Free Whisper of Magic by Patricia Rice

floors for Ashford’s use,” Lady Azenor explained with
cheer. “The arrangement will be convenient for all of us. We have been quite
busy while you’ve been painting yourself black.”
    “I have returned the machine to proper working order so Miss
Delphinia might work easier,” Lord Erran retorted, sliding back out again and
tucking his knife away. “I’ll hire an architect to begin work. I have a good
man in mind, one who would delight in having his name known in these parts.”
    “He means one of his cousins,” Lady Azenor explained. “Ives’
talents are manifold. They are all dangerously intelligent, practical, and
scientific, and there are far too many of them. There is always one with empty
pockets who can do what’s needed.”
    “As if you don’t already have your cousin ready to putter in the garden,” his lordship retorted,
wiping his greasy hands on what had once been a pristine handkerchief. He
turned to Celeste. “The lady’s family are a meddling lot. Once you allow them
into your life, you will never be left alone. Be certain of what you wish for.”
    “I wish beyond all things to have meddling family,” Celeste
admitted fervently. “It has been exceedingly difficult these last months of
managing on our own in a strange city.”
    “The hard part comes when you want one thing and they insist
on another,” he warned.
    “No, not at all.” Celeste smiled. Lady Azenor had responded
to her voice and acknowledged her wishes without a single objection. She was
certain the rest of the lady’s family could be as easily manipulated. It was
only Jamar who frowned and muttered about curses when she used her charm. Celeste
couldn’t see any harm in persuasion when it was her only defense. “I think it
only takes a little discussion for all parties to find an amicable middle
ground.”
    She hoped and prayed the marquess would merely stay long
enough to cast his vote and return to the country, leaving them alone with an
improved home where she could eventually bring out Sylvia. But the return of
some of their rent would ease a few of their money woes.
    “You may have to find a middle ground over Lansdowne’s dead
body,” Lord Erran reminded them. “I’ll have to find out what that’s about or
some of his cohorts are likely to escalate to arson.”
    That was not the
pleasantry she wished to hear, and Celeste shivered in her shoes. She would not
allow her family to go homeless, ever, even if she must use her skill to
persuade the earl to leap off a high cliff.

Seven
    “I swear to you, your damned tenant is another Malcolm
witch,” Erran declared in disgruntlement, putting his boots up on the
marquess’s desk and swilling the brandy offered. “I don’t know if it’s wise to
put you in the same house with her. She’ll have you voting for women’s
emancipation.”
    Ashford sipped from his glass and stared—blindly—at the wall
above Erran’s head. “Emancipation would not be all bad except for the battle
necessary to accomplish it. I’d rather fight a war I can win.”
    “That’s not the point!” Erran swished the brandy, searching
for more goads. “Miss Rochester is devious, manipulative, and apparently
dabbling in trade. We would fare better moving her out of the house entirely,
but the women are resisting. They think the house is enchanted or some such
rot.”
    The marquess snorted. “Lady Aster reads her family’s
journals. They’re packed with such idiocy. It gives the women something to talk
about. I’m less concerned with the ladies and more concerned with Lansdowne. I
was hoping to sway his vote, but if we take the Rochesters under our wing and
threaten his income, he’s likely to turn against us. I suppose I’ll have to
move in just to keep security on the place.”
    Erran slammed his hand down on the desk so Dunc could hear
his exasperation—even though his brother was saying exactly what Erran wanted
to hear. Manipulating Dunc didn’t set well, but dammit, a