Moonspun Magic (Magic Trilogy 3)

“I said, brother, that I will give you the Ram.”

“Why?”

Damien laughed at the incredulous look on his twin’s face. “Let’s just say that I’m . . . bored with the nasty little club, as you call it. The others really are rather paltry fellows, you know. Do you doubt me? Not that I would blame you, of course. Suspicion would be wise, I should say. But I’ll do it. Why not? Perhaps to prove to myself that I have some honor left.” He paused a moment, shaking his head. “Perhaps it is a bit of retribution to my merchant brother.”

“Trade isn’t synonymous with vulgarity, Damien.”

“Oh? Well, perhaps that is true for plain Mr. Carstairs or even for Captain Carstairs, but for Baron Drago? It makes the blood congeal even to consider it, no matter how briefly. No, brother dear, that is something the baron could not do.”

“Would not do, you mean. Were I Baron Drago, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“Ah, the noble twin again. Just like our father, with your noble streak. Only thing about our father, he wasn’t all that clever a businessman. But at least he didn’t gamble my inheritance away. He did leave me something, perhaps even enough. And who knows, perhaps my heir, my as-yet-unborn-son, will become a cit in his thinking, if not in his breeding. Perhaps he will be like his uncle and wallow in trade.”

“Drop it, Damien. Drop all of it. We are still brothers.”

“More’s the pity, that’s what you’re thinking. Well, since your face is mine, damn you, I can’t dispute the fact for even an instant. Incidentally,” Damien added as he made for the estate-room door, “I appreciate your not killing me. Fratricide wouldn’t sit well on the English hero’s shoulders. No, indeed. I will tell you how we will get the Ram. Soon.”

Rafael didn’t move for some time after his brother left him alone.

It was All Hallows’ night, the eve of All Saints’ Day. There was no full moon, but there were jack-o’-lanterns aplenty, including two that Damaris had carved with the help of Victoria and Elaine, with Nanny Black making dire predictions throughout the process.

“We will set both of them in the window to welcome friends and scare off ugly goblins,” said Elaine in an excellent conspiratorial voice as she carefully placed lighted candles in each carved-out pumpkin.

“Look, Torie, look!”

“Hmmm? Oh, yes, they look grand, Damie.”

Elaine gave her cousin a look, then shrugged. “You will be leaving in two days,” she said.

“Yes, we will. If you would like me to take care of Damaris while you are confined, I should be delighted.”

“No, I think not. Nanny Black will be sufficient. Oh, Lord, I just wish the child would make his appearance and be done with it.”

Victoria gave her a perfunctory smile, kissed Damaris good night, and left the nursery, Elaine in her wake.

“What’s the matter with you, Victoria?”

“Nothing.” But there was; she just couldn’t put her finger on it. She was very sensitive to Rafael and his moods. Although he’d tried, she sensed a tension in him throughout the day, a barely leashed excitement that, even controlled as he was, made his eyes glitter silver. “All right, husband,” she’d said to him after luncheon that day, “what are you planning? No, don’t tell me I’m imagining things, for I know that I’m not. Tonight is All Hallows’ Eve. What is going to happen?”

“Victoria, love,” Rafael said, closing his hands over her forearms, “the only thing I’m planning is to exhaust you so completely you will not rise until noon on the morrow.”

“Rafael, you can’t get around me with promises like that.”

He laughed, leaned down, and kissed her hard.

“Promises, huh?”

“You know what I mean. Now, tell me what you’re up to.”

He looked at her thoughtfully then, but shook his head. “You will be in my company all evening, my dear, and all night. Oh, Victoria, I always keep my promises.”

He left her and she stood staring after him, wishing she had something to throw at him.

For once the two ladies were first to arrive in the drawing room. “I shall surely roast Rafael for this,” Victoria said, sipping her sherry.

“Damien won’t join us this evening,” Rafael said from the doorway. “He had business to attend to, I’m afraid.”

“Business?” Victoria repeated blankly. “Tonight? But that is ridiculous.”