Page 36 of Love Set Apart
As Edna gazed at him, Robert could feel her empathy and kindness and he relaxed. Everything would be fine. He could feel it.
“I can only do so much. If she doesnae want me help, it will be difficult to do what must be done.”
“I understand that it will no’ be easy, but I willnae give up. There has to be a way.”
“I’m happy to hear ye say it, but there are nae guarantees. Now, we were just going to visit a friend,” Edna said. “Would ye care to join us?”
“I would. Where are we going?” There was still hope. There had to be.
“To visit the woman who first gave Emilie the belief that ye could be together.”
* * *
A feelingof imminent danger surrounding Madame DuBois was the reason for today’s journey to visit with her. Edna needed to be sure she was well and to be sure nothing was amiss. Her gut feelings were never wrong, so she was worried. They walked the short distance to Madame DuBois’ abode. Once there, Edna knocked on her door only to find she wasn’t home.
“Where could she be?” Angus asked.
“I doona ken, but I’ve had an uneasy feeling in the pit of me belly since we returned,” Edna replied.
Robert peeked in the window. “She’s no’ there and her things seem to have been tossed about.”
“We should go in,” Edna said, pushing the door open. It was shocking to see that all of the jars that had once been neatly placed on shelves around the room were now broken and strewn about the floor.
“I wonder what happened,” Angus said.
“She’s been accused of witchcraft. Two men came early this morning and took her away.”
Edna spun around to find a man standing in the doorway. “Who are ye?”
“A neighbor and friend. I didn’t dare try to stop them for fear they’d take me as well.” The man wore a worried look on this face. His hat spun in his hands as he glanced around the room seeming nervous to be there.
“Do ye ken why she was taken?” Edna asked.
“She had a row with her neighbor yesterday. The woman in the cottage next door accused Madame DuBois of being a witch. I’m sure she contacted the authorities.”
Edna’s heart sank, “What were they fighting about? Do ye ken?”
“Everyone around here knew about it. It was a loud argument about Madame DuBois feeding stray cats. The neighbor woman is not fond of cats and it seems they had been sunning themselves all around her house. Madame Dubois and her neighbor had argued about it many times in the past, but Madame DuBois would not stop feeding them. She has a kind heart and would not see them starve.”
Edna studied the neighbor carefully, wondering if she should ask the question on her mind, the one that could free Madame DuBois or seal her fate. Finally, she knew she had to ask. “Do ye believe she is a witch?” Edna asked carefully.
The neighbor barked out a laugh. “Not at all. She is just an old woman who loves animals. She grows herbs and vegetables in her garden and shares them with those in need.”
“Thank ye.” Edna was shocked and very worried. In this time being accused of witchcraft was a death sentence. “Angus, we must help her.”
“Do ye ken where they’ve taken her?” Angus asked.
“She will be jailed at the Bastille while she awaits judgment,” the man said. “It’s not right. Can you help her?”
“I’m no’ sure. This is no’ good,” Edna muttered to herself.
“We should go,” Robert said, leading them back outside.
Once there were down the street, Angus asked, “Is there anything we can do?”
“I can speak with Louis. He may be able to intervene.” Robert began walking away from the now empty home.
“Let’s hope so.” Edna’s brain was whirling with thoughts. This was the very thing the woman had been afraid of. She had to help Madame DuBois after promising to protect her.
