Page 78 of Potions & Prejudice
With that, we turned and fled, not daring to look back.
Thirty-Three
DRAVEN
Ipaced back and forth behind the bar. Georgie was missing again. She was supposed to be home from the academy by now, but there was no sign of her or Edgar. Patrons filled the tavern, their chatter loud and annoying. Normally I’d be okay with all the noise, but when I was agitated like this, I just wanted peace and quiet to breathe and collect myself.
I was well aware of my reputation in this town. That I was the town grump, reclusive—scary even. And while I didn’t mind encouraging that perception, I couldn’t keep kicking out my patrons every other day to go find Georgie. People were going to stop coming at some point, and then I’d have no way to take care of myself or my sister.
I rubbed my temples, about to yell at everyone to get out so I could close up when the door opened, and Georgie walked in... followed by Elspeth.
My breath caught in my throat at the sight of the brown-haired witch. I wasn’t sure how I ever could’ve thought her to be plain, to be an annoyance, nothing special. But the way my heart pounded as she approached the bar with my sister reminded me of how much my views on her had changed. The tight bodice of her green dress showed theslight swell of her breasts, her trim waist. Her skirt fell just past her boots, which were muddy and worn. This was the first time I was seeing her since that night in my manor. The night she ran out on me.
Yet suddenly, I didn’t care about any of it. I just wanted my mouth on hers again. I wanted to bury myself between her legs and show her that there was no world where she could run from me and I wouldn’t find her. Show her that there was no world that she’d want to run from me.
My gaze snapped to my sister as she approached the bar, looking anywhere but at me, and I came back to myself and remembered what was important here. Georgie. She’d done something again. There was no other reason Elspeth would be with her. Edgar flew in behind them and landed on the bar top, also suspiciously unable to meet my gaze.
“Where have you been?” I asked my sister as Elspeth came to her side. “If she did something to your soup stand or cottage or sisters, I apologize?—”
Elspeth held up her hand. “She didn’t. We just ran into each other, and I thought I’d accompany her back to the tavern, make sure she got home safe. Plus, we were having such good conversation, and I didn’t want it to end.”
I stared at Elspeth in awe that she’d do something like that for my sister. For me.
Georgie smiled brightly at her, and it warmed my icy cold heart seeing someone make Georgie so happy.
I thought about Morty’s words just as Elspeth tipped her head. “Well, I should be going?—”
“Do you want to stay?” I burst out. “And have dinner? On me, of course.”
Mischief danced in Georgie’s green eyes. I gave her a look that told her to behave.
“Oh.” Elspeth looked down at her hands. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Please.” Georgie whirled to face her. “Please stay and eat with us.”
I cocked a brow, surprised Georgie liked her so much. I knew Georgie liked that she got under my skin, but to actually want to eat with her? My sister hadn’t shown this much interest in anyone else for a long time.
Edgar yawned. “Well, I for one am taking a nap...” As he said the words, his eyes closed, his body curling up tight, and he fell asleep.
Elspeth shook her head. “That was fast.”
“It’s actually impressive how easily he can fall asleep,” Georgie said. “And he can sleep anywhere. Which is also impressive.”
“I can see that.” Elspeth laughed quietly.
“So will you stay for dinner?” Georgie asked, her voice so hopeful. I worried Elspeth would say no and break her heart.
“Of course I will.” Elspeth covered Georgie’s hand with hers.
So we were doing this. Dinner with Elspeth and Georgie. This was going to be an interesting evening.
We satin a corner booth of the tavern.
With all the spells I had in place, the tavern mostly ran itself as long as I was here to supervise and make sure nothing went wrong. The mug spell was still not perfected, but it was good enough.
“Auggie actually did that?” Georgie asked, giggling at one of Elspeth’s many stories about her sisters.
“Oh yes.” Elspeth took a bite of the duck leg I’d roasted in our kitchen. I didn’t advertise that I served food, but if customers asked and I felt like cooking, sometimes I’d cobble something together for a meal. Patrons liked my cooking enough, and from the way Elspeth closed her eyes every time she took a bite, it seemed she did too—something that gave me immense pleasure.
