The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1)

by Lori Wick

  “As I said,” Chelsea went on, “you were rude to him for no reason. Hear me out!” Chelsea cut in, her hand raised in the air, when Sunny opened her mouth to protest.

  Sunny settled back on the bed, and Chelsea continued.

  “You’re going to have to get over your aversion to being admired. You are a lovely young woman, and you’re going to continue to grow more attractive as the years pass. Unless I miss my guess, the women in Darhabar were kept away from men, other than their husbands.”

  “That is correct.”

  “As you have noticed, it is quite different here in England. If you were drawing attention to yourself by wearing revealing clothing or throwing yourself at young men, then I would be talking to you about that. As it is, our culture is as you’ve witnessed. You must understand and begin to tolerate it when people admire you.

  “Don’t misunderstand me, Sunny; if someone is making improper advances, I want you to get away from him immediately and come to me or Rand. But where Jordan is concerned, well, he and Miles have been friends for so long that he is like my own son. He waited all afternoon for youtocome down so he could make amends, but your feelings were hurt so you were up here pouting.”

  “I do not pout!”

  “It certainly looks to everyone in the household as though you do. When you can’t handle something, you just run away from it.”

  Sunny had never been called a coward or told that she pouted, and she didn’t like it now. But Chelsea was right. She had run away from Cecil, then Miles, and now Jordan. She had even done it weeks ago with Brandon, when she was still living with Heather. Because

  she was angry, she had left the nursery and gone to the library without even speaking to him.

  Sunny walkedtothe window and looked out, trying to deal with this newly revealed truth about herself. Each time it seemed that all was going well, someone or something appeared on the horizon, and her world became unhappy all over again.

  Of course, Sunny had heard about Jordan Townsend, but no one had mentioned that he was extremely handsome and personable. Before meeting him, Sunny had hoped they could be friends, but the moment he gawked at her on the path, his mouth hanging open, her old anger reared up. This time, though, she had hidden behind that anger not only because of his rudeness but also to keep the fascination she felt for him at bay.

  Sunny knew she wanted to see Jordan again, and in feet had felt tortured by her pride about staying in her room all afternoon, but now Chelsea had called her a coward, and that was something that had to be taken into hand first. She was not going to run away anymore.

  “You want me to ignore people’s stares?”

  “Most times, yes, but not where Jordan is concerned, or when you have a situation like you did with Miles.”

  “What am I to do?”

  “In your kindest voice and most gentle manner, say, ‘Please do not stare at me,’ or ‘Is there some reason you’re staring at me?*”

  “What good will that do?”

  “Most people probably don’t know they’re even doing it, so I believe it will do a lot of good. Sunny, I’m not saying that it’s perfectly all right for people to stare and be rude, but itisgoing to happen, and you must not be rude in return. If you find you simply can’t cope with someone, come to me on the spot. I believe Heather helped you in that way with Cecil, didn’t she?”

  Sunny nodded, glad the older women had spoken of it.

  “I want you to come to me the same way. This is your home, and I want to do all I can to see you peaceful and content. That’s why Rand and I are here.”

  Sunny felt as if a load had been lifted from her shoulders. She rose and kissed Chelsea’s cheek, and the older woman stood in order to hold her close. Holly found them like this, and within moments had dragged Sunny to the upstairs salon to talk and work on their joint venture in tapestry. Sunny, feeling much like a caged animal,

  174

  was more than happy to escape the prison she had made of her room, even if it meant she had to sew.

  The next day dawned warm and beautiful, and Jordan, although busy at home through the morning, had plans for the afternoon. He was on the verge of telling his mother that he was headed to Willows* End until dinner, but before he could utter a word, he found his plans painfully dashed.

  “Jordan dear,” his mother began. “I’d like you to run some papers over to Bracken this afternoon. I could have the servants seetoit, but they are your father’s documents and are quite important. You haven’t seen Lady Andrea or the duke for some months, and I know they’d enjoy your visit.”

  “Yes, of course, I’ll take care of it directly after lunch.” Jordan had hidden his disappointment in an effort to please the mother he adored, but his thoughts were torn as he rode toward Bracken. He did love visiting Bracken and the duke, but he had worked hard all morning, thinking to reward himself with a visit to Sunny.

  After some moments of reckoning with the truth, and not a young man to brood, he rode from his lather’s stables, determinedtoenjoy the day and equally determined to see Sunny on the morrow.

