Bewitched by His Kiss (May Day Mischief) by Barbara Monajem Read Free Book Online Page A

Whistleby’s improper little secret. Who, he wondered, was the lover for whom she’d undressed the previous night? “Why not ask Miss Barnes? No need, however. I know what she’ll say—that it was an attempt to lure young men into the meadow. If one was caught, he had no choice but to marry the girl.”
    “Caught by whom?”
    “By the parents and villagers—the folk round about.”
    “But you disagree,” Alexis said.
    “I’m sure in some instances it was exactly as Miss Barnes will tell you,” Elderwood said. “In other circumstances, though—if the woman truly believes in the custom, if the man is unknown and unexpected—magic might easily be at work.” Perhaps Lucasta’s disbelief was the problem. Perhaps she’d merely succumbed to his fairy charm, and he’d been deluding himself for three years. “One never knows for sure.”
    Alexis sighed. “Is there a countercharm of sorts? A method of undoing the, er, magic?”
    “I doubt it,” Elderwood said. “Love is the most powerful magic in existence. Why would someone who called upon it want to counteract it?”
    “Many reasons,” Alexis said. “Disinclination, disappointment, nobility of character... I daresay there are others.”
    Elderwood shook his head. “Disinclination and disappointment simply wouldn’t arise if love was at work.”
    “But nobility of character might. Or self-sacrifice,” Alexis said.
    “Perhaps,” Elderwood said, “if they are motivated by love. I suppose love might be able to counteract itself. It’s an interesting puzzle.” A sickening one. Could that be what was going on? Did Lucasta care for Alexis so fiercely that she would deny a stronger love for his sake?
    Alexis strode over to the banked fire and turned. “But not, for example, by rolling in the meadow while clothed?”
    David affected his usual languid drawl. “Dear me, did she—whoever she was—try that? No, no, that’s far too crude. She’s probably stuck with whoever came as an answer to her prayer, particularly if they’ve met and spoken.” In spite of himself, his voice shook, revealing too much. “Gazed into one another’s eyes, shared a kiss—that sort of thing.” He spread his hands hopelessly. “That kind of magic, by what I’ve heard, is as powerful as a sacred vow.” Yet more wisdom of his mother’s that he hadn’t really understood until now.
    Alexis said nothing.
    “Who’s the unfortunate fellow?” asked Elderwood, and his eyes widened as he realized. Hope flooded him. If Peony Whistleby had called upon such powerful magic and won Alexis...he wouldn’t be able to marry Lucasta. “Oh, my dear Alexis. No other man was there?” He would be stuck with Peony, a pleasant enough girl, but compared to Lucasta... “I’m so sorry.”
    “I’m not unfortunate. I couldn’t be happier about this,” Alexis said stoutly.
    Heart pounding so hard it hurt, Elderwood blurted, “What about Miss Barnes?”
    Alexis waved a dismissive hand. “That was never a real engagement. She wanted to write her tome, and I wasn’t inclined to marry any of the ninnies my mother kept shoving at me, so it was convenient for both of us.” He left, muttering to himself.
    Damn the woman. All these years wasted! After giving Alexis time to get to his room, David went down the passageway in stocking feet and tapped on her door.
    “Who is it?”
    “It’s me.” He opened the door before she had a chance to lock it, slid inside and shut it behind him. He leaned against the door, hands behind his back, so he wouldn’t strangle her. “You’re not engaged to Alexis. You never were.”
    She opened her mouth and closed it again.
    “Very wise. There is no point denying it, as I just spoke to him.”
    Her mouth pinched, and she shrugged. “My arrangement with Alexis is none of your business. Go away.”
    He had no intention of leaving until they’d fought this out. He cast a glance around the room, wondering how to put it. “You’re a bloody liar,” he