The Marriage Spell (16 page)

Silently she lifted the lantern and they moved to investigate the corner. It was indeed a nice desk, despite the desiccated form of a long-dead bird that lay on top. Cleaned up, the desk would be suitable for one of the bedrooms.

It was easier to fix furniture than husbands.

She spent the rest of the day supervising the larger male servants as they brought furniture down the steep steps and into the unused bedrooms. With the assistance of two maids, Abby started cleaning the pieces. By dinnertime, the handsome Stuart chest was sitting in the front hall with a bust of Plato on top. She set an old tricorne hat on Plato's marble brow. Jack was much amused.

But when she came to his room that night, hoping for another sensual night, his long body was turned away from her and he was asleep.

Or pretending to be.

Chapter
XV

A
bby was hanging tapestries in the front hall when Judith swept in, wearing a shabby riding habit, a hat whose feather had seen better days, and a radiant expression that made the age of her clothing irrelevant. “Abby, hello! I was all prepared to be formal and ask a footman to announce my presence to Lady Frayne. I should have realized that you would resist formality like a duck sheds rain.”

Abby laughed as she stepped down from the wooden stepladder. “Welcome! What do you think of the hall?”

Her friend's gaze moved over the tapestries, the Stuart era chest, the sturdy oak settle, and the richly patterned, if slightly worn, oriental carpet. “I can't believe this is the same place where the wedding breakfast was held a mere week ago! Have you developed a magical gift for conjuring up furnishings?”

“The attics were a treasure trove of old carpets, furniture, draperies, paintings, and even these tapestries, which aren't old but are very pretty,” Abby explained as she gestured around her. Though the house would benefit by new paint and paper, it looked much better than it had the week before. “I've been spending Jack's money lavishly to hire people for fixing the house. At this season there isn't a lot of work, so there was no shortage of workers to scrub and polish and wax. Some of the bedrooms haven't been touched, but the rooms where we spend most of our time are much improved.”

“I'd love to see what you've done, but later.” Judith was almost bouncing on the tips of her riding boots. “You must have been the one who told Lord Frayne I would love to have my own cottage. It's so incredibly generous of him! As soon as I received the letter, I thought of what might be the perfect place. Will you come look at it with me?”

So Jack was doing as he'd promised. He hadn't mentioned that to his wife. Abby hesitated. “I've so much to do here.”

“And you're still on your honeymoon,” Judith agreed. “I know it's dreadfully bad of me to ask, but it's such a pretty, warm day, almost like spring. And I would like to get your opinion.”

Abby looked at the sunshine and succumbed to temptation. “Give me a few minutes to change into riding clothes. Jack is out riding, and I should be, too.”

“He's on horseback already? He heals quickly.” Judith's gaze narrowed as she studied Abby, obviously seeing that there was still an energy flow from her to her husband. Though she frowned, she said nothing.

“He's determined to regain his strength as quickly as possible,” Abby said as an oblique explanation. “Have a seat in the drawing room, and I'll be with you soon.”

She climbed the stairs with unladylike speed, suddenly eager for fresh air and sunshine and the company of a friend. A two-legged friend, that was. Her father had brought Cleocatra across the valley to live with her. A connoisseur of comfort, Cleo was snoozing on Abby's bed. Abby gave the cat a quick scratch, then changed into her riding habit, which was almost as worn as Judith's. Though she could have afforded better, it never seemed worthwhile to dress up for the cows and crows.

Within fifteen minutes, the two women were trotting across the valley. Abby inhaled deeply. “Thank you for luring me out. I've been so busy with the house that I've neglected everything else. Now tell me about the cottage!”

“You've been by Rose Cottage many times, but it's behind hedges and trees so you might not have really noticed. It's just outside the village. The Harrises raised eight healthy children there, which seems a good omen. Mr. Harris added a wing because of all those children, so there's space for me to keep patients who need extra care.”

“Sounds just right!” Unable to resist the sunny day, Abby urged her mount into a canter. “Did Mrs. Harris die? I hadn't heard that.”

Judith increased her pony's gait to match Abby. “She's still alive but hasn't been well. Her oldest son moved her in with his family. The cottage has been empty for months, and they've decided to sell.”

“The location is good and you need more space. I hope Rose Cottage doesn't have the rising damp your present cottage does!”

“No damp.” Judith's eyes were glowing. “Abby, it's perfect! To own my own house and not have to worry about paying the rent—it's more than I dreamed of.”

Abby knew her friend hadn't been raised with rising damp, or to worry about paying her bills. She had paid a high price for the right to use her magic. Her gift for midwifery made the Melton Mowbray area one of the safest places to bear children in Britain, but it wasn't a calling that always paid well. “Will repairs be required?”

They reached a fork in the road and Judith swung her solid little pony to the right. “Only whitewashing and clearing the garden, which has run wild since Mrs. Harris's health failed. Lord Frayne said he would cover the cost of necessary improvements, so I'll be able to do what's needed.”

Jack was generous with his money. That didn't surprise Abby. It was his emotions that he was wary of expending.

Rose Cottage was everything Judith had said. Most of the furnishings had been left in place and the rooms had been cleaned so that the house was welcoming. As they explored the ground floor, Abby said, “These southern windows let in wonderful light. It will be a happy house. The rooms are also well laid out. You can put an entrance in the new wing for patients, and have your privacy in the older part of the cottage.”

“That's a good idea.” Their explorations brought them back to the kitchen. Judith lit the coals that waited on the hearth. “Shall I make tea? I brought some with me, and Mrs. Harris's kettle and teapot are still here.”