  “I would never have come here on my own, Grandmama, but Sunny would have. She wanted to come on horseback. When father heard her plans, he ordered a carriage to be brought around.”

  Holly’s look was so comically exasperated that Andrea chuckled softly. Holly shrugged and smiled in return, and her grandmother hugged her again.

  “How about your mother-couldn’t she get away and come with you?”

  “No, Mummy’s having some ladies in; I can’t recall the occasion. That, along with Aunt Heather and the twins leaving, is why Sunny wanted to come. It made their going easier. She did send you a letter, though.” Holly could change the subject very easily, “She said you should look for her next week.”

  175

  “Well, you and Sunny come back with her if you can.”

  “I’m sure Sunny will; she loves Bracken.”

  “Does she now?”

  “She talked about it all the way over here, that and your conservatory and gardens.”

  That must be where she’s gone with Papa. Shall we join them?”

  Andrea and Holly did just that, heading out through the huge glass doors on the east end of the parlor and around to the lush flower gardens of Bracken. They spotted Sunny and the duke from a good distance off. They appeared to be in deep conversation.

  “I don’t plan to marry,” Sunny told him emphatically.

  “Now why is that?” the duke, who always seemed to be matchmaking, asked her calmly.

  “Well, I don’t want someone having control over me. I don’t think I could be happy like that.”

  “Doesn’t Rand have the final word at Willows* End?”

  “Yes, he does, but he’s very kind about things, even when he says no.”

  The old man looked down into her trusting face, a face as exquisite as the flowers surrounding her, and thought that if she ever did marry, the word “no” would probably be the hardest thing her husband would ever have to say to her.

  “I was happily married, and so was my wife,” Milton told her then, his liberally seamed face smoothed into serene lines.

  Sunny nodded. “Rand and Chelsea are happy, and so are Heather and Foster. But for those two happy marriages, there are many that aren’t.”

  “Of whom arc you thinking?”

  Indira’s face jumped into Sunny’s mind, but she pushed it away. Indira was happy. However, Saleem, Rownay, and Keskeet, the emir’s second, third, and fourth wives, were little more than possessions to be brought out several times a year.

  “I guess I don’t know anyone here in England, but that still won’t change my mind.”

  “You must follow your heart, my dear,” Milton told her seriously, “and I hope you will learn to follow after God’s heart as well.”

  176

  177

  uNow that sounds like something Brandon would say,” Sunny said affectionately.

  “I can believe that.
Our beliefs are quite similar. They match the beliefs of my father and grandfather-men who believed their faith needed to be handed down to each generation.” He hesitated and then went on softly. “And you, Sunny, what do you believe?**

  “I’m not sure I believe that you have to believe anything, but I know some things I don’t believe. I don’t believe that there is just one God. God comes in many forms, and each one of us must decide which God we want to worship, or possibly not believe in any God at all.

  “I don’t think any man has the right to tell someone else how to act or live. No one should have that type of authority.” “If no man has the right, my dear, then who does?” Sunny looked at him hi confusion, and then her face cleared. “Well, there have to be laws about murder and such, but not for other, more personal things.”

  “Does Rand have the right to tell Holly no?” “Yes.”

  “Who gave him the right?” “Well, he’s her fether.”

  “So what? That doesn’t give him the right to deny her something unless he has an authority that backs up his position as her parent.”

  Again Sunny looked uncertain and then said softly. “You’re talking about the Bible.”

  “Yes, I am. Even parental authority comes from God, and not just any God, but the one and only living, holy God of the Bible. Your not believing in the one true God doesn’t change the feet that He exists.”

  His words were spoken in such tenderness that Sunny did not feel rebuked. She did feel somewhat confused. What if there really was just one God? Before this moment she had never let her mind even entertain such a belief. There was certainly more to the Bible than she had ever realized, if her family was to be believed.

  “Don’t take my word for it, Sunny,” the duke went on, cutting into her intense thoughts. “When you get home, ask Chelsea for a Bible and read the first book. Genesis means beginnings, and I think you might enjoy reading about how perfectly God planned things.”

  Sunny nodded and smiled at him. The duke reached with a weathered hand and gently patted her cheek. A moment later they were joined by Andrea and Holly.

  “Young Lord Townsend is here, your Grace.”

  “Jordan?” Holly spoke with pleasure.

  “Yes, my lady.”

