“Wrong attire for a dinner party, dear heart,” Dagon said with an edge of annoyance.
Sarina entered the room ignoring all but Dagon. She went directly to him, and he stood as she approached, reaching out and snatching the serving tray from her hand.
He held it out to Sebastian, who took it with a smile and played servant, offering the delectable choice of appetizers to his wife and Sydney.
“Two of the servers took ill and the other staff members have left for the evening, I had no choice,” Sarina explained, sounding as disappointed as Dagon was annoyed.
“Bernard instructed me to follow his orders and would hear no excuses.”
Dagon softened his tone. “Did you make Bernard aware of the fact that you were to attend tonight’s gathering?”
“I tried,” she said, “but he was upset and—”
Dagon finished for her. “—you felt guilty about not helping.”
“Yes, I did,” she admitted.
The doorbell prevented any further discussion, though Ali did offer a solution. “Perhaps we can all share a nightcap later this evening.”
“Sounds great to me,” Sebastian said, helping himself to another cheese puff.
Dagon scowled at him, and Sebastian popped another puff into his mouth.
“Me, too,” Sarina agreed, though looked to Dagon for confirmation.
The offer appeased though no way satisfied Dagon, but there was little he could do. He acquiesced with a nod.
Sarina smiled her thanks to Ali and Sebastian and acknowledged Sydney with a gentle nod. She then hurried to see to her duties.
“Sarina,” Dagon said as she reached the door.
She turned and knew immediately his thoughts.
“Be verycareful this evening.”
Her smile faded and she said softly, “Yes, sir.”
Three pairs of eyes fell on him accusingly when he turned around, and he shook his head and reached for his wineglass.
Sarina was grateful that all was going well. Granted, the appetizers had only been served and the remainder of the full course meal had yet to be delivered, but making it through the beginning without any incidents gave her hope that all would proceed smoothly.
Margaret filled the soup tureen with the tasty leek and carrot soup, and Sarina sniffed the scented air appreciatively.
“You make the best soups, Margaret.”
“I made extra, and as soon as the guests sit to enjoy the main course, you and Janey can help yourself to whatever your taste buds favor,” Margaret said, placing the silver ladle in the flowered china tureen and securing the top on it. “Are you certain you feel comfortable serving this?”
Where Bernard could be critical of her work, Margaret was concerned; even Janey had offered to do more than her share of the serving. They were obviously concerned that she might falter and make a scene that would embarrass Dagon and make matters worse for herself.
But she was determined that nothing should go wrong. She was extra careful and cautious of her every move, and so far her precautions had paid off, and she would continue to see that the evening proceeded without incident.
“I can serve the soup without a problem,” she said confidently.
“I’ll help,” Janey offered, entering the kitchen with the empty appetizer plates. “Four hands are better than two.”
Sarina was not about to lose her newly gained confidence. “I’ll serve, you can hold the tureen.”
Janey nodded, grabbed the serving pot holders, and lifted the china tureen, and together they left the kitchen.
Dagon sat at one end of the table and Sydney at the other, Sebastian and Ali sat on either side of Sydney with Teresa McEwan beside Sebastian and her husband Eden beside Ali. Bridie and William Douglas followed and John and Catherine MacTavish sat on either side of Dagon.
Conversation drifted around the table sprinkled with laughter and highlighted with contented smiles. Dagon loved to entertain especially good company, and the people gathered around his impressive table were old and dear friends.
There was, however, one person missing whom he had wanted to share the evening with, Sarina. He wanted her at his table, not serving his guests, and yet she was a servant in his castle and not a very good one at that.
He had wondered over her inadequate abilities and her sudden appearance at his doorstep, and the longer he debated the issue the more he thought that there was more to her than she revealed. He thought her a young witch in need of guidance and practice, and yet there were times she possessed the wise ways of an older more experienced witch.
And then there was the problem of her wrongs not being able to be made right. He had researched the problem, looking for various reasons for such an occurrence, and there were several ranging from an insignificant problem that could be overcome with time and proper training to the most severe, that being a powerful spell.
He was never one to dismiss anything without further investigation, and he planned to do just that until he found the answer.
