Legacy of Magic

by Denise Carbo

  Cory managed a weak smile. No way was she going to agree to calling him a sweet boy. She caught Finn grinning at her over her aunt’s head and just managed to stop herself from rolling her eyes. “Well since I now have my things, I’m going to go up and get dressed.”

  She started for the front of the house when Finn spoke behind her, “Time for me to get to work. I’ll see you later Addy.”

  “Goodbye, Finnegan. Thank you so much for delivering Coralea’s luggage.”

  Cory had made it to the bottom of the stairs but paused on the bottom tread to glance back at him. Manners dictated she thank him one last time. He had gone out of his way to help her. “Thank you again.”

  Finn rested his arms on the railing and leaned closer to her. “You’re welcome.” His gaze trailed down to the opening in her robe before coming back up to meet her gaze. “Enjoy your date. I’m sure it will be full of polite conversation and perfect manners.”

  She gripped the smooth wood bannister and glared at him. He gave her a two-finger salute before turning and walking out the door, closing it behind him.

  “Like that’s a bad thing,” she muttered as she climbed the stairs.

  ****

  “It’s a box within a box?” Adelaide sipped her tea and frowned at the boxes Cory had placed on the kitchen table. After showering and dressing in jeans, Cory had carried down the boxes to show her aunt what she’d discovered.

  “Yes, it’s called a puzzle box. You have to figure out the secret or puzzle to unlock and open them.”

  “And do you think there’s something still inside?”

  “Well, obviously I can’t be one hundred percent positive, but my gut tells me there is. I just need to figure out the pattern.”

  Cory picked up the smallest one and studied the rose pattern carved on all sides. “The carvings are really quite beautiful, don’t you think? Whoever made these was quite an artist.”

  Aunt Addy gripped her tea cup and frowned at the boxes spread out on the table. “You don’t feel uncomfortable about them, or the curse?”

  Cradling the wooden container in her palms, Cory glanced at her aunt and then back down at the box. “Not at all. I feel drawn to them rather than repelled. I’m curious to discover its secrets.” She studied her aunt’s concerned face. Lines of worry were clearly etched in her wrinkled forehead and pinched lips. “I really think the curse was the product of someone’s superstitions which got blown out of proportion over the years.”

  Aunt Addy smiled and rose to place her tea cup in the sink. “I must say I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders now that you have the chest and its contents, and I’m happy I haven’t transferred a weight to yours.”

  “Oh no, I’m glad you gave me the box to figure out. It’s a mystery for me to solve.”

  Cory put the box down and stood to walk over to her aunt. “What are your plans for the day? Do you have any errands you’d like me to take care of for you?”

  “Actually dear, I have some correspondence I need to catch up on this morning. You are free to take my car if you’d like. I want you to be comfortable here. It’s your home for as long as you wish.”

  Kissing her aunt lightly on the cheek, Cory turned and looked out the window. “Thank you, I do feel comfortable here. Well, if there’s nothing you need me to do, I thought I might do some gardening if that’s all right.?”

  Her aunt clapped her hands together. “Oh, that would be lovely. I remember how you always loved to help me in the gardens when you visited. Did you have lots of flowers at your home in New Jersey?”

  Shaking her head, Cory stared out the window and sighed. “No, I didn’t. John hired a landscaping service to take care of our yard. It was seriously minimalistic. No flowers. To be fair, our lawn was a fraction of the size of yours, and we both worked a great deal. But, my palms are itching to get into your flower beds.”

  Aunt Addy chuckled and patted her on the arm. “You should find everything you need in the garage. I’m so happy they’ll be taken care of. I’ve been meaning to hire someone, but I never got around to it. With Spring advancing, the gardens really need the attention.”

  “Great, I’ll get to it.”

