14. Catriona

14

CATRIONA

W hen I wake, Felix is already out of bed. He's in the kitchen, opening cupboards and drawers. I close the door to dress and then join him.

"I talked to Greg this morning," he says absently. "It's just as we suspected. He ate himself into oblivion and had to sleep it off."

I nod, frowning. "What are you doing?"

"Benjamin didn't think to give us a pan."

"A pan?"

"You know, for the oven. To bake things in?"

"Are you going to roast a chicken?" I ask absently, leaning against the kitchen workbench as he peers into every cupboard.

He turns to me. "We're sad newlyweds."

"Look at the bright side. We have a hundred clocks."

Felix grins. "I don't suppose you have a hope chest squirreled away somewhere?"

I lower my eyes to the counter. "My mother put odds and ends into one for me, yes."

Felix studies me—I can feel his gaze. "Were the items intended for your sister?"

I chew on my bottom lip before I answer, "Many of them. Yes."

"You need your own." He pauses, thinking about it. "Let's go shopping."

"We'll just ask Benjamin to gather a few more things for us."

"No."

I look up, a little startled. "Why?"

"Because…" He flounders a little. "You should pick out your own trousseau."

"It's just a job, Felix."

He leans an elbow on the counter, arching a light brown eyebrow. "Felix Dear."

Rolling my eyes, I laugh. "What will our neighbors think if they realize we showed up without so much as a kettle?"

"I assume they'll be delighted to pocket our money in exchange for the goods they offer."

He's probably right. And it would be several weeks before Benjamin could get something to us anyway.

"We'll get a few things," I agree reluctantly, holding up a hand when Felix's eyes lighten with satisfaction. "A few things."

Fifteen minutes later, we're standing next door in the general goods store, looking at a shelf holding tea sets.

"We don't need a full set," I point out. "Just a kettle and maybe a teapot."

"What if we have guests?" Felix asks.

"Are you inviting people over for tea?"

"I don't know," he answers flippantly. "I might. I've never had a tea set of my own, so it's never been an option."

I laugh even though I shouldn't encourage him. "I don't care. Buy whatever you like. It's your money."

" Our money."

I give him a droll look. "We both know it's not."

He leans close. "Is your name not signed on a marriage license next to mine? Unless I'm mistaken, it most certainly is."

"Felix," I say with a sigh.

"It's settled; we're buying a tea set," he says, leaving no room for argument. "Which one do we like? Which one says Lord and Lady Felix Cunning?—"

"Ward."

He nods, his eyes bright. "Yes, that."

"Hello, neighbors," Johann says from behind us, making us both jump.

The shopkeeper chuckles, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"A big man shouldn't move that silently," Felix reprimands with an amiable smile, though he looks somewhat annoyed at the interruption.

"Can I help you find anything?" he asks.

"Several of our trunks haven't arrived, and we need a few things to get us by," I explain, hoping he didn't overhear our conversation. "A pan and maybe a pot…" I look at Felix helplessly.

What else does one need in order to cook? What did my mother have in her kitchen? It's been years since I helped her, and even then, I was most often tending the garden while Lina assisted with indoor chores.

"Of course." Johann's eyes light at the prospect of a large sale, just as Felix predicted. "I'm sure we have everything you need."

He takes us around the shop, gathering home goods.

"Where is your cousin?" I ask. "We haven't met him yet."

"He and his son are in Hellenford, meeting with several of our suppliers. I imagine he'll return in a week or two."

That catches Felix's attention. "How long has he been gone?"

Johann frowns as he thinks about it. "A month now, I suppose. There's no rush since I'm here to take care of things. I'm sure the change of scenery is good for him."

When Johann turns, Felix flashes me a look. I know what he's thinking: Johann killed Werner, took over his shop, and is now preying on the people of Braunwin.

And he might be right, but it's too soon to say.

Felix is just paying for our things when Otis walks in. The reeve's face brightens when he sees us. "Good morning, everyone."

"You're looking jolly, Otis," Johann says.

"It's the weather. I'm fond of the cool mornings."

"They're only going to get cooler," Johann says. "I imagine we'll have our first frost in a few weeks."

Otis claps his hands together. "I just hope the weather stays pleasant for the festival."

"Festival?" I ask.