Conversation turned to the coming holiday, the Winter Solstice, and the many activities planned. All recalled past holidays of fun and pleasure and hopes of future ones to come.
Everyone was so engrossed with talk that no one paid attention to Sarina and Janey when they entered the room, none that was, except Dagon. He was relieved to see that she did not carry the soup tureen, though when he realized she would be the one to serve, he almost cringed. He silently berated himself for not having any confidence in her, especially since she appeared confident.
Her obvious self-confidence filled him with pleasure, and he relaxed, watching her approach Sydney. The gray slim skirt hugged her round backside, and the white apron accented her narrow waist. The gray blouse was a bit too large for her and hid the swell of her handful-size breasts, and the idea that they were concealed, hidden away from him, enticed him all the more.
His eyes followed her graceful movements, and he was suddenly anxious for the evening to pass and for them to be alone. Alone to talk, alone to touch, alone to tempt fate. He smiled and decided exactly how he wanted the evening to end.
Sarina caught Dagon’s sinful smile, sensed his heated desires, and did all she could to ignore them. Now was not the time for her thoughts to turn lusty. She needed her wits and senses about her. She would not embarrass herself or Dagon with less than skillful hands this evening.
She chased all thoughts from her mind and focused on her chore at hand, pouring the soup into each guest’s bowl. She began with Sydney.
“It smells delicious, dear,” Sydney commented after Sarina filled her bowl.
A simple nod and thank you was all the response expected of her, and she turned to Ali and filled her bowl without incident. She, too, commented on the delicious aroma.
All was going perfectly and she glowed with the satisfaction of a job well done as she approached Sebastian.
Everything happened so fast Sarina was at a loss to react. She lifted the full ladle from the tureen and was about to pour it into Sebastian’s bowl when out of the corner of her eye she caught Lady Lily scooting into the room.
She looked briefly to Sydney, who acknowledged the little dilemma and attempted with a casual point of her finger to send Lily in the opposite direction. It didn’t work; instead the little kitten twirled around like a top and sped straight into Janey’s feet.
Janey lost her balance, Sarina reached out to help her, the ladle went flying out of her hand—how she couldn’t imagine, since she thought she had a firm grasp on it—and Janey and she collided. Sarina grabbed for the full tureen that wobbled in Janey’s hands, the two fighting to prevent it from falling but having no such luck. It toppled over, Janey grabbing the rim but not before it dumped a good portion of the soup in Sebastian’s lap.
The hot soup caused him to jump up, knocking into Teresa, who sat next to him, who knocked her water glass into William Douglas’s lap; he in turn, startled by the cold drenching,
jumped up, sending Catherine MacTavish’s wineglass flying across the table, spilling over her husband’s white shirt; John MacTavish’s surprised reaction caused his elbow to hit Bridie Douglas in the arm, sending the water from the glass she held to spill all over her chest; her stunned response caused her to bring her glass down on the table catching the edge of her spoon accidentally, sending the utensil flying in the air to land in Ali’s soup bowl, splashing leek and carrot soup all over Eden McEwan, who sat between Bridie and Ali.
The chaos did not stop there. The ladle that had gone flying through the air toward the end of the table deposited its contents over Dagon’s head, the soup dripping slowly down along his face.
Sarina and Janey’s uniforms were partially drenched with the soup. Sydney was the only one who had miraculously escaped the deluge.
Complete silence filled the air. Not a breath or sigh was heard, not a word was murmured. And all eyes turned toward Dagon.
He took his white linen napkin from his lap and slowly wiped the dripping soup from his face. “My apologies,” he said calmly and turned heated eyes on Sarina.
Sarina’s emotions soared to the surface, and with a burst of tears she rushed out of the room.
Sebastian sent his wife a knowing nod and excused himself, following after Sarina.
Ali took charge of the delicate situation. “Dear,” she said, addressing Janey. “I think we have had enough soup, and it’s a good time to serve the salad, and do bring extra napkins.”
Eden McEwan burst into a fit of laughter after wiping the soup from his face with his finger and tasting it. “Damn good soup, Dagon.”
