A Most Improper Magick by Stephanie Burgis

Author:Stephanie Burgis [Stephanie Burgis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781848770195
Publisher: Templar Publishing
Published: 2010-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

“Your sisters are most concerned,” Sir Neville said.

“My – oh!” Relief pushed my breath out in a rush. “My sisters told you I was missing. I see. Thank you.” I stepped back as his hands fell away from my arms. “I saw them go inside the house just a moment ago. I’ll follow them straight away.”

“Not quite yet, I think,” said Sir Neville.

“I beg your pardon?”

His lips drew back over his teeth as he smiled. “You must reassure me first, I fear. You see, I was most concerned as well.”

At the look in his eyes, I took another step backwards. Suddenly the bleak, rocky hillside felt far too empty around us. The cool breeze sent goose pimples running across my skin. I took a quick look behind me. No one else was in sight, or in calling distance. The massive stone walls of the manor house, below us, were so thick that no one would hear if I cried out.

I moistened my lips and raised my chin as I turned back to Sir Neville. “I’m afraid I don’t quite take your meaning, sir.”

“No?” He raised his thick, dark eyebrows. “You surprise me. In fact…” He stepped forward, forcing me to step back again. The breeze ruffled the black hair across his sloping forehead. His gaze fixed upon me like a hawk intent on mesmerising its prey. “You surprise me a great deal, Miss Katherine. You are not what I’d expected.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.

“Then pray allow me to enlighten you.”

His hand shot out and caught my wrist. I stumbled, preparing to twist away and escape – but he only tucked my hand into the curve of his forearm like any gentleman might, courteously giving a lady his arm for support. But his touch did not feel at all courteous. It tingled in all the wrong ways, like a thick, smothering cloak sweeping around me, muffling my breath.

A smoky, bitter scent flooded my nostrils, like burned meat. I would have turned to look for the source of the smell, but I didn’t want to look away from Sir Neville. As his strong, hot fingers pressed against mine, I shivered and swallowed down sickness.

“It is cold, is it not?” Sir Neville said. “Do let me persuade you to take a turn around the house with me. Exercise is very warming. And it is always so much easier to have a proper discussion as one walks.”

I dug in my heels and strained my ears, listening for any sound in the distance. Even Mr Gregson would be welcome right now – at least he and Sir Neville might distract each other long enough for me to escape. What would Angeline do in this situation? What would Mama have done?

Not magic, that was for certain. You would do well to shield your magic when he is nearby, Mr Gregson had said, and I believed him. Not that I knew enough magic to get away anyway. Somehow, I didn’t think Sir Neville would be fooled if I suddenly turned back into Lady Fotherington right in front of him.

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