"Braunwin's annual apple jubilee," Otis answers. "It's our largest community event of the year. People come from all over Staulus to celebrate the harvest with us."

"Have you hired the new constable yet?" Johann asks. "You'll need one before the tourists arrive."

Otis's good mood fades. "I have an interview with a man from Kentora tomorrow."

"What happened to the previous constable?" Felix asks.

The two men share a look, and then Otis reluctantly answers, "He was attacked by the wolves that have taken to prowling our woods—the first in a string of tragedies. Use caution when you're out after dark."

"Wolves," Johann says scathingly, shaking his head.

Otis glances at me, nervous. "Johann…"

"We both know something unnatural is going on. What happened to Werner's wife wasn't the work of a wild animal?—"

"Johann!" Otis says more forcefully, wringing his hands. "We mustn't discuss such things in front of Mrs. Ward."

"Catriona, please," I say absently, focusing on Johann. "If you don't think wolves are behind the attacks, then…what?"

The shopkeeper looks chagrined. "Otis is right—I don't want to worry you with my theories. I assure you, the village is safe, at least during daylight hours."

"And the surrounding woods?" Felix asks.

The question is met with heavy, telling silence. After several awkward seconds, the reeve clears his throat. "For now, it's best to stay out of them."

I turn to Felix. "How will I forage for mushrooms?"

His eyebrows fly up. "Mushrooms, my love?"

I give him a pointed look. "You know how I adore hunting for them."

We have to visit Greg.

"Of course." Understanding suddenly dawns on him, and he turns to Johann and Otis, draping his arm over my shoulders. "My sweet Catriona is quite the mushroom forager."

"If you must go, go during the day," Otis says, uncomfortable. "All the attacks have been between dusk and dawn."

"We will be sure to go out when it's still light."

"Do you think you'll have your shop open before the jubilee?" Otis asks, returning to a subject he obviously prefers. "It's a profitable time."

"Just a bit more organizing, and we'll be ready to open," Felix says. "I won't be able to take custom orders, however, as my tools have been delayed along with the rest of our trunks."

I catch his eye, hiding my smile.

"You should have plenty of stock," Otis says. "I don't think I've ever seen so many clocks gathered in one place."

"Or carried that many," Johann grumbles.

"I take it Otis recruited you to help when the wagons arrived?" Felix laughs.

"Indeed," Johann answers with a grin.

"Thank you for moving them safely into the shop," I say.

"Of course, of course." Otis waves his hand like it was nothing. "We're neighbors, after all. Now, I should get what Hildie sent me for."

"What is it?" Johann asks.

Otis frowns, rubbing his balding head. "I don't remember."

Laughing, Felix and I load our arms with our purchases and leave them to it. As soon as we're in our shop, Felix says, "Johann is the wolf."

"Yes, you've mentioned that before."

"Hear me out. His cousin's wife was attacked…" He trudges up the stairs to our apartment, balancing several packages in his arms as he opens the door. "So, he came to help his grieving cousin. And now his cousin is mysteriously gone as well."

"I'm not saying it's not suspicious. Just that we mustn't focus too much on one person, or we might be blinded to the real monster."

"But what if he is the monster?"

"Then he'll disappear on the day of the full moon."

Felix looks pensive as he sets his bundles on the kitchen workbench. I place my packages next to his and untie the string holding the brown paper closed, revealing the tea set.

It's white porcelain, simple and perfect. Suddenly feeling melancholy, I pick up one of the delicate cups. It's charming. Someday, I think I'd like my own set just like it.

No, not one like it. I want this one. And I want this apartment, with its lace curtains and cheerful kitchen. But mostly, I want Felix.

I want all this to be real.

I feel Felix watching me, and it's not the first time. It makes me wonder if he's done it for a while and I've never noticed.

"What's the matter?" His tone carries its usual teasing lilt, but it's somehow gentler.

I set the cup next to the others and don a bland expression. "Nothing. I should wash these and put them away. Why don't you go downstairs and finish organizing? We best get this shop open, or people will begin to wonder if it's not our true purpose for coming."

Felix watches me for a few more minutes and then leaves me with our new wares. When the apartment door closes, I lean against the counter.

"Stop it," I whisper to myself. "This is just a job."

Rolling my eyes at the pretty tea set, I gather it and the rest of the dishes and take them to the washbasin.