The Magic of I Do (Faerie 2)

Claire’s mother said, “What she’s trying to tell you is that you need to think long and hard about what you want before you blow the dust into the air. Only by having a clearly defined objective in your head can you be successful. So, clear everything else from your mind, and you can give it a try.” She nodded in encouragement.

Rose closed her eyes tightly and cleared

every thought from her head. Then she concentrated on what she wanted, which was the truth. Then with a great exhale, she blew the dust into the air.

The cloud of magic suspended there in the air, not taking shape. But then Rose remembered and said, “Truth!”

The dust began to take shape.

Claire watched it closely, trying to figure out what the shapes were doing. There was a scene of Finn and Claire dancing in a ballroom. And then it morphed into a scene of Finn and Claire in a carriage, riding through the park. Then the scene changed into something else entirely. There was a bed in the middle of the room, and Finn and Claire stood next to it.

Claire’s mother jumped to her feet and swiped her hand through the air. The magic dispensed like clouds on a rainy day. Finn wore a bemused expression. “Sorry,” he murmured.

Heat crept up Claire’s face.

Her mother said, “His lordship must be thinking about how they’ll decorate the bedchamber in their new house.”

Finn grinned unrepentantly. “Most assuredly. I do like the color blue.”

“Why did you stop it?” Rose asked. “I had just done it right for the first time.”

“Darling, his lordship has a meeting with your father. He doesn’t want to keep him waiting. You can practice on him again another time.”

***

Finn highly doubted that she would let her daughters anywhere near him with magic dust again. He bit back a grin and tried to appear regal and calm as Lady Ramsdale ushered the girls from the room. Then laughter burst from his chest like water over a dam. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” he laughed. “I thought I could maintain my thoughts, but the longer I looked at you, the more they wandered. Then all I could think about was getting you back into my bed.”

He crossed the room quickly and jerked Claire to him. “I’ve missed you,” he said as he kissed her lips gently, his hands bracketing her face. She laid her hands on his chest, and when he would have pulled back, she jerked him back to her.

“I have missed you too,” she whispered against his lips. Heat shot straight to his groin.

“How much longer until you’re mine?” he asked as he licked across her lips. He loved the way she melted for him.

“Not much longer.”

“We could race for Gretna Green tonight and be married by tomorrow,” he suggested.

She smiled. “My father wants to place me into your safekeeping.”

“Speaking of which,” Finn said as he pulled his watch fob from his pocket and looked at the time, “I’m going to be late meeting your father. I have to go.”

He kissed her quickly and then turned to leave. At the last minute, he turned back. “When we’re done, will you take a drive with me?”

“Where?” Her eyes sparkled.

He shrugged. “I don’t care.”

“I could use some new ribbons,” she said. Heat crept up her cheeks and he grinned.

“Ribbons, it is, then.” He rushed back and kissed her again. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Bye,” she said with a tiny wave.

She was happy to see him, and that made Finn’s heart sing. He nearly skipped as he walked toward her father’s study. He brushed his sweaty palms down the thighs of his trousers. The note he’d received said they were to discuss the marriage settlement. Finn didn’t particularly want nor need a marriage settlement. But he supposed this was a rite of passage. Something a father must do for his daughter.

“Lord Phineas,” the viscount said as he got to his feet and shook Finn’s hand. “How are you?”

“Well as can be, I imagine. How are you?”