by Nora Roberts
It made him grin and lift his head to look down at her. “I’ll give you the full tour with a lesson later if you like. But just now . . .” He began to move inside her again.
“Oh, well, now,” she murmured. “You’re a healthy one, aren’t you?”
“If you don’t have your health”—he lowered his head, bit her lip—“you don’t have anything.”
He was a man of his word and took her to dinner. French food served elegantly enough to soothe, fussily enough to amuse, with wine designed to turn golden on the tongue. The surroundings—gilt mirrors, quiet colors, candlelight glowing in crystal—suited her, Trevor thought. No one looking at the stunning woman in the sleek and simple black dress would imagine her waiting tables in an Irish pub. Another skill of hers, he decided, a chameleon’s ability to alter her image at will. The sassy barmaid, the heartbreaking singer, the sexy delight, the breezy sophisticate.
And which, he wondered, was Darcy Gallagher, at the heart?
He waited until she was sipping champagne with her elaborate dessert before he touched on business.
“One of my meetings today involved you.”
She glanced over, momentarily distracted from her debate of whether eating every bite of that fancy and extraordinary concoction on her plate would be bourgeois.
“Me? Oh, you mean the theater?”
“No, though I had some dealings regarding that, too.”
She decided she could safely eat half of it without looking like a complete bumpkin, and spooned up a glorious combination of cream and chocolate. “What other business might I be a part of?”
“Celtic Records.” He gauged his rhythm. One more aspect of her was the businesswoman, and he didn’t underestimate that side of her.
She frowned a little, lifted her glass. “For the recording of Shawn’s music, and the performance at the opening. That’s a family decision and a family enterprise, I suppose you’d call it. I think we’ll be willing to come to terms on that.”
“I hope you will.” Casually, he sampled a bite of her dessert. “But that isn’t what I meant. I’m speaking of you, Darcy, specifically, exclusively.”
Her pulse jumped, so she set the champagne down again. “Exclusively, in what way exactly?”
“I want your voice.”
“Ah.” She squashed the hard jolt of disappointment. It had no place here, she told herself. “Is that why you brought me here, Trevor?”
“In part. And that part is totally separate from what happened this evening.”
When his hand covered hers, she glanced down, studied the way they fit. Then, because that was too romantic a notion for comfort, she looked back up at him. “ Naturally such matters must remain separate, or they’re altogether a mess, aren’t they? You wouldn’t be a man who usually pursues, what would it be, clients, in this sort of way.”
He drew back from her, his eyes going hard as stone. “I don’t use sex as a lever, if that’s what you mean. Being lovers has nothing whatsoever to do with any of our business dealings.”
“Of course not. And if we could only have one or the other, which would it be?”
“That,” he said stiffly, “would be up to you.”
“I see.” She managed a faint smile. “That’s good to know. You’ll excuse me a moment, won’t you?”
She needed to gather herself, to give her head and heart a chance to settle. Leaving him frowning after her, she walked to the ladies’ room, where she could lean on the pretty tiled counter and get hold of herself.
What was wrong with her? The man was offering her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that was hers to take or discard as she pleased. Why should it hurt? Why did it leave her feeling not just unsettled but unhappy as well?
Somehow she had come to weave romantic notions around Trevor Magee without even being aware of doing so. And those notions, those imaginings, had him caring for her. Caring for who she was, with all her many flaws. Caring with no strings attached, no outside interests connected. Just caring, she thought, and closing her eyes, she lowered herself to sit on the padded stool in front of the mirror.
Her own fault, of course. He stirred something in her that no one else ever had. And he’d come very close, dangerously close, to touching something so deep in her heart that she had trouble recognizing just what it was.
But she thought she could fall in love with him, with very little effort. And perhaps no encouragement at all. Then what?
Steadying herself, she looked in the mirror. Face the facts, Darcy. A man like Trevor didn’t tie himself permanently to a woman of her background and limitations. Sure, she could present herself well, play the game skillfully, but under it all she was and would forever be Darcy Gallagher of Ardmore, who worked the family pub.
Another type of man she could twist around her finger and make him forget such mundane matters. And hadn’t she always planned to? Hadn’t she hoped to find a fine, wealthy man one day who would fall under her spell and give her a life full of luxury? She’d have been willing to fall in love, or at least to have a great fondness for the man who fit the bill. She’d have wanted to respect him and enjoy him and would have given him all her affection and her loyalty in return.
