A Distant Magic by Mary Jo Putney Read Free Book Online

brought four strangers together and created deep, lasting bonds. These marriages had been forged in fire.
    After the lavish wedding feast presided over by Moses's beaming parents, the newlyweds traveled to a private estate in the country for a fortnight's honeymoon. There each couple would have the privacy to explore their new relationship, but they also had the company of their dearest friends.
    The Fontaine household was very quiet the next day as everyone recovered from the festivities, but Jean woke on Monday full of energy and determination. As she sipped her morning chocolate in bed, Annie entered the room, already dressed.
"I look forward to another peaceful day, Miss Jean."
    "One day of quiet was enough. It's time I visited the Fontaine emporium. I haven't done a lick of shopping yet, and I have dozens of people to buy presents for." Invigorated by the prospect, Jean finished her hot chocolate.
"Will you join me?"
    "Not today, miss. I need to mend clothes and write letters home." Annie moved to the wardrobe that held Jean's clothing and began to look for garments in need of work.
"I'll go there another day, if you tell me there are pretty things I can
afford."
    "Very well." Jean rose and rescued her favorite green calico gown from Annie's growing collection.
"This can wait for mending. The tie that's broken isn't visible."
    Annie sniffed but allowed it, and soon Jean was sharing a carriage to the waterfront with Monsieur Fontaine, Moses's father. A large man with a powerful presence, he was a gray-haired version of his son. In the previous weeks, as Jean had questioned Moses about African magic in odd moments, she'd learned that his father and mother both had some power. With that dual inheritance, Moses had surpassed both parents in his abilities.
    As Monsieur Fontaine helped Jean from the carriage, he said, "You will have a peaceful time this morning. Most days the showroom is open to the public, but on Mondays only other merchants and very special private customers are allowed in." His African accent was heavy, but his French was fluent, and he spoke some English as well. As he ushered her into the building, he added,
"And you are a very special customer."
    The showroom was part of the sprawling stone Fontaine warehouse that covered a whole block on the Marseilles waterfront. The working part of the warehouse faced the harbor. On the street that ran past the back, a modest but attractive entrance had been created. Lemon trees in tubs flanked the doorway, and a small brass plaque said simply FONTAINE . Lily had said that on busy days, the street was jammed with the carriages of those who came to find rare and special goods.
    Inside, Jean surveyed her surroundings with interest. The large room was divided into cubicles, each containing one type of merchandise. On a public day, each area would contain a salesman to help and guard, but today the emporium was almost empty.
"The windows you put up by the ceiling light the space very well."
    "And make thievery more difficult than lower windows. Moses suggested putting the clerestories in when we decided to open the public showroom." Monsieur Fontaine took a wicker basket from a stack by the door and gave it to her to carry her selections.
"Though we specialize in African goods, there is much that comes from other
lands as well. Choose whatever interests you, then we can discuss the prices."
    "You must promise to give yourself a profit," she said firmly.
"The Fontaine family is large and needs to make money."
    He smiled. "I promise that I will charge you more than the cost,
but not full price. We owe you too much."
    "Lord and Lady Falconer rescued your son, not me."
    "But they are not here." His voice softened. "Moses has told me
what it meant for four battered souls to come under your protection. He said
that you and Lady Bethany Fox were their sanctuary. You made them human again."
    There was truth to that, though Jean was still embarrassed to be the