The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (20 page)

She took the glass because it was something to hold in her hand and break the awkwardness.

“What do you think of the house after your tour or did you not finish it?”

“We finished all but the nursery and the attics. I’ll explore them on my own. The house is very large and lovely, but does need a bit of change such as curtains and wallpaper.”

“I am sure you will do well in choosing the right materials and colors to brighten the rooms.”

“I am looking forward to it.” She took a sip of her wine and stared at him across the rim of her glass. Waves of heat shimmered off his body toward hers. A deep craving inside her responded. With his eyes sparking golden fire, she barely managed to resist the urge to move closer, run her hand across the smooth plane of his good cheek and lean into his hard frame.

He broke the impasse and smiled toward the door. “Ah, Bailey is here to announce dinner.” He held out his arm. “Join me, my dear?”

They sat at the long formal dining table. Had he planned it? Although shaken from the feelings he'd aroused, she was determined to make at least a small crack in his protective armor. She motioned to the footman to carry her plate and glass.

“When we dine alone, I much prefer we sit close enough for conversation,” Thea said. She smiled and seated herself to his left.

A hint of a smile hovered around his mouth. He glanced across to where Bailey stood. “You will let the staff know about my wife’s preference.” Wulf raised his glass and toasted her.

Savoring her small victory, Thea ate well and drank two glasses of wine. Her limit being one, she realized she was a bit tipsy.

After they finished their meal, Wulf asked, “Would you play the pianoforte for me?”

“Yes, of course.”

He led her into the conservatory and to the pianoforte and then he sat in a nearby chair. “Would you play something relaxing?”

Thea ran her fingers along the keys and began to play some of her favorite classical pieces. Wulf leaned his head back and closed his eyes. The music curled around them with its potency. When she finished, Thea went to his chair, and standing behind him, she touched his scars. His eyes flickered open, then closed. She hummed a soft tune, while her hands massaged both sides of his face.

Thea put all her concentration on kneading and caressing the deep edges created by the injuries. Heat built up between her hand and his face. Finally, he reached up and captured her fingers, holding them against him.

“What is this magic you wrought?”

“No magic. Something my mother taught me. Do you have an herb garden?”

“Our cook does.”

"I will make a potion to rub into the scars. It will not remove them, but they will be less noticeable and the pain will go.”

He turned his lips into her palm and kissed the heated skin. “Your hand is tiny and soft, yet it brings such relief.”

With a little tug, he brought her around to face him. In one quick movement, he had her in his lap and his lips covered hers. While his warm lips ravaged her mouth, his hand caressed along her neck and slipped inside the bodice of her gown.

An intense ache moved through her body to the core of her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and her breast rose to fill his hand. All she was aware of was him, his heat, the male smell of him and her body’s hunger for his touch.

Reluctantly, he pulled back. His eyes blazed with fire, then slowly cooled to their usual golden color. “I think you’d better go upstairs. I have work to finish tonight.” His deep velvet voice wove its magic around her.

“Won’t you join me?” She blushed at her forwardness.

He brushed his hand across her heated cheek. “Not tonight.”

He helped her stand. She started to plead with him but saw his resolve.

“Good night,” she whispered. She took a lone candle to lead her way to bed. Wulf did not respond to her leaving, and she didn’t look back.

* * * *

Wulf woke with a start. He had little memory of coming upstairs and going to bed. He’d slept through the night. This was unusual for him and unexpected after the encounter with Thea that sparked fire in his blood. His hand rubbed his scars. There was no pain. His wife had magical hands.

As he became more awake, he remembered their visitor. Damn, he should have told her the whole story. Yesterday’s shock was his fault. The pressure increased to tell her the rest of his secrets, and yet he held back, mainly because he feared her reaction. There was time yet, he hoped. He would wait.

Pulling his curtains aside, he opened the window. Damp, cool air from recent rains filled the room. Thea’s sister should arrive soon and he hoped she’d keep Thea busy and less curious about her new husband. He’d sent the letter right after yesterday’s incident.

Wulf walked briskly into the small dining room, fully expecting to be alone. Thea sat at the table with a plate of food and her tea.

“Good morning.” She smiled.

“You are up early.”

“I hoped I might ride with you this morning to see more of the estate.” Her open face showed her eagerness.

Wulf knew he couldn't refuse. “We will pick you a mare to ride, and after I show you around, you can go on your own whenever you wish.”

Thea laughed. “I would like that very much. I rode almost every day when Mama and Papa were alive.”

“Your uncle did not let you ride?”

“No, there were other things I needed to do.”

Wulf sat down after filling his plate with food. “When we finish eating, we’ll go to the stables.”

Her face lit up like Jane’s when he’d given her a particularly pleasant surprise. When she smiled at him this way, it drove away the blackness and kept the monster at bay. This morning he felt young and strong, and for the first time in a very long time, hopeful.

Wulf ate quickly seeing Thea finished and ready. He led the way to the stables and along the stalls to Grey Ghost
.
“She’s a mare from my stallion, spunky but safe.”

Thea put her hand up to pet the mare and the horse immediately licked her hand and nuzzled her. Wulf remembered how Batair went to her. “You do have a gift with animals.”

“Yes, they seem to like me.”

“I believe animals, especially horses and dogs, are a good judge of character.”

“Oh, I do too.” She chuckled. “Mary, my old mare at home, would snort and kick the stall whenever Uncle Rigby came to the stables. And she has always been a calm, quiet horse.”

“Would you like to bring your mare here?”

“Uncle Rigby would never allow it.”