William Douglas joined in the merriment. “Yes, we can always count on you for entertainment.”
Teresa McEwan smiled and pointed her finger. “Allow me to freshen everyone up.”
Dagon was about to stop her useless gesture when Sydney interrupted. “Please, allow me, since I went unscathed.”
Without waiting Sydney cast her hands out, sending a ripple of energy rushing over the guests and table and instantly returning everything and everyone to their previous condition.
Everyone, that was, but Dagon.
“You missed Dagon,” Catherine MacTavish informed Sydney, lifting her glass of merlot.
Sydney smiled. “So I did.” She pointed a finger at him “Shall I?” she asked.
He knew her finger was accusing, letting him know he had not behaved properly. But at the moment he was too furious to care what Sydney thought. He had wanted Sarina attending the dinner party, not serving at it, and for a good reason. He wanted her beside him, not a damn servant in his castle. And now look at the mess she had made, creating pure chaos, drawing attention to herself, and then running out of the room in tears. And who followed her, Sebastian.
And who handled the aftermath, Ali, and who accused him of wrongful reaction, Sydney. The night was not going as he had planned.
“By all means, Sydney,” he said and suddenly realized that Sydney had righted Sarina’s wrongs. How?
o0o
Sarina sat in the garden crying. She had fled without thought, making her way to the wildflower garden that was now barren, the numerous beds covered with heavy protective mulch. She sat on the stone bench, her face buried in her hands, finding it hard to calm her rushing tears.
The night air was chilled though not uncomfortably so, and besides Sarina was too lost in her own misery to care that she needed a sweater.
Sebastian on the other hand was practical and had grabbed Margaret’s sweater from the hook by the kitchen door as he ran out. He placed the heavy beige cardigan over Sarina’s shoulders.
His unexpected presence startled her. “I thought you might need a friend,” he said and sat down beside her.
His generous offer caused a stirring of tears that she fought to control, especially when the light from the near full moon slipped across him and she saw what damage her unskilled hands had done to his suit.
She offered the only words she could. “I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it was,” she insisted. “I should have paid closer attention. I should have been more careful.”
“You were doing excellent. There’s no reason to blame yourself.”
She shook her head in disagreement. “No, it’s all my fault. I’m such a powerless witch. If I were skilled I could have prevented the whole terrible incident, but with less than adequate abilities, I could do nothing but stand there and watch the small accident turn disastrous.”
“You’ll learn,” he assured her.
She wanted to laugh, scream, and cry until no tears remained. Her plight was useless. She was doomed, completely doomed.
“Don’t get discouraged,” Sebastian said. “My first few attempts at developing my newly acquired powers turned out less than favorable.”
Sarina sighed, wishing for all the world that her powers were restored and she was her natural, vibrant, powerful self.
“Practice makes perfect,” he said with a pat to her hand. “At least my wife tells me that.”
Sarina liked Sebastian. He possessed a strong sense of himself and had the courage and strength to deal with a castle full of witches. He allowed no one to intimidate him, not his beautiful wife or Dagon, whose arrogant pride could disarm any mortal or witch.
“I don’t think that saying applies to me,” she said with disappointment. “I’m a hopeless witch.” And she surely felt like one, having been unsuccessful in any attempt to make right her awkward situation.
“I think you worry overly much on doing wrong.”
He was a prudent mortal and her opinion of him blossomed.
He continued giving her advice. “You need to take small steps and one at a time. If you attempt giant-size steps, you’ll miss one and have to go back.”
“How did you begin?” she asked, curious.
“I began as soon as I found out I was capable of magic.”
He smiled. “It was our wedding night.”
Sarina looked at him with wide eyes. “You practiced your first magic feat on your wedding night?”
He nodded with pride. “Of course, Ali helped me and warned that one was enough for the night, and being I had more important matters on my mind, I didn’t argue.”
Sarina couldn’t help but giggle.
“After that I practiced every chance I could and constantly pestered my wife for lessons.”
“Was Ali patient with you?”
Sebastian grinned. “Her patience wore thin after I deposited her on her bottom one too many times and of course there was that time I accidentally dropped her in the pool.”
“The pool?”
