Bride Enchanted (16 page)

“If that's what it is, then, no, not really. So,” she said with a great effort to sound casual, tracing her name on his chest with the tip of one finger, “you don't need to use it with me. In fact, I think if you tested yourself you'd find there was no reason to use spells at all, on anyone, and so there'd be no reason to claim you were different from other men, either. I love you just as you are. Most people would, you know. As for the others? Who needs them?”

He rolled over on his side, and lay still, re
garding her. “Eve,” he said quietly, “I don't use enchantments anymore. And I have never done with you, except that once and now for the second time. But I am what I claim to be. Only time will prove it to you, though.”

“You sister said she could.”

“My sister,” he said flatly, “has her own reasons for everything she does, and none of them to profit you, or me. If you give me the time, in the fullness of it you will come to understand who and what I am. Can you wait, trust me, and continue to stay with me?”

“Will you tell other people what you are?” she asked. “I mean, like my father and brother, and our relatives, and such?”

“No,” he said sincerely. “I never planned to do that.”

“And you won't mention how old you are?” she asked anxiously. “I mean, I wouldn't mind if you claimed to be any age at your next birthday so long as it wasn't three hundred years. That's bound to cause talk that we don't need.”

“I understand and quite agree,” he said. “Consider it forgotten.”

“And you won't discuss your previous wives, except,” she added quickly, “with me?”

“Of course. If you wish me to talk about them, I
will,” he said. “But I can't see the point in it.”

She sighed. So did he.

“I understand,” he said again, gently. “I honestly do. No one else will know, and that's a vow.”

“Thank you,” she said. “It's not that I'm unfeeling or uncaring, and believe me, I more than anyone else know that you're a very unique person. But you know how people are. They're bound to find it odd.”

“I know. Don't worry. I told you only because you asked. And I will never lie to you.”

“Good,” she said, suppressing a sudden urge to yawn.

“Good night then,” he said, and she heard the smile in his voice.

She curled up against him. He could work enchantment with her just by being himself. When he withheld his love while making love it hurt her. That was natural, and no spell, unless love itself could be called such. Having a husband who thought he was immortal, an elf or an Old Person, a creature out of legend and folklore, wasn't wonderful. But if you loved him desperately and you were the only one to know about his conviction that he was that, and in all other respects he
was
wonderful, you could deal with it. She could, and would. It wasn't what she had wanted or ex
pected in a husband, but she supposed there were far worse things he could be.

And if he were discovered, well, eccentrics were all the rage. The greatest fops and fashion setters outdid each other trying to be even more peculiar, dressing in bizarre fashions and taking up outlandish hobbies to call attention to themselves. Collecting dogs, or wearing only green clothing, or such. Her husband's strange conviction hardly approached such folly. And he'd promised to keep it to himself.

One day, perhaps, she'd find the reason for this illusion of his, and maybe somehow deal with it, so that he wouldn't need it anymore.

“Eve,” he said as she drifted to sleep, nestled against him, his voice vibrating through her own body, “you amaze me. No human has ever disliked sensual enchantments or understood the difference between getting satisfaction, and giving it as well as taking it. You're right, of course. That does make even the finest spell seem somehow lacking. Humans never notice it. You did. I sought you because you were different, but you continue to amaze me. And if I knew exactly what it was, or if I was at all capable of it, I could believe I was falling in love with you.”

She froze.

“No,” he said, taking her hand and holding it
to his heart. “That's a compliment. I never felt this way before, and didn't know that I could.”

She sighed. That, she thought, wasn't much. But perhaps it was, coming from him. It gave her hope, because she wanted and needed it to.

I
f he was any mythical character, Eve thought sleepily, then Aubrey was Cupid to her Psyche: a dream lover who was gone from her bed every morning when she awoke. But lately, she was so loathe to wake up early that she wasn't really surprised to find him gone. When she opened her eyes this morning she saw the sun was already well up.

