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would have more opportunities than was usual for a laborer. Despite the diverse backgrounds, they were a community drawn together by their gifts. This was not the first time they had worked together, nor would it be the last.
    Abby had kept the wizards away from the aristocrats, since their moods were so different. Expression grim, Ransom had refused to leave Lord Frayne’s side. Ashby had spent most of the afternoon there also, sharing with Ransom what he had learned about healing circles.
    Between receiving her friends and checking on Frayne’s condition, Abby had also studied the notes she’d taken during lessons with her father. She knew the theory. She just hadn’t thought that she would undertake a healing of this magnitude without Sir Andrew’s guidance and support.
    She was the leader of this circle, which meant she must project calm and confidence. She wiped damp palms on her skirts before she entered the dining room. Ransom and Ashby rose, looking bleak but resolute. To the wizards, she said, “Lord Frayne’s friends will be participating in the circle. Though untrained, they are both gifted. Judith, will you stand at my right?”
    Judith Wayne, the midwife, took her place by Abby’s right hand. Using intuition, Abby assigned each of the participants a place in the circle around the table that supported Frayne’s motionless body. Placement would help in creating a harmonious energy flow. She placed Ransom directly opposite her, next to steady old Mr. Hambly, and put Ashby at her left hand.
    When everyone was in position, she said, “I believe that even our novices know the procedure, but I’ll go over it again just in case. I will place my hands on Lord Frayne’s head to channel the healing energy. All in the circle will join hands, with Judith and Ashby placing their free hands on my shoulders. When the circle is complete and sealed, the healing will begin. Please, please, do not break the circle under any circumstance, since that will be painful for all who participate and injurious to Lord Frayne. Does anyone have any questions?”
    Ashby asked, “Do you have an idea how long this will take?”
    She shook her head. “It’s hard to say. Perhaps an hour. It’s difficult to maintain intense energy for longer than that. The longer the ritual, the greater the risk that the circle will be broken from fatigue or some other reason.”
    She glanced around the circle. “Ella, did you have a question?”
    The young girl asked softly, “He’s bad hurt, Miss Abby. Do you think we have a chance of saving him?”
    â€œIf I didn’t believe that, we wouldn’t be here,” Abby said honestly.
    â€œBut success is not guaranteed. Reverend Wilson, will you offer a prayer that divine will be done?”
    The vicar nodded and recited a prayer in a rich, sonorous voice. There were still people who believed that magic came from the devil, even though a substantial percentage of the clergy were gifted. Abby thought that it never hurt to invoke divine aid and to remind others that gifts of the spirit came from God.
    When the vicar finished, Abby said, “Let us join hands, seal the circle, and begin.”

Chapter
IV
    A bby erected her most powerful shields before Judith and Ashby rested their hands on her shoulders. Even so, the surging force of so many energies was disorienting. After she adjusted to the influx of power, she lowered her shields a little so she could separate out the energies of each person in the circle.
    They were like musical notes, each unique, together creating a powerful chord. Ella was light and pure, Judith warm and compassionate, the Reverend Wilson deep and thoughtful, and so on down the line. There was a rawness about Ashby and Ransom, but she could feel their power and sincerity. Their magical abilities might just make the difference in saving their friend.
    Once she had the flowing energies firmly in