The unshed tears that glistened in her gentle blue eyes upset Dagon in a way that irritated him. He favored spirited women, ones who would defend themselves against the greatest of odds and with the greatest of courage. And here he sat with an inept witch without a lick of courage, who fought tears that pooled dangerously close to spilling over, and yet he felt a tremendous urge to comfort and protect her. And worse yet was the fact that he had an insatiable desire to make love to her.
Jet lag. A good, sound reason for his strange response to a witch he would not ordinarily find appealing. Of course there was his depleted energy that could very well be boosted by a pleasurable hour or two in bed with her... another sane and sensible explanation to his unbridled and unexpected passion.
He spoke more calmly than he felt. “I will take care of this mess. Do not upset yourself.” He waved his hand over his lap and the surrounding area where the spilled tea lay staining the antique wool carpet. And to his surprise and annoyance nothing happened. All remained the same. Two more waves of his hand followed as did a deep grumble surfaced before he turned suspicious eyes on Sarina.
His annoyance immediately melted when he caught sight of her distraught features and disheveled appearance. She bravely continued to fight the tears, though one had managed a fast escape and was hastily running down her flushed cheek. She chewed nervously on her bottom lip that was already enticingly plump enough, and several strands of her silky straight brown hair fell wildly around her face while others remained pinned sedately to her head. And there was that button on her white blouse that looked about to slip open and reveal her breasts, and while she was merely average in size, he could not help but wonder if her soft white flesh would fit his hand perfectly.
He groaned more loudly than he had intended, and she slowly slid away from him to safely tuck herself in the corner of the settee.
“I think it would be best if you returned to your duties,” he said, reaching for a white linen napkin on the table.
“I can clean this up,” she offered softly.
“I will see to it,” he answered and told himself that by keeping his eyes off her she would understand his disappointment in her behavior, though his own emotions cautioned that his reason was purely selfish. If he looked he just might want, and dallying with the help was not something he deemed appropriate, especially when that want bordered on a lusty urge.
“You are dismissed and please tell Bernard I wish to speak with him.”
“Yes, sir,” Sarina said and cautiously moved off the settee. She stood a moment as if indecisive and then spoke.
“Thank you for rescuing me. It was most gallant of you.”
He watched her walk out of the room and wondered over her age. Her response spoke of another time, perhaps a time she favored and found herself more comfortable with.
Bernard entered almost on Sarina’s departure. Dagon had no doubt that his meticulous butler had hovered near in expectation and his expectations proved accurate.
“I expected much worse,” Bernard said, immediately seeing to cleaning up the mess.
Dagon stood, dropping the napkin on the silver tray and brushing at the damp spot on his trousers as he walked over to the cabinet to pour himself another brandy. “Tell me about Sarina.”
The look of relief on Bernard’s face warned Dagon that he was in for an earful. He filled his brandy glass and took a seat near the window that looked out on the stone terrace and tiered gardens.
With a dramatic sigh and a tug of his gray vest over his belted gray trousers and a brush of a minute speck off the lapel of his black jacket, Bernard was ready to tell all. “Her credentials are impeccable. I was relieved and immensely pleased to have her join our efficient and remarkable staff, and I must say she seemed pleased and most anxious to accept the position.”
“Then you had no reason to suspect that her work would be inadequate?” Dagon asked.
“Absolutely none, sir,” he answered with a firm shake of his head. “I check all references personally and put an applicant through a thorough interview. In my estimation Sarina possessed more than adequate experience for the position. I had her sign the usual contract committing to at least a year of service which she did without delay, and the very day she began her duties the trouble began.”
“The very same day?”
“The very first hour,” Bernard said with a hefty sigh. “She broke a glass in the kitchen, and Margaret, my blessed, patient wife, told her not to worry, to just clean it up, which she proceeded to do with a broom and dustpan. Margaret thought her nervous about starting in a new place, and she gave her the benefit of the doubt only to have another glass break and another and another.”
Dagon watched Bernard’s face turn red with annoyance. “Needless to say a new set of glasses was needed to be purchased by the end of her first day. On her second day Margaret discovered why she continued to work as a mortal would. It seemed that not only her powers were insufficient to clean up after herself, but no one else’s powers were capable of righting the wrong her messes made.”
“Your reaction to this discovery?”
“It alarmed me,” Bernard admitted. “There could be many reasons for her dysfunctional abilities, and I did not care to think that I might have unwittingly brought a problem into the castle. But then I thought of her references and Mrs. MacDougal’s penchant for helping the less fortunate, and I reached the sad conclusion that the woman was attempting to aid an inept witch in securing a good position.”
Dagon nodded. “Mrs. MacDougal was aware that you could not release her from the contract without my permission. And the woman was also aware that not only she and her husband would be away for several months, but so would I.”
“Precisely,” Bernard agreed. “And perhaps in that time she had hoped Sarina’s skills would have improved and she would remain part of the staff. Unfortunately that was not the case, and the ordeal I and the rest of the staff have had to contend with has been unacceptable. I request that she be discharged immediately.”
Hesitation was not what Bernard expected nor hoped for. Quick dismissal was the only answer. To Bernard’s chagrin Dagon did not agree.
