The Witch's Thief Read Online Free Page B

sounded foreign to her ears. “Basil.”
    The corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile. He seemed about to say more when they both turned toward the sound of commotion coming from the stair. Julia heard Mrs. Prescott’s high tones inquiring after Basil’s condition. Parker would have told her how they found him.
    “Do not mention the state of my health.” Basil spoke quickly for they had only moments before his aunt arrived. “She is not to be made aware of your concerns. Promise me.”
    Julia swallowed hard, warring over her loyalty to his aunt who had come to care for her during her time of need and that of the man she had once given her heart and soul. The urgency in his eyes persuaded her. She nodded. He visibly relaxed.
    What was wrong with him? What was he hiding?
    She had no time for any further thought, for Mrs. Prescott bustled into the room, Parker at her elbow.

Chapter Two
    “Basil? My boy?” Aunt Petunia’s voice pierced his heart.
    He glanced at Julia. Gods, it was Julia . Dredging up every last bit of strength left in him, he forced his thoughts away from the woman beside him and stood on his own. His legs felt like pudding and his knee’s trembled. He prayed he might remain on his feet until he could seat his aunt in the chair next to him. He did not want her aware of his condition. It had never been his intention to tell any of them. He’d not change that now.
    “Auntie!”
    “My stars! It is you!” Petunia’s eyes widened, her smile blossomed on her rosy cheeks. She looked just as he remembered. Her hair was pulled under a cap, though several loose strands revealed the snow-white shade. Her blue eyes were round and wide and full of joy as she rushed with Parker’s assistance to his side. Basil took a slow step toward her, trying to appear as though all was well. Several inches shorter than his own massive height, the top of her head barely reached his chest when she embraced him.
    He smiled. How often in his past had he run to this woman in need of someone to soothe his hurts and ease his fears? She had been the rock he relied on after his parents’ death. His caretaker, his strength. Now that he was grown and their roles were all but reversed, he knew he’d need to appear as strong and confident as was possible. Especially if he wished to hide any secrets from her. Aunt Petunia was sharp as a blade. In his youth she’d seen through many of his childish lies. He only hoped that in her joy of seeing him returned, she didn’t look too closely at what he didn’t want her to witness.
    “Parker tells me he discovered you unconscious in the hall,” Petunia said, pulling away to look up at him.
    “A mere trifling,” Basil said. “When I stepped out of the mirror, I slipped and fell into a table in the hall.” He lifted his hand to the sore spot on his head. “Like a fool, I hit my head.”
    “Basil!” she said, then motioned for him to sit in the chair. With immense relief, he obeyed. She took a moment to inspect his head, ascertaining for herself the extent of his injury. “A simple poultice will see this healed. I can prepare it momentarily.”
    “No need, Auntie. I’m fine,” Basil said.
    “Well, my stars, it does me good to see you, my boy!” Petunia stated then leaned back to get a good look at him. “You’ve grown. Why were you gone for so long? I could have been dead and buried before setting eyes on you again. Did I not say so, Julia? Many times over the years. Oh, Julia,” Petunia said, turning to face the woman. “You know my nephew Basil. My dearly departed niece’s son. You were much attached as children, if I recall. Basil, do you not remember our neighbor Miss Grey? It has been a long time, indeed, if you should forget her. She spent more time here with you than your sisters, to be sure! She’s come to keep company with me at Merriweather as my lady’s companion.”
    Basil made to stand, as a gentlemen should, but Julia stopped him. “No need for formal