Susan Spencer Paul - [Enchanter 01] Read Online Free PDF

could feel Niclas Seymour’s gaze fixed upon her, and wondered whether he stared because he found her attractive or horrible. Or, perhaps, and far more likely, he was trying to recall when, and whether, they had ever met.
    He continued to stare even after she had ordered the tea and returned to sit opposite her aunt. Still he seemed disinclined to say anything, but only gazed at Julia in a perplexed and disturbing manner.
    Lady Eunice cleared her throat loudly, drawing his attention.
    “We’ve had the pleasure of Lord Graymar’s company several times in the past month. He has agreed to help us with a certain family difficulty. I believe you must be aware what it is I speak of.”
    “I am,” he replied, casting another troubled glance at Julia. “Miss Linley’s proposed journey to Wales is precisely what I came to speak to you about. I—” He broke off and briefly set a hand to his head, shutting his eyes as if he had an ache. “I understand your feelings, Lady Eunice, but I assure you that your apprehensions are misplaced. I’m not here to talk you out of the journey or the attempt to rein in my uncle—God alone knows he needs it from time to time. I’ve come to suggest myself as a replacement.” He appeared to cringe slightly. “What I mean to say is,” he said, dropping his hand and looking directly at her ladyship, “I should like to take Lord Graymar’s place in escorting your niece to Wales.”
    Niclas knew that he would never, in his life, forget the expressions on the faces of the ladies before him. The elder one both looked and felt shocked and horrified, but the younger—her eyes widened with surprise and various other emotions, yet he could feel nothing.
    The uncomfortable realization rushed over him again as he helplessly stared at her.
He couldn’t feel her
. Nothing.Not even a small measure. None of her thoughts or feelings were revealed to him at all, and that was impossible.
Impossible
.
    With exceptions.
    Niclas felt the emotions of those he was near unless they were in some way related by magic. All who were descended of those families who had so long ago been banished from their original world were immune to such minor gifts as he possessed. And that meant that Julia Linley either possessed magic, or . . . or there had to be some other cause that he wasn’t aware of. And Malachi would have warned him if she was one of them.
    Wouldn’t he?
    It would help if Niclas could recall having met Julia Linley before. Considering their families and the society they moved in, it was more than likely that their paths had crossed numerous times. Yet he couldn’t believe that he would ever forget meeting a woman as beautiful as she was. That would be just as impossible as the fact that he couldn’t feel her emotions.
    Julia Linley was far too striking for a man to forget, regardless of how many years might pass. Her hair was a soft mixture of gold and brown, and had been arranged in such a manner that long, delicate tendrils curled attractively about her elegant face, framing cool blue eyes that were presently gazing up at him as if striving to discover exactly what sort of creature he was. She was delicate, and very feminine, and disturbingly alluring.
    No. Niclas would not have forgotten such a woman.
    If his mind hadn’t been on edge before he began his visit at Linley House, it certainly was now. And Lady Eunice’s piercing emotions weren’t helping any. He’d alreadystepped far wrong by commenting aloud on what he had sensed of her feelings. She thought him bordering on madness, and hid her fear very well with the politeness that had been bred in her. He had no doubt that Miss Linley felt the same. Not that Niclas blamed them; he was inching closer each day to that very destination.
    Why couldn’t he feel Julia Linley’s emotions? If she and he were somehow related, even if very distantly, would performing a good deed for her still remove the blood curse? No special powers could be used