Page 19 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Several people took the longer road back to Nightshade Manor after they became aware of the distress suffered by Samantha and her mother when they had walked close to Castle Keyvnor earlier.

Unfortunately, it was also darker than the road along St. George’s Channel where the moon reflected off the water.

“Malcolm and Samantha could you light the way?” her father asked.

Cassian knew that she could use fire, but he had not anticipated that both brother and sister would create burning balls, toss them in the air then send a gentle breeze to hold them aloft, going before those who walked, lighting the way.

“How come your parents could not do the same?” he asked. One would assume such gifts would be inherited from a mother or father.

“It is our grandmother who had the gift of fire. It was not passed to our father, but to us.”

“What if someone were to see us?” he asked quietly.

Samantha glanced around. “Who is out to see? The nearest residence is Castle Keyvnor and magical fireballs in the middle of the night will likely be more a curiosity than alarming, especially on the road to Nightshade Manor.”

She was likely correct. Nobody would be on this road if they did not already know where it led.

Because it took them longer to return, it was nearly three in the morning by the time they passed through the gates.

It wasn’t that the service had been long, but because the parishioners gathered and visited until the vicar practically pushed them from the sanctuary and closed the door.

Cassian and Samantha had watched it all from the bench they had found and he pointed to a few of the locals and described who was likely gossiping, even though it was now officially Christmas Day, who was courting, and who owned the various businesses.

Christ Church was the only church in Bocka Morrow so everyone who lived there attended. What had started as a small parish church had grown over the years and now there were plans for the construction of a much larger church so that some were not left standing during services.

As they passed through the gates to Nightshade Manor, Cassian fell back and watched the others enter.

The sunrise was less than five hours away. Would Samantha be there to greet it or slumbering late on Christmas morning?

He had wanted to ask but too many might overhear. However, as he stood outside and the others entered the house, it was her brother who stopped beside him and Cassian tensed.

“My sister has special gifts,” he stated.

“I am aware.”

“She is sweet, kind and has an empathetic soul. She feels emotions deeply.”

“I have gathered as much from my discussions with her.”

“A brother might become upset if such a sister suffered heartache.” Malcolm opened his hand and tossed a fireball as if it were nothing, even though it was clearly a threat.

“I would never knowingly or intentionally harm Lady Samantha,” Cassian promised.

“Is it your intention to ask my father permission to court her?”

Cassian’s heart squeezed. Oh, if only. “Your sister and I are friends and share similar interests. I genuinely like her, but I will not be courting her.”

Malcolm fisted a hand on his hip and held the fireball in his palm. “Why not? I thought you cared for her more deeply.”

Did he admit to his infatuation…love? “I have nothing to offer her. I am an orphan with few funds and no home of my own. If my circumstances were different, I would have presented myself to your father upon his arrival.”

“Is she aware?”

“I have said nothing. We are friends.”

“Kissed her?”

“Never. I would not do so knowing that there can be no future.”

Malcolm nodded. “I appreciate your honesty and that you are acting with honor, but I still feel her heart may be broken if you allow the friendship to deepen further with no promise in the end and that would cause my sister pain.”

“Are you warning me away?” Cassian demanded, though he did not blame Malcolm. Cassian had been as protective of Nina, especially when Orion was pursuing her.

“I am only asking that you be aware of the interactions that you share and not encourage hope.”

“Such as?” Cassian asked.

“Quit watching the sunrise with her. The two of you shouldn’t be alone in the early morning hours without anyone else about anyway.”

Cassian nodded in agreement.

Besides, Samantha would likely only be at Nightshade Manor for five more days and as much as he may wish to spend every possible moment with her, he knew that he could not and that would begin today.

* * *

Samantha should not have been surprised when Cassian did not join her for the sunrise on Christmas morning.

It had been a very late night and no doubt everyone would slumber into the morning.

Still, it was a disappointment not to have him by her side, but it wasn’t as if she would not see him again.

She had barely made it in time to watch the sun crest over the water and once it was enjoyed, she strolled the Witches’ Garden in meditation, then returned to bed because she had only managed to sleep three hours.

By the time she rose again, it was late morning and her stomach was grumbling and as she dressed, hoped that there was still food set out so that she could break her fast.

When she reached the dining room, Samantha filled her plate and turned to find a seat at the table. She was disappointed to note that Cassian was not present, though he often arrived later than the others.

“Eat well, Samantha. There will be little sustenance until early evening,” Petra warned.

“Hours from now. At least nine,” Maia added.

“Why?”

“Cook is too busy preparing the Christmas Feast, and foodstuffs for tomorrow, and what she can prepare early for the Wedding. We are not to bother her or any of the kitchen servants or we will be served porridge for supper.” Petra wrinkled her nose in disgust.

“There will be scones, biscuits, bread and jam set out on the sideboard for those who do not believe they can go so long without food. The tea service will also remain and be kept fresh, but there will be no proper tea provided,” Maia explained.

“By the way you spoke, I feared she intended to starve everyone.” Samantha laughed. “I daresay that we would all survive a day without a meal.”

“Yes, of course,” Petra laughed. “But I would rather not test that theory.”

Cassian did not enter the dining room until nearly everyone was finished eating.

From there, the day was spent quietly, the women working on stitching or in conversations.

