Page 53 of Wickedly Ever After
The inn emptied like a burning building, all but the innkeeper. She grinned. “Well, then, you’ll be renting the whole inn, won’t you, for bringing such a devastating sickness into my house?”
“Naturally,” Hector said.
“Lovely, lovely. I’ll go put the plague signs on the door right after I show you to your rooms.”
“Oh, Belinda, that won’t be necessary. I know I’m putting you out two week’s earnings and—”
“No apologies, Your Wickedness,” she said, wiping her blood-stained hands on her apron. “You know I’m always glad to help my old boss.”
Hector glanced at Ida. “Belinda’s mother worked as a hired assassin for me for years—one of the best. So did Belinda—”
“Then I got married and had a kid,” Belinda said. “After that, I had a family to provide for. No more murder for me.”
“Where is your son today?” Hector asked.
Belinda smiled with pride. “Out robbing the stage with the boys. He’ll be back this evening.” She wiped a tear from her eye. “They grow up so fast. One day they’re picking pockets and the next day they’re a hired hit man.” She handed Hector a skeleton key. “Here you are, Hector. The best room in the house for you and your lady. I’ll bring up hot water for the bath in a jiffy.”
Ida glared at Hector as they climbed the stairs. “Yourlady?”
Tinbit unlocked the door, and Hector laid Hari down on a rough but serviceable couch. “They are evil-minded, my dear Ida—the bed is yours. I’m quite used to sleeping on the floor.”
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Ida said, eyeing it with great dislike. “I wouldn’t be surprised to find rats nesting in it. I’m taking the floor. You get eaten.”
“Can you both quit arguing?” Tinbit grumbled. “I’ll bathe Hari for the fever while you two get started on a potion.”
“I’ll go purchase the herbs,” Hector said. “Far safer for me to do that. You stay here and help him, Ida.”
Ida sat on the end of the couch and unlaced Hari’s long,stylish boots, irreparably damaged, probably from dragging the ground as he clung to the back of the coach.
“He’s going to be okay,” Tinbit said stubbornly.
“Yes,” she said. She wouldn’t forgive herself otherwise.
25
Hector
Heartsease Remedy
To break two hearts, take one black rose,
Ten petals to each glass,
Fumitory for the will,
Use cohosh for a lass.
For a swain, take moonseed sap
A drop, no more, to join
Sun’s-Own-Son, to ease the grief,
Vitex for the loins.
Pine rosin will relieve their guilt
Hawthorn lends its healing,