  Once Cory located a pair of gloves, clippers, and a small garden shovel she carried her tools to the front of the house. Standing back, she took a cursory inspection. The flower beds flanked the brick walkway which stretched from the driveway on the left side of the house to the front door in the middle of the covered porch. She spotted holly bushes, boxwood, juniper, azalea, and hydrangea interspersed along the back of the beds. They needed some trimming, but all in all were in good shape. The fronts of the beds were in desperate need of weeding, but it was only April so they weren’t too overgrown. Sunny, yellow daffodils poked their heads up between the weeds. Peering closer, she found some lavender and white crocus mixed in.

  “Well there’s no time like the present,” she whispered to herself. Careful not to step on any budding flowers she tiptoed her way to the back of the bed and started clipping the holly bush.

  Cory shaped and thinned out the shrubs, before long a small pile of clippings sat on the lawn. The cool morning air had given way to a warm, sunny day, and she had long since removed her sweatshirt and draped it over the porch railing. Stepping back to view her handy work, she wiped the back of her hand against her perspiring brow and smiled.

  The feeling of contentment spreading over her was a feeling she hadn’t experienced in quite a while. Her job as a project manager had long ago lost its appeal. It had been a job, nothing more. There was no satisfaction or sense of accomplishment. With her future wide open, she wanted to find something she was passionate about. Maybe everything did happen for a reason. Losing her job may have been the final impetus she needed.

  Her aunt gingerly stepped out of the front door carrying a glass of ice water. “Coralea come sit for a moment and have a drink. You need to stay hydrated. You’ve been working so hard out here.”

  “Just a moment, I want to clear this front section of weeds to see what’s growing here.”

  After clearing away some of the weeds, she found hyacinths and tulips poking their green tops through the mulch. Sitting back on her heels, she called up to her aunt on the porch. “In a week or two, the beds should be sporting some pretty colors.”

  “Oh good, I was afraid the moles would’ve gotten to my bulbs.”

  “They may have gotten some, but I can see quite a few coming up.” Cory smiled and climbed the steps as she took off the gloves.

  “Thanks.” The cold water was refreshing. After taking a long drink of the water, she held the perspiring glass against her wrists to cool her down. She sat down in one of the wooden rocking chairs spread out along the front porch in clusters of two or three.

  “Oh my, look at all you’ve accomplished.” Her aunt stood at the top of the stairs surveying Cory’s work. “It looks wonderful dear.”

  “Well, I’ve got a long way to go, but it’s a good start. I’m going to start weeding next. I’m anxious to see what’s hiding under there,” Cory said with a smile.

  Aunt Addy sat down in the rocking chair next to Cory. Her violet dress added to the Spring atmosphere. The warm air and gentle breeze bathed Cory’s face. She closed her eyes and listened to the various bird song.

  “I must say, I do miss working in the gardens. I always found it therapeutic. Anytime Albert and I had a disagreement, I would come out here and play with my plants. Sometimes venting my thoughts to them. They make excellent listeners that way.” She smiled at Cory and winked. “They don’t talk back and disagree with my opinions. Therefore, I was always right.” Setting the chair to a smooth rocking motion, she sighed. “My arthritis gets rather nasty when I attempt it these days.”

  “I never thought of them that way. I’ll have to try it sometime. I do have to agree with you though. I feel astonishingly happy working in the garden.”

  Her aunt leaned over and patted her hand. “It’s in the blood de
ar.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You come from a long line of people working the earth. My father had a greenhouse full of plants. Some of my fondest memories are of working with him in the greenhouse. He talked of retiring and starting a small plant business, but with my mother’s illness it never happened.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Oh yes. He even created some new hybrids of his own. I don’t think a day passed by he wasn’t working outside or in the greenhouse. He used to tell me stories of his grandparents’ farm. He made it sound like a fairy tale. Different crops as far as the eye could see. Lush forests of varying shades of green. He said they could grow anything. Even in times of drought, their farm managed to thrive.”

  “I guess it is in the blood.”

  Chapter Five

  The frigid, gray blue waters of the Long Island Sound lapped at his feet. A small wave surged up onto the private beach. Bare toes curled in the sand while the chilly waters swirled around his ankles. He stood legs apart, hands on his hips, and head tilted back, staring out to sea.

