Page 5 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Cassian had always enjoyed the early morning hours the best. This was when he rose to the silence of the cottage, brewed tea, then settled outside to watch the sunrise.

It was when the Sacred Grove started to awaken.

It began with the trill of songbirds greeting the day, to the rustle of forest creatures in the brush, and the waves from St. George’s Channel below.

While the front of the cottage faced west, it was on the back portico where he sat and through a break in the trees that he could watch the sunrise over the horizon and start blanketing the Sacred Grove with light.

Only then would he wander to the front where he often spied whales, dolphins, and sometimes even seals, depending on the time of year.

Such magnificence in this small corner of the world and he had the pleasure to enjoy every day.

The cottage was situated at the top of a hill in such a manner that all could be seen below from where he stood, but the trees were tall enough, and situated in a way to hide the house, designed and created by witches.

Cassian often felt alone in the world when he sat outside and took in everything around him.

Occasionally ships passed and he imagined where they might be going, especially if they were traveling south.

Were any of them traveling to France?

With Napoleon now exiled on the island of Elba, it would be possible to return without fear of war.

Cassian hadn’t been back in nine years, and at that time, his mother’s family was still well.

He had not been given the opportunity to locate his father’s family but had reason to believe that some of the more distant relatives had survived the Terror.

He’d also been able to visit his father’s estate in the Loire Valley and it had been painful to see the orchard razed after being burned during the Revolution.

However, the chateau still stood, though many of the furnishings and valuables had been destroyed or taken. It had barely resembled the home he knew as a child, but at least it had not been claimed by another owner.

That had also been nine years ago and anything could have happened since. Though, if it had, he would have been told because his mother’s family promised to keep him apprised until Cassian could return.

However, now it was time to fight for what should be his.

Once the chateau and land were his again, he would be in a position to pursue Samantha.

Cassian shook his head and returned inside.

It would take him years to reclaim the estate and make it whole again. By then, Samantha would have likely married, had children of her own, and possibly grandchildren.

“Foolish dreams,” he grumbled as he rinsed the teacup. No matter how much he may aspire to reclaim the estate that had been in his family for generations, he knew that it was not likely to ever happen because he would never have the funds necessary to do so.

* * *

Samantha knew that she could not watch for Cassian to join them for breakfast, especially since her friends were watching her. They may not say anything directly, but with a shift of their eyes, a knowing smile, she could almost hear their teasing.

Except, she did occasionally glance at the set of doors that led to the terrace and she hoped that such appeared innocent. After all, it was the reason she had taken this very seat. From her vantage, she could see the terrace as she conversed with her friends seated across the table.

It was odd that while everyone else entered the dining room from the hall after coming down the stairs, Cassian always came from outside.

She had wanted to ask if he enjoyed morning strolls, but then he would know that she noticed.

She had also never seen him. She usually woke before the sun, and after she had dressed for the day she would make her way outside as the world awoke around her.

She only did so at her family estate, and at Nightshade Manor, but never in London because that would be too dangerous, even if she had a maid by her side.

Besides, London never slumbered in silence. Too many people lived there and someone was always awake.

However, here, all of Nightshade slept until the first rays of light were about to appear on the horizon, which she had witnessed almost every morning since she arrived and the first music to reach her ears were the delicate waves as they lapped in the cove.

Soon after, the gentle calls of morning songbirds grew into a chorus, filling the air, followed by rabbits, squirrels, deer near the woods, and every animal imagined going about to gather their breakfast.

Their music always began quietly and built into a beautiful crescendo of life.

“Why did you sigh?”

Pulled from her thoughts, Samantha turned to Antonia. “Did I?”

“Yes, just as you did yesterday.”

She hoped that they were not going to accuse her of thinking about Cassian again.

“Were you watching for Cassian?” Petra whispered.

“No,” she answered. “I was thinking about the brilliant sunrise this morning.”

Petra frowned. “You were up that early?”

“On purpose?” Antonia asked.

“I always am.”

“Do you stand at your window and watch?” Antonia asked.

“She cannot. Her window faces west,” Petra explained.

“I walk in the early morning hours. There is a delightful stone bench on a north hill of the Witches’ Garden that faces east and offers a spectacular view.

Then I stroll through the garden before returning inside.

It is a meditation, a connection with life, remembering my purpose and a reminder to be mindful of my actions. ”

Petra blinked at her. “You do this every day?”

“When it is possible.” Samantha smiled. “It is the best way to begin each day. With silence then wait for the music to awaken.”

“Maybe that is why she is always happy,” Antonia suggested.

“Perhaps, but I have no intention of testing her theory,” Petra responded. “I am not one to rise before the sun and consider it unnatural.”

“It is the very best part of the day,” Cassian announced as he entered off the terrace.

“You rise with the sun too?” Antonia asked, curiosity laced in her tone as she glanced at Petra.

“Whenever possible,” he answered as he crossed to the sideboard. “I usually enjoy a cup of tea as I watch the sunrise.”

While she was happy not to be alone in her preference for how to start the day, Samantha knew that Petra and Antonia were now likely scheming. They had begun yesterday, but if Cassian had any interest in her, he would have let her know in the nearly two months that she had been at Nightshade Manor.

“Where do you watch the sunrise?” Petra asked.

“From the grove.” Plate in hand he turned. “Then sometimes I look out over St. George’s Channel while I enjoy another cup of tea.” He took a seat beside Petra. “The dolphins were playful this morning, but I miss the summer months when whales can be viewed.”

“Have you ever seen dolphins, Samantha?” Petra asked.

“No. I have not.”

“Perhaps we should take a boat out if they are still about,” Antonia suggested.

“Or Cassian could show you where they were seen,” Maia grinned as she entered the dining room.

“I am certain he has more pressing matters than to take me to see dolphins,” Samantha insisted.

“Do you, Cassian?” Petra asked. “Have you anything so pressing that you cannot show Samantha the dolphins?”