“Am I become like one of those elegant London ladies?” Eve asked her maid when she came in. Eve yawned and stretched and then accepted her morning cup of hot, bitter chocolate in bed. This was a wealthy married lady's luxury she really enjoyed.

“No, ma'am,” her maid said, as she pulled back all the bedchamber curtains to let the sun stream in. “Those ladies don't wake until noon. It's only just ten in the morning.”

“Well, I'm used to being up with the chickens,”
Eve said on another huge yawn. “It must be all this fresh air.” She secretly wondered if it was all the lovely lovemaking that was making her so deliciously exhausted, but couldn't mention that to anyone. That reminded her that not everything about her husband was lovely.

“Betty,” she said more seriously, sitting up, “You're from London. Have you heard any strange stories about Far Isle since you've gotten here?”

“Oh, many!” Betty said cheerfully. “But, begging your pardon, ma'am, there's stories about all old houses, what with ghosts and specters and strange doings in the night. There's lots of that but I don't hold with any of it. What I did hear about what's dodgy, and kindly tell me to stop if I give offense, but they say that the master's sister is a piece of work, a female to be reckoned with, and no one's favorite. And that the master is as good as he's kind, and that's as much as he's handsome, so you can imagine how much everyone likes him. And you too, ma'am, they like you too, that's sure. Will there be anything else?”

“No, thank you,” Eve said, looking down at her tray, embarrassed and annoyed with herself for asking about gossip from a maid, because now for certain, that would be the new gossip of the day.

She hardly touched her light repast: the chocolate tasted off, and the little biscuits she usually
enjoyed were too rich. Her stomach, her taste buds, or her cook was obviously not in good spirits this morning. So Eve arose, feeling hollow and slightly rancid. After much yawning and stretching, she dressed by herself, in order to avoid Betty's conversation. She didn't want any more gossip, after all. Eve threw on a salmon-colored, light wool long-sleeved gown. She brushed out and tied up her hair herself, and wandered downstairs, feeling restless.

She put on a light shawl and went out into the daylight, hoping that the fresh air would wake her thoroughly. It was deep autumn but the day was mild. The leaves that remained on the trees were ragged and brown, the sun was warm on her upturned face, acorns and dead leaves snapped and crunched under her feet as she trailed down a long path into the little wood nearby. A rambling stream melodically chuckled over smooth stones at the side of the path; the air was cool here and smelled of earth and leaves, and she began to breathe more easily.

“Good morning, dear little sister,” Arianna said, appearing before her.

Eve halted, a hand on her heart. “I didn't hear you coming.”

“Of course not,” Arianna said merrily. “Tell me, did you ask Aubrey those three questions?”

Eve was a reasonable woman and prided herself on being an even-tempered soul. But now as she looked at Arianna's smiling face, she felt rage bubbling up inside her. She put her hands on her hips and glowered at her sister-in-law.

“How dare you!” she said, her voice low and aggrieved. “You knew about Aubrey's problem, and the full extent of it too. And yet, under the guise of friendship, you told me to ask the very things that exacerbated it. Poor man! Most of the time he forgets his illusions, but you went and deliberately had me stir things up, didn't you? You made sure that I saw every facet of his delusion. Well, I did, I have, and guess what,
my dear sister
?” she added in scornful mockery. “It makes no matter to me.”

Eve snapped her fingers. “I love him still, so if your goal was to chase me away, I'm afraid it didn't work. Just never call yourself my ‘sister,' or my friend again, thank you very much. Now, if you'll excuse me? I have things to do.”

But Arianna didn't stir from where she stood in front of Eve. Nor did she stop smiling, though she cocked her head to the side. “And what you have to do now is think things through, right? But there's no need. It's you who labor under an illusion, poor Eve. Aubrey is what he says he is, as am I.”

“Oh,” Eve said on a sneer, “I see. How dim of me. You're one of the Old People too? I suppose you can fly and cast spells? Oh bother! Arianna, I'll thank you to mock me no more. I know this delusion isn't a game for Aubrey, but I think that it is with you.”

