At the carriage house, I grabbed from under my seat the basket that had been packed earlier with dried herbs, a flint, and my sheath. Henry helped me down and together we walked toward the woods. I still wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about having him stand sentry, but he would have it no other way while the murderer remained at large.
When we reached the altar, he untied my laces and then turned his back while I changed. Dressed in my sheath, I knelt down to light the herbs. As the fragrant smoke filled my nose, I began to recite the Gaelic words, all the while cognizant of Henry standing only a few feet away, watching me.
Normally I would have lingered in the garden, absorbing its vitality. Anxious to get back to Henry, I only stayed long enough to drink from the spring before hurrying back into the mortal world. My body felt warm with Brigid’s power, fully rejuvenated. I opened my eyes and found Henry in the same place, his gaze steadfast on my face.
Seeing I had returned, he walked over to help me up. With his free hand, he smoothed the hair back from my forehead. “I saw when your spirit came back into your body.”
It was an intense experience moving between the two worlds, but I had no idea the transition was visible. “How could you tell?”
“The coloring in your face changed. Once you finished chanting, you turned very pale and became still as a statue. When you returned, your cheeks became flushed as though you had just come out of the sun.” He pulled me to him and kissed me. “And you feel different, like there is power all over your skin. I can almost taste it.”
“It will soon subside.”
“That’s too bad,” he said, his voice growing noticeably deeper. “I like how it feels.”
Warm tension began to spread through my abdomen. “We need to be careful,” I warned, feeling somewhat breathless. “Brigid is also a goddess of fertility. My ability to withstand your charm is significantly diminished when I’ve just returned from the Otherworld.”
“My charm?” he laughed softly. “By chance are you referring to my intense desire to bed you?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling up at him. “I was just trying to be more subtle.”
“There’s nothing subtle about how much I want you.” His arms shook slightly as he fought to maintain control. Drawing in a long deep breath, he released it slowly, and let me go. “That sheath leaves very little to the imagination in the daylight. You should change before my charm gets the best of both of us.”
It took every ounce of restraint to walk away. Ducking behind the nearest tree, I dressed quickly before either of us had a chance to reconsider, even managing the ties by myself. Once I finished, we started along the path toward home. Returned from the Otherworld, I was anxious to learn the other reason why we couldn’t marry yet.
“I’m famished,” Henry said as we arrived at the front door. “I’ll speak to Karta directly about our picnic. Do you have any preferences?”
I took off my straw hat and tossed it on a side table. “Roasted chicken, if there’s any left over, and pickled beet.”
Mary bustled into the foyer to meet us. “There’s a gentleman waiting, ma’am,” she said nervously. “He’s asking to speak with Lord Fitzalan. I’ve told him there’s no one here by that name, but he insisted on staying until ye returned.”
“Where is he?” Henry asked, his voice suddenly tense.
“In the drawing room, sir.”
We hadn’t gone a single step before a young man hurried toward Henry. “My Lord!” Thank God I’ve finally found you! All this time I feared you were dead.”
“James!” Henry said, excitement lighting his face. “How did you know where to find me?”
“One of your cousin’s accomplices. Two weeks after you left he had a change of heart and confessed everything. An arrest warrant was issued, but word reached him and he fled across the channel into France.”
Henry put a hand on James’ shoulder and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. James nodded slowly and looked at me.
“Selah,” Henry said, turning to me. “This is my dear friend, Mr. James Roth. He’s just arrived from England.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir,” I said with a small curtsy.
“And you, ma’am,” James said, bowing politely.
“Mary, will you please show Mr. Roth upstairs to a room,” Henry asked. “He’ll be staying at Brighmor awhile.”
“Yes, sir,” Mary said and started for the stairs.
James shot Henry a quizzical look. “But, sir,” he protested. “I promised your father we would sail immediately for England.”
“I’ve business to take care of first,” Henry said. “Go upstairs and settle in. I’ll be up shortly to talk.”
Offering no further protest, James turned and followed Mary.
“Would you mind if we postpone our picnic?” Henry asked once they were gone. “I need to speak with James.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Well, my lord, we should have just enough time to talk while James settles into his room.”