Part 1 (1/2)
Mary Jo Putney.
A Kiss Of Fate.
PROLOGUE.
Harlowe Place Hertfords.h.i.+re, England November 1737.
T he skies wept with autumn rain, perfect for burying the dead. Gwyneth Owens was grateful that custom banned females from the graveside, for she would have been unable to maintain her composure as her father was laid beneath the damp sod.
As always, she sought refuge in Lord Brecon's library. Her father, Robert Owens, had been his lords.h.i.+p's librarian for almost thirty years, and Gwynne had grown up among these treasured volumes.
Lightly she skimmed her fingertips over tooled leather and stamped gold t.i.tles in the travel memoir section. Her father had always said that a well-furnished mind was proof against loneliness. She hoped he was right, for she needed that comfort now.
As she moved along the south wall, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror above the fireplace. She turned away, avoiding the sight of her too tall figure and garish, unfas.h.i.+onable hair. Such a pity that she had inherited neither her father's power nor her mother's beauty.
Perhaps riding breakneck across Harlowe's hills would relieve her restless tension, but that wasn't possible since soon she would be summoned downstairs to act as chief mourner at the solemn gathering that would be held in her father's honor. Needing to be active, she unlocked the adjacent gallery, which contained the private library as well as her father's office.
A faint, almost indiscernible frisson of energy flickered over her skin when she stepped inside. The long, high-ceilinged chamber contained Britain's finest collection of books and ma.n.u.scripts about magic. The volumes also represented the history and wisdom of the ancient Guardian families of the British Isles.
The Guardians, her father's clan. Human but gifted with magical powers, they had lived clandestinely among mundanes since time immemorial. Gwynne had been raised as a Guardian by virtue of her father's blood though she had no power of her own. She was grateful to be part of the Families since women had a degree of equality unheard of among mundanes. That custom had evolved early since in the realms of magic, females could wield powers that matched or surpa.s.sed those of men.
Guardians took their name from the oath all swore to use their power to protect and serve their fellow man as best they could. Because of that mission, Guardians revered history in the hopes that it would prevent them from repeating earlier mistakes.
Occasionally it did.
As Keeper of the Lore, the Earl of Brecon was responsible for these precious books and ma.n.u.scripts. At the age of six, Gwynne had started to a.s.sist her father in maintaining the books. She had started with dusting, handling the volumes as carefully as if they were fine porcelain. Later she had copied crumbling texts onto new parchment and learned the secrets of preservation.
She scanned the shelves with regret, knowing she would miss the books fiercely if she left the estate. Given the importance of the collection, a new librarian would be engaged soon, so she must prepare for the change by removing her father's personal possessions.
At least she would not be turned penniless into the world-the Guardians took care of their own. A position of some sort would be found for Robert Owens's unimpressive daughter. With luck, that position would be at Harlowe, the only home she had ever known. More than that, she scarcely dared hope for.
With a soft feline sound, her plump tabby, Athena, jumped onto the desk and curled into a ball. Comforted by the cat's presence, Gwynne settled at her father's desk and began searching the drawers for personal items. Keeping busy was essential if she was to prevent herself from mourning the past or brooding about her future.
She blinked back tears when she discovered her mother's locket in the small central drawer. Inside the oval case were miniatures of her parents painted at the time of their betrothal. They looked young and very much in love. Her father must have kept the locket here so he could study the picture of his wife and dream of happier times.
A reserved, scholarly man, Robert Owens had lived a quiet life at Harlowe Place. His one act of rebellion had been to marry Anna Wells against the wishes of both families. Her family had disowned her. The Owenses had accepted the match, though reluctantly. Guardians were encouraged to marry other Guardians, and Anna had been a mundane. Though beautiful and sweet natured, she had no magic in her soul.
But the marriage had been a happy one, and Anna's death of a fever two years before had devastated her small family. Now Robert was gone as well, and Gwynne was alone. A pity she had no brother or sister to mourn with her.
The last drawer was almost empty when the door opened. The tapping of a cane told her that Emery, Lord Brecon was approaching. She rose at the sight of his spare, splendidly garbed figure. Tall and distinguished, he had hair so thick and naturally white there was no need for powder. The earl was the center around which Harlowe revolved. His courtesy and learning were legenday, and he had always been kind to a little girl who loved books.
Seeing her, he said quietly, ”It is done, my dear.”
