The Witch's Thief by Tricia Schneider Read Free Book Online Page A

married.”
    “You never…?” This time Basil blinked. It took a moment for the information to sink into his brain. Then he struggled against the blanket like it turned into a heavy iron manacle designed to imprison him. He leaned forward, his eyes wide and wild. Julia inhaled sharply at the sight. For a moment, he looked like a madman.
    “What happened to Walters? Were you not to marry Walters?”
    Julia stared incredulously. “Walters?”
    “George Walters.”
    The mere notion of marrying George Walters made her laugh. True, at one time they were friends. They spent many days at George’s home at Bramford. As children, the three often roamed the forests outside of Meryton, the village near Merriweather Manor.
    But, all that changed after Basil left. George’s interest in their friendship waned. He moved to London. Julia stayed home, caring for her father and young sister.
    “Why ever would you imagine I married him ?”
    Basil stilled. Then in jerky movements, he leaned back into the chair, gathering the blanket back over his arms.
    “I... Someone must have written the news in a letter. I was certain you married long ago. Shortly after I left, in fact.”
    “Well, you were misinformed,” Julia said. “He never asked me to marry, and even if he had I would have said no.”
    Basil stared in solemn silence.
    Julia narrowed her eyes. She wished she had the power to peek inside his mind. What was he thinking? Why had he thought she’d married George Walters, of all people? Did he not know her feelings? Had she not made it plain to him when they were children? Or after they had grown? Just before he left?
    She remembered the kiss they shared beneath the willow tree outside their village. Surely, he had known her heart’s desire. She must have spoken of her love for him. Before she knew it, he was gone, off to roam the world to seek his fortune, or some such. No one knew quite why he left so suddenly.
    But, Julia knew.
    It only made sense.
    He left because of her. She, the silly girl, who had declared her love. And he fled. She remembered the day vividly. After spending most of their childhood together as friends, sharing grief over the death of his parents, watching each other grow from children into adults, Julia at last shared her desire for him one spring day ten years ago. Quick as a flash, he disappeared. Like magic. Her lips twisted in a sardonic smile. Basil was good at magic. She wished he’d cast a memory spell over her before he left, something to make her forget the pain.
    “Julia.”
    She stood and shook her head.
    “It’s late, Basil. Too late to discuss any of this.” She moved around the chair, placing it between them like a shield. “Do you need anything before I leave? A drink? Something to eat? You look rather pale, I believe.”
    “N-no,” Basil said. Then more firmly, “No. I’m quite all right.”
    “You do not look it.”
    The corner of his mouth curved into a wry smile. “I appreciate the observation, but I assure you, I’m fine.”
    Julia nodded. She cast one more inquiring look in his direction. She thought of the book, but decided it was best not to draw attention to it. She’d come back for it later.
    “Good night,” she said and left.
    ****
    Basil wasn’t all right. He shivered and tugged the blanket closer to his chilled body. The heat from the fire did nothing to warm him. He wished more than anything to crawl to his room, find his bed and get some much needed rest, but he feared he wouldn’t make it to the stairs without collapsing.
    Ringing for the servants to assist him was out of the question. They would run to Aunt Petunia in the morning to share this bit of news about her nephew’s failing health. News he did not wish for her to know. In fact, he didn’t wish for anyone to know. Bad enough his brother guessed the truth years ago. No one else needed to know his fate.
    Basil shook his head in disgust.
    After all of these years of subterfuge, of keeping secrets,