  Sebastian’s cell phone blared out a familiar theme from Psycho. For a second, he considered not answering it, but that could create undesirable consequences.

  “Yes?”

  “I haven’t heard from you,” the ravaged voice whispered.

  “Been busy.”

  “Have you located the line’s heir yet?”

  Sebastian gritted his teeth. “Working on it.”

  “That’s what you said the last time we spoke.”

  “It’s not exactly a simple assignment,” he bit out.

  “Perhaps you are not up to the task.”

  He resisted the urge to throw his phone into the ocean. “I’m handling it. I’m close.”

  Only soft breaths sounded over the line as he waited for the decision.

  “Keep me informed.” The call ended.

  Returning the phone to his pants pocket, he braced his hands on his hips. Anger, frustration, and indecision all warred within his soul.

  His gaze focused on the jetty jutting out into the Sound. With a sweep of his arm he sent a surge of power barreling outward. A jumble of small boulders exploded out the side crashing into the sea. Water sprayed up and out. Waves fanned out into gentle ripples. He gained little satisfaction from the destruction. His wrath centered on another target. A much more elusive one.

  Swiveling on the balls of his feet, he strode across the sand to the short set of stairs leading to his modern retreat. A large deck connecting to a two-story wall of glass spread out before him.

  Glancing neither right, or left he made his way inside and up the metal stairs to his bedroom. It was time to get ready for his date.

  Coralea Bishop had no idea what was coming for her.

  ****

  After debating over and discarding several outfits, Cory settled on a royal blue jersey wrap dress. She stopped and took the time to stare into the full-length mirror in the corner of her room. She’d used a light hand with her makeup, just to darken her eyes and lashes and add a bit of color to her cheekbones and lips. Her long hair fell in soft, auburn waves over her shoulders. Just a hint of cleavage showed. The dress wasn’t too sexy for a first date, but not too sedate either. She wanted to look attractive and feel confident, but not look like she was advertising anything or trying too hard. She adjusted and angled the mirror down a bit to see her high heel sandals. They showed off her legs and the new pedicure she’d painstakingly given herself.

  Cory bit her lip and stepped back from the mirror. Maybe she should cancel. It was too soon. What was she thinking going out on a date?

  Rolling her eyes at herself, she walked over to the bed and sat down. She was making too much of this. A simple dinner with her aunt’s spectacularly attractive lawyer. The perfect opportunity to form her own opinion about Sebastian’s intentions with her aunt. She certainly couldn’t rely on Finn’s, she didn’t know him either, and her first impression wasn’t exactly the best.

  The chest and boxes on her nightstand caught her gaze. She ambled over and picked up the smallest one and studied the rose pattern. Trying to figure out the secret to opening the box was the distraction she needed to keep her occupied until Sebastian arrived.

  “What’s your secret,” she whispered as she angled the box in all directions, staring at the design.

  Some of the roses were just buds, the rest in varying stages of opening. Was that the answer? The fully opened roses, like opening the box?

  There were seven fully bloomed roses. One on each side, except the bottom where there were two. Cory pressed against the opened blooms one at a time in different orders, but nothing happened. The possibilities were too numerous to keep track of in her head. She should probably write the orders down as she tried them.

  She lost track of time as she tried each combination and recorded them as she progressed along. Holding the box in one hand, she wrote down the last one she tried. A tiny bit of give beneath her hand.

  Cory froze. She lifted the container to look at the bottom. Her index finger pressed against the two roses at the same time. Applying more pressure, they gave way and she smiled.

  She continued to hold the two down and then pushed the one rose on each individual side with her other hand, ending with the one on top.

  The side of the box popped open.

  She peered in to see another, smaller, carved wooden container. Tilting the rose box, the smaller container slipped into her palm.

  Engravings of holly leaves and berries were carved along every surface. Once again, a verse graced the top.

  Beware of deception and lies

  The ones who covet and steal have spies

  “Well, that’s not all hearts and flowers, is it?” Cory wondered if this was why her ancestors whispered of a curse.