“That will be nice.” Abby settled into one of the plain wooden chairs. “We can drink to your new home. That is, if there isn't another buyer interested?”

Judith shook her head. “No, I've spoken with her son. The cottage is worth more than most people around here can afford, so I'm the only one seriously interested. We've agreed on a fair price if I decide to go ahead, and it's within the range Lord Frayne allowed. I was sure this was the right house, but I wanted someone else to see it and tell me I was right.”

Abby laughed. “I'm happy to perform my part in the process. It's the perfect place for you, Judith. The energy is wonderful.”

Judith took the chair on the opposite side of the scrubbed deal table. “Now that we've taken care of my new cottage, how about you? Are you enjoying more of marriage than merely refurbishing Hill House?” Her eyes were twinkling.

Abby blushed. “Jack lost a great deal of blood.”

She didn't need to say more since Judith was also a healer. “No wonder he's keen on recovering as quickly as possible,” her friend said mischievously. “Are you comfortable with each other? You seemed on good terms at the wedding and after.”

Glad to have someone to confide in, Abby said, “We got on well at first, until he showed some signs of magical ability. He found the idea so upsetting that he has withdrawn. He's perfectly polite, but distant. I knew that he wasn't fond of wizardry, but I didn't expect his feelings to run so deep. The thought that he might have power of his own repels him.”

Judith frowned. “Have you done a little gentle mental exploring? As his wife, you have the right to do so if there is cause.”

“He has an anti-magic charm branded into his shoulder. For the healing, he gave me permission to treat him. He didn't rescind that until he started to see energy patterns last week. Now he's like a brick wall.” Except for the energy she sent him. That went through his barriers with no trouble.

“Do you want me to take a look at this?” Judith asked.

Abby nodded gratefully. “Please. I haven't the clarity to do it myself.”

Judith closed her eyes and her expression smoothed out as she mentally explored the energy around Jack and Abby. When the water in the kettle began to boil, Abby quietly made the tea, not wanting to disturb her friend.

Judith's eyes opened. “I can't get too close because of the anti-magic spell, but I sense a kind of stony knot in the midst of what is generally an open personality. Is it possible that someone spelled him to make him hate the thought of magic? Hatred beyond what most men of his class feel, I mean.”

Abby frowned. “I hadn't thought of that. You may be right. He's so easygoing in most ways. He even seemed to be coming to terms with my magic. But he's almost like another person when the subject of his own potential for magic comes up. Now that you mention it, the difference from his usual personality seems unnatural. Do you think the spell was cast on him when he was at school? It would explain why Stonebridge Academy is so successful at purging their students of a desire to work magic.”

“One wonders if the parents would approve of magic being used on their sons when the idea is to turn the lads away from such wickedness,” Judith said tartly.

“Great lords don't mind hiring wizards when there are benefits,” Abby pointed out. “The way they hire tailors and stewards and laborers.”

The two of them shared an ironic glance. Even the most disdainful of aristocrats was willing to use wizards when they wanted magical results. That didn't mean they'd allow wizards into their drawing rooms. “The school might have bespelled him,” Abby said. “Or his family might have had it done. I wish I could look more closely, but unless he grants me permission, it will be difficult. I don't want to use brute force to blast my way through the anti-magic spell.”

“It wouldn't incline him to trust you,” Judith agreed. “Give it some time. If his innate power is stirring, he'll start changing on his own. And he'll need you there if his power comes in a rush.”

Abby suppressed a sigh. No one had said this marriage would be easy. She sipped her tea and reminded herself that it was early days yet. She would make no major assaults on her husband's mind and spirit.

But that didn't mean she couldn't use an old-fashioned nonmagical approach. It was time to nag him.

J
ack stepped into his front hall and looked around with pleasure. Every day the house looked better, and now he thought the hall was complete. Though Abby had shown him the tapestries she'd found upstairs, he hadn't realized what a warm glow of color they would bring to a room that had been too large and drafty for comfort. Now the hall offered the welcome he had always wanted to find in Hill House. Abby had talents beyond healing.

He swung into the room on his crutches, tired from his long ride but no longer aching in every muscle. Each day he became stronger. All that was required was pushing himself just short of the point where he would drop.

Halfway across the room, he changed course. Perhaps it was time to switch from crutches to a cane.

In the corner of the hall, a tall ceramic urn from Greece held the collection of canes they'd found in the attic. He stuffed his crutches into the urn and pulled out the cane that had caught his attention the week before. Holding it in his right hand, he took a cautious step. Though his leg ached, it wasn't the acute pain that had made him fear snapping the unhealed bones. Now, he guessed, the bones were almost whole again.

Still, his right leg wasn't quite ready for this much strain. He pulled a second long cane from the urn and tried walking with one in each hand. He was pleased to find that using the canes together gave him support he needed, while making him feel more agile and less disabled. Another piece of progress!

He took a last look around the hall. His wife had created the warmest home he'd ever known, and he was doing his best to avoid her. Staying busy or asleep, or inviting friends for dinner every night, couldn't keep them apart forever. Sooner or later, he would have to come to terms with her and the magic that had invaded his life.

Let it be later.

A
s she did each night, Abby quietly opened the connecting door to Jack's room to say good night. A lantern turned low cast a dim light over the bed where he drew deep, regular breaths. Was he asleep? She had her doubts.

She crossed to the bed and bent to kiss his cheek. His taut skin shivered slightly, but his eyes didn't open. She had a sudden powerful desire to drag her cowardly husband from the bed and dump him on the drafty floor. But that might damage him.

After a moment's thought, she smiled wickedly and slid her hand under the covers to tickle the sole of his left foot, with her cold, cold fingers.