Yorkshire, England 1785

"So you see when the shelves are complete-" Gilbert Norrell lifted a hand from the leafy sheet of plans and waved towards the end of the room.

"Oh, I see. It's brilliant, Gilbert. Simply brilliant." Edward Savage clapped his friend's shoulder and gave him a crooked smile. "I don't believe I'll be able to compete."

Gilbert Norrell gave a shrug and a barely concealed grin of pleasure. "Well, you may try, Edward. You always do."

Edward Savage gave a light laugh and meandered farther into the library of Hurtfew Abbey. Half the shelves were already fitted to the stones, Gilbert's collection of books of magic filling them. He removed his spectacles and cleaned them with a handkerchief. Making a slow circle, he shook his head in awe.

"This will truly be a marvel, Gilbert. You will be the premier magician of the north, both the York and Manchester Societies will be clambering for invitations."

Gilbert shifted uncomfortably and folded the floor plans neatly under his arm. "Oh I don't know about that, you were always better in dealing with other magicians than me."

"Perhaps you shall marry?" Edward grinned in his direction. "A woman of social bearing who can do your entertaining for you so all you must do is practice your magic."

Hesitating, Gilbert wet his lips before he answered. Of late, it seemed many of his acquaintances were pressuring him to procure a wife. Ever since he had come into his inheritance at Hurtfew one year earlier, he had been avoiding the question. As a budding magician, the first practical one in England in centuries, he wondered if it would be right for him to marry. His profession would always come first before any woman, even though only Edward and a few others knew of his skills. As of yet. In time, Gilbert had plans to bring English magic back from the dead, single handed if need be though he knew he'd have Edward by his side. And Mary.

"I have been waiting for nearly half an hour." She appeared in the doorway of the library, her light brown curls teased up in the latest fashion. One strand was brilliant white and had been since their childhood. If anything, it only added to her beauty. "I had hoped to venture to York this afternoon and here you both are with these silly books."

Gilbert ignored her slight of his beloved library. He smiled genuinely as he gave Mary Stewart a nod. "We are about finished."

Mary sighed and widened her gray eyes. "Then come along!"

She flounced out of sight, her footsteps echoing down the hall outside.

"Has she always been like that?" Edward asked with a bemused grin. "Even when you were both children?"

Gilbert gave a breathy laugh. "Always. She dragged me through more mud puddles and across more windy moors than I care to recall."

Gilbert Norrell had been a lonely child until he'd been introduced to his distant cousin, Mary Norrell Stewart. She had brought life and energy into his solitary existence. Having been spoiled by her widower father, she had grown up with none of the social restraints other girls her age had endured. It did nothing to hamper her social conquests, she was the star of every dinner party and the most sought after dancing partner at balls. But she was always Gilbert's own Mary.

"She certainly is a wonder." Edward Savage commented idly.

Gilbert stiffened at his tone and glanced over at his dearest friend from school, the only other man who understood the practical application of magic. Edward's jaw was slack with the corner of his mouth lifted as he studied where Mary had just stood.

Gilbert cleared his throat and started towards the door. "She is a foolish thing though, Edward. She'd never step foot in here unless forced. Or open a book. She'd much rather be riding the moors like a wildling."

Edward replaced the spectacles on his face, the rims perched on his high, angular cheek bones. He peered down at a pile of volumes to be shelved and ran his fingers over the cover of one. "Do you know...have you heard of her interest in any gentleman-"

"Most certainly not," Gilbert snapped and quickly scoffed to cover his alarm. "And God help any man who does catch her."

"May I borrow this one?" Edward lifted a slim book that appeared of little consequence.

It was a funny little examination of faerie and the magicians who called their supernatural servants from there. Gilbert only wanted to distract Edward from the topic of Mary Stewart, even if it meant lending out one of his books.

"Of course, please do," Gilbert replied before starting towards the door. "Perhaps when we bring Mary to town, we can stop and see if the sellers have anything new."

Edward tucked the book into his jacket with a laugh. "I believe I'll need to do so, this new library of yours is making me nervous. Though I will never be the magician you are destined to be, Gilbert. You truly have a gift."

Gilbert feigned humility and waved off the comment. "Thank you, Edward."

Edward lifted his eyebrows. "Perhaps I should marry well just to keep up with you."