Page 12 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Cassian glanced at Chedworth who had slouched down into a seat beside the fireplace, arms folded over his chest. He was pouting, though would insist that it was brooding.

It was still a childish reaction when a wedding was being put off for only a day.

He also should not have laughed and hoped his cough covered it but suspected it had not.

To increase his discomfort, Samantha’s brother, Malcolm Ellis, Viscount Kesteven, practically glared at him the moment he followed her into the drawing room.

No doubt warning him away because they both knew that Samantha could do far better in a husband than Cassian.

“What time will the lunar eclipse occur?” Antonia asked.

“Shortly after eleven that night, therefore, I advise to prepare for your meditations at ten-thirty.”

This response was met with groans.

“A late night is not so difficult,” Lord Saye insisted.

“And all the more reason why the wedding must take place in the evening,” Lady St. Alban announced with a challenging eye on her son, daring Chedworth to argue with her.

“Very well,” he finally grumbled.

“Now that it is settled, we must plan for how we can enjoy the festival of Haloa and honor the lunar eclipse in one night.”

As Samantha would likely wish to visit with her parents and brother while Lady St. Alban began making arrangements, Cassian started to slip from the room.

“Cassian…”

He stilled at the warning tone of the woman who had raised him.

“Yes?”

“We are in need of your assistance.”

Bloody hell! “How may I be of help?”

“We must organize the entire night for the men and the women. As much as I love my son, I am not certain Chedworth will do everything that is necessary.”

“I will,” Chedworth ground out.

“And Cassian will assist you.”

This was not at all what he was expecting. Since when was he needed for anything? And why not Simon, who was a brother by blood to Chedworth?

“Samantha, her mother and father will instruct us on what needs to be done during the meditation, and any supplies that we might need. We will then decide how to incorporate the festival of Haloa into the evening.”

That still did not explain why he was needed.

“Once a schedule is decided upon, and a list of items that will be needed, we will set to gathering them and storing them away until the time comes.”

“Today?” he asked.

“Yes. With Christmas approaching, the wedding and all other plans over the next few days, I want to leave nothing to chance.”

“I will assist where needed.”

“Good!” She smiled. “For those items that we do not have, I will add them to the list already prepared for the next trip into Bocka Morrow.”

He simply nodded.

“Now that everything is settled, shall we leave Samantha to visit with her family and return in an hour.”

“I will attend you at that time.” With that, Cassian turned and marched from the room still wondering what had happened.

He would always do whatever Lady St. Alban requested, but this was especially odd.

She did have sons and daughters, as well as her sister, Cassandra Norcott, Marchioness of Chandos, was in residence, along with their sister-in-law, Iris Drakos, the Countess of Wharton.

Why could they not make all the necessary plans?

Was it because he had simply been present since he had just accompanied Samantha from the Romani camp?

He pinched the bridge of his nose and went up the stairs and into the billiards room. He had expected to find some of the male brothers and cousins in here but it was empty. Not that it mattered. He hadn’t gone there for company, but for brandy.

After he poured a glass, Cassian wandered to the window to look out over the gardens of Nightshade Manor and reflected on his visit with Iza and her reading of him.

If he were being honest, she had been correct that he was unsatisfied, anxious and wanted more…something beyond. No doubt she knew about the estate in France, but is that what she was speaking of?

Also, what did he need to let go of to claim what was beyond, whatever that was?

Even more worrisome, what crossroads and when would he come to them? What truth did he have to admit and how must he humble himself or forever be bound?

Bound to what?

Whose other future relied on the decisions he would make besides his own?

* * *

With list in hand, Samantha set out with Cassian for Bocka Morrow feeling much better after having spoken with her mother privately.

She had confessed her concerns in not being able to hear Cassian’s music, but her mother assured her that it did happen on occasion and that there had been people she could not hear.

It was an oddity, but nothing to become concerned about and she assured Samantha that there was nothing wrong with him.

When she asked if her mother could hear Cassian’s music, she claimed that she had not bothered to listen. Which truly hadn’t been a surprise since her mother had lived with the gift much longer and was able to silence the music often.

Samantha had wanted to ask her mother to listen and then tell her what was heard but decided not to.

She would never tell anyone the secrets of another in what she heard, and she certainly should not ask her mother to do the same, therefore she would just accept that she might never understand Cassian.

“Why us?” Cassian demanded.

She glanced over at him. Ever since they had gotten into the carriage he had been slumped in the corner, arms crossed over his chest and glared out the window, much like Chedworth had been yesterday when he had been forced to accept that he must wait a day longer to marry Antonia.

Samantha had no idea why Cassian was in such a poor mood which was the reason she had not engaged him in discussion.

