Whisper of Magic (38 page)

Erran really thought his bride considered them already
married after uttering vows in a haunted castle, but he knew better than to try
to explain that. He didn’t intend to add to family legend.

Although Celeste had probably scribbled it in her journal
for future reference.

His beautiful bride slipped her hand through the bend in his
elbow and bobbed down so Aster could place a ringlet on her carefully
constructed coiffure. A maid had wrapped all that glorious mahogany hair in a
construction of curls and ringlets that Erran fully intended to take apart as
soon as they were alone.

“I am glad this could be done quickly so Jamar could be with
us before he sailed,” Celeste murmured with all evidence of pleasure.

She slanted a look in Erran’s direction that said what he’d
already heard— for the sake of others, she was allowing this insane ceremony
instead of the private one they’d prefer. He was the biggest sap in the
universe because he swelled with pride that he had a woman who believed she
belonged to him without need of formalities—and that she was a woman
large-hearted enough to share her joy with others.

Erran glanced over the small churchyard. The vicar had
accepted Erran’s bribe to oversee this heathen ceremony, but he’d insisted it
be held outdoors. That seemed to suit the party exceptionally well. Beneath the
brilliant autumn colors of the trees, a vibrant swirl of guests milled. Nana
Delphinia had donned her bright red African robes, and a colorfully printed
bandana enswathed her graying hair. Jamar, too, had doffed his gentleman’s coat
for a long robe he referred to as a dansiki. His
celebratory attire was a more sedate brown and gold pattern that Nana had sewn
up for him. He wore it with a tight cloth hat that suited his distinguished
mien better than the top hats the other gentlemen wore.

Rather than risk tripping on unfamiliar ground he couldn’t
see, Dunc sat in his open carriage, wearing his formal morning coat and top hat
and looking like the wealthy aristocrat he was. The vicar had quit complaining
the moment the marquess had arrived. Erran was grateful Dunc had made the
effort. Celeste would now be accepted in the village as the person of
importance that she should be.

Erran ignored the rest of the Malcolm women swirling about
in billowing silks and lace, performing their family idiosyncrasies. As long as
Celeste was at his side, he could endure whatever life flung at him.

“Tell them to come to order,” his bride wickedly proposed.
“See how many respond.”

“If it will get us to the bedroom faster . . . ?”
He lifted his eyebrows suggestively. He had conquered his fear of his voice
enough to try scientific experimentation, but he still preferred judge and jury
to decide on its use.

She tugged him toward the vicar in answer. Trevor stood to
one side to give her away. Sylvia giddily twirled her new gown, holding the
bride’s bouquet. Theo stood in for Dunc at Erran’s side. His older brother
leaned over and whispered, “Last chance to enjoy the misery of bachelorhood,
old boy. Any second thoughts?”

Erran glanced down at the woman smiling up at him as if he
were the moon and stars. “Not a one,” he told his brother. Then straightening,
he turned to address the chattering audience in his Courtroom Voice. “The
service is about to commence, if you will please . . .” He
almost said “take your places” but realized that could mean trees or London or
anywhere but here. Instead, he added, “stand still and let the vicar begin.”

Their audience immediately halted their milling. Ignoring
his order, as usual, Celeste stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“I love your authoritative way with words.”

He grinned. “And now, you may charm them all into believing
you are modest and unassuming and would never think of starting a riot.”

She beamed, and he could swear he heard a chorus of birds
sing as if it were dawn.

Whisper of Magic

Patricia Rice

Copyright © 2016 Patricia Rice

ISBN: 978-1-61138-586-1 ebook

ISBN: 978-1-61138-587-8 trade

First Publication: Book View Café, May 31, 2016

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce
this book, or portion thereof, in any form.

This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical
events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names,
characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination,
and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is
entirely coincidental.

Published by Rice Enterprises, Dana Point, CA, an
affiliate of Book View Café Publishing Cooperative

Production Team:
Formatter: Vonda N. McIntyre
Cover design by Killion Group

Digital edition: 20160307vnm

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As ever, it takes a village to create a book. Book View Café
Publishing Co-op is one of the best villages I’ve ever occupied. Kudos to
everyone involved for all the advice and encouragement and hard work. In
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And much gratitude to the newest edition to my group of
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Whisper
of Magic
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With several million books in print and
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Rice is one of romance's hottest authors. Her emotionally-charged contemporary
and historical romances have won numerous awards, including the
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Reviewers Choice and
Career Achievement Awards. Her books have been honored as Romance Writers of
America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.

A firm believer in happily-ever-after, Patricia Rice is
married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of
Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she
currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for
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Magic in the Stars

Whisper of Magic

Theory of Magic

Merely Magic

Must Be Magic

The Trouble with Magic

This Magic Moment

Much Ado About Magic

Magic Man

The Lure of Song and Magic

Trouble with Air and Magic

The Risk of Love and Magic

Wicked Wyckerly

Devilish Montague

Notorious Atherton

Formidable Lord Quentin

The Genuine Article

The Marquess

English Heiress

Irish Duchess

Evil Genius

Undercover Genius

Cyber Genius

“…another gem …with touches of whimsy, astute dialogue,
a bit of poignancy, passion and sensuality—fast-paced tale of love and
laughter.” –Joan Hammond, RT Reviews

“Rice has crafted her novel with plenty of witty,
engaging characters and a healthy dose of romance. Clever Bell is a splendid
protagonist, and readers will cheer her efforts to get men to take her
seriously and treat her as an equal.” –
Publishers
Weekly

“Like Julie Garwood, Patricia Rice employs
wicked wit and sizzling sensuality to turn the battle of the sexes into a
magical romp.” —Mary Jo Putney, NYT Bestselling author

“Rice has created a mystical masterpiece full of
enchanting characters, a spellbinding plot, and the sweetest of romances.” —Booklist
(starred review)

“Rice is a marvelously talented author who skillfully
combines pathos with humor in a stirring, sensual romance that shows the power
of love is the most wondrous gift of all. Think of this memorable story as a
gift you can open again and again.” Romantic Times

“This charming and immensely entertaining tale…takes
a smart, determined heroine who will accept nothing less than true love and an
honorable hero who eventually realizes what love is and sets them on course to
solve a mystery, save an entire estate, and find the magic of love.” –
Library Journal

“The magical Rice takes Trev
and Lucinda, along with her readers, on a passionate, sensual, and romantic
adventure in this fast-paced, witty, poignant, and magical tale of love.”
Romantic Times (Top Pick, 4½ stars)

“In this delightful conclusion to the Magic series,
Rice gives readers a thoughtful giant of a man who can bring down mountains,
but with gentle touches can make the earth tremble for the woman he loves. This
is a sensual, poignant, humorous and magical read.” Romantic Times

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