That wasn’t shameful.
But Trevor wasn’t a man who would see only a pleasing face. He’d just given her proof of that. Business was very much a part of what he wanted from her, and a deal for mutual profit marched alongside the attraction.
Passion, she thought, such as they’d found in each other, would flame high and fizzle out. She didn’t have to be a romantic like Jude to know that passion without love was short-lived.
So . . . it was best to be sensible and to take as much of both parts he offered her as she pleased. She rose, squared her shoulders, and went out to join him.
He’d ordered coffee and was brooding into it. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or baffled that the sorrow he was certain had been in her eyes when she’d risen wasn’t there as she sat across from him again.
“I’m not sure I made myself clear,” he began, but she shook her head, smiled easily.
“No, you did. But I wanted a moment to think.” She picked up her spoon, had another taste of dessert. “First, tell me about Celtic Records. You said, on the plane, the company is six years old.”
“That’s right. I had an interest in music, traditional in particular. My mother’s fond of it.”
“Is she?”
“She’s fourth generation. You’d think she’d been born in a crofter’s cottage in County Mayo. She’s fiercely Irish.”
“So you started the company for your mother.”
“No.” Then he found himself fumbling, frowning. Of course he had, in a very real way. Why hadn’t he realized that before? For God’s sake, he’d even named it for her. “Partly. I suppose.”
“I think that’s a lovely thing.” And made her want to stroke his hair. “Why does it befuddle you?”
“It’s business.”
“So’s the pub, but it’s family as well. I like your Celtic Records more for knowing it’s both. It’s more important to you, and you’ll take more care of it, because it’s both. I prefer considering dealings with a company that’s well cared for.”
“This one is. And so are the artists we sign. We’re based in New York, but we’ve cracked the international market, so we have an office here. And we’ll open one in Dublin within the year.”
We, thought Darcy, almost never did he say I when speaking of it. She doubted it was modesty, but more a keen sense and appreciation of teamwork. It made her think of the pub again, and she nodded. “What kind of arrangement are you looking for? Business-wise,” she added, pleased when his eyes narrowed.
“A standard recording contract.”
“Well, now, I wouldn’t know what that entails, having no experience in the area.” She studied him over the rim of her champagne flute, and went with impulse. “But it seems wise for me to engage an agent to discuss the matter with you
if I decide it interests me. To be frank, Trevor, I don’t know as I want to make a living singing, but I’ll listen to your offer.”
He should have left it at that. Every business instinct ordered him to simply nod and move on to some other topic. But he leaned forward. “I’ll make you rich.”
“That’s a particular ambition of mine.” She scooped up more dessert, offered it to him. “And it may be, in the end, that I’ll let you help me achieve it.”
He took her wrist. “You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted. A hell of a lot more than you’ve ever dreamed of.” And felt her pulse scramble.
“Christ, you know how to make the mouth water. But I’m not one to leap without looking.”
Relaxed again, he nodded. “No, you’re not. I like that about you. I like damn near everything about you.”
“Are you speaking to a potential client, or to your lover?”
He cupped the back of her neck and brought his mouth to hers, lingering long enough to make a few heads turn. “Clear enough?”
“I’d say that was crystal. Why don’t you take me back and make love with me until neither of us can think about anything at all?”
“Why don’t I?” he agreed, and signaled for the check.
In the morning he rose while she was sleeping. He wanted to clear away the rest of his business as quickly as possible and spend the remainder of the day with her. Shopping, he thought as he dressed. She’d enjoy that. He’d turn her loose in one of the boutiques and buy her whatever caught her fancy. Take her to tea at the Ritz, then seduce her into a private dinner at home.
If it made him a little uncomfortable, even a little ashamed to realize that he was showing off, trying to dazzle her with what he had at his disposal, he’d just have to live with it.
Damn it, he wanted another day with her. Two. A week. Somewhere they could be alone, without any distractions, any interruptions, any thought of business.
They’d burn each other out, he supposed, but Jesus, it would be a hell of a ride before they crashed.
On a whim, he pulled one of the white roses from the vase, scribbled a quick note and laid it on the pillow beside her. Then he found himself sitting on the side of the bed watching her. That perfect face, serene in sleep. All that glorious hair tumbled from his own hand in the night. The bracelet he’d given her flashed and blinked on her wrist, and he knew she wore nothing else.