  The doorbell chimed giving her a start.

  She set the box down and frowned. Her aunt wasn’t going to like what she’d found, maybe it would be better if she didn’t show her until she figured out how to open the entire set.

  What’s with the cryptic verses anyway? Why can’t it be simple instructions like, push here? A smile stretched her lips. Because then it wouldn’t be interesting, would it? She read the words again. The box was well over hundred years old. Recalling the list of names and dates, she estimated it was probably closer to two hundred. Any bad guys the box refers to are long gone.

  “Coralea? Sebastian is here.”

  Cory did a quick check in the mirror before walking down the stairs to greet Sebastian and her aunt at the bottom. “Hello,” she said with a forced smile. Her stomach was suddenly doing a nervous dance prompting her desire to bolt.

  Sebastian stepped forward to take her hand as she stepped on the bottom tread. “You look beautiful Coralea.”

  She avoided his stare and murmured, “Thank you.” He wore black pants and a gray dress shirt which fit his lean build perfectly. He must have his clothes tailored.

  Aunt Addy stood to the side of the stairs, smiling. Cory returned her smile and kissed her cheek.

  “Have a wonderful time, dear. Sebastian take care of my niece.”

  “I intend to, Adelaide.” He opened the door and stood waiting.

  Meeting his gaze, Cory fought the desire to make an excuse and stay home. She straightened her shoulders and walked past him, being careful not to brush up against him. She was not going to give him the impression this date was going beyond dinner.

  He opened the car door for her, and she slid onto the butter soft-gray leather seats, folded her hands in her lap, and stared straight ahead as he shut her door and walked around the front of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “Is everything all right, Coralea? You seem a bit tense.”

  So much for subtlety. “I’m fine, just fine.”

  Cory sighed and closed her eyes briefly. Between the date and the spooky verse on the box, she’d gotten herself all worked up. She was being ridiculous. This was
just dinner, and the box was just a box. “I’m sorry Sebastian. The truth is I’m a little nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date.”

  “Ah, I see. Well, that’s a relief. I was afraid I had done something to upset you.”

  “What could you have possibly done? We just met.”

  “One never knows what goes on in the mysterious female mind. We simple men try, but your depths terrify us while fascinating us at the same time.”

  She chuckled and glanced out of the window. “All part of our plan.”

  The drive to the restaurant was brief, but Cory found herself relaxing and looking forward to the meal. Once he parked the car, Sebastian guided her to the restaurant with his hand gently resting against her lower back. The Tudor style building resembled an old-fashioned inn. The wooden sign proclaimed they had a banquet hall and reception rooms available.

  “I’ve heard they have excellent food here, but I have to confess I’ve yet to sample it myself. So please don’t judge me too harshly if it falls short.”

  “I’m sure it will be delicious, but if not, I promise not to hold it against you.” She peeked at him beneath her lashes. “Not too much anyway.”

  The interior’s dark wood paneling, atmospheric lighting, upholstered settees, and the vases of flowers scattered throughout the room all combined for a welcoming vibe. The hostess led them to a quiet table for two in the corner with a large window that overlooked a charming brook.

  After ordering a bottle of wine, Sebastian settled back in his chair and smiled. “So Coralea, tell me something about you.”

  Cory opened the linen napkin and smoothed it over her lap. “Well, in a nutshell, I’m an unemployed, recent divorcee, who has moved to a new state to live with her great aunt and figure out what to do with the rest of her life. How about you?”

  “All right. I’m a single, employed lawyer, who doesn’t have a plan for the rest of his life and frankly doesn’t see the need for one. Now tell me something that interests you. What do you enjoy doing just for you, not for anyone else, not for financial gain?”

  Cory thanked the waiter for the glass of white wine and took a small sip as she pondered his question. She waited until the waiter left with their dinner order. “I don’t really have any hobbies, so it’s difficult to answer. Until recently, I worked incredibly long hours, so I didn’t develop any hobbies. What interests you?”