Page 8 of Magic in the Music (Magic and Mysteries #4)

Cassian woke later than usual and hurried to dress.

Instead of making his tea and standing outside of the cottage, he had hoped to be at the manor so he could watch the sunrise with Samantha.

Unfortunately, he missed the beginning, but that was not what irritated him when he found her. It was the fact that she was not alone.

Why the bloody hell were Simon, Ajax and Ares with her?

“Are the three of you just now getting home from the tavern or whatever else you did last night?”

“We were in all night,” Simon answered.

“We rose to watch the sunrise with Samantha.” Ajax grinned.

Had she asked them to join her?

What happened yesterday when he was not around?

Bloody hell!

His chest and stomach twisted with jealousy.

He wanted to be the one watching the sunrise with Samantha, but of the four men in the garden, he was the least worthy of her.

They were sons of lords and wealthy enough that they never had to enter into trade but could live well with few responsibilities.

He could offer her nothing.

The sun had nearly risen and the birds were getting louder. This was usually the most peaceful time of the day for Cassian but he was unable to enjoy it with Samantha because they were not alone.

“That was pleasurable,” Simon said.

“I, too, am glad I pulled myself away from the bed,” added Ajax.

“Far better than I anticipated,” Ares offered.

Samantha may think they were discussing the sunrise but Cassian knew better because they were looking at him as she stared out over the horizon.

“Does this mean you will be joining Samantha every morning?” Cassian asked with forced happiness. “I am certain she would enjoy the company.”

“It is nice to share the sunrise with others.” She sighed and then turned to them. “I am glad you each enjoyed it, and now I must take my stroll.”

“I would be happy to join you, Samantha,” Simon offered and Cassian grit his teeth.

“Thank you.” She smiled as she took his arm.

“Where to?” he asked and glanced back at Cassian.

“Along the paths in the Witches’ Garden. It is delightful as the flowers come awake with the day.”

Cassian stared at their backs as they wandered off.

“Does Simon want to court Samantha?” Cassian asked with what he hoped sounded like curiosity with no evidence of the jealousy burning a hole in his stomach. “Or, one of you?”

“We simply wanted to see the sunrise,” Ares shrugged.

“And to see if anyone else enjoyed it with her, or if they stayed in their cottage.”

“I was up earlier than normal and took a walk through the grove,” Cassian lied. They did not need to know the truth or he would never hear the end of it.

“Is that so?” Ajax asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Why does it even matter?” Cassian demanded. “Even if I had wanted to see the sun with Samantha, there would be no point in me doing so.” He turned and strode for the doors to the manor. “I hope you all enjoy your courtship and may the best man win.”

That was not well done of him and by letting them see his irritation, they now knew that he wanted to court Samantha himself.

No doubt he would have to suffer with their banter, innuendo and teasing until she left, which would not be for another fortnight.

Bloody hell!

Maybe he should return to his cottage and just stay there.

* * *

Disappointment flooded her being when she and Simon returned to the terrace but Cassian was not there.

Oh, she tried to enjoy the conversation with Simon, and he was personable and handsome, and she knew several women who would have been thrilled to have his undivided attention, but Samantha was not one of them.

Maybe something was wrong with her because she could only summon the mildest of interest, and it had nothing to do with the fact that Maia and Petra had spoken of their cousin in an unflattering and teasing manner.

Oh, this was so very frustrating.

And it didn’t get any better because after she took a seat to break her fast, Ares sat to the right of her, Ajax to the left with Simon directly across the table. Cassian, however, found a place at the opposite end of the table and practically glared in their direction.

Had he woken in a poor mood?

Did it matter if he did?

“Your blue is darkening and tinged with grey, Samantha,” Antonia whispered from her seat beside Simon. “Is all well?”

No, it was not, but she could not announce such to those seated near her. “I must simply be tired,” she finally answered. “Perhaps I should stop rising so early.” With that, she pushed away from the table and made her way to the music room.

Oh, she wished she could hear Cassian’s music so that she could understand why she cared.

The music of Simon, Ajax and Ares was loud and clear, and there was nothing about them to dislike.

They were teasing and having fun, but their words also held double meanings, which she had difficulty understanding, but were not harmful.

That was often the case with gentlemen, saying one thing but meaning something she did not understand.

They were difficult creatures whereas women were easily understood.

They also didn’t make her pulse race. Nor were they interested in doing so.

Had any of them held an attraction to her, Samantha would have heard it in their music.

She had heard it in others, especially in the ballrooms in London, but neither Ajax, Ares nor Simon was interested in her beyond… she did not know.

Whereas, Cassian had no interest in her at all. So, why was she so attracted to him, besides the fact that he was the most handsome man at Nightshade Manor?

Maybe her fascination was simply because he was the one person she could not hear. Had her captivation begun because he was the only person who did not have music and it had developed into an infatuation.

However, one thing that she would not do was look for Cassian today, nor hope that he would want to talk to her. Instead, she would put him from her mind and concentrate on other matters.

Except she had no other matters to concentrate on. So, there was only one thing left to do.

Playing always helped relieve some of her frustrations, which was why she settled on the stool and placed her fingers on the ivory keys, took a deep breath, closed her eyes, became mindful to keep her emotions inside and not let them float away on the music, and played.

She did not know how long she had been there, but she played one song after another, her moods shifting, a cleansing of emotions that left her quite relaxed by the time her arms tired.

Only then did she open her eyes and let out a breath and saw Cassian standing just inside the door, leaning against a wall, arms crossed over his chest, just as he had been the other day.

Samantha’s face heated immediately because she had been so lost in the music that she had not even been aware that another person was in the room. Had it been anyone else, she would have known immediately but she was once again reminded that she could not hear his music.

“Cassian,” she greeted. “How long have you been standing there?”

“A half an hour or more.”

“You should have alerted me to your presence.”

“I did not want to disturb you and found your music quite mesmerizing.”

Oh dear, had she let control of her emotions slip while she had played? She had experienced melancholy and happiness. Goodness, what must he have endured?

“I very much enjoy listening to you play.”

“Thank you.”

“But that is not why I came to find you.”

“You came looking for me?” Almost immediately she pushed away foolish hope. It could only be because Lady St. Alban needed her for something or told Cassian to take her somewhere.

“Yes. I was thinking about what you said about being an old soul.”

“It is silly and something a grandmother told me.”

“But you do believe it is a possibility.”

Samantha shrugged. “None of us know for certain. I fear we will not have the answers to what is beyond until we arrive there.” Which was a rather depressing thought and she was in no hurry to find out.

“I do know of someone who may be able to help.”

“Who?” Not even witches had such information for certain.

“Have you visited the Romani since you arrived?”

“No, I have not. I am to understand that their home is near and assumed they did not want to be bothered.”

“I have known them most of my life and they will not mind.”

Samantha rose from the stool. “Are you certain?”

“Yes. I will take you there now.”

“I think I would like that.” She smiled. If anything, it promised to break what she had anticipated to be a tedious afternoon.

Further, Cassian had invited her without being prompted to do so.

Or had someone proposed the outing?

“Did someone suggest that I should visit the Romani?”

He frowned. “No. Why would they? I have not mentioned your many souls.” The corner of his mouth tipped.

From that moment, Samantha decided to give up ever trying to understand men—especially Cassian Jourdain.