Lord Merlyn's Magic by Marcy Stewart

Author:Marcy Stewart [Stewart, Marcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 2017-12-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Neither of them slept well that night, which was why they were late leaving the inn on the next morning. As Abby, Julian, and Charlotte Ann climbed into the carriage, Nurse Phoebe and Master Gordon, still dressed in their bedroom attire, ran out the front door and across the courtyard toward them.

“He wanted to meet you, milord,” Phoebe said.

Julian immediately returned to the pavement, introduced himself, and shook hands. The boy, his hair sparking gold fire in the sunlight, gravely presented the stuffed rabbit the magician had tried to read on the day before.

“Thank you for finding me,” Gordie said. “This is Pietro. Nurse told me you liked him.” The child’s high, clear voice wavered only slightly as he added, “You can have him.”

“Why, thank you,” Julian said, accepting the toy.

Gordie nodded, his gaze intent on the rabbit. His lips moved, then set in a firm, straight line.

“I like rabbits,” the magician continued.

Gordie nodded again. Abby, watching from the carriage window, thought she saw moisture gathering in the child’s eyes. Her heart twisted in amused sympathy. Oh, Julian, she thought, hoping he would look her way and read her face, if not her thoughts. Don’t be as beastly to him as you were to me last night. But his attention was fixed on the toy.

“How nice of you to give me Pietro. You have had him since you were a baby, haven’t you?”

“How did you know? I guess nurse told you.”

“No, Pietro did.”

Gordie looked at the rabbit with stronger interest. “He did?”

“Yes. Why do you look surprised? Doesn’t he talk to you?”

The boy’s face relaxed, and he almost smiled. “Sometimes. But I didn’t know he talked to anybody else.”

“Well, he does. If the truth be known, he told me where to find you yesterday.” The magician’s eyebrows twitched a little at the lie.

“Truly?”

“Truly.” Julian cocked his head at the rabbit, then looked at Gordie. “A moment, please, he is speaking to me now.” He brought the toy closer to his ear, and his face lengthened in shock. “Do not say so, Pietro!”

The little boy danced from foot to foot. “What did he say, what did he say?”

“It is the most surprising thing. He has become quite rude, and I know it’s not like him. Pietro says it is his duty to watch over you, and that if I take him away, he will bite me.”

“Did he?” Gordie breathed, his face a portrait of delight. “He is being very naughty.”

“Well, yes, I suppose so, but he’s terribly fond of you. Much as I’d like to have him, I really think I should leave him with you so he won’t be unhappy.”

“I s’pose you should,” Gordie said tiredly, a bedraggled parent used to his child’s foibles. He took the rabbit, nestled it against his chest, then turned back to the inn, scolding Pietro as he walked.

Phoebe started after him, then stepped back to Julian. “Thank you, milord. Still don’t know how you found him, but we’ll never forget you.” The magician tipped his hat, and she curtseyed and hurried after her charge.

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