Page 80 of Her Dark Seduction
“He already knows a good woman from an evil one,” she said, holding him close as if she had delivered him from the jaws of hell.
“Go inside, Lily.” Jack’s voice was angry, and she glared at him before turning on me.
“May you burn in hell.”
I watched her back as she disappeared into the house, carrying Geoffrey in her arms. I clenched my fists, the nails biting into my palms. The effort to stay still was almost unendurable—the separation was as if my limbs had been torn from me. A light hand touched my arm and I looked up into Jack’s eyes, kind and soft.
“May God go with you, Lisetta.”
I shook my head miserably, fighting the pain in my heart on hearing Geoffrey’s plaintive cries from within the house.
“He abandoned me a long time ago, but I pray he will look over all of you.”
He lifted his hand to my shoulder, and I flinched when he touched the tender spot where de Tourrard had burned me. He pulled down my sleeve to reveal the reddened, puckered flesh.
“You did not betray us willingly, did you?”
I shook my head. “I must go. There’s nothing you can do for me.”
He placed his lips on my forehead in a chaste kiss. I gripped his shoulders and tipped my face up to whisper in his ear.
“Is he well, Jack? Is he safe?”
His body stiffened. God had truly abandoned me if even this kind man—once my friend—had forsaken me.
“Do not tell me where he is, Jack. That would put him in danger. I know I am going to my death and don’t have the courage to withstand de Tourrard’s…questions. But I will find solace in purgatory if I know he is safe.”
He lowered his voice to a whisper, his breath tickling my ear.
“Aye, he is well.”
I took a deep breath and my stomach lurched. I felt as if my legs had melted, and I staggered back. Jack held me to prevent my fall and a sob escaped my lips as I buried my head in his chest and choked out the words.
“Please—all of you—leave the village as soon as you can. Remember—by the river.”
I clung to him, my knuckles glowing white where I gripped his tunic, until Lily’s sharp voice from inside broke the silence. I steadied myself and pushed him away, wiping my face.
“Thank you,” I said, and I picked up the basket and fled.
I didn’t make it far—barely twenty paces before I doubled up and dropped the basket with its horrific occupant. I fell to my knees and my stomach expelled its contents, the acid taste in my mouth only serving to make me retch even more violently. Long after I had emptied my stomach the spasms continued until my head burst with pain.
I crawled toward a puddle in the road. Dipping my hand in, I tried to rinse the taste from my mouth. After taking several deep breaths, the shaking subsided, and I picked up the basket before heading to the river to return to the camp.
Before I left, I took one last look at the house that had been my home, where I had caught a brief glimpse of the happy family life I craved.
I saw a silhouette in the upstairs window and smiled, my objective achieved. Geoffrey might never know his mother but at least he had a chance at life. There was nothing for me now but to face my death with as much dignity and courage as Maman. If God were as merciful as she believed then perhaps my poor condemned soul would find peace.
