Raven (Gentlemen of the Order #2) - Adele Clee Page 0,10
bowl.” She placed the crude vessel on the table. “Such things have been used for centuries as a means of protection.”
Finlay studied the strange words and symbols carved into the wood. “May I handle the item?”
“Of course.”
He picked up the bowl and ran his finger over the indentations. “It’s not a language I’m familiar with.”
“No. I’ve examined every book in the library and cannot find a match.” She had spent days on the task, believing the answer to her problem lay in the meaning of the foreign words. “Jessica went missing one night a few weeks ago. We looked for hours and couldn’t find her. Blent was ready to saddle a horse and head into the village, but then she reappeared.”
Finlay raised his hand to stall her. “Saddle a horse? But the stable block is empty.”
“We stable the horses a mile from here. Indeed, I must ask you to move your horse there today.” Her greatest fear was that Jessica would ride off into the night, never to be seen again. “It’s just a precaution. It’s easier to track a missing woman when she’s on foot.”
“And what of your carriage?”
“I take the mail coach from London to The Wild Drake. I keep a horse stabled at the inn.”
He fell silent for a time but eventually said, “Forgive me.”
Sophia frowned. “For what?” He had done nothing wrong.
“For doubting your motives. I presumed you … I didn’t know your problem was so complex.”
She would fall into a pit of despair if she stopped to consider all she had endured these last seven years. “Finlay, I know how hard it was for you to come here. I would spare you the distress were I not desperate for your help.”
She found it just as hard to be in his company, found it hard not to touch him, run her hands through his hair and press her mouth to his.
He shifted his attention back to the bowl. “How did you come by this, and what relevance does it have to the case?”
“Jessica brought it home. A gift from a man she met in the woods. He said it would keep her safe until he can help her escape this place. That he—” The sudden pounding of footsteps on the stairs sent Sophia’s pulse soaring. “Jessica’s coming. I’m not sure how she will be today. But I beg you, please be patient. Be kind.”
Jessica was always restless and excitable the day before Dr Goodwin’s visit. Indeed, she bounded into the dining room like a child—all wide smiles and wild energy.
“Mr Cole!” Jessica’s golden hair hung loose and needed brushing. Seemingly pleased to see him, she clutched her hands to her breast. “Anne said you were here for a visit. Oh, I can scarce believe my eyes.”
Finlay stood and bowed. “Miss Draper. It is a pleasure to see you again.”
“Miss Draper?” she teased. “You always call me Jessica.”
“I did not wish to appear impertinent.”
“You’re not the least bit impertinent, sir. It’s why Sophia is madly in love with you.”
Merciful Lord!
“How she cried and cried when she thought you had died in that dreadful place.” Jessica clapped her hands and laughed with exaggerated gaiety. “And now you’re back, and all will be well again. Mr Cole has returned. Hurrah!”
“Have you eaten?” he said, pulling out the chair next to him.
“No, sir.”
“Then won’t you join us?”
Jessica glanced at Sophia. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“I would like you to sit with us,” Sophia replied.
Jessica beamed at Finlay Cole until her gaze shot to the incantation bowl. Excitement vanished, replaced by a look of terror. “What devilry is this?”
“I took the bowl from the ottoman to show Mr Cole.” Sophia braced herself. Finlay was about to discover why Jessica valued the odd vessel. “I explained it keeps the witches at bay.”
“Quick. We must put it back. Hurry!”
Jessica didn’t wait for a response. She snatched the bowl from the table and darted to the window. Finlay followed her, whispering reassuring words as he helped her nestle the bowl on the blanket and close the ottoman lid. He dealt with Jessica’s ramblings with patience and compassion. Love for him burst to life in Sophia’s chest—a love so beautiful, so painful, so raw.
“Is there a reason you keep the bowl in here?” he asked.
Jessica stared out of the window. “The angel in the woods said it would ward off evil spells. That I must place it near a window to deter wicked spirits.”
Unperturbed by the strange conversation, he said, “I thought a man gave