Some included plans for the wedding, Haloa and the lunar eclipse.

The men retreated to the billiards room.

If not for the greenery, burning yule log, and that they had attended services the night before, one would not even know that it was Christmas.

Except, Christmas at her own home was always spent quietly.

Samantha assumed that it would be livelier with such a large gathering.

Between the three older Drakos siblings, there were not only their spouses here, but fifteen children, four wives, Cassian, three grandchildren, along with Samantha’s parents and brother, as well as Antonia’s parents and brother.

She had attended house parties with fewer guests.

While it was a pleasant day, it was disconcerting that Cassian had not even spoken to her when he’d had an opportunity to do so.

He was also rather withdrawn and not as boisterous at the morning meal as others. Quiet and almost brooding.

She had wanted to go to him and ask if all was well, but he was surrounded by his friends, the men he had been raised with, so she too, kept her distance from him.

When dinner was finally announced Samantha was beyond hungry and her mouth watered when she entered the dining room to see the feast of roast goose and venison, potatoes and carrots, breads, mince pies, and fruits served with wassail and mulled wine.

She found a seat at the table and was once again between Petra and Maia and the other women while the men filled a different section of the table.

Unfortunately, Cassian sat on the same side of the table as herself so Samantha was unable to observe him, much to her disappointment.

However, she had noticed that when he entered, he was not as jovial as the others.

Was something bothering him? Had something happened to cause him concern?

Except, when she looked around at the other guests, everyone was joyful and teased one another.

By the time that the meal was concluded she was fairly bursting from having eaten too much, especially the plum pudding, but her spirits were not as high as the others.

She missed having spoken with Cassian today and hadn’t realized how much she counted on and enjoyed spending time with him. Clearly, he did not feel the same about her or he would have approached.

“Shall we all adjourn to the music room for carols?” Lady St. Alban asked of those seated at the table. “Samantha has agreed to play while we sing.”

It was something that she had been looking forward to, but some of that enthusiasm had dissipated. However, she buried her disquiet and forced a smile as she followed the others to the music room and then took her place behind the piano.

As they gathered, Samantha let her chin drop to her chest, closed her eyes and steadied her breathing.

She needed to be mindful so that her disquiet did not bleed through her music and affect those in the room.

They were all so happy, well, except for Cassian, but as she could not hear his music, she really had no idea what he was feeling, but she would not let her mood affect those who wanted to celebrate the birth of Christ in song.

Once she believed she had control, she took a deep breath, smiled and looked up. “Is everyone ready?”

“Yes,” they cried.

“The first song will be Here We Come a-Wassailing .”

And so the night continued with the singing of We Wish You a Merry Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks at Night, Deck the Halls, Adeste Fideles, Joy to the World and finally The First Noel.

Her mood was also much improved once they’d finished singing and everyone returned to the drawing room where it had been discussed that they would enjoy wine or brandy and play games.

Except, the room had been transformed. Most of the furniture had been pushed back and dining room chairs brought in and placed in a circle.

“I shall stand in the center, the rest of you, except my brother, sister and spouses of course, will play Move-all ,” Lady St. Alban announced.

“What shall forfeits be?” Orion asked.

“Whatever is appropriate for the circumstances,” she answered.

It was rather vague but Samantha assumed that there would be little kissing and mainly because the majority of those taking part were siblings or cousins, unlike when this game was played at house parties arranged to encourage matchmaking.

Samantha enjoyed this game and always had. But she had also never played it with someone for whom she held an attraction…an infatuation and both worried and hoped that one of them would have to pay a forfeit to the other.

They each took a place outside of the circle of chairs that were evenly spaced so that the participants could slip between them to the center.

“Move all,” Lady St. Alban called. There was a rush of every player to find a seat. The first to claim a forfeit was Nina when her husband sat on her lap. He paid with a kiss.

Samantha’s face heated. If she found herself in similar circumstances, would she be so bold, or Cassian?

The next to fall was Larisa who landed on her older brother, Ajax’s lap. Her forfeit was a compliment. “You are the very best brother, and my favorite.”

He raised a skeptical eyebrow and looked at Samantha. “Is she telling the truth?”

She was not because Larisa loved her brothers equally.

“Unfair,” Maia called. “The one who wins must accept and cannot question it.”

“Nor would I tell,” Samantha returned with a smile.

As the rounds continued, spouses kissed when the other won, compliments and sometimes coins were exchanged and by the time half of the participants had been eliminated, she and Cassian still remained, which increased their chances of encountering the other.

She would just need to be careful that she did not intentionally put herself in his way.

Had he spoken to her at all today, it might not be a concern, but he had been avoiding her and she didn’t know why.

“Move all,” Lady St. Alban called and Samantha moved for an open seat only to encounter Petra who gave her a gentle shove backwards, which had her falling until her landing was softened by a lap.

She glanced around at those seated to note that none of them were Cassian and slowly turned, coming face to face with him, their noses nearly touching.

Heat coursed through her veins, and his lips were so close…

No. It would not be proper no matter how much she wished for a kiss from him. Besides, it would be her doing the kissing and she wanted him to kiss her first.

“What forfeit shall it be, Samantha?” Lady St. Alban asked.

Her heart pounded against her breast and a small amount of panic began to rise, not certain what to do.