But his blood didn’t leap with lust. Rather it ran warm. Affection, he told himself. It was just affection, running alongside the desire he felt for her. He hadn’t been glib when he’d told her he liked almost everything about her. She was a woman who attracted, entertained, challenged, annoyed, and amused. He understood her materialistic streak and didn’t blame her for it.
But for a moment, just one foolish moment, he wished they’d met and clicked just as they had without her knowing the generosity of his bank balance.
She’d told him her mind right at the beginning. She wanted money, she wanted luxury. And she was willing to slide into a union with the right man, as long as he was willing and able to provide them.
He didn’t intend to be taken for his money. Not now, not ever. Even if he was willing to use it to entertain them both in the short-term.
Shrugging that off, he leaned over to brush a kiss across her cheek, then left her sleeping.
She didn’t stir for more than an hour after he’d gone, then rolled over lazily. The first thing she saw when she blinked her eyes open was the rose.
It made her smile, and it made her yearn. She reached for it, stroking its petals as she sat up and read his note.
I’ll be done by two, and pick you up. I’m hoping you’ll put yourself in my hands for the rest of the afternoon. Trev.
She’d certainly put herself in his hands the night before, she thought now and contentedly settled back against the pillows. What a lovely, lovely way to wake, she mused and stroked the rosebud against her cheek. She considered wandering down for breakfast, or being completely indulgent and ordering it up so she could have it in bed like royalty.
The second picture had such appeal that she reached for the phone. When it rang, she jerked back, then laughed at herself.
She didn’t think she was supposed to answer it, so she climbed out of bed for her robe. The knock on her door came as she was belting it.
“Yes, come in.”
“Excuse me, Miss Gallagher, but Mr. Magee’s on the telephone and would like to speak with you.”
“Of course, thank you.” Darcy picked up the rose again and feeling blissfully romantic and lazy, lifted the receiver. “Trevor, hello. I’ve just read your note, and I’d be happy to put myself in your hands.”
“I’m on my way back now.”
“This minute? It’s a while till two.”
“Darcy, I have to get back to Ardmore right away. Mick O’Toole’s been injured on the job.”
“Injured?” She leaped to her feet. “How? Is he all right? What happened?”
“He took a fall. He’s in the hospital. I just heard and I don’t have all the details.”
“I’ll be ready to go when you get here. Hurry.”
She hung up without another word, dragged out her suitcase, and began throwing clothes inside.
The trip back seemed hideously long. Darcy alternated between praying and listening to Trevor as he gathered more details about the accident. “He was up on the scaffolding,” Trevor told her. “One of the crew tripped, as far as we can tell, and Mick was knocked off or slipped off. He was unconscious when the ambulance came for him.”
“But alive.” Her knuckles went white as she locked her hands together.
“Yes, Darcy.” He took her hands, soothing them apart. “They think concussion and a broken arm. They’ll have to check for internal injuries.”
“Internal injuries.” Her stomach rolled, then went to slippery knots. “That always sounds so dire, so mysterious.” When her voice broke, she shook her head. “No, I’m not going to fall apart on you. Don’t worry.”
“I didn’t realize you were so close.”
“He’s like family.” Tears rushed into her eyes and were viciously willed away. “The closest thing to my own father. Brenna . . . all of them, they must be frantic. I should be there.”
“You will be.”
“I want to go straight to the hospital. Can you arrange for a car to take me there?”
“We’ll both go straight there.”
“Oh, I thought you’d need to go to the job. All right.” She pressed her fingers to her eyes, took several breaths. “I’m scared. I’m so awfully scared.”
He put his arm around her and held her until they landed.
And he watched her gather herself, steady herself on the drive from the airport. Her eyes were dry and calm, her hands quiet in her lap. By the time they arrived and walked down the corridor where they were directed, she was completely composed.
“Mrs. O’Toole.”
Mollie looked over, rose from where she sat with all five of her daughters. “Oh, Darcy, there you are—and had to cut your lovely trip short.”
“Tell me how he is, won’t you?” She took Mollie’s hands, held fast and tried not to think that both Maureen and Mary Kate were crying.
“Well, now, he took a bump. They’re doing some tests on his head and so forth. You know the man has a mighty strong head, so we’re not going to worry about that.”
“Of course not.” She gave Mollie’s chilled hands a squeeze. “Why don’t I see about getting us all some fresh tea? You just sit down now, darling, while I organize that for you. Brenna, why don’t you give me a hand with it and we’ll get us all a nice hot cup.”
