Free To Eternity by Daisy Banks Page B

richness.
    One last glance in the mirror. Yeah, she looked good. Maybe later, after the fancy dinner, she’d convince Magnus it was all going to be okay. Somehow, she had to do that more than anything else.
    She made her way down to the drawing room and paused at the small portrait of his parents, as she did each time she walked the long corridor. The proud faces, the medieval pose and demeanor, made her wonder if she might have ever connected with this couple. Why did they leave their son alone when he wasn’t much more than a boy? Magnus had never said, but he’d needed them. Surely, times were different back then in a way people wouldn’t understand now. She certainly didn’t. “Not giving any secrets away tonight, are you?”
    The pair remained as inscrutable as ever.
    She strolled on and into the drawing room. “Oh, my, you look wonderful.”
    â€œThank you. A stunning gown. You are beautiful.”
    She smiled and moved across the room to join him. “I’m glad you like the dress.”
    â€œSherry?”
    â€œPlease.”
    He poured her a glass from the decanter on the sideboard and handed it over. “It’s not the dress—it’s you who are beautiful.”
    She sipped from the small nineteenth century glass before giving him a light kiss on the jaw. The lippy didn’t mark his cologne-scented skin. “I’m looking forward to dinner tonight. From what I gather, it will be a sumptuous meal.”
    â€œI believe so. I don’t understand what has prompted the culinary experimentation, but I’m sure we shall be the beneficiaries of all the work.”
    She laughed. “Perhaps the ladies want to show off a little.”
    â€œYes.” The haunted look flashed in his eyes. “I rarely give them the opportunity to do that.”
    â€œExactly. So tonight we shall enjoy a wonderful meal.”
    â€œDo you think they mind?” he asked.
    â€œMind cooking?”
    â€œNo. Do you think it disturbs them that I don’t have guests?”
    She shook her head. “I doubt they’ve thought about it before now. It’s always been that way. Me being here has kind of shaken things up a bit.” She flashed him a smile.
    Magnus slipped his arm around her waist. “I am most thankful for your presence.”
    She slid her arm about his hip and squeezed. “I’m glad about that.” She glanced to the clock. “It’s just seven. They will be waiting for us, so I suggest we go, but before we do, I want to say sorry.”
    â€œSorry?”
    â€œYes, I was an absolute—” She puffed out a breath. “Yea, I was stupid to react the way I did about your news. I’m sorry.”
    â€œI was clumsy. It won’t happen again.”
    She shook her head, sidling closer to him. “No, it was my fault. You see, I sometimes forget the timescale you work on. Next time I’m about to have a hissy fit, I’ll make myself count to a thousand.”
    His lips moved in the start of the smile she loved. It grew like warmth when the sun appeared from behind a gray cloud and rose up to light his eyes. “Would it help if I promised to kiss you until you reached your count of a thousand?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œWe shall forgive each other and be gentler with our love.”
    â€œAgreed.” She took another sip of sherry. “But not too tender, Magnus. There has to be a little bite.”
    His expression froze, and he gave a quick shake of his head as though disturbed by her words.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    â€œForgive me, my thoughts quite escaped me.”
    Uncertain if she’d understood him, she looked into his soul-drinking eyes. Though his skin was firm and lined little, his eyes betrayed the depths of his experiences. They showed a wealth of sorrows. Yet as the gray pools sucked her in, they changed so they looked like mountain water streaking over