Read Online The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney - Free Book Online

even.”
    â€œIf Jack Langdon hadn’t been brought to a wizard’s house, he would be dead,” she said with equal coolness. “I ask that you show respect while you are under my roof.”
    His expression stilled. “My apologies, Miss Barton. I should not have said that.”
    She gave him credit for apologizing. Not all aristocrats were capable of admitting wrong. “No, you shouldn’t, but you have had a difficult morning. Come along and see Jack, then have something to eat. It will do wonders for your disposition.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” he said meekly as he followed her. When they entered Jack’s room, the footman withdrew to give them privacy.
    As Winslow moved to Jack’s bedside, Abby said softly, “His neck was broken, but it’s been repaired. There were other injuries, including a broken leg and cracked ribs. Those will take time to heal, but soon he should be as good as new.”
    Winslow glanced up sharply when she mentioned the broken neck. “A local healer was able to mend the spinal injury?”
    â€œIt took a dozen talented wizards working flat out to do the mending, but yes, that’s why he has survived to hunt another day.”
    Winslow touched Jack’s shoulder lightly, as if to reassure himself of his friend’s continued life. In a voice so low she guessed she wasn’t meant to hear, he said, “So despite your courtship of death you are still among us, Jack. Thank God for that.”
    He turned and moved away from the bed. “I’m ready for that breakfast, Miss Barton, and hungry enough to eat a sheep whole.”
    She would have loved to know what he meant by that remark about Jack courting death, but she didn’t ask. Since her exertions the day before had made her ravenous, it was hard to think much beyond food herself.
    Most of her wizard friends were in the breakfast room, chatting and laughing and enjoying the excellent buffet laid out on the sideboards. Mr. Hambly looked up from his tea when Abby and Winslow entered. “You’re looking much better than you did last night, lass. How is our patient?”
    â€œDoing well. Very tired, of course, but he conversed quite sensibly when I visited him.” She gestured to the visitor. “Mr. Winslow is a friend of Lord Frayne’s. Mr. Winslow, these are some of the members of the healing circle that performed a miracle.”
    From the faint tightening around his eyes, she guessed that he was uncomfortable in the presence of so many wizards, but he bowed courteously. “My thanks to you all.”
    She debated introducing everyone, then decided against it. Winslow was unlikely to have a social relationship with any of her magical friends.
    As Abby and Winslow moved toward the sideboard to select food, young Ella entered the breakfast room and approached Abby, her eyes pleading. “Lord Frayne’s horse has been brought to your stables, Miss Abby. He has a broken leg and there’s talk of having him put down. Do you think you might be able to help?”
    Winslow paused between the coddled eggs and the sliced ham. “If that’s a huge dark bay, it’s probably Dancer, Frayne’s favorite mount. Four white socks.”
    â€œThat’s the one,” Ella confirmed. “The finest bit of horseflesh I’ve ever seen.”
    That was high praise coming from Ella, a fervent horse lover. After a wistful glance at the buffet, Abby said, “I’ll come take a look. We’re all drained today. Does anyone have the energy left to help heal a horse?”
    â€œI’ll come,” Hambly said. As he rose from the table, three of the other wizards, including Judith, joined him. Those who stayed in their chairs did so with regretful expressions. Abby knew they would help if they could, but their magical powers had been depleted in the healing circle and needed time to be replenished.
    Abby grabbed a piece of toast and