Page 18 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Cassian spent the better part of the day playing billiards with the others for lack of anything else to do since they had been told to stay put or leave the house completely.

He could have returned home, but then he would have wondered what Samantha was doing. He also lingered near the open door because if he heard her in the music room, he would join her there.

Except, no music was heard coming from anywhere and he was forced to endure the teasing from Ajax, Ares and Simon about what they believed was his infatuation with Samantha.

Of course, he never admitted that such existed and it only stopped when Chedworth warned, with agreement from their married cousins, to leave matters be if they did not want to suffer from harassment when they developed their next infatuation.

Thank goodness there were mature males within the household or Cassian may have taken his leave and not returned until after Christmas.

By the time they arrived down to dinner, most everyone had been seated and Samantha was already surrounded so he was forced to sit further away. He wasn’t even on the opposite side of the table so he could not watch her without leaning forward and looking past the people who separated them.

He did not dare do so or any teasing he had suffered earlier would not only return but increase tenfold.

Following dinner, everyone retired to their chambers and he returned to his cottage where he prepared for Christmas Eve services then joined everyone else in the drawing room of Nightshade Manor near ten o’clock.

There, they shared a cup of tea before setting out on their walk to Bocka Morrow.

It was a tradition for anyone who was in residence during Christmas and this was the only time they crossed over fields that separated the neighboring estate, Hollybrook Park and the Romani Camp, to reach the shorter road to take them into town.

As they neared the haunted Castle Keyvnor, Samantha moved to the far side of the road to put as much distance between her and the estate as possible. Cassian strolled over and offered his arm.

“Is all well?” he asked quietly.

“It will be once we pass,” she whispered.

“You are afraid of ghosts?” he asked in disbelief. Cassian had assumed that witches would not be, though he had no basis for such.

“No, not at all,” Samantha quickly assured him. “It’s the music from some of them.”

He glanced back at the Castle. “They say that dozens of ghosts inhabit Castle Keyvnor. Is it true?” He had never seen one but it was widely accepted that the castle was bursting at the seams with entities while others found places outside that they enjoyed haunting.

“Oh, there are.”

“Is it their unhappiness at being a ghost?” he asked. “Are they discontented from not moving on?”

“There is maliciousness in some.” She gave a shiver. “Those who might be the most dangerous have been bound, likely by a witch, to keep from hurting anyone. The rage is loud, a pounding noise of offkey notes, screeching strings on a violin. It is really quite painful to hear.”

He tugged on her arm to hasten their passing and crossed the border of the estate before anyone else. It was only when they reached the curve in the road leading down into Bocka Morrow that she finally relaxed.

“Well, that was rather unpleasant,” her mother said coming up from behind them. “I do not look forward to our return.”

“It is odd, I did not hear it as loudly when I first arrived at Nightshade Manor, or at any time that I have gone back and forth into Bocka Morrow,” Samantha wondered aloud.

“That is likely because we used a different road,” her mother offered.

“The one directly from Nightshade Manor still runs along Keyvnor lands, but there is also a larger separation filled with fields and woods. Perhaps it is the distance from the castle that lowers the volume,” Cassian suggested.

“Yes, that must be it. Therefore, on our return, I will be taking the longer route,” her mother insisted.

“As will I,” Samantha agreed and Cassian would be the one escorting her.

“I am surprised it bothered you as much as me,” Samantha said to her mother.

“Anger and evil are not as easily ignored or blocked,” her mother offered then walked ahead.

Cassian wanted to know what she meant but they had arrived at Christ Church where others had gathered and were entering to take their seats.

While those who had lived in Bocka Morrow for generations had strong suspicions if not downright knowledge that Nightshade Manor was the home to witches, it was not spoken about in public, just as everyone pretended that there was no smuggling.

However, the ghosts of Castle Keyvnor were not only known far and wide but discussed openly.

He followed the others in and then watched as Samantha stood in the aisle while others filed past her until only one seat remained on the end, which she took.

As there was no place for him beside her, Cassian found a place to stand in the back along with the other men from Nightshade Manor, leaving the available seats for the women in the sanctuary that tended to overflow on holidays such as this.

Why had Samantha avoided sitting in the middle with her family and friends?

* * *

Church services, especially those that occurred to celebrate a religious holiday, were always difficult.

Samantha had done her best to prepare but halfway through the service and even with the hymns that usually brought her joy, it became too much and she had to leave.

Only when she stepped outside did she let the tears fall from heartache and mourning.

It wasn’t until she reached the road and far enough away did the pain lessen and she was able to wipe her tears.

With a sigh, she sank down on a bench as exhaustion took hold.

“Is all well?”

She looked up to find Cassian standing before her.

“It is now,” she offered a weak smile.

“Why did you leave?” He sat down next to her. “Did the vicar say something upsetting?”

“No.” She shook her head. “This is a difficult time of year for many people.”

“Christmas?” he asked in surprise.

“Most of the parishioners may appear to be happy, but it is because they do not want anyone to worry, or lessen the spirit of others, and some are too private, but the pain is there.”

“What pain?”

“Parents who are missing children who live too far away, or longing for a time when they were still young, a broken heart, mourning a loved one, loneliness,” she explained.

“This is a holiday of peace, joy, hope and most are surrounded by love and family. But for those who have lost someone or are alone, it can be very painful.”

“You heard their music?” he asked quietly.

“Yes. It is often heard louder because pain is often felt stronger than joy and I had to leave or I would have burst into tears. I would not draw such attention to myself, nor did I want to make an excuse to a stranger who might approach out of concern.”

“Or nosiness.”

Samantha chuckled. “That as well.”

“Your mother has the same gift, does she not?”

“Yes, but she learned to block, or silence, the music when she needs or wants to. I have not been able to harness the same control.”

“Yet, Castle Keyvnor affected her.”

“That is because evil can never be silenced and even though it is the most unpleasant and frightening music of all, it also must be heard so that we are not taken unaware.”

“I am rather surprised that you left. Remember, Iza warned you to be careful where you wander.”

Samantha chuckled. “I do not believe that she referred to leaving a church service before the others.”

“Likely not, but I could not just let you leave and go off alone.”

Samantha’s heart warmed at Cassian’s words. He likely knew that there was no danger to her across from the churchyard, but she was glad he had joined her.

“Her warning did come to me today though,” she offered and then told Cassian how she had heard the music when they were leaving the magical vault.

“I am certain that someone was probably playing in the music room. It is near the stairs leading below and with the house so old and always changing, there can be odd and unexplainable echoes,” he explained.

“There were times that I was certain that someone was calling from behind when they were in front.” He shrugged.

She supposed he was correct, but just in case, she needed to remember Iza’s warning before she found herself in dire circumstances, though she was certain that it would not occur at Nightshade Manor, where witches were protected.