“Perhaps everyone else has other commitments,” she finally answered.

“They do not.”

Why was he so put out? She could have come into Bocka Morrow on her own and purchased the items, but it was Lady St. Alban who insisted that Cassian accompany her.

The poor man. This was the third time he had been told to take her somewhere. First to the temple, then to watch the dolphins and now into Bocka Morrow.

At least visiting the Romani camp had been his idea and for a short time she had begun to think he might like her. Not care about her in a way that would make a man consider courtship, but simply like her enough to talk to more often.

That all changed within hours of leaving the Romani camp and he became withdrawn and a silent observer, only responding to questions or comments made directly to him.

Had yesterday been too trying? Or had he simply not wanted to be a part of the planning?

Then again, the two of them had spent the rest of yesterday and most of the evening closeted away with her mother, Lady St. Alban, Antonia’s mother, Chedworth, and Antonia so that everything could be set for the day after Christmas, as well as the wedding on the twenty-seventh, leaving nothing to chance.

No one else was allowed to provide suggestions because it was easier with fewer people to make the decisions.

They then searched Nightshade Manor for the right crystals, candles, and herbs.

They decided on a menu for the festival, which were all items that could be prepared in advance, though it would be Petra and Maia who put the baskets together.

That was only because the festival fell on Boxing Day when the servants were free.

However, their list did not end with items needed for the Haloa festival or the meditation during the solar eclipse, but things still needed for the wedding, ribbons for decorating for the holiday and finally more baking items so that the mothers of Nightshade Manor could prepare Kourabiedes on Yule Eve, also Mother’s Night, which was tonight.

Apparently, Kourabiedes were Greek biscuits created with the use of a family recipe, which Samantha was looking forward to enjoying while the older women told stories to honor and treasure the female ancestors.

She glanced at Cassian from the corner of her eye. His time had been taken over by Lady St. Alban and he had not truly been given a choice. Perhaps he had plans yesterday and today and now he must set them aside for the woman who raised him.

“It should not take long to purchase everything on the list and I promise to be quick.”

Cassian glanced at her. “There is no need to rush.”

“It is obvious that you would rather not be here so I will do my best not to delay our return.”

“That is not it.” He sighed and turned away from the window.

This must be what it was like for people who did not have her gift—always guessing at the truth of a meaning behind words and if a tone hid guarded emotions.

“I question why Eugenia has me helping plan entertainments, sending me into Bocka Morrow, and asking me…” He glanced away.

She suspected what he was about to say and Samantha tried not to be hurt. “Asking you to take me into the village.”

“Yes,” he answered. “Not that I truly mind. I just wonder what she is about.”

Except, he appeared to mind very much.

“Eugenia has rarely asked anything of me. However, these last few days she has asked more of me than her children combined.”

“It concerns you?” She was not certain what to make of his comment as she did not truly know Lady St. Alban all that well.

“With her eldest son marrying, perhaps it is because you are the next oldest in the family.” Except, he was not a son by blood.

Not that it should matter and Samantha was not going to be intrusive and ask for further details.

“She also pulled you away from your family,” Cassian reminded her. “They only arrived yesterday when you had not seen them in weeks.”

“It is only a trip into Bocka Morrow. We will not be gone long.”

“You are a guest at Nightshade Manor. She has a daughter and three sons, not to mention that Petra and Maia are just as close to Antonia and often about, so why you and why me?”

A part of her wondered if he would mind so much if it had been someone else sent with him.

“She is up to something,” Cassian finally said.

“What would that be?”

“I am not certain. Or there was a reason she kept her children home.”

“Are they not all adults?”

“Yes, but…” He pushed his fingers through his thick, dark curly hair. “It simply is not like her and instead of being irritated, which I was, perhaps I should be more concerned.”

“I do not believe there is cause,” she said after some thought.

Cassian narrowed his eyes. “You can detect some emotions…a person’s music. Is there anything that may alarm you from my adoptive mother?”

“If there was, I would not tell you as it would be personal, such as telling a secret. However, I have not picked up on anything that should be a concern. Or at least nothing unusual given the circumstances.”

“What circumstances?”

Samantha chuckled. “Christmas, the wedding, a lunar eclipse, Haloa festival all approaching rather quickly. She has much on her mind.”

Cassian nodded and blew out a breath. “I was the one who was around, and she kept me there. Had it been Simon who had walked in with you, likely he would be sitting in this carriage.” With that he relaxed back against the squabs. “I apologize for being unpleasant.”

“There is no need to do so. You are clearly worried about Lady St. Alban.”

“Yes, and I intend on having a private audience with her when I return home. I believe there is a discussion that must be had.”