“Oh, all my life is a game, I never take things as seriously as Aubrey does, or rather, has begun to do. But hear me out, Eve. What he says, what I say, what we are, is true. Should you like to see for yourself?” Arianna cocked her fair head to the side, for once not smiling, only looking curious. She was wearing a green cape this morning; her hair was unbound, and the sunlight made a golden nimbus around her.

Eve was tempted, though she knew it wasn't what Aubrey wanted. But if his sister claimed to be supernatural as well, it might be she was part of some sinister plot to cloud his mind. Or it might be that both children had been brought up to entertain such fancies. Aubrey seldom spoke about his parents. This might be the reason for the delusion, and this was her chance to perhaps know why.

She stared at Arianna, and suddenly decided that just this once, she might go against Aubrey's wishes. His reasoning was obviously unbalanced when it came to his personal life and his illusions.
If she could see for herself she might be able to help him, or at least help herself to deal with him. She nodded. “Maybe.” She waited, standing firm, but poised to run. No telling what Arianna might do to prove herself.

Arianna laughed at her stance and her expression. “Oh no. I'll do nothing right here, and there are no magic tricks. Instead, I'll let you see my home, our home, your husband's true home. I'll take you there and then you'll doubt us nevermore.”

“Is it far?” Eve asked, babbling the first thing she could think of to fill the time as she backed away. Nothing could induce her to walk a step further into a dark wood with this strange woman.

“Not at all. It's here,” Arianna said. “In the same place as Far Isle, but in a different world, a different and better place. There's a border, a boundary that only we know. Just follow me.” She held out her hand.

Eve didn't take it.

“Oh, come along, do,” Arianna said impatiently. “What would be the point of my harming you? I want to be your sister, Eve, perhaps in every way. Because your brother Sheridan interests me. He is of your blood, and so he has great potential, for me, I think.”

Eve felt cold.

“But for now,” Arianna went on, “it will be just you. Don't look so alarmed. You're safe with me; we can come back any time you wish. The thing is,” she laughed, “you may not want to go home again.”

“No!” Eve exclaimed. “On second thought, no, thank you. I haven't the time today.” She took a deep breath. She couldn't be such a coward. She had to find out something, anything more, before she walked away. “But tell me, Arianna, did your parents tell you about this place, you and Aubrey?”

Arianna laughed. It was such pretty laughter, Eve thought sadly. It sounded like bells. But the lady was obviously mad as a hatter. It must run in the family, she realized, backing away. Aubrey was kind. But who knew if Arianna wasn't violent? That might be why Aubrey wanted her to stay away from his sister. Eve put a hand over her abdomen as if she had something there to protect. She did, she realized. Her fertility, her legacy, her as yet unborn children. Her heart felt leaden when she thought about it. Because though she could perhaps tolerate Aubrey's obsession and ignore his sister's illusions, she realized she never wanted to deal with a weak-minded child as well.

Arianna's eyes widened. Her smile was the broadest Eve had ever seen, so wide and white
it was almost lupine. “Ah, I see! Oh wonderful! It's true! Joy upon you, little sister. And I see you know already.”

“Know what?”

Arianna nodded to where Eve had placed her hand. “That you carry my brother's child, of course. Early days for you to know, but I suppose you must have some powers or he wouldn't have chosen you in the first place. This is more than exciting. Last time we met I thought perhaps, but it was too soon to know for certain, or even if the babe would take a tight hold. But it has. It grows and prospers.” She clapped her hands together and whirled around. “Such a special child too. The first one Aubrey has ever conceived. The first one any of us has conceived in generations. And if it's born with the power, then it will be the first new one of our kind in generations. It gives us hope. It will mean that our long day is not yet ended.”

“I am with child?” Eve asked, astonished and yet suddenly convinced of this truth.

