Mary grew tired and restless so she carefully climbed
out of the carriage to stretch her stiff legs. One of the drunken men she
noticed early approached her. She took a step back only to get caught on one of
her skirts but before she fell a hand grabbed her. “Shoo! You get away from
her!” Came an elderly woman’s voice behind her while using a hand to push him
away. Once Mary was on her feet again the hand turned Mary to face her. She
came face to face with a short, elderly lady that had more wrinkles than any other
lady she had ever seen before. Her dark eyes held a mystery and her long silver
hair danced in the wind. The silver glistened in the moonlight and only made the
black of her dress seem darker. It all gave the lady a mysterious feel. “Are
you okay dear?”
“Yes
ma’am I believe so. Thank you for your help.” Mary told the lady.
The
elderly lady shook her head. “This is no place for a young lady such as you to
be at this hour.”
“I
know. I’m afraid that my carriage ran into some trouble and I’m stranded until
my driver returns with help.”
The
elderly lady patted Mary’s back. “Well, my shop is right here on this corner,
why don’t you come inside and have a cup of tea?” The elderly lady sensed
Mary’s hesitation. “You’ll be able to see your carriage from the window as well
as when your driver returns.”
“Okay,
a glass of tea does sound nice.” Mary said giving the elderly lady a small,
friendly smile. She led Mary up to her
shops door that was when Mary noticed that the shop was no ordinary shop but a
shop of magic. She had heard people whispering about places like this. Places
that sold potions, spices and herbs to innocent people with hopes of getting
what they desired, only they were really making a deal with the devil. Mary
swallowed as she thought about the elderly lady behind her being a witch of
some sort. “You know maybe I should just wait inside the carriage. I would hate
for Mr. Perry to arrive back and not find me there.”
The
elderly woman studied Mary for a moment. “Ahh…you fear the store and now
myself. If you feel safer waiting on the street then you may do so but there is
nothing to fear in here or me. It’s all just make believe. It’s just a way to
make money.” She stepped around Mary and headed inside. Mary stood in
indecision for a moment before she heard the drunken men hollering at the women
on the corner. Instantly, her hand was on the door, pulling it open she went inside
after the woman.
“I’m
sorry. It was wrong of me to pass judgement. I know how untrue whispered things
can be. I’d much rather wait in here with you than out there with them, if the
offer still stands.” Mary said glancing back at the door.
The
elderly woman passed by Mary and locked the door leading into the shop. “Tea?”
she asked as she passed again. Mary nodded her head in agreement. The elderly
lady disappeared behind a curtain covering a doorway. Mary stood in the
deserted shop and looked around. She couldn’t see much by just the candle light
but she noticed the miss matched chairs and rugs the filled the room as well as
walls of shelves that were home to books, jars of spices, herbs and liquids.
The windows and doorways were all covered with different types of curtains. As
a child Mary had heard stories about gypsies and this was definitely a place
she could picture one of them in. The elderly woman reappeared holding two cups
of steaming tea. “Here, dear. Have a seat.”
“Thank you ma’am. I’m Marina Meyers but
everyone calls me Mary.”
The lady
nodded her head before responding. “I know dear. I knew who you were when I
saved you. I’m Cordelia, just Cordelia.”
Mary
tried to keep the skeptical look off her face. “You knew who I was?”
“Well
of course dear. This town isn’t that big and your story is very similar to my
own.” Cordelia told Mary while taking a sip of tea.
“What
do you mean?”
“My
sister was always the center of attention much like yours. It was never an
issue for me until she stole the only thing I ever wanted.” Cordelia let out a
ragged sigh. “My sister could have had any man she wanted yet she took the only
one who had ever shown any interest in me, the only one I wanted. The only one
I loved.”
“Oh
I’m so sorry to hear that but my sister would never take Henry.” Mary assured
Cordelia.
Cordelia
studied Mary for a few silent moments. “Well, I do suppose you know her better
than I but just remember if your fate takes a turn in my direction I’m always
here for you my dear.”
Mary
noticed the way her eyes seemed to almost glow as she spoke. It was such a
horrible thing that Cordelia’s sister had done to her but she knew without a
doubt that Elizabeth would never do such a thing. Elizabeth and Henry were all
she had in this world, whatever kindness she had experienced in her lifetime
had come from them. Mary noticed that Mr. Perry had returned. “Oh! My driver
has returned. Thank you so much for the tea and company Cordelia. I should
return to my trip now. I do hope that we see each other again sometime.”
“Me
too my dear.” Cordelia mumbled as Mary left out of the shop.
I hope you enjoyed the excerpt, until next time...❤❤
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