He offered an explanation. “You see, I didn’t believe in witches when I first met Ali, and the night she attempted to convince me with a few small tricks, I still refused to believe her. So she resorted to a harsher demonstration and with a crook of her finger, she had me suspended over her indoor pool.”
Sarina enjoyed another giggle. “You wanted to get even.”
He put his finger to his mouth. “Shhh, she mustn’t know that or I’ll suffer a dunking myself.”
“But your other lessons went well?” she asked anxiously.
“Not quite,” he admitted. “One day Ali cast her hand over a rosebush, gently separating a beautifully bloomed rose from the bush, and she presented it to me. Wishing to reciprocate, I attempted likewise.”
“What happened?”
Sebastian shook his head and laughed. “I uprooted the whole bush from the ground.”
Sarina joined in his laughter.
“Then there was the fairy dust incident.”
“Fairy dust? You tried working with fairy dust while a novice?” she asked in surprise.
He nodded. “What did I know? A sprinkle here, a sprinkle there.”
“What happened?” she asked, anxious to know the results.
“I became invisible for almost an hour.”
“Good heavens, how much dust did you use?”
“Evidently too much. Ali banned me from using it until further notice.”
Sarina laughed, finding it difficult to stop.
“See, you’re not the only one that gets into difficult situations.”
Sarina’s laughter slowed and she smiled gratefully at him. “Thank you for being my friend when I needed one the most.”
He took both her hands and held them tight. “Friends are always there for each other. Whenever you need a shoulder to cry on or to bubble with laughter, I guarantee I can promise you both.”
Sarina leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Again, Sebastian, thank you. You are a true friend, and I am grateful for our newly found friendship.”
“The feeling is mutual,” he assured her. “Now let’s get back and enjoy Margaret’s magical cooking.”
Sarina stood along with him. “Margaret uses no magic to enhance her cooking skills. She cooks as a mortal.”
“Then she is truly a magician,” Sebastian said, and they strolled back toward the castle discussing the various dishes Margaret had waiting.
Sebastian returned to the table, and before he sat, Sydney quickly had him looking refreshed.
He leaned over by her and said, “I tried that but I guess I couldn’t quite get it right.”
“Practice, dear boy,” Sydney said and patted his hand in reassurance.
Dagon finished his conversation with Catherine MacTavish and looked down the table to Sebastian. He simply smiled and acknowledged Dagon’s attention with a nod, then turned to speak with his wife.
Dagon wanted to throttle him. He expected at least a word on Sarina, and what did Sebastian do? Smile, nod, and completely ignore him. It wouldn’t be proper for him to leave his guests. Sydney herself would reprimand him for his rude behavior, so he had little choice but to see the meal through. Then he could seek out Sarina, but first he would have a word with Sebastian.
The meal proceeded without incident, though Sarina did not return to serve the meal. Janey assisted Bernard in finishing the serving, and Bernard took over the serving of dessert and after-dinner drinks in the parlor.
It was after eleven when the guests left, and it was Sebastian who said to Dagon, “I wish to speak with you.”
He then turned to Sydney, gave her a good night kiss on the cheek, and then kissed his wife gently on the lips, whispering how it would be worth her while to wait up for him. With that he marched toward Dagon’s study.
Dagon’s annoyance had grown throughout the evening, though he kept his temper concealed. All evening he wondered over Sarina, his mood alternating from concern to anger before blending a little of both to form a strong annoyance. And the thought that Sebastian was the one to console Sarina angered him all the more.
A peck on Sydney’s cheek, a mumbled good night to Ali, and he was directly behind Sebastian, his strides just as determined.
Sydney hooked her arm in Ali’s. “What say you to a cup of Earl Grey and a little chat? I have a feeling your husband will be awhile.”
“I was thinking the same myself,” Ali said, “though I thought we would invite Sarina to join us.”
“You stole my thought,” Sydney accused with a laugh.
“You planted it,” Ali challenged, and they walked toward the kitchen in search of Sarina and tea.
o0o
Dagon slammed the door behind him.
“Don’t go getting your temper up with me, Dagon,” Sebastian warned. “This evening was your own fault.”