”My parents are together now, and at peace.” As Gwynne spoke, the truth of her words resonated inside her. Occasionally she had such flashes of absolute knowledge, her only trace of Guardian power. It was not the same as calling the winds or scrying the future or healing the sick.
”We are both expected in the blue drawing room, but I hope you don't mind if I rest here for a few minutes before we go down. A bitter wind was blowing.” Wearily the earl settled into the leather wing chair by the coal fire.
”I'm glad for the rain. A beautiful day would have been wrong for a funeral.”
”There are no good days for funerals.” His gaze touched the willow basket that she had filled with her father's eclectic mix of notes and objects. ”You've been diligent, I see. The library will be the poorer when you leave.”
So she was to be sent away. The shock of that made her dare to make a request that was her only chance to achieve her secret dream. ”I have always loved working in the library. Indeed, my lord, I . . . I have hoped that you might engage me to act as librarian in my father's place. Though I have not his formal education, he tutored me well. I have worked with the books my whole life. My father said that no one was better at preservation, and I write a fine clear hand when copying fragile ma.n.u.scripts. Or if not as the chief librarian, perhaps I might continue here as an a.s.sistant?”
”You are only seventeen, child,” the earl said, startled. ”Too young to bury yourself among books. Life must be lived, as well as studied between dusty pages. You will never marry if your beaux can't find you.”
She almost laughed aloud. His lords.h.i.+p could not have looked at her closely if he thought her marriageable. She had neither fortune nor beauty, and few of the local lads even noticed her existence. ” I've met no young men who interest me as much as a good book or a good horse, my lord.”
His bushy brows drew together. ”I had thought to have this discussion with you later, but apparently now is the time. What are your plans and desires for your future?”
She raised her chin a fraction. ”Nothing is set yet, but don't worry, I shan't stay and be a burden to you.”
”As if you could be. Harlowe is your home, Gwynne, and you are always welcome here. Though if you prefer to leave . . . ?”
”A cousin of my father has written to offer me a home.” She hesitated, then decided it behooved her to be honest, since she was determining the course of her whole future. ”I don't mind working for my keep, but I would rather a.s.sist your new librarian than be an unpaid nursery maid to my cousin's children. ”
”You deserve more than to be a servant or to bury yourself in books.” His pale blue eyes studied her with uncomfortable intensity. ”Yet you are not ready for marriage. It is too soon.”
Hearing the deeper meaning in his words, she said eagerly, ”You have seen my future?”
”Only in the most general terms. Your path is clouded, with many possibilities. But my sister, Bethany, and I both sense that a great destiny awaits you. Great, and difficult.”
A great destiny. ”How can that be true when I have no power?”
”Destiny is quite separate from power-mundanes without a particle of magic have created most of the world's history. Not that you are without magic, Gwynne. Like a winter rose, you are merely slow in developing.”
”I hope you are right, my lord.” She closed her eyes for a moment, blinking back the tears that were near the surface today. As a child she had dreamed of being a great mage, a wielder of magic. When she reached womanhood, she awoke each day eager to see if power had blossomed within her, but in vain. She had only the kind of intuition that any mundane might claim.
”With or without magic, you are a rare and precious being. Never forget that.”
As a man past seventy, he idealized youth, she guessed. But his words were warming. ”You have taught me that all human life is rare and precious, Guardian and mundane alike. I shall not forget.”
He linked his hands over the golden head of his cane, frowning with an uncertainty she'd never seen before. ”There is a possibility that will not leave my mind no matter how I try to dismiss it. At first glance it seems absurd-and yet it feels right.”
”Yes?” she said encouragingly. The idea that the lord of Harlowe had been thinking about Gwynne and her future was gratifying.
”I have considered asking you to become my wife.”
She gasped, stunned speechless.
”The thought shocks you.” He smiled wryly. ”And well it should. Over fifty years of age lie between us. Marriage would be scandalous. Women would despise me for taking advantage of your innocence. Many men would be envious, and with justice. If the idea disgusts you . . .” He reached for his cane to stand, and she realized that he was embarra.s.sed, even shy.
”No!” She stopped him with a quick gesture. ”The idea is startling, but not . . . not disgusting.” She studied his familiar face with fresh, amazed eyes. ”You have been like the sun, stars, and skies over Harlowe, and I no more than a sparrow. I have trouble believing that you are not jesting.”
”This is no jest. You need to learn more of the world before destiny sweeps you up.” He fidgeted with his cane again. ”It would not be a conventional marriage. I will not live many more years, so you would soon become a young widow of fortune and independence.”