Page 46 of Christmas Magic

Roberta shrieked and almost dropped the bag.

Cora laughed.

“Ladies. Whatever is wrong?” Surely they weren’t being rude? Ladies weren’t usually privy to the bawdy talk of knights.

Oh, God.

He’d just have to play the fool; pretend he had no idea that the word ‘sword’ could mean anything other than a steel weapon used to protect and defend.

“You find the subject of my blade amusing,” he said.

Still laughing, Cora dried her eyes.

Roberta had regained her hold on the bag.

Cora touched his arm. “Do not be upset with us.”

Even as a reply settled on his tongue, warmth, originating from her touch, spread through him. The discomfort within him eased.

“I am not upset,” he said. ’Twas impossible to remain upset with his lady love. “Still, I must resolve the matter of my sword.”

Cora’s lips twitched. “It can wait until later. Yes?”

He glanced to the left and right. While he’d rather have weapons, the folk in view seemed to be mainly shoppers carrying bags or wandering into shops.

He nodded.

“Good. I need to buy a few things. I’d like very much for you to come with me.”

A tiny tingle of resistance stirred. He should return to the antique store. He had duties at the shop.

Cora slid her arm through his. “Will you accompany me, Lucian? Please?”

How wondrous, to have her body pressed against him. She gazed up at him with such coyness, his thoughts of the store faded in importance. “I would be honored, Fair Maiden.”

“I hope we’ll see you back in the store soon.” With a smile, Molly handed the bag of bubble-wrapped vintage Fostoria wine glasses to the couple who’d just purchased them. The husband and wife strolled out, clearly delighted to have found pieces matching the pattern of the stemware they’d inherited.

Her smile fading, Molly retrieved the file folders she’d tucked under the counter when the couple had entered the shop. The spell that had affected Lucian could have been detected in Cat’s Paw Cove before, since magic abounded in the town. In William’s notes and reports, she’d hoped to find some information on the enchantment and how to break it.

She glanced at the time on her phone. “Lucian’s been gone almost two hours.”

The squire snorted. “Cora’s likely keeping him busy.”

Rose hissed. “Galahad! Not helpful.”

“Hey, I just said what we’re all thinking.”

Molly struggled to brush aside her unsettling thoughts. While she trusted Lucian, she definitely didn’t trust Cora.

Molly dialed his number. After several rings, the call went to voice mail.

She fought a pang of dismay. When he saw he’d missed her call, he’d phone her back. That was the most logical sequence of events, but one thing she’d learned from her lessons with Lucian: magic could be highly unpredictable, as could people controlled by it.

Molly frowned. “I should go find him, but I have to keep the shop open. Two customers are dropping by sometime this morning.”

Rising to all four paws, the fluffy cat stretched. “I’ll go look for Lucian.”

She shook her head. “It’s not safe for you to be wandering the streets.”