Read Online 5 Check-Out Time by Kate Kingsbury - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kate Kingsbury
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too close to her.”
“Well, I suppose it was more than a little upsetting for her.” Cecily shook her head. “I just can’t imagine why someone as staid and predictable as Sir Richard would attempt to dance on a railing four stories above the street.”
“Well, he wouldn’t, of course. Maybe he was bewitched.” Madeline leaned forward. “I’m not the only witch around here, you know. There are rumors that the gypsies are back, though no one has seen them.”
“Anyone who thinks you are a witch needs his head examined. Knowing how to heal certain ills with plants does not make you a witch. People are always so swift to condemn what they don’t understand.”
Madeline smiled. “Dear Cecily. Always coming to my defense. Someday I shall repay you for your loyalty. When the time is right.”
“Well, I’m not so sure I deserve your benevolence.” Cecily stared down at her cup for a long moment. “I’mafraid I should be practicing what I preach. I am as guilty as anyone else for my prejudices.”
“You?” Madeline’s laugh rang out. “You are the most fair and just person I know.”
Feeling a strong urge to share her misgivings, Cecily looked up. “I’ve just come from the George and Dragon,” she said quietly. “I had a talk with Michael. Simani was there, and I’m afraid I might have offended her in some way.”
Madeline’s response to her confession was totally unexpected. She climbed to her feet, and her voice sounded harsh when she said, “That woman? I loathe and detest her.”
Dismayed and bewildered by this adverse reaction, Cecily put her cup down loudly in the saucer. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that you had met my daughter-in-law.”
“Once.” Madeline began pacing around the room, her jerky movements completely at odds with her usual graceful glide: “I met her only once, but that was all that was needed. I knew what she was the moment I set eyes on her.”
The flesh on Cecily’s arms began to prickle. “Whatever do you mean, what she was?”
Madeline swung around suddenly, making her jump. The younger woman’s face seemed contorted in the dancing flames of the gas lamps. “I warn you, Cecily. Get rid of her. As soon as possible. She will bring you and your son nothing but trouble.”
“Madeline—” Cecily started to rise, but sat down again when Madeline put a palm up in the air.
“Listen to me, Cecily. If you love your son, you will rid him of this woman. She brings trouble with her. Of the most evil kind.”
“I cannot let you say something like that about a member of my family without demanding an explanation,” Cecily said firmly, though inside she was shaking like warm jelly. “No matter how great a friend you are, I must ask you to please tell me what you mean by those unkind words.”
“Unkind?” Madeline’s wide mouth pulled into a grimace.“Cecily, you have no idea what danger Michael could be facing. I beg you, get rid of her. I will help, if you wish.”
Cecily’s voice trembled when she answered. “I must know why you feel this way about Simani. Please, Madeline, if you value our friendship.”
Madeline’s mouth tightened. “I cannot tell you how I know what I know. I wish I could. I have no wish to harm our friendship.”
“Very well.” Cecily straightened her wrap and picked up her parasol. “I must leave now, Madeline. I wish we could have parted on a more pleasant note.”
“I’m sorry, Cecily. Please believe me.” Madeline pulled open the door. “I hope you will forgive me once you realize that my words are true.”
Sitting in the trap a few minutes later, Cecily tried to banish Madeline’s voice from her mind. Normally she would dismiss the words, putting them down to Madeline’s fanciful notions and her constant talk of spirits and myths.
But this was too close to home. This was threatening her own son. To make matters worse, Cecily herself felt extremely uneasy whenever she was near Simani, though she hadn’t been
“Well, I suppose it was more than a little upsetting for her.” Cecily shook her head. “I just can’t imagine why someone as staid and predictable as Sir Richard would attempt to dance on a railing four stories above the street.”
“Well, he wouldn’t, of course. Maybe he was bewitched.” Madeline leaned forward. “I’m not the only witch around here, you know. There are rumors that the gypsies are back, though no one has seen them.”
“Anyone who thinks you are a witch needs his head examined. Knowing how to heal certain ills with plants does not make you a witch. People are always so swift to condemn what they don’t understand.”
Madeline smiled. “Dear Cecily. Always coming to my defense. Someday I shall repay you for your loyalty. When the time is right.”
“Well, I’m not so sure I deserve your benevolence.” Cecily stared down at her cup for a long moment. “I’mafraid I should be practicing what I preach. I am as guilty as anyone else for my prejudices.”
“You?” Madeline’s laugh rang out. “You are the most fair and just person I know.”
Feeling a strong urge to share her misgivings, Cecily looked up. “I’ve just come from the George and Dragon,” she said quietly. “I had a talk with Michael. Simani was there, and I’m afraid I might have offended her in some way.”
Madeline’s response to her confession was totally unexpected. She climbed to her feet, and her voice sounded harsh when she said, “That woman? I loathe and detest her.”
Dismayed and bewildered by this adverse reaction, Cecily put her cup down loudly in the saucer. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t aware that you had met my daughter-in-law.”
“Once.” Madeline began pacing around the room, her jerky movements completely at odds with her usual graceful glide: “I met her only once, but that was all that was needed. I knew what she was the moment I set eyes on her.”
The flesh on Cecily’s arms began to prickle. “Whatever do you mean, what she was?”
Madeline swung around suddenly, making her jump. The younger woman’s face seemed contorted in the dancing flames of the gas lamps. “I warn you, Cecily. Get rid of her. As soon as possible. She will bring you and your son nothing but trouble.”
“Madeline—” Cecily started to rise, but sat down again when Madeline put a palm up in the air.
“Listen to me, Cecily. If you love your son, you will rid him of this woman. She brings trouble with her. Of the most evil kind.”
“I cannot let you say something like that about a member of my family without demanding an explanation,” Cecily said firmly, though inside she was shaking like warm jelly. “No matter how great a friend you are, I must ask you to please tell me what you mean by those unkind words.”
“Unkind?” Madeline’s wide mouth pulled into a grimace.“Cecily, you have no idea what danger Michael could be facing. I beg you, get rid of her. I will help, if you wish.”
Cecily’s voice trembled when she answered. “I must know why you feel this way about Simani. Please, Madeline, if you value our friendship.”
Madeline’s mouth tightened. “I cannot tell you how I know what I know. I wish I could. I have no wish to harm our friendship.”
“Very well.” Cecily straightened her wrap and picked up her parasol. “I must leave now, Madeline. I wish we could have parted on a more pleasant note.”
“I’m sorry, Cecily. Please believe me.” Madeline pulled open the door. “I hope you will forgive me once you realize that my words are true.”
Sitting in the trap a few minutes later, Cecily tried to banish Madeline’s voice from her mind. Normally she would dismiss the words, putting them down to Madeline’s fanciful notions and her constant talk of spirits and myths.
But this was too close to home. This was threatening her own son. To make matters worse, Cecily herself felt extremely uneasy whenever she was near Simani, though she hadn’t been
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