Daughter of Darkness by Janet Woods

Author:Janet Woods [Woods, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2010-12-02T00:05:09.016000+00:00

Chapter Eight

Annie Tupworthy badly wanted to give birth to a son. She’d carried six children in as many years. All had been female, all except one had died at birth. Once she provided her husband with a male heir, he’d continue to frequent the bawdy houses but he’d leave her alone. She was weary from the constant pregnancies, and the beatings he inflicted on her.

The despair she felt, didn’t show in her eyes as she set a jug of ale in front of the squire and his guest, the Wesley preacher, Reverend Pollock. The two men had spent the last hour discussing Earl Lytton’s illness, Viscount Sommersley’s modernisation of the estate, and most of all, the woman called Sapphire. Neither had a good word to say about anyone, especially Sapphire, whose mystic powers were well-known.

When her husband brusquely dismissed her, Annie hurried to get her cloak. If he found out she’d arranged a rendezvous with Sapphire in a secluded cottage on the outskirts of the village he’d beat her senseless. She caressed her swollen stomach. She was willing to risk it if the outcome was a son. The tenant had been eager to rent the accommodation for a small sum of money, though her eyes had widened with fear and she’d hurriedly crossed herself when she’d heard who Annie was meeting with that day.

Sapphire hadn’t intended to make herself available for consultation again. When Annie Tupworthy’s plea for help had arrived, she’d sensed the aura of despair.

She’d lived with such a man as Squire Tupworthy, and suffered similar brutality. If the woman had asked for something to end her husband’s life—as others in her position had—she would have refused.

Of late, she’d come to the conclusion life was ordained, with death arriving at its appointed hour. To interfere with divine law was dangerous to the soul. But Annie Tupworthy’s plea was born of desperation. The woman considered ending her own life. Having experienced the despair that drove a woman to contemplate such an act, it had touched her heart.

Consultation with her crystal had revealed an abrupt end to Annie’s misery, and augured happiness in her future. That she could tell her. There had also been an omen of evil in the crystal, a shadowy dark shape fluttering in the peripheral of the glass. It had appeared thrice, and its presence worried her.

Accompanied by Bella, Sapphire slipped unseen from the house and made her way to the stables. The afternoon was mild for winter, with a blustery wind carrying the salty tang of the ocean to her nostrils. Three horses were saddled and ready. She raised an eyebrow in surprise as she glanced at Brian. You accompany us?’

‘That I do, Lady. A need for caution surrounds you.’

So, Brian had picked up on that too. ‘You’re not frightened I’ll enchant you?’ Sapphire smiled behind her veil when Brian gave a twisted little grin.

‘I know you, Lady.’ His gypsy eyes touched on the veil and saw through it. ‘Your daughter has brought your soul forth from the dark place.

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