The Witch's Thief Read Online Free PDF Page B

been delayed in London. As soon as the storm is done and the roads are passable, he’ll join us here.”
    “Delayed?” Basil arched a brow.
    Aunt Petunia gave him a knowing glance and shrugged. She knew his brother’s habits better than he. Sage was a rogue or, as his aunt often referred to him, a free-spirit. He dallied with any woman with a pretty face and an embedded ring on her finger. Sage was not one to fall into a marriage-trap with a green girl. He much preferred a more experienced sort of woman.
    Some things, it seemed, had not changed.
    He glanced at the ceiling, as if he might see through the plaster and wood to the rooms above. Where was Julia? What took her so long? Having had a few moments to glimpse upon her only left him wanting more. He yearned to see her face again. He wanted to stare at her, to listen to her voice. He could be content to sit for hours and simply watch her. To be in the same room again. His skin ached to be near her.
    Where was she? And, why was she here in Merriweather Manor? Was it simply as a lady’s companion for his elderly aunt?
    He sighed, lowered his gaze and turned his attention back to his aunt.
    “You are the only one I could turn to, Basil. Sage will do all he can, of course, but he never held much sway with your uncle. Senna is visiting Hyacinth in Italy. They hope to arrive within the next month. And Drake, well... He remains secluded in his castle. Since Susanna’s passing, he’s much changed these days.”
    Basil nodded with impatience as his aunt catalogued his siblings and their goings on, but there was only one woman he wished to hear of and she was currently residing in one of the rooms above his head.
    “Basil, you must put a stop to your uncle’s horrid plans. You have been their guardian since your parent’s death. You must do something to save your sisters from such unwanted marriages.”
    “As much as I wish to, I can do nothing at the moment. After the snowstorm moves on and the roads are passable, I will travel to Uncle Arden’s estate and settle this matter.” He leaned forward and patted his aunt’s frail hand. “Worry not, Auntie. I’ll bring the girls home.”
    She wrapped her other hand over his, squeezing tight. “Oh, Basil. I knew I could rely on you. You were always the one, you know. The most responsible.”
    “Auntie.”
    “No, it’s true. After your poor parents were killed in that horrid carriage accident, you became parent to your siblings. You had no choice but to grow up quickly, to take charge of the family. To guide them, to help them grow into the adults they are today.”
    Basil smiled. “My dear Auntie, you discredit yourself. I relied on you to care for the children while I was gone.”
    Petunia shook her head, refusing the role of family savior. Basil knew, even if she didn’t want to admit, he was no rescuer.
    No, he was far worse.
    A coward.
    ****
    Julia hurried down the hall and ran up the stairs. She found the room given to her upon her arrival at Merriweather Manor over a year ago and closed the door firmly before she began pacing the floor. She wrung her hands. Her long skirts swept against the rug. The rhythmic swishing noise usually calmed her any other night. Tonight, however, it simply agitated her further. She scowled as her fingers fisted together.
    “Whatever are you doing?” Marianne appeared at her side, conveying a look of annoyance at the disturbance Julia caused. Julia’s sister slumped onto the winged back chair near the wall. She blew away the curls that fell into her face with a heavy sigh.
    “We have a problem,” Julia said, noticing her voice remained breathy and soft. She scowled further and cleared her throat. “Basil Merriweather has returned.”
    “What?” Marianne jerked forward, sitting straight. Her reddish curls bounced in the firelight.
    Julia nodded. “He’s newly arrived. He’s downstairs in the library at this very moment. Oh, Marianne, I had not planned on this!”
    “Calm