“Didn't you know? Well, you should. Count your days, count the moon cycles, and you'll see it's true.” Arianna closed her brilliant blue eyes for a second, opened them, and smiled. “You will certainly know within the week, little sister. And to relieve your mind, it is a male child.”

Eve stood still. She had been feeling ill in the
mornings, and weary in the day, when she ought not to be. She hadn't dared hope, but now she believed what Arianna said. Not that she was having a boy, but that she was with child. It was possible.

“What fortune, what luck; what a clever fellow my brother is after all,” Arianna crowed. “Because luck had little to do with it. How did he know he'd find such welcome in you? Who could have guessed it? Such a simple earth-bound female as you are, and yet with an interesting heritage, and above all else, the ability to continue our own heritage. He followed your line and found gold in plain earth. His powers are wider than even I knew, and I salute him.”

“That's all you think he married me for?” Eve asked.

“Of course,” Arianna said. “Why else? Don't look so unhappy, it's a great honor to bear one of our kind. You'll be awarded great riches and tribute. And never fear, we'll bring the child up to appreciate you as well as his own legacy.”

“You?” Eve asked in shock. “
You
will raise my child?”

Arianna laughed again. “Who else should rear such a miraculous child? You? I can't wait to tell the others! I'll see you again, little sister. I salute you, and don't worry; I'll see no harm comes to
you. What joy!” she said, twirling in place again, creating a swirl of gold and green. “Good day, Eve. Until we meet again, adieu!”

Arianna vanished as quickly as she'd arrived.

Eve walked on slowly. She had much to think about. Was she really pregnant? It would explain the wretched feeling she'd had this morning. Arianna's guess was right at least in that she wouldn't know for another week. But there was no magic in that. Arianna could have found out her moon cycles from maidservants and the laundress at the Hall.

If she were really going to have a child she was thrilled. But also now very worried. Arianna was certainly mad. Aubrey was…confused or deluded, at times, about his identity. But if this unborn child bore any such tendencies, then being exposed to his aunt would be dreadful. Eve stopped in her tracks. And being exposed to his father would be just as bad.

But she loved Aubrey so much. He was wise and kind, gentle and loving. He was her soul mate. He made her laugh and cry, and she didn't know how she'd lived her life so far without him.

And he believed that he was more than three hundred years old, not mortal as humans were, and had supernatural powers. Not even love could overleap such an obstacle. It could, she supposed,
because it had done in her case. But only because she hadn't known when she'd married him. And now the love for her own unborn child began to preoccupy her.

Eve walked on slowly, thinking, arguing with herself, worrying and planning. At last, she stopped. She came to a decision. She turned around, retracing her steps, and walked back to the Hall. First, she'd wait and see if it was true that she bore a child at all. Then, if she did, she'd do whatever she had to do to ensure its safety now, and forever. She could do no more, and certainly no less.

 

Eve strolled into Aubrey's study when he returned after doing his errands around the manor. “I saw your sister today,” she said.

He was rumpled, his dark hair tousled. He was in his shirtsleeves, his neckcloth gone as he went through the post he was sorting on his desk. He looked up at her comment, his eyes bright and concerned. “Where?”

“I walked down a path near the wood, and suddenly, she was there.”

He frowned. “And what did she say this time? You seem a little disturbed.”

Again, she wondered if she could ever hide anything from those perceptive eyes of his. “The
usual,” she said as casually as she could, waving a hand. But she also felt relief. Obviously he hadn't seen his sister, because he hadn't known.

“You see her more than I do, you poor girl,” he said, shuffling through the letters once again.

Eve breathed a relieved sigh as she took a chair near his desk. So he wouldn't know what had been discussed. She wanted to keep it that way. “You two don't get together often?” she asked.

He shook his head. “We don't get along. We have different views of the world. And we both have tempers.”

“I've never seen yours,” she commented.

“Nor will you,” he said, looking up again with a brilliant smile.

“Nor hers,” she said idly, while watching him closely.