town,” Avery grumbled, taking a swig from his cup.
I snapped my fingers in his face while Fox hid a smile. “Don’t swear in front of the girl. Godsdamn it, Avery.” When I realized what I had said, I smiled reluctantly as he burst out laughing and Fox made her wheezing noises.
“Alright,” I said, snapping again. “But be serious. Neither of you were here when I was nineteen. You know what they did to Magda. Starling is a ruthless bastard. And Thane has—” I cut myself off. I had never broached the topic of Thane with Avery. “Thane has protected us somewhat, being married to my sister. If we lose his protection, I have to worry.”
“I can protect us,” my husband said, an edge of annoyance to his words. There were only two subjects that could cause my man’s back-slapping affability to disappear, the church and Thane.
In the end, whatever the conversation was that took place between him and his wife, Thane was merciful and understanding. Rowena told me that they had decided to dissolve their marriage inspirit, if they could not by law. He told her he would set her free as long as she was careful and as long as he still lived with his child. And their house with the apothecary became the home of an unusual family of four.
“He is often traveling anyway,” Rowena explained in a delighted voice to me in her kitchen while Tessa showed Fox and Adelaide how to dip wicks in wax.
I set my tin cup of tea down on one of her worktables. “And what do you say to your child?” I demanded. “How will you cross that crumbling bridge?”