Wulf didn’t respond, but determined he would find out if Hawley had found any pertinent information on the uncle. She would have her horse.

The stable boy saddled Grey Ghost while Wulf readied Batair, and then they rode south. The path led through pasture land covered with bluebells and wildflowers. The air, fresh from night rains, also had the scent of new cut hay.

Wulf glanced at Thea, admiring her seat and the way she held the reins, in charge but loose, not pulling on the mare’s mouth. He let himself imagine many such rides and children on small ponies riding with them.

Could it be possible?
Don’t think too far ahead.
There was much to be accomplished, before he started to dream. Although, at this moment, looking at his wife with the sun shining on her silky black curls, delight captured in eyes the color of new green leaves, and her skin glowing with happiness, anything seemed possible.

“I’ll race you to the trees,” she said, pointing to a thicket of willows.

“You’re on.” He gave her a second’s leave before Batair tore off after her. Her hat blew off, and she slowed for a second. Batair raced past her. Wulf dismounted to greet her.

Breathless, she went to Batair and patted him. “I knew we could not beat you. You’re magnificent.” The horse raised his head and snorted then nuzzled her neck.

“Here.” Wulf handed her an apple from his knapsack. He watched the horse eat it from her hand. What magic did this woman weave to be able to tame his mighty horse and—if he was being honest—himself?

They stood side by side, looking back at the ancestral home in the distance. “You must be very proud. Your estate is wonderful.”

He studied it with fresh eyes, in ways he hadn’t since he’d become a man and all the darkness had filled him. A feeling unknown or forgotten crept over him. He was afraid to admit it might be joy for fear it would disappear.

“I am sure it is nothing to worry about, but I have been trying to remember to tell you that I saw a huge wolf the other night come right up to the side of the house. Do you often see wolves around here?” She raised her eyes to him.

At first her words didn’t register, but when they did, the joy and brightness of the day swiftly fled.

Cold dread ran down his spine. “A few.” He touched his face. “I got these from tangling with a wolf. It is best not to venture out after dark, unless I am with you.”

She shivered and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I suppose you can’t get rid of them all with such a large acreage?”

“No. I have a huge estate and much of it is woods.” In the distance, he saw storm clouds forming. “We’d best ride for home. It will rain soon.” And his blackness returned, mocking him for even thinking he might escape.

Thea made her way up the stairs and into the attic. It was an ideal day to search for hidden treasure, cloudy and cool outside. She’d worn another old, long sleeved wool gown, so she'd be warm and not have to worry if she got dirty.

There were numerous old trunks and a few discarded toys, one, a faded rocking horse. In a small box, she found painted army men and miniature horses. A warm glow filled her heart. She’d dreamed about having a home filled with children. She pictured them in the nursery just below her, playing with toy horses and soldiers or riding the rocking horse. Under the box were several dolls, each wrapped in white linen. Forcing herself to move on, she opened one of the large trunks.

As she’d hoped, she found drapes in lighter colors and still in good repair. She'd start with these, until she found someone to make new ones. Choosing the right fabric would be fun and then she’d have a seamstress sew them. For now, these light blue drapes would brighten the grand lounge.

She took all morning going through different trunks finding old gowns and lace shawls. Several of the shawls, still delicate and beautiful, she set aside to take to her room.

Deciding she’d done enough for the day, she took one last look further down under some silk ball gowns. Her hand touched something hard. Pulling the silk aside, she saw a small box wrapped in a linen handkerchief. Curious, she pulled it out.

After removing the material, Thea saw faint writing on the top.
To the Bride.
Chills coursed through Thea’s blood. She glanced around the empty attic, half expecting to see someone standing in a corner.

She opened the box and stared at the necklace. The amulet was one part smooth shiny gold. The other half looked like someone took a knife and scarred the surface. One side was cool and smooth, and the scratched side rough and hot. Thea ran her finger across the ridges and jerked her hand back, looking down at a thin cut on her fingertip. The drop of blood sizzled on the scarred side of the amulet and disappeared into the ridges.

She gasped and dropped the amulet back into the box, quickly putting the lid on. She sensed an evil entity around her. She must take this to grandmamma. Should she tell Wulf about her discovery or wait? She'd take the necklace to her room and decide later. It was time for the noon meal.

She rewrapped the box with the linen cloth. She'd hide it under the shawls she’d retrieved, in one of her drawers.

She wished her mother had had more time to teach her about magic before she died. Thea was aware magic could be used for good or evil, and she sensed the amulet represented both.

What did it mean and why was it hidden in the attic? Thea chewed on her lip. The air in the attic stirred and for a moment she heard a distant laugh. Taking the things she'd found, Thea hurried out of the attic and down the stairs to her room. Here the warmth and bright sunlight almost convinced her she'd been imagining things, until she went to put the box with the amulet inside away and felt it vibrate.

Wulf did not join her at the dining table. Disappointed, Thea ate quickly and paced restlessly around the downstairs. Finally, she sat at her desk to write Elvie a letter. Still not able to concentrate, she gave up on writing and went to the library to find a book, but found it difficult to focus on anything.

Where was Wulf? His study was empty, she thought. She'd started to turn away when she saw a door, inside the room, standing slightly ajar. She hadn’t noticed it on her tour through the house. Tiptoeing closer, she observed how it was normally hidden by thick blue drapes.

Quietly, she peeked around the door’s edge. Sitting at a tall table looking down at something he was working on in his hands, she found Wulf. The light from a nearby candle reflected off the gold in his brown hair. A lock fell across his forehead. She stood mesmerized, observing his hands creating a tiny woodland creature from a small block of wood.