Chapter 3

Greetings indeed Silas, I am Forsythia, your Mother’s sister, although please call me Sythia as everyone else does. This young lady you know and she seems most interested in knowing you better.”

Silas smiled at Lizel “And she has risked her father’s wrath by coming here, although she was most kind to bring you here.”

“Oh, I had no idea, have you already got the father’s warning off their daughters, Silas?”

Silas laughed and shook his head,”No, Lizel is just a little young, a little headstrong and does not understand that I would drive her crazy with my house set up compared to what she is used to; Her mother maintains an immaculate home with no clutter and has taught Lizel well I am told.”

Sythia started laughing, “Ah, Now I do understand her father’s concerns.”

Lizel looked between them waiting for the joke to be explained. Silas smiled, “Come Lizel, let me show you my very organized home” he led her to the door and opened it.

Lizel looked in and gasped “My heavens Silas, how can you live like this, you must clean it out, may I help?”

Silas controlled himself, “NO Lizel, you may not as you do not understand. There is no clutter and nothing dusty if I can help it, but all those herbs, bottles, jars and all are how I heal and charm things. I can lay my hand on a headache remedy without even thinking as it has a place and is in it. As much as I would love to ask your father for your hand, it would never work. You would take many years to learn all this, I grew up in it, it is natural for me. You would be miserable and I will not do that to you, as I very much like you.”

Sythia watched with a smile and nodded her agreement. “Lizel, Dear, being a wise person takes a lot of learning, and Silas has much to learn even now, although I already know he is wonderfully capable. To be the wife of a wise person, it is best if you are also a wise person, so you understand all the herbs, medications and what they do, a touch of the wrong herb can be serious and it is easy to confuse them, especially when dried. Silas obviously really does care for you, so much that he puts your welfare before his wishes or desires. Now do not get in trouble on my account, go home, if your father is mad, ask him to come talk to me before punishing you for your kindness and good manners. You and Silas can be friends for many years to come I hope, but he is right, to marry you and bring you into this would be most cruel.”