Page 12 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

“I thought you told me Lord Irwin wants to find that torch.”

“He does,” she explained, starting to pace again. “Rumor has it that it can be found somewhere here near Blake Castle. Lord Irwin knows I am revolted by the idea of marrying him. The only way I can get out of the betrothal is if he tells Father he doesn’t want to marry me after all. But he won’t do that unless I help him find the Eternal Flame because he wants it for himself.”

“I don’t think either of those things are going to happen, Sister. The Eternal Flame is naught but a myth just like I told you. And the reason no other man has ever wanted you was because they always thought you were a witch.”

“Shhh.” Hope put her finger to her lips. “Don’t let anyone hear you. The occupants of Blake Castle hopefully haven’t heard the gossip and I’d like to keep it that way for now.”

“It’s not gossip, Hope. It’s the truth. You are a witch. I’ve seen you make up potions and even recite spells when you didn’t think I was looking or listening.”

Hope let out a sigh. “You’re right. I have dabbled in things like that, but I honestly don’t know what I’m doing. You didn’t tell Father, did you?” she asked nervously.

“Nay, because I knew someday you’d find out what I like to do in secret and I didn’t want you to tell Father about that either.” She flashed a smile.

“Well, like you said, Father barely knows we even exist since we have three brothers to take his interest.”

“There you go.” Grace threw her hands up in the air. “Now, are you coming with me to town to find a tavern or am I going by myself?”

Hope put her hands on her hips and glared at her sister. It was time to get strict with her. Now she started wondering how long Grace had been pretending to be that shy, innocent girl that most people thought her to be.

“Neither,” Hope told her. “Now button up your gown and put your hose back on. We’re going down to the kitchen to see if anyone knows anything about Sir Rick.”

“Will there be men down there?” asked Grace with interest.

“None that you will be looking at. I’ll make certain of that.”

“I could teach you a few things about how to enjoy men, Sister.” Grace waggled her eyebrows. “With a little guidance, you might even have that Sir Rick eating out of your hand. So, tell me. Is he handsome?”

“That is none of your concern. And on second thought, we’ll just go to bed now and ask questions about Sir Rick tomorrow. I think the night is all too tempting for you.” Hope walked over and barred the door.

“Why don’t you just make up a potion or recite a spell to find the flame?” asked Grace.

“I can’t,” she said with a sigh. “I haven’t a mentor to guide me. I know only what I’ve read about in books or heard from gossip. I told you I only dabble in these things and I don’t know enough to bring about the results.”

“Then get the sorcerer’s relative to tell you how to do it.”

“Sir Rick?” She pondered the idea. “Nay. I don’t think he even knows a thing about magic or spells.”

“But if Orrick is related to him, then mayhap he has powers as well.”

“I suppose it could be so. I never thought of that.”

“If you don’t want to ask him if he has magic, then ask him to take you into the sorcerer’s tower instead. There, you can look around and mayhap find something that will help you.”

“That’s a thought,” she said, holding her finger to her lip. “Tomorrow, I will use Sir Rick to get into Orrick’s chamber. I saw some interesting things in there that I’d like to explore further. Who knows? Mayhap I’ll even find this Eternal Flame. Aye, I’ll look around or mayhap steal a key to get back into the room when no one is looking.”

“I like the way you think,” said Grace with a smile. “Mayhap I can help you.”

“Nay,” she said quickly, envisioning her sister trying to seduce the knight. “You stay away from Sir Rick.”

“That’s not what I mean – although I haven’t even seen the man. If he is as handsome as you say, I might change my mind. But for now, all I mean to do is act as a lookout. I’ll get in and out quickly and steal the key. Then we can sneak back to the tower room together.”

“You’d do this to help me?” asked Hope.

“Sure. Why not?” Grace pulled down her bodice and plumped up her breasts. “After all, I might find a love spell or something that I can use on a man if I need to.”

“I don’t think you’re the one who needs the love spell,” said Hope, wondering how she was going to convince Sir Rick she liked him after she’d stomped on his toe and slapped him across the face.

Chapter 4