“Perhaps we should give her another chance.”
Bernard almost choked on his words. “Ano—another chance?”
Dagon smiled and sipped at his brandy.
“She has been given more than sufficient time to prove herself and has failed to do so. She continues to perform her duties inadequately which provides ample cause for dismissal.”
Dagon retained his patience. “Have you attempted to see how Sarina handles various household duties?”
Bernard answered reluctantly. “I thought it best to keep her where she would cause the least problem.”
Dagon chose his words carefully, not wanting to alienate Bernard, whose exceptional services he could not do without. But then he did not wish to see Sarina be discharged of her duties. He found he wanted to learn more about this witch who seemed to be powerless, and besides, he felt the need to protect her. Where would she go and what would she do if he dismissed her? The thought that she would roam aimlessly, with no way of adequately surviving or protecting herself left him feeling distressed.
“Perhaps she would work well on the laundry staff,” Dagon suggested. “I doubt she could cause much harm there.”
Bernard disagreed with a brief shake of his head, though he answered, “As you wish.”
o0o
Sarina returned to her room in the west wing where all servants resided. Her room was of ample size containing a single bed, a dresser with a mirror, and a small writing desk and chair. A window over the desk looked out on an expanse of green land and rolling hills that captured the eye and stole the heart. The view was especially breathtaking now in the fall when the purple heather covered the hills and the mist kissed the hilltops. Rasmus Castle was in Trossachs and bordered Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, a stunning land complimented by ash, willow, oak, and sitka spruce. Weasels, deer, and wildcats roamed the area, and sparrow hawks and golden eagles could be seen if one had the patience to watch for their flight.
Sarina loved this land of her birth. She had traveled much in her younger years, but she always found herself returning home to Scotland. Recent years had found her more of a homebody. She had studied and perfected her skills and used them to help others. Unfortunately, her desire to help had gotten her into more trouble than she had ever thought possible. And now she guarded her secret carefully for fear of discovery and guarded her privacy just as fiercely out of necessity.
She sighed and shook her head as she pulled the pins from her messed hair and ran her silver-handled brush through the silky brown strands. She gave it a vigorous brushing, feeling the intense bristles scratch her scalp. She then twisted up the thick strands that fell past her shoulders to the middle of her back and tucked in several pins to hold the heavy strands to the top of her head. Her bangs covered her slim eyebrows and fell down along her temples and she ran a touch of blush over her pale cheeks.
Dagon Rasmus had exceeded his reputation. The staff had gossiped like any staff was want to do, and she had listened silently when the female servants had commented over his good looks and his worldly arrogance that they all admired. She had thought they had embellished the stories and, therefore, was shocked to learn they had spoken the truth, though she felt their words had not done the man justice.
Dagon Rasmus was simply gorgeous. His looks went far beyond just good. His handsome features captured the eye, and his confident arrogance easily intimidated. And to add to that he was a powerful witch who could perform more than ordinary feats. He was a witch who had earned and demanded respect and not one to match skills with, especially when one’s skills were less than adequate.
Sarina checked the buttons on her white long-sleeve cotton blouse, tucked it securely in her waistband, and made certain that her slim black skirt was free of lint or dust, then she hurried off to the kitchen to see if Margaret required help and perhaps discover her fate, for which she had little hope. She hurried down the steps eager to speak with Margaret.
The tall slim woman was the first to befriend her when she had arrived. Her dignified manner belied her position. To look at her one would expect to find her behind a desk and in a position of high authority; instead she was housekeeper and cook at Rasmus Castle, feeding an appreciative staff with a talent that would put the finest culinary chef to shame.
Margaret greeted her with a wide smile, her hands buried deep in soft dough that would soon be turned into apple cinnamon bread that would tempt the staunchest dieter. Two loaves were already baking in the double wall oven and the delicious smell assaulted the nostrils and made one salivate.
“Sit,” Margaret said with a warm smile. “You know how much I love company when I bake.”
Sarina enjoyed visiting with Margaret while she worked. The room always smelled heavenly, and the professional stainless-steel appliances and stark white cabinets, though modern for the castle environment, looked at home in the large room. Of course Margaret had added her own personal touches, which happened to be her love of cows.
They were everywhere one looked, from the teakettle, to potholders, towel racks, a clock, pitchers, and framed pictures that crowded the walls. It was simply a delightful place to share friendly conversation and a spot of tea.
She took the chair closest to the fresh-baked loaves that sat cooling on a wire rack on the rectangular oak table.
“Delicious,” she mumbled and sniffed the air.
“As soon as I finish these two loaves we’ll share a slice or two and a nice hot pot of Earl Grey tea.”
Sarina nodded enthusiastically.
“I heard that your morning did not go well.”
Sarina had to laugh; if she didn’t she would have cried—something she was not in the habit of doing, though of late she found her unusual circumstances bringing her closer to tears. Perhaps it was the fact that she felt her life spinning out of control, and any effort she made to grasp hold and right it simply failed.
“I not only made a fool of myself yet again, I did so in front of Dagon Rasmus and probably sealed my fate.”
“Don’t judge so quickly.”