“My fault?” Dagon repeated, slipping out of his jacket and tossing it on the back of a nearby chair.
“Right, your fault. You had more than enough time to invite Sarina to the dinner party, but you waited until the last minute, and when she was put on the spot—knowing she had limited abilities—what did you do?”
Dagon went to answer, but Sebastian did it for him. “Nothing. You did nothing. You placed her in a precarious situation, and she courageously faced the challenge.”
“She was doing well,” Dagon defended himself and her. “And besides, she’s stubborn and would do as she pleased anyway.”
“Yes, I’m familiar with tenacious women.”
Dagon ran his hand through his hair. “I have always handled them well, but Sarina is...” He shook his head as his words drifted off.
“Different?” Sebastian suggested.
Dagon dropped down in the chair next to the burning hearth. Sebastian took the chair opposite him. “She’s like no other woman I’ve encountered.”
“She has a refreshing, simplistic quality about her,” Sebastian said. “She appears young and innocent yet worldly and wise as if she has lived for so many years she understands the true mysteries of life.”
“I know what you mean. I sometimes think she has much to learn, and other times I think she knows much. She is an enigma and it drives me crazy.”
Sebastian laughed. “You mean you’re not totally crazy yet?”
Dagon didn’t find the situation amusing. “I am in full control of my faculties.”
“Are you?” Sebastian questioned with amusement. “Tell me your first thought after the chaos subsided in the dining room this evening.”
He answered immediately. “I was angry, but”—Dagon paused and ran his hand through his hair again—”the anger was with myself while my concern was for Sarina.”
“You wanted to shield her from the hurt and embarrassment of the unfortunate incident.”
“I wanted to scoop her up into my arms and rescue her from the disastrous scene.”
“Do you always want to rescue her?”
He nodded. “She always needs rescuing.”
“Perhaps she’s rescuing you.”
Dagon raised a brow. “From what?”
“Only you can answer that question.”
“Playing with words, mortal?”
Sebastian grinned. “Witch to you.”
Dagon smiled. “I forget how much I helped you.”
“Helped me?” Sebastian laughed good-naturedly. “When you didn’t bother to advise me of how to seal the spell once cast?”
Dagon leaned forward. “I had confidence in you, mortal. I knew you’d figure it out for yourself.”
Sebastian sighed with the sheer pleasure his memories brought and nodded slowly. “I had no problem, no problem at all.”
“Some things are better left to be discovered by oneself,” Dagon said.
“Have you discovered for yourself?” Sebastian asked in a serious and concerned tone.
Dagon gave thought to his words. “I’ve discovered that a clumsy witch has robbed me of my senses.”
“Did she rob you or did you freely give them to her?”
“You begin to irritate me.”
“Because I make you question?”
Dagon shook his head. “I do nothing but question myself lately.”
“Then what have you discovered?”
“That I am going crazy. That I can’t get the bumbling witch out of my mind. That I think about her day and night and in between. That my emotions are completely out of control around her. That I worry over her. That I ache for her. That I—” He paused abruptly and stared at Sebastian.
“That you love her,” Sebastian finished.
Dagon stood rubbing at the ache in the back of his neck.
“That pain won’t go away until you come to terms with this issue. You refuse to face and accept the truth, or have you and you don’t know what to do about it?”
“I am not as stubborn and foolish as you when it comes to love.”
Sebastian agreed. “That you aren’t; if you were, this would be a whole lot easier.”
Dagon scowled.
“Hey, pal, I didn’t know the answer to that question when it came to me and Ali. I was also dealing with the fact that she was a witch. You clearly know Sarina is a witch, perhaps not one that meets your rigid standards, but a witch. You also clearly know the answer to the question. You simply refuse to act on it.” Sebastian paused, grinned, stood, and walked over to him, slapping him on the back. “I guess that does make you stubborn and foolish when it comes to love.”
Dagon rolled his eyes. “Advice from a mortal, what is this world coming to?”
“Witch, witch,” Sebastian corrected. “Want me to prove it?”
“No,” Dagon said, but too late. The crystal decanter filled with brandy floated in the air... upside down.