The Spells of Paradise

Chapter 23: A Family Name

Chapter 23: A Family Name

James knew now more than ever that he needed a plan. If Lucy was in Belmoran, then first he needed the time to get away from the Magistrate's blackmail long enough to go find her. He needed an excuse to leave Lanfore, something meaningful that even the Magistrate couldn't deny.

But what?

He could say he was going on business to Portsmouth, surely the Magistrate wouldn't go out of his way to verify that. But, then again, James had to remember the sort of lunatic Magistrate Sherman Donaldson was. He would have to find a way to be honest without giving too much away. Usually he was good with that sort of thing, but now he was not so sure.

"The way you're blathering on makes it sounds like you're on the run fro the law," Sebastian Lucas chuckled when James relayed these sentiments to him. "Lying to the Magistrate. James Boatwright, the nerve!"

"Shut up," James growled. "I just need a lie to get out of here and the Magistrate needs to know just enough but not too much as to where I am going."

"Why does he need to be aware at all?"

"Because he..." James sighed, and then shook his head. "He may or may not have told his daughter that I am going to propose marriage to her."

Sebastian clapped his hands together slowly and dramatically. "Mazel tov, my friend! I should feel insulted that you never told me of it. I can forgive you if you promise there will be plenty of pretty girls during the ceremony."

"I am not actually going to propose to her, fool!" James snapped. "The Magistrate told her I would and, before you ask me, it's because he's a blathering madman," he was shocked at just how furious he sounded, like he was ready to hunt that old man down and strangle him with his bare hands. "I just need to figure out how to get out of here long enough without that rumor festering out of control."

Sebastian raised a hand. "So, to clarify, you have no intentions of proposing to the Magistrate's daughter?"

"None, if I can help it."

"What's wrong with her?" Sebastian asked. "Gap teeth? Foul breath? Horrid laugh? I do hate women that cackle."

"None of those things, she's a perfectly fine young lady."

"But you love another," Sebastian sighed dramatically. "I've walked right into a bloody romance novel, I have."

"I called you here for your advice, not your dramatics."

"And I will give it to you," Sebastian replied, standing. "I have a rather unnaturally large intellect, after all. You'd be a fool not to come to me for advice. Give me time, perhaps a day or so, to mull it over and I'll let you know what I have thought up."

James was reluctant about having to wait for a plan, but he knew he had no choice. He needed a way out of here and, if Sebastian could help him, then he had to take whatever the man could give on his terms. "I can offer you that."

"Just as well," Sebastian muttered, turning to leave James's study. "It's not as if I have anything better to do in this godforsaken town."

After Sebastian took his leave, James buried his head in his hands and cursed. The fact that he was going through this much for Lucy's sake made him hope that she would be grateful, perhaps grateful enough to see sense, accept his proposal, and come home with him.

But even so, the fact of the matter remained that he had to get to her before she decided that Ross was a better option.Getting passage to Belmoran from Portsmouth would not be an issue. James's problems started at home.