Prelude to Magic: The Prequel to Moonlight and Illusions Read Online Free PDF Page B

arm, she gave it a yank and dragged him
off the narrow bench. He hit the floor with a loud thump. Rolling
onto his back, he splayed out both arms and legs and closed his
eyes.
    “Go ahead. Do your worst, woman.”
    Silence ensued, broken only by angry-sounding
breathing coming from Ruby. Stephen began to drift off to sleep
again.
    “Oooh! You stubborn, bull-headed, loveable man!”
    Opening his eyes reluctantly, he gazed up at the
fiery woman and grinned. “It will be a good show on Saturday. Maybe
we can get Calvin the Latin tutor he needs.”
    She looked a tad less angry after hearing this.
Finally, her face relaxed. Standing next to him she held both hands
out, the long, belled sleeves of her white dressing gown fell over
her slender wrists.
    “Come on.”
    Stephen took her hands and instead of rising as she
expected, he pulled his wife on top of his chest. He wrapped his
arms around her, kissing her neck as she giggled like a school
girl. Visions of his triumph this night replayed in his head. Real
levitation. He had done it once and knew he could do it again. The
success made him feel wonderful…and amorous. Out here they could
make all the noise they wanted without disturbing their young son.
Rolling Ruby onto her back, he kissed his way into her gown.
Tonight he would make her cry out with pleasure.
    * * *
    The first performance back in Philadelphia was a
rousing success for The Illusionist. People came from miles around
to see the disembodied Omega talk. His countrymen were less
superstitious than the Mexicans had been, so he didn’t have to
repeat his trip to jail. Instead, the applause had been wonderful
music to his ears. Pleasing folks in foreign countries had been
good, but making people from America happy was even better. A new
and exciting time had come for the Elliotts.
    After the last well-wisher left backstage, Stephen,
Ruby, and Michael went back to the little dressing room for a
celebratory glass of wine. They had started the custom while
touring in France, and it turned out to be a great way to relax
after a stressful night.
    “Hello, folks.” Jacob waited for them with four
glasses of wine already sitting on the table. The young man had not
objected in the least, nor had the owners of the Walnut Street
Theater, when the Elliotts moved in the furniture from their
previous house. They had even donated their old bed for Jacob’s
third floor flat in the building.
    Handing his cape to Ruby, Stephen sank into the
over-stuffed sofa with a sigh. He really preferred this old
furniture to the stylish new pieces, but he would never upset his
wife by saying so.
    “It went well tonight,” Michael said, folding his
lanky frame into the wing-back chair. “I must tell you, I was quite
impressed by the act you did with the two chairs.”
    Ruby, the little tease, gave Stephen a wink. She had
been the one to suggest the trick.
    “Thank you. The credit belongs to my wife. This was
her idea.”
    She gave him a glass and settled her skirts as she
sat beside him. “I thought it was terrific, Stephen. Taking off
your shirt was a little gift for the women in the audience,
darling. We all love a muscular physique. Stretching your body out
straight between the two chairs was a test of strength to impress
the men in attendance.” With a smile, she gave his arm a
squeeze.
    “You’ve changed since you’ve come back from touring,
Mr. Elliott.” Jacob’s young face radiated enthusiasm.
    “I’d have to agree with you, Jacob,” Michael said.
“Our magician has never looked more fit, and you were worried about
his health, Ruby.”
    “I still think you work too hard, Stephen.” Ruby’s
voice held a hint of a pout. She knew he would not stop working, no
matter how much she fussed.
    “This is my dream, sweetheart. Most men never
realize their true ambition. I intend to make the most of this
success while it lasts.”
    Michael held up his glass. “To a long and magical
dream.”
    “Cheers!” They chorused,