“This one will not last that long because I refuse to put off my wedding yet another day!” Chedworth declared. “And must it last all night? Everyone will be too tired to enjoy the wedding.”
More likely he was worried about Antonia being too tired to enjoy her wedding night.
“We will make certain that the wedding takes place in the early evening so that everyone can rest and recover from the likely overindulgence of spirits.” Eugenia looked pointedly at Ares and Ajax.
If the women were going to get drunk in the temple, then Cassian would need to be careful when he was in the Sacred Grove because he did not want to risk seeing women who were more like sisters, aunts and mothers to him dancing naked when he returned to his home at the end of the evening. He could not get to it without walking past the temple.
Except, if he happened to see Lady Samantha dancing naked, he would not object.
Samantha could not be happier that her parents had allowed her to remain at Nightshade Manor, though she was rather surprised. She had arrived here on October twenty-eighth, three days before the Witches’ Ball and remained through the month of November and into December when she had only anticipated remaining a fortnight. But with the announcement that Antonia was to marry Viscount Chedworth, her friend had begged her to stay to assist with the planning. Samantha didn’t really believe her presence was necessary, but she also wasn’t eager to leave because she wanted to learn more about Mr. Cassian Jourdain.
Handsome and quiet. Always there, and often silent. Though, in truth, it was difficult for anyone to be heard when all three families—those of Drakos blood—were at Nightshade Manor at the same time.
Samantha found him fascinating, and attractive, with his dark hair that always appeared tousled, as if he could not tame the thickness or waves. No doubt that if he let it grow longer than was fashionable, he would have lovely curls that every female would envy.
And his eyes—remarkable! Silver grey that turned light with humor and darker when annoyed. Though he seemed to be irritated most of the time, which she could not understand. Chedworth had a reason to be petulant, but she could not understand why Mr. Jourdain was. Not that it should be any of her concern, but Samantha could not help but wonder.
However, what captivated her above all else was that she could not hear his music.
Every person she ever encountered possessed music in their tones. Even if someone was angry but spoke in a manner to make others believe they were quite happy, the music of what lingered in the soul is what filled the air and found her ears—their anger. She could not control what she heard but tried to ignore what was revealed because it was intrusive.
Why couldn’t she hear his music? It wasn’t as if he was drowned out by the noise of others because she’d been with him in quietness.
Did he have no song?
Certainly, his soul was not empty.
Was it possible he had no soul at all?
Samantha quickly dismissed such a ridiculous idea. All living beings had a soul. His was quieter than most.
He was quieter than most.
Even as they left the parlor and made their way to the break in the hedges, which she would have missed as it was practically hidden, on their way to the Sacred Grove, Mr. Jourdain said nothing. Neither did she. However, she snuck a couple of looks at him out of the corner of her eyes, but he was intent on looking ahead, mouth set and jaw tight.
Maybe he did not like her. Maybe he resented having to escort her.
In fact, Samantha wanted to tell him that he could return to Nightshade Manor and that she would be fine by herself, but it was not in her to be difficult and she avoided confrontations whenever possible.
However, when they stepped into a wildflower field with a single tree, though quite dead, in the center, she gasped in delight.
“This is wonderful!”
“You have been here before,” her reminded her.
“That was at midnight, and I was more worried about the spell we had to do,” she answered. “I am so happy that I have been given the chance to see it in the afternoon.” She smiled at Mr. Jourdain. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
He simply nodded and she decided to ignore her brooding companion and enjoy herself.
Oh, she wanted to dance. Instead, she held out her arms and let the music fill her soul as they walked to the temple, up the steps and stopped in the center before she whirled in a circle and sighed.
“There is music surrounding me and it is wonderful.”
Chapter 2
Cassian looked about and strained to listen but he heard nothing out of the ordinary and certainly not music. He would have thought Lady Samantha daft, except he had been raised in this magical world where anything was possible. “What music?”
“The fairies are laughing.” She chuckled herself.