Sarina stood. “I’ll put the kettle on. You tell me about Dagon Rasmus.”
Margaret smiled. “A handsome one he is. There’s no denying that.”
Sarina sighed as she filled the cow-spotted kettle. “He surely is, though he will find love where he least expects it.”
Margaret nodded. “Your spell skill should match your sight skill.”
Sarina silently admonished herself. She had repeatedly made the mistake of predicting future events for several of the staff, and they all thought her accuracy was remarkable. Lately many had sought her advice, and while she gave it freely she watched her tongue. It would do no good for those at Rasmus Castle to learn the truth about her.
“I’m practicing,” Sarina said with a weary smile. “Dagon’s skills appear powerful.”
Margaret cast a cautious glance. “More powerful than most know. He takes his heritage seriously and he is wise in his use of his skills. That is why he has survived and thrived. He knows when his skills are necessary.”
“Does he ever think of marriage?”
“He will marry one who he feels will be worthy of mating with. Her energy will need to equal or surpass his. He has no tolerance for mediocre witches. He requires a woman of extraordinary power and intelligence to deal with the likes of him.”
Sarina took two cow mugs from the row of hooks that ran beneath the cabinet beside the sink. “I best stay out of his way then.”
Margaret wiped her hands on her black-and-white spotted apron, the bib being a cow head. “Lord Dagon—” She stopped abruptly and shook her head. “I sometimes forget what time I am living in and Dagon did make a wonderful lord. He is kind and considerate of others, especially those less fortunate.”
“Like clumsy witches?”
Margaret offered a comforting pat to her hand after Sarina placed the filled mugs on the table. “He will give you another chance.”
Sarina sat on the chair tucking her one leg beneath her and sipped at the hot, soothing tea. “I would appreciate his tolerance, but how long will he be tolerant with me?”
“I think that depends on you,” Margaret said, sitting down after slicing two healthy slices of the apple cinnamon bread and fetching the honey butter from the refrigerator.
“I need to focus on my work.”
“Your skills,” Margaret corrected. “Your energy is weak causing your powers to be less than sufficient. Have you considered mating with a strong witch?”
“We both know that is not my problem,” she said. “My powers are completely depleted.”
Margaret agreed with a nod. “That could explain why your mistakes cannot be made right. If you allowed your energy to dwindle near to extinction, then it would be hard to retrieve even a small amount.”
Sarina spoke honestly though cautiously. “I was foolish.”
Margaret pushed the tub of honey butter to Sarina. “We are all foolish when we are young. Why, I bet you are barely a hundred years old.”
Sarina smiled and again spoke in a broad sense. “I feel like a child.”
“You will learn, my dear. In our youth we make many mistakes, and Dagon understands youth. He was a wild one himself.”
“I doubt he lost his powers.”
Margaret folded the sliced bread to lock in the honey butter that dripped from the sides. “He wisely protected himself at all times.”
“Then he was not foolish.”
“No, no one could ever call Dagon foolish.”
Both women grew silent while taking bites of the delicious warm bread.
Sarina worried over her future. What if Dagon was not tolerant with her? What if he dismissed her? Where would she go and what would she do? She was not accustomed to mortal living. She was barely accustomed to her present surroundings.
“Do not worry,” Margaret said with another comforting pat. “All will go well. You will learn and your skills will grow.”
Sarina managed a smile, though she knew full well that her skills could not be learned. It has a far more complicated problem than any imagined, and even she herself wondered how she would ever solve it.
“I thought Mr. Rasmus ordered you to return to your duties?”
Sarina was so startled by Bernard’s unexpected entrance that she knocked over her half-filled mug. She immediately reached for the nearby towel to wipe up the spill and knocked over the butter tub.
Margaret wisely took the towel from her hand and saw to cleaning up the mess.
Bernard sighed and shook his head as he walked into the room. “I do not understand why he insists on keeping you on at Rasmus Castle, but Mr. Rasmus says you are to be given another chance.”
Sarina sighed with relief.
Bernard continued. “I myself think you have been given sufficient chances to prove yourself and have failed everyone.”
Sarina could do nothing but apologize since she agreed with him. Bernard had been tolerant of her ineptitude, and she could easily understand his frustration with her. “I am sorry.”
A mordant glance and tightly pursed lips from Margaret caused her husband to alter his attitude and speak with a less biting tongue. “Perhaps you will find your new duties less difficult.”
Sarina was ready for anything. She intended to work hard and be extra careful even if she had to work twice the hours of the other staff members. She would show everyone that she was capable of attending to her assigned duties. She would be diligent and self-reliant even if she had to resort to mortal tactics. Perhaps she was not learning witching skills, but she certainly was learning about mortal abilities more and more each day. Why, she rarely broke a glass anymore, and she was getting the hang of using a ladder.
If she had been extra careful this morning, she would never have lost her balance on the ladder and accidentally kicked it over, leaving herself dangling in thin air.
No, whatever her duties this time, she would pay close attention and make certain she made no mistakes.
“You will be assigned to the laundry staff,” Bernard informed her.
She smiled with delight. She could handle the laundry. After all, what damage could she do washing and drying clothes?