“Bless you, Darcy, that would be a godsend. Mr. Magee.” Mollie worked up a tremulous smile. “It’s so kind of you to be here.”
He met Brenna’s eyes as she rose, nodded, then took Mollie’s hand and led her back to a chair.
“Tell me what happened,” Darcy demanded the minute they
were out of earshot. “And how bad it is.”
“I didn’t see it, exactly.” Because her voice felt rusty, Brenna cleared her throat. “It seems Bobby Fitzgerald lost his footing while he was hauling block up on the scaffold. Dad turned, I think, to steady him, but they were both off their balance and the floor of it was a little slick from a spot of rain. He just tumbled off. I’m thinking the brace of block Bobby was hauling up knocked him, and he went over the safety bar. God!”
She stopped, pressed her hands to her face. “I saw him fall. I heard a shout and turned round, and I saw him hit the ground. He just lay there. He just lay there, Darcy, with his head bleeding.”
She sniffled, rubbed her fingers over her eyes. “It wasn’t such a terrible long fall, really, but he landed so hard. They stopped me from moving him. I wasn’t thinking and just wanted to turn him over, but thank God, cooler heads were there in case there were spinal or neck injuries. Poor Bobby . . . Bobby’s beside himself. I just had Shawn take him out for a walk around outside.”
“It’s going to be all right.” She took Brenna’s shoulders. “We’ll make it be all right.”
“I’m glad you’re here. I can’t tell them how scared I am. Mary Kate’s prone to hysteria in any case, and Maureen’s pregnant, and Alice Mae’s so young. Patty can hold on, and God knows Ma can, but I can’t tell them how it was to see him hit the ground, and how scared I am he won’t wake up again.”
“Of course he will.” When Brenna broke, Darcy just gathered her in. “They’ll let you see him soon, I’ll wager, then you’ll feel better.”
Over Brenna’s head she watched Trevor come down the hall. He paused, laid a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll see to the tea. Go sit with your family.”
“Thanks for that. Let’s go wash your face,” she said briskly to Brenna. “Then we’ll have some tea and wait for the doctor.”
“I’m all right.” Brenna scrubbed at her face as she drew back. “Go be with Ma. I’ll go wash up and be right along.”
Back in the little waiting room, Darcy sat on the arm of Mollie’s chair. “Tea will be right along.”
“That’s fine, then.” Mollie reached up to pat her knee, then left her hand there for her own comfort as well. “That’s a fine man, Trevor is. To break off his business and come back because my Mick’s hurt.”
“Of course he came back.”
Mollie only shook her head. “Not everyone would. That he did says something about what kind of person he is. And just now, he sat here and he told me I wasn’t to worry about anything but concentrating on helping Mick get better. He’ll see to all the hospital charges and doctors. He says Mick’ll get full pay even though he’s off the job for a while. He expects it’ll only be a bit of a while,” she continued, then stopped when her voice trembled. “He expects Mick to be back to work, as both O’Tooles are required to do the job right.”
“He’s right, of course.” Tears, this time of gratitude, filled Darcy’s throat. How had he known just the right things to say to people he barely knew?
Darcy got to her feet when Trevor came to the doorway and, leading only with her heart, walked to him. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him, soft and warm on the lips. “Come sit with the family,” she told him, and brought him in.
Even as she resigned herself to waiting, the doctor stepped in. “Mrs. O’Toole.”
“Yes. My husband?” Mollie was on her feet, her hand clenching Alice Mae’s, as it was closest.
“He’s a tough one.” With a reassuring smile, the doctor stepped over as Brenna raced up. “Let me tell you first, he’ll be fine.”
“Thank God.” Mollie reached out to grip Brenna’s shoulder. “Thank God for that.”
“He has a concussion and a broken arm. The bone . . .” He demonstrated, putting his own hand on his forearm. “Snapped rather than shattered, and that’s fortunate. Some of the lacerations were deep, and there’s considerable bruising at the ribs, but no breaks there. We’ve run tests and haven’t found any internal damage. We want to keep him for a day or two, of course.”
“Is he awake?”
“He is, yes. And considerably alert. He asked for you—and a pint, though you came first.”
Her voice broke in a laughing sob. “I damn well better. Then I can see him?”
“I’ll take you into recovery, then the lot of you can have a minute with him