Bewitching My Love by Diane Story Read Free Book Online Page B

of my life, for good.” She was working hard to keep herself from shaking, her teeth rattled together as if she were cold. “E-Even if it meant I-I had to kill you! Oh my God R-Rowen, what are we to do now? If she can get to me t-this easily, I don’t think I should be left alone any m-more.”
    He nodded his head to agree. “This means we stick together from now on, Fern, no matter what. We’ll just have to think of a way to conceal your face. I think if you wear your cape and put a cloth over your face, no one will know. We’ll work it out in the morning. Come back over here and lie next to me, I know you’re frightened.” He wound his arms around her as she cuddled close.
    Fern would have found her way eventually even without his invitation. Somehow the fact that she was practically naked didn’t seem to matter any more. When the muscles of his arm wrapped around her, she lost all fear. But when the soft stubble of his short beard rubbed against her forehead she knew that all she had to do was look up into his eyes and the spell would start all over again. She feared she would not have the ability to stop if it did.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    “ I tell your worship the truth, Mary Wilds is a witch.” Sarah stood in front of the judge, tears streaming down her cheeks “Sir, I say before God, and before your worship, that I know Mary Wilds is a witch. I witnessed her practicing her witchcraft.”
    “ Has Mary Wilds hurt you, Sarah Nichols?” Judge Hauthorn sat forward in his chair listening to yet another story of witchcraft. How many more would have to die before his village was free of this curse?
    “ No, your worship. I have not been hurt.” She looked down at the pebbles under her feet and smiled. He believed her. She was still angry with Jonathan for trying to keep her quiet with a gift. He was her husband; she would make Mary suffer for trying to take him from her.
    “ Go back to your home, Sarah Nichols and tell thy husband to come here. I will have him arrest Mary Wilds straight away.”
    * * * *
    Fern was feeling a little apprehensive, as much as she wanted to go to the village. She feared the unknown. “I’m nervous Rowen, today is the seventh of June, isn’t Mary supposed to be arrested today?”
    “ Yes, Fern. That is why we have come to the village. To make sure history takes place the way it is supposed to. I don’t understand the powers of Elizabeth Wilds; I’m hoping she hasn’t done anything to stop it again.”
    “ Forgive me sir, I meant not to step in your and your lovely wife’s way.”
    They stood maybe ten feet apart. Fern and Rowen were both practically speechless when they realized the woman was Mary. Rowen cleared his head and managed to speak first.
    “ Pardon me, madam.” Her smile was breathtaking, almost as beautiful as Fern’s.
    “ What sort of language do you speak, sir? You be not from our village, lest I would have noticed you before now. Who is your family?” Mary noticed he didn’t wear a wig. Not many of the men in her village were seen without them nowadays. She found it attractive, much more masculine.
    Rowen had no clue what to do; she’d picked up on his English quickly. Well, he couldn’t stand here looking like an idiot. He would have to respond. “We are only passing through, madam, I am not a relative to anyone in your village.”
    She smiled, what strange place did this man come from? And the woman by his side, she was familiar. Surely they had met before today. “You do speak stran— She looked past him. Jonathan was approaching them from across the road. He never approached her in public. She looked around to make sure they wouldn’t be noticed before bringing her eyes back to his. But his eyes betrayed him, something was wrong. He stood away from her, with shackles dangling from his hands to rest against his thighs.
    “ Mary Wilds!” Jonathan swallowed the lump in his throat as he called to her.
    What was