Page 1 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Quiet beauty was Lady Samantha Ellis.

Delicate with rich mahogany hair and eyes light as a winter sky. Her smile calmed his soul and Cassian Jourdain had been beguiled by her from the moment she stepped into the ballroom at Nightshade Manor.

That had been nearly two months ago and nothing had changed.

She had come for the Witches’ Ball but remained after the conclusion to be with her friends, which included Lady Antonia Kerrigan, who had needed help to find or create a spell.

Cassian had been mesmerized at the Witches’ Ball and even though there was magic all around him, he knew that no spell had been cast to alter his perception.

Unfortunately, her father was a wealthy earl, her brother a viscount and it was because of Lady Samantha that he became more determined to change his future and fortune, even though his current circumstance may have cost him the option to pursue her.

Not may have , it had and thus the reason he was simply polite whenever they found themselves in the same room, such as now, where a few had gathered for afternoon tea.

“Is there a chance that we can visit the Sacred Grove again. The one where we performed the last spell, Lady St. Alban?” Lady Samantha asked.

Lady St. Alban was the woman who had raised Cassian.

He could not call her mother because he’d already had one.

His mother may be gone, but that did not mean that he wanted another mother or to forget the one that he’d had.

But to call her Lady St. Alban was too formal so they settled on Eugenia, her given name, and Cassian called her husband St. Alban because calling him Richard would have been too informal.

“You are welcome to visit anytime you wish. Any female is allowed,” Eugenia answered. “Males are the ones who need to seek permission from the Dryads, except for Cassian.”

Lady Samantha glanced over, her head tilted to the side, eyebrows slightly raised.

“He can come and go as he pleases,” Eugenia concluded with a loving smile. “Cassian, why do you not take Samantha to the grove following tea.”

“I do not wish to be an inconvenience,” Lady Samantha murmured as a delicate rose stained her cheeks.

“It is not,” he assured her, even though it most certainly was, but he was not prepared to explain to Eugenia, or anyone else, where he needed to be or why.

“Thank you,” Lady Samantha murmured then looked back down.

There was a delightful shyness about Lady Samantha, except it wasn’t present when she spoke with her friends, or anyone else, for that matter. Just him, and Cassian could not understand why. Then again, he was the only person at Nightshade Manor who had not encouraged a friendship.

“The post has arrived,” the butler announced as he approached Eugenia, a silver tray balanced on the palm of his gloved hand.

“Goodness, there are quite a few missives,” she exclaimed. “Invitations to the wedding were only posted a sennight ago.”

Cassian already knew that most of the guests would decline because the nuptials of Chedworth, who was Lady Eugenia’s son, and Lady Antonia were set to take place the day after Christmas and many of those invited had just been here at the end of October to attend the magical ball.

“Samantha, there is a letter for you.”

She nearly jumped from her seat and crossed the room to retrieve it.

“Thank goodness!” she exclaimed. “It is from my mother. I was beginning to wonder if she had received my letter or the invitation to the wedding.” She then broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.

“Will your parents and brother attend the wedding, or do they want you home for Yule and Christmas?” Antonia asked anxiously.

Lady Samantha’s blue eyes brightened and her cheeks rounded as her smile widened. “They shall attend and have granted me permission to remain.” Then she grew serious.

Thank goodness that had been their response. Otherwise, Lady Samantha would need to immediately start packing so that she could be home in time for the winter Solstice.

“What is wrong?” Antonia asked when the happiness Cassian had witnessed faded as her smile fell and her dark eyebrows drew together.

“My father says that you should not wed on the twenty-sixth.” She looked up from the missive. “He insists that you marry on the twenty-seventh.”

“Did he say why?” Chedworth demanded.

“He did not but he will explain when they arrive.”

“That is it then,” Eugenia announced with a sharp clap of her hands to gain their attention. “There will be no wedding on the twenty-sixth.”

Chedworth straightened and pulled away from his seat. “You do not even know his reason.”

He’d been irritated when he had been denied, by his parents, the opportunity to wed immediately and forced to wait until after Christmas so that proper planning could take place and so that Lady Antonia’s parents and brother could be present. Since, Chedworth had grown downright prickly.

Cassian well understood irritable and grumpy. But at least Chedworth would claim his bride before the end of the year, whereas Cassian would be lucky if he ever got the chance to kiss Lady Samantha’s hand.

“Reasons are not necessary,” Eugenia insisted. “Samantha’s father is a powerful wizard, astrologist and alchemist. If he has warned against marrying on one day and insists upon another, then that is what you will do.”

“We have guests arriving and they will expect a wedding on the twenty-sixth,” Chedworth argued.

“Most of the invited guests are also witches, warlocks and wizards, and are aware of the Earl of Saye’s power and knowledge and therefore will understand.”

“It is only one day,” Lady Antonia cajoled.

“One day too many,” Chedworth grumbled as he fell back in his seat then crossed his arms over his chest much like a petulant child.

His friend needed to be more appreciative of his good fortune, that he had been free to pursue who he wished.

“If there will be no wedding on the twenty-sixth, then we should celebrate Haloa,” Ares Norcott, a cousin to Chedworth, announced as he entered the parlor, his twin brother, Ajax beside him.

“Yes, we should,” Ajax agreed.

“What is Haloa?” Lady Samantha asked.

“You do not want to know,” Cassian warned quietly.

“How is it even celebrated?” Antonia asked with hesitation.

