The document that follows, henceforth known as A Touch of Magic, is to be entered and magically sealed in the annals of England’s witches and mages as a complete and true account of an insidious plot against Lord Wodesby. Since I, Miranda, Lady Brand, am Lord Wodesby’s younger sister, as well as the official Archivist for the Covens, this narrative has been written, verified, and independently sealed under a powerful truth spell, which will cause it to entirely disintegrate upon opening if it contains any deliberate lies.
I know it is rare that members of the Highest Circles are willing to speak openly of family matters, much less allow such private information to be placed in the Archives. I consider it an honor that Lady Brisbois, the mother of Lady Genevieve and Lady Morgan, the grandmother of Etienne, the Comte du La Fey, who are the heroine and hero of this history, have graciously agreed to speak with me regarding recent events from their points of view.
Miranda: I understand Lady Brisbois, that you initially had reservations about the comte and his motives?
Lady Brisbois: This is true. I doubt there was any mage or witch in all of England who was unaware of the verdict against Etienne at the Henge of Stones. Even if that were not the case, he has the look of his father, the one they called the Devil Comte, a handsome devil, but a devil nonetheless, an evil man, a despoiler of—
Lady Morgan: This is not about Etienne’s father, Lucille! Lady Miranda just wishes us to clarify events. She knows that Etienne was not a true villain like the old comte.
Lady Brisbois: You must admit, the boy had a notorious history.
Lady Morgan: Name me a family who has no demons in their dungeon! You cannot tell the Archivist that the Brisbois were unicorn pure. But speaking of Etienne, I suspect that my grandson has been far too modest about his role in this affair. He is much like your Genevieve in that regard, Lucille.
Lady Brisbois: You are quite right, Matilda,Genevieve does tend to underestimate herself and her abilities. What in Nimue’s name—
[editor’s note: The redacted portion of the narrative is due to inappropriate language in response to an interruption by Thorpe, a Wodesby feline familiar. Thorpe informed us that Lady Morgan’s avian companion, Zephyr, has made off with roast from the kitchen and is being threatened by Tante Reina, armed with a sharp cleaver. Lady Morgan has gone to resolve the issue.]
Lady Brand: You were speaking, Lady Brisbois, of your daughter’s tendency to make light of her role in this affair?
Lady Brisbois: You are her friend, Miranda. You know how she was, even before she met Etienne. Were it not for Genevieve, our family would have starved in the streets! Yet, she did not consider it a sacrifice.
Lady Morgan: She is a woman of great courage. Without her quick thinking, her son Louis might well have gone to his final dwelling in the Light and Etienne would never…he would have been…
[editor’s note: Pause while Lady Brisbois materializes a handkerchief for Lady Morgan. Note to self: make certain to have adequate weeping linen available for future interviews.]
Lady Brisbois: And your Etienne was willing to risk everything for our sake.
Lady Morgan: And do not forget about Circe. That baggage was a fool to dismiss your daughter! I must say those jewels look far better on your Genevieve than they ever did on her!
Lady Brisbois: Before we continue, I have a question? Why has the Chief Mage decreed that the full truth must remain sealed for the next fifty years?
Lady Morgan: I suspect it’s due to Thomas Cochrane’s part in this affair. Lord Wodesby had a Vision regarding the Sea Wolf’s future, I know it. Still, it seems rather unfair that the world remains unaware of what that rogue was up to.
Lady Miranda: I’m afraid I cannot verify your suspicions, Lady Morgan. As Archivist I am oath-bound not to divulge predictions lest they impact the future. I can only add them to the record. May I ask you, Lady Morgan, what were your feelings about Genevieve?
Lady Morgan: I admit that my initial thoughts were less than charitable. Genevieve was a shopkeeper after all—no need to bristle, Lucille! It is no less than the truth. I thought the gel was seeking to take advantage of my grandson and his vulnerability.
Lady Brisbois: Vulnerable? Etienne? The man is as vulnerable as a stone menhir. He was a breaker of hearts!
Lady Morgan: He was also wealthy, handsome and titled, of excellent birth, a prime target for fortune hunters.
Lady Brisbois: Without a flicker of magic to his name!
[Editor’s note: The joint interview of Lady Morgan and Lady Brisbois will end here. All future conversations will be held separately.]
If you can’t wait to get back into the world of these ladies, you can check out Rita Boucher’s newest novel A Touch Of Magic. Or, if you’d like to start from the beginning, check out the entire Enchanted Heiresses series.
Rita Boucher has written award-winning Regency romances for Avon Books and Signet, garnering multiple Golden Leaf awards, Romantic Times’ award for Best Regency, and a nomination for RWA’s Golden Heart. Now that her children are successfully launched and she has achieved the esteemed status of Grandma-dom, Rita Boucher is returning to the world of the Beau Monde. Rita is busily weaving new tales of the Ton including The Compromised Lady. All of her previously out-of-print novels are now available online. Etienne’s story, A Touch of Magic is the latest story in the Regency world of The Enchanted Heiresses.
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