The Magpie's Library by Kate Blair

Author:Kate Blair
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
Publisher: Cormorant Books Inc.
Published: 2019-06-04T16:00:00+00:00

WHY DID YOU give her Isabel’s story?

“She asked about the library, what it was for. I wanted to show her, as best I could.”

Silva was kind. Many were entranced by my collection, but they so rarely tarried to talk with me, or touched me, as she did.

Do you know what you are risking?

“She … felt like a friend.”

Silva is not your friend.

“Perhaps she would be, if she knew me. Perhaps she would choose to stay.”

Isabel knew you. And even she did not stay.

The Whisper was right, of course.

My sister burst into my bedchamber late on the day I gave the message to the servant. Isabel shoved open the bed curtains and slumped down hard upon the corner of my mattress.

Her face was flushed as if she had been crying. I wondered if my message had reached our father. But there could not have been time for a break to have been made with her betrothed.

“Isabel, how is it with thee?”

“Did you hear of Rafe?” Isabel gasped.

“Rafe?”

“One of the serving boys.”

A sickness sank through my stomach. “What … what news of Rafe?”

Isabel looked up, eyes wide. “He has died.”

“Died?”

She nodded, biting upon her lip.

My heart fluttered. “How?”

“’Twas the sweating sickness. It afflicted him with a terrible speed. They say he had but a headache before noon.”

I swallowed down the bile that rose within my gullet.

“And, dear brother, that is not all.”

“’Tis … not?”

“Rafe stole from us. Oh, Maghew, look.” She put something cold and small in my hand: my silver buckle. I closed my fist around it, afraid my face would betray me. “They found this within his pocket.”

“I … I cannot think how he came by it.”

“In faith, ’tis hard to imagine Rafe as a thief. But there is yet more. He carried a letter.”

I clutched the buckle tighter. It cut into my hand.

“‘Twas addressed to Father, filled with the vilest slander. Intended to end my betrothal.” She wiped at her face with her sleeve. “I was friendly to him, and I knew not that Rafe could write. Mayhap that is why he wished to end the betrothal, as he hoped for my hand himself.”

I exhaled as I realized her mistake. “Oh, Isabel. My heart is sorry for his death.”

“I thank thee, Maghew.” She sniffed. “I shall pray for the Lord’s Mercy upon his soul.”

“And I, too.” I remembered Rafe’s face, his eagerness for the buckle, and his hope it would help his family, and I felt discomforted. “Canst … thou give this to Rafe’s mother?” I held out the buckle. “His father died but a short time since and they have need of money. No doubt that is why he took it.”

Isabel smiled, warm as a summer’s day. She took the buckle and clutched it to her chest.

“Thou art a goodly man, Maghew. I shall ask Father to make some provision for Rafe’s mother. Yet now I must take my leave. The sweating sickness has reached our very door. We must pack, for we leave tomorrow. My wedding will be delayed until it is safe to return.

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