Chapter 11

Without the slightest bit of doubt, Ava knew immediately who he was. As soon as people saw him, they would know he was no sort of ordinary man.

Heaven had been most generous to this man, bestowing him with tremendous enviable feature. He had such a handsome face with a pair of dramatically beautiful eyes. Striking in their rare gunmetal blue color, they were shielded by thick, long lashes. His straight, perfect-shaped nose made him look aristocratic. His lips had a natural shade that would make the prettiest women jealous, along with a firm jaw that balanced out his refined features.

Of all his glorious features, one that distinguished him the most from the other men was his silvery locks, highlighted with strands in a darker shade. He was apparently among a few men whose hair went gray prematurely. Gleaming under the chandelier light, his hair was cut fashionably short. A locks of silver covered his forehead just above his eyes.

He was unusually tall, broad shouldered yet his whole figure was lithesome. He dressed in a simple, black well-tailored suit. There was nothing extravagant in his clothing, yet he looked unmistakably regal and elegant in the understated apparel.

He was truly a sight. A mind blowing one. But all his physical riches were not the most significance that made him so conspicuous. He possessed an inherent power and dominance that radiated all over him, along with a natural grace. Surrounded by good looking, dandy gentlemen, he stood out among them all.

It was the way he gazed nonchalantly over the crowd. Or it was the way he held his head. Ava didn't know why she just couldn't take her eyes off of him.

"Ava, dear! We finally found you!" A familiar voice interrupted abruptly. She turned to find Lady Byrne and Polly approaching her. "Where is Magnus? Oh, look!!! The duke is over there. He looks exceedingly handsome, doesn't he?" Lady Byrne babbled cheerfully.

"Smug blueblood" Polly snorted with a strong dislike. "His conceit is insufferable. He couldn't touch Lord Magnus' charm, could he?"

Ava wished she could agree with Polly, unfortunately she couldn't.

"I heard somebody called my name." Magnus came with a glass of champagne.

"Well hello, ladies. I should bring more champagne. But, will you excuse me sweetheart," he winked to Ava. "I shall give this one to the most beautiful lady first" he handed the glass to Lady Byrne.

"Thank you, darling." Lady Byrne said elegantly as she took the glass and gave him an appreciative smile.

"I'll get you another one soon. Both of you." He corrected quickly as Polly glared at him.

As he left, Ava turned to see the duke again and found his gaze on her.

Her heart skipped a beat as she met those beautiful eyes. They were cold, freezing like the frosty breath of the Northern wind. They reminded her of an arctic wolf in a frozen land, the glimmering snow in winter, glacial mountain and sculpted ice. On the instant, Ava discovered that there were no warmth in those eyes, not the very least hint of kindness or tenderness. They were beautiful yet ironically dull. She wondered if they had ever been light with joy.

His gaze lingered on hers for a second more, his expression unreadable. If he thought she was lovely to see, he showed no outward signs. He looked away and moved to another direction.

Being used to outright admiration in men's eyes, his indifference made her amused and offended at the same time.

"Your champagne, my sweet." came Magnus' deep, sexy voice. Turned to face him, she managed a smile and took it. He gave another one to Polly. A moment later, they were listening Lady Byrne's enthusiastic chatter.

Suddenly Lady Byrne cried in shock "Ooohhh! It's almost nightfall! There's something I want to show all of you! Quick!!!" The lady rushed to the open door led to the garden, practically dragging Ava in the process. Magnus and Polly followed behind them.

"Where are we going?" Ava nearly stumbled, the old lady was unbelievably fast.

"The fountain, you don't want to miss it. Now is the magic hour."

"Magic hour?"

"Yes, the time in the evening when the sun dissapears and the daylight fades. It's the magic hour when your wish shall be heard by the universe. Oh, you should cast the magic spell too! I will tell you later. Quick! We don't have much time."

"What are you talking about?"

"We're almost there... Look! That is what I'm trying to tell you, my dear. The Twilight Fountain!"

Before them a beautiful fountain in its quiet grace. Somehow, the fountain's surrounding held a magical ambience.

"So, this is what you're going to show us? I have been here for all my life since I started to walk. This was one of my favorite place to play." Magnus grinned at the old lady.

"What are we supposed to see in this... fountain?"

"Do you know its legend?" Lady Byrne replied in a dramatic tone.

"Legend? Ah, the 'make-a-wish' thing, something like that... nobody remembers it again since the last time people do it here was probably one or two hundred years ago"

"You are wrong, young man" Lady Byrne glowered at him, "Now, listen to me..." she gave them all an unarguable look.

"There is an old tale about this fountain. It is said that if a girl wishes for true love wholeheartedly in front of the fountain at twilight, the first man she sees after saying her wish will be her future husband. Almost two hundred years ago, it was a tradition at Vermont Manor's party, young ladies bring their lovers and preferably suitors here and make a wish. It is said that it never fails. However, as time goes by, the tradition had been forgotten. But the magic remains."

"Wow" Polly arched her brows. "Interesting"

"Now that you know it" Lady Byrne focused her gaze on Ava and Magnus. "I want you both to relive the tradition."

"What?" Magnus laughed "It's ridiculous... I don't believe it, not even a bit, not at all..." Magnus halted at the lady's lethal glare.

"All right" he sighed. "Besides, all I have to do is just standing behind you" he smirked at Ava "and do nothing but waiting"

"Exactly!" The satisfaction in the old lady's voice was unmistakable. She turned toward Ava, drew her hands and held them in her chest. Instantly her expression changed, her voice slightly trembled when she said

"I really want you and Magnus to be happy, to be together at last. I know it seems impossible, my dear. But if you believe, there can be miracle... Promise me you'll never give up on hope..."

Felt her eyes heavy with tears, Ava nodded then hugged the old lady.

"Now, here is the spell. You cannot make magic without the right spell. Listen carefully, my dear..."

Lady Byrne whispered the spell in her ears, repeated it three times to make sure she already memorized it. Then he pushed Polly with her, leaving just Ava and Magnus by the fountain. Soon the two women disappeared from their sight.

"Well" Magnus shrugged as Ava turned to him. "Maybe we should give it a try."

"Stay there" Ava turned toward the fountain. "Let's see if magic truly exists."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She contemplated for a while before she started. Suddenly a tingling sensation ran along her spine. She cast the love spell.

"By this fountain I do pray

May my true love finds its way

Bless me to be brave and wise

As I turn and open my eyes

Make the first man whom I see

Be the one to marry me"

Done. She did it perfectly well. Feeling glad she didn't make any mistake or forget a word, she turned around to see him, the love of her life. She really wanted to look into his warm and loving eyes.

She opened her eyes to meet... no one. Only the lush scenery of the garden. He was gone. No signs of his presence around here.

She nearly called him, but she held her tongue. What was the point of calling him when he was not in sight. He might have gone far. Silly Magnus. She gripped her skirt and started to walk along the garden. The garden was quiet and serene in the dusk. Soon she was embraced by the tranquility of the surroundings.

Instantly a sudden awareness struck her, made her alerted as if someone was watching her from somewhere unseen. Her eyes chased relentlessly in alarm to find the stalker, over the scene and up high...

She froze as her eyes met him, a distant high above in the balcony. Their gazes locked and she could hardly breath. It was the duke, the master of the manor. His eyes beheld her without the least sparks of amusement. Yet her heart was beating wildly.