Love's Magic by Traci E. Hall Page B

father’s absent feet.

    Celestia watched her husband make his way through the throng of people. He did not push, or shove, and yet a path cleared for him as he stalked toward her. The scowl etched onto his face did not scare her, as she assumed was his intent. Saint Blessed Mary’s virtue, but the fierce expression made her blood race and her thighs tremble.
    She’d not felt the like before, and the feelings were as exhilarating as riding bareback into a rainstorm.
    Mulberry wine had soothed her nerves, leaving her languid and giggly. Most assuredly, she was not in the mood to be a lady. Born to run a house, she’d learned the basics, as her interest had lain in medicine and not accounts. She was the most gifted healer of her generation, and so allowances were made. She hadn’t had a chance to explain her abilities yet to Nicholas. Mayhap this evening.
    Her lips tingled as she remembered the pressure of his mouth against hers. It was only the second amorous kiss she’d ever received, and it hadn’t been the sloppy wet mess Lord Riddleton had bestowed on her, when he’d unwittingly caught her in the stables alone. The chance meeting had changed her mind about marriage entirely.
    Shaking off the humiliating memories, she tilted her chin as Nicholas approached. She thought she saw a touch of panic in his gaze, but when she blinked, it was gone. The look had been replaced by a studious coldness that stopped her mouth from wanting.
    “We must talk.”
    “Yes.” She bowed her head.
    “Is it true that you have two wagons packed for the journey?”
    That was the problem? “Aye.”
    “It will slow us down, and make us a bigger target for thieves. I’ve not the men to defend a caravan. I will not have it!”
    His anger surprised her, and she looked up. His gray eyes were black with emotion, and she backed up a step.
    “I know you said to bring only the essentials, but I need two wagons.”
    He said nothing, just winged a dark brow upward. Celestia caught a glimpse of desperation in his stance as he crossed his arms. “Those things such as linen sheets do not just make themselves, my lord ,” she emphasized. “Nor do the pots and pans simply appear, or food stuffs—my infirmary alone will take an entire wagon, and I won’t leave without it. What if the herbs I need don’t grow where we are going?” Hoping she sounded reasonable, she reached to put her fingers on his arm, still avoiding his bare skin.
    His eyes narrowed dangerously, and a thrill settled over her as he stared down. She squealed when he grasped her by the waist and set her up on a stone half wall, so that they were nose to nose.
    “We are married, aye?” His deep voice rumbled through her body, and she found herself barely able to nod an affirmative. His fingers stayed at her waist, and Celestia imagined them so hot they might burn through her dress.
    Her breath quickened.
    His eyes dilated in the moonlight.
    Would he change his mind about abstaining? Yes, she thought, parting her lips the merest bit. Then she shook her head, clearing it of all carnal thoughts. Pushing his arms away from her body, she jumped to the grass below. “We are married, ‘tis true, but we desire an annulment, remember?”
    Nicholas tightened his jaw. “I remember well. The sooner we leave here, the sooner we get to the border.”
    Celestia was grateful for the dark evening, hoping it hid her embarrassment. Of course he’d only wanted to hurry their journey along so that he could get on with his real life’s goal. Spain. A life where she’d be left in ruin because he refused to even try to love her.
    “I’ve studied a map of the area, and it looks as if once we arrive at Falcon’s Keep, Peregrine Castle is but a day or two away. I’ll go.”
    He was going to leave her there, at the keep? Alone?
    “My brothers are at the castle. I shall ride with you, then,” she stated, not wanting to admit her fear of being abandoned with strangers. People did not always judge