Keep bluffing

Xabar thinks quickly and says, “Officer... What is your name again?”

“Collinsworth,” says the constable.

“Officer Collinsworth, are you from around these parts?”

The man nods and says, “All my life. Grew up just down the road from here.”

Xabar nods knowingly and steps to the constable’s side. In a confidential tone, he says, “You heard Mrs. Peterson’s accusation that I had stolen the precious virginity of her daughter. Let me ask you, a gentleman who has lived in this area all his life, does that claim strike you as having the ring of truth?”

A look of realization dawns on the constable’s face, coupled with a wry smile. “I see what you’re saying,” he says. Turning to Mrs. Peterson, he asks, “This is Glynda we’re talking about, right? You’re saying that this bloke deflowered your daughter Glynda?”

The woman nods furiously and shakes her fist at Xabar. “That’s right! And stole my liquor, too... Don’t forget that!”

Xabar watches the constable’s face intently, looking for any clue that he might have to give up this charade and make a run for it. He was banking on a gal with a sex drive like Glynda’s to be somewhat infamous among the guys who had lived in the town for a long time. If he gambled correctly, this constable would know that Glynda’s precious “virginity” was even more watered down than Mrs. Peterson’s prize Scotch.

The constable turns to Xabar and gives him a knowing wink before saying to Mrs. Peterson, “Well, that’s a very serious charge, Ma’am. I’m going to need you to come down to the station and fill out the forms so we can give this matter all the attention it needs.”

Mrs. Peterson relaxes somewhat and says, “Well, thank goodness! I’m glad someone is going to do something about that scoundrel. I don’t know what I would do if the neighbors were to think my daughter was some sort of slut!”

Officer Collinsworth pats her shoulder placatingly and says, “I doubt if anyone’s opinion of Glynda will change, Ma’am. In fact, I’ll personally call on her tomorrow and make see if she needs any comforting.” He turns and gives Xabar another knowing wink.

Xabar returns the wink and whispers, “I’ll come by the station in a little while and sign the commitment papers. In the meantime, I’ll send word to St. Jamina’s Home for the Old and Decrepit that they should get a bed ready.”

As the constable leads Mrs. Peterson away, Xabar wipes the sweat off his brow, turns to Blake and Gwendolyn, and breathes a sigh of relief.

“Man, that was truly amazing!” exclaims Blake, with a look of sincere admiration. “And you didn’t even use a spell!”

Gwendolyn’s expression is markedly different. “What just happened? Is Mrs. Peterson sick? I thought you were the one who needed a doctor?”

Xabar puts a hand on the young woman’s shoulder and says, “I’m sorry you had to see that. We were able to keep her condition a secret for a long time, but it just isn’t fair to her to leave her unattended any longer.”

“But... you said you were a doctor.”

“I am... Well, I’m sort of a jack of all trades. It’s not like you need a medical degree or a license to practice medicine, or anything.”

Gwendolyn’s brow furrows as she thinks. “Really? Because I thought that’s exactly what you needed.”

Xabar looks at Blake, who nods in agreement. Xabar looks momentarily downcast and thinks, “Wow... so much for my plans about becoming a gynecologist....”

Gwendolyn speaks again. “And why did you say your name was Hager? That’s the name of the man who was with you when we first met.”

“Hager is my professional name. It would be unseemly for a viscount to be seen doing something as common as the medicinal arts, but I am gifted in that area, and I just get so much satisfaction out of helping people in need, so when I see an opportunity to use my gifts, I just have to do it. I use Hager’s name so the accolades I receive do not go to my head.”

He studies the young woman’s expression as she ponders this new information.

“But if you are a healer with such powerful skills, why did you need to consult with anyone when you were so sick? When you needed me to give of myself to cure you?”

Xabar looks at Blake, hoping for some help. His new friend merely looks back at him, with undisguised amusement, watching the spectacle play out.

Xabar replies, “Well, that’s the thing... My gift of healing is quite draining. Every time I use my healing abilities, I do so at harm to myself. By the time I was fortunate enough to find you, I had given of myself so selflessly so often that my power to heal myself was depleted. Had I not found you, well.....”

He allows his voice to **** up, and that’s all it takes for Gwendolyn to drop her interrogation and rush to his side, wrapping him in her arms. “Oh, my dear viscount! What noble altruism! I had no idea the scope of the good that you do!”

Xabar relaxes in her arms and breathes in the fragrance coming from her hair. He catches Blake’s eye and winks before saying, “In fact, in my weakened condition, I’m afraid that the noble good I have just done for Mrs. Peterson may have pushed my condition to breaking point! Oh, if only there were some way I could reverse the devastating effects of my virtuous generosity!”

Gwendolyn looks up at Xabar with genuine concern. “Oh, my dear viscount! Is there anything I can do?”