“Animal sacrifice,” Ares answered.

When Antonia’s eyes widened as she gasped in horror, Ajax quickly explained that they no longer take part in that practice.

Antonia could talk to animals. She understood them, and they understood her. That was also the reason that she only ate various vegetables and fruits, as well as fish or anything living in water because she had never conversed with aquatic beings.

“We could have a large banquet,” Ajax suggested.

“Which is already planned for the wedding and I shall not ask the servants to prepare another,” Eugenia warned.

“Then I suppose it will not be celebrated,” Antonia said.

“Not necessarily.” Ares grinned. “I am to understand that women of ancient Greece drank, danced around naked and carried and ate cakes shaped like?—”

“—Ares,” Eugenia warned.

Leave it to Ares to almost proclaim phalluses in a room where innocent ladies had gathered. Thank goodness Lady Samantha only appeared confused, and that Eugenia had been here to silence her nephew.

“What of the men?” Antonia asked. “I can only assume they were not present for such a display.”

“Men gathered around a large bonfire and likely drank,” Ajax added. “I would be happy to participate in such a ritual.”

Cassian had heard of the celebration, but it had not taken place at Nightshade Manor before. Then again, unless there was a wedding, or ball, only a few people were in residence with most residing at their individual estates.

“We can take bottles of wine, fruit and cakes to the temple and celebrate while the men build their bonfire and drink,” Eugenia suggested. “Though I am too old to remain in the temple all night.”

“All night?” Lady Samantha asked.

“Yes,” Eugenia answered. “It has been so long since I have truly celebrated, but the festival begins at sunset, after the sacrifice that we will not be having, and continues until sunrise, though they used to last for days ending with athletic competitions.”

“This one will not last that long because I refuse to put off my wedding yet another day!” Chedworth declared. “And must it last all night? Everyone will be too tired to enjoy the wedding.”

More likely he was worried about Antonia being too tired to enjoy her wedding night.

“We will make certain that the wedding takes place in the early evening so that everyone can rest and recover from the likely overindulgence of spirits.” Eugenia looked pointedly at Ares and Ajax.

If the women were going to get drunk in the temple, then Cassian would need to be careful when he was in the Sacred Grove because he did not want to risk seeing women who were more like sisters, aunts and mothers to him dancing naked when he returned to his home at the end of the evening.

He could not get to it without walking past the temple.

Except, if he happened to see Lady Samantha dancing naked, he would not object.

* * *

Samantha could not be happier that her parents had allowed her to remain at Nightshade Manor, though she was rather surprised.

She had arrived here on October twenty-eighth, three days before the Witches’ Ball and remained through the month of November and into December when she had only anticipated remaining a fortnight.

But with the announcement that Antonia was to marry Viscount Chedworth, her friend had begged her to stay to assist with the planning.

Samantha didn’t really believe her presence was necessary, but she also wasn’t eager to leave because she wanted to learn more about Mr. Cassian Jourdain.

Handsome and quiet. Always there, and often silent. Though, in truth, it was difficult for anyone to be heard when all three families—those of Drakos blood—were at Nightshade Manor at the same time.

Samantha found him fascinating, and attractive, with his dark hair that always appeared tousled, as if he could not tame the thickness or waves. No doubt that if he let it grow longer than was fashionable, he would have lovely curls that every female would envy.

And his eyes—remarkable! Silver grey that turned light with humor and darker when annoyed.

Though he seemed to be irritated most of the time, which she could not understand.

Chedworth had a reason to be petulant, but she could not understand why Mr. Jourdain was.

Not that it should be any of her concern, but Samantha could not help but wonder.

However, what captivated her above all else was that she could not hear his music.

Every person she ever encountered possessed music in their tones.

Even if someone was angry but spoke in a manner to make others believe they were quite happy, the music of what lingered in the soul is what filled the air and found her ears—their anger.

She could not control what she heard but tried to ignore what was revealed because it was intrusive.

Why couldn’t she hear his music? It wasn’t as if he was drowned out by the noise of others because she’d been with him in quietness.

Did he have no song?

Certainly, his soul was not empty.

Was it possible he had no soul at all?

Samantha quickly dismissed such a ridiculous idea. All living beings had a soul. His was quieter than most.

He was quieter than most.

Even as they left the parlor and made their way to the break in the hedges, which she would have missed as it was practically hidden, on their way to the Sacred Grove, Mr. Jourdain said nothing.

Neither did she. However, she snuck a couple of looks at him out of the corner of her eyes, but he was intent on looking ahead, mouth set and jaw tight.

Maybe he did not like her. Maybe he resented having to escort her.

In fact, Samantha wanted to tell him that he could return to Nightshade Manor and that she would be fine by herself, but it was not in her to be difficult and she avoided confrontations whenever possible.

However, when they stepped into a wildflower field with a single tree, though quite dead, in the center, she gasped in delight.

“This is wonderful!”

“You have been here before,” her reminded her.

“That was at midnight, and I was more worried about the spell we had to do,” she answered. “I am so happy that I have been given the chance to see it in the afternoon.” She smiled at Mr. Jourdain. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

He simply nodded and she decided to ignore her brooding companion and enjoy herself.

Oh, she wanted to dance. Instead, she held out her arms and let the music fill her soul as they walked to the temple, up the steps and stopped in the center before she whirled in a circle and sighed.

“There is music surrounding me and it is wonderful.”