  “He’ll probably want to freshen up,” Andrea interjected for the duke. “But please ask him to join us for tea, Parks, just as soon as he’s able.”

  “Very well, my lady.”

  No one seemed to take notice, but Sunny suddenly had a piece of sandwich in her throat that did not want to go down. Jordan was here. What would she do? She recognized the feet that she wanted to see him again, but she had somehow believed she would have more time to prepare herself.

  In truth, she had exactly five minutes before Jordan walked into the large salon, as tall and good-looking as he had been the day before. The duke rose and shook his hand. Then Jordan bent over Andrea’s hand, smiling at his best friend’s grandmother with familiar ease.

  He went to Holly next, kissing her on the cheek before turning to Sunny.

  “Jordan, have you met Sunny?”

  “Yes, Lady Andrea, I have.” He moved forward then and took Sunny’s hand in his own. “It’s nice to see you again, Sunny.” The smile he gave her held just the right amount of warmth, and Jordan dearly hoped that no one had noticed how fast his heart was pounding. He’d ridden directly to the stables and had seen the Gallagher coach, but had not allowed himself to hope that Sunny was actually at Bracken.

  Sunny had eventually swallowed the sandwich but not without great difficulty. She now spoke softly, feeling her cheeks grow warm under his warm, almost tender, gaze.

  “It’s nice to see you also, Jordan,” she managed after a moment.

  “Do sit down,” Holly invited, passing him the platter of sandwiches as he took his chair. Andrea gave him his tea.

  “Thank you,” Jordan said sincerely and began to discuss his schooling when the duke questioned him. He was very aware of Sunny’s discomfort and made an effort not to look at her or show excessive interest in any way. He found this no easy task, since she

  178

  looked very fetching in a dark pink day dress, with a rounded lace neckline and deep hem, her hair pulled away from her face and felling in lovely waves down her neck and back.

  The women of the room all listened or at least appeared to be listening as Jordan and the duke conversed. Sunny was actually concentrating on her manners. She had suddenly found herself all thumbs. Her plate tipped in her hand, nearly spilling its contents, and her cup clattered on the saucer each time she put it down. Placing both cup and plate on the tea table, she finally gave up and folded her hands neatly in her lap, telling them to stop trembling.

  The duke, whose eyesight was not the least bit affected by his advanced years, had observed some interesting facts since Jordan’s arrival, the first of which was Jordan’s studied care not to look at Sunny. The second was Sunny’s sudden attack of nerves.

  Tea was finished without ceremony, and still the duke and Jordan talked. When Parks and a downstairs maid came to clear the tray, the duke suddenly had something he insisted Andrea and Holly see in the garden.

  “Should Sunny come with us?” Holly asked in all innocence.

  “I think not,” the duke said after a moment. “She was just in the gardens with me this morning, and someone needs to stay and keep company with Jordan.”

  Sunny searched the faces in the room and noticed that no one thought this unusual, so she kept her seat as the three left, watching the door even after it closed on their departure. It took a moment for Sunny to realize that Jordan had reseated himself and was waiting for her to speak. She could feel his eyes on her, and after taking a deep breath, she turned and let her eyes meet his.

  “I’VEBEENLOOKINGFORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN,“Jordan Said

  when Sunny’s eyes finally rested on his.

  “You were?” Sunny seemed surprised by this admission.

  “Yes. I acted out of line when we met yesterday, and I’d like a chance to apologize.”

  This had been the last thing Sunny expected to hear from him, and for just an instant, she was speechless.

  “Have I made things worse?” Jordan’s already kind voice had become very tentative.

  “No,” she assured him quickly. “I was just thinking that I’d acted rudely to you, and I didn’t expect you to-” Her voice trailed off in embarrassment, but Jordan smiled.

  “Well then, we’ll call it a draw, shall we?”

  “A draw?” Sunny spoke with hesitation, but also interest.

  “We’ll leave it as it is. No more apologies needed, and we’ll be on good speaking terms,” Jordan amplified carefully, seeing how swiftly he had confused her.

  Sunny suddenly forgot they had even been on awkward terms.MI thought to draw was to mark on canvas or paper.”

  “It is. But it’s also to be even, as I just used the word, or to draw water from a well; that is, to bring it up in a bucket.”

  Sunny was on the edge of her chair with attention. “Are those all the meanings?”

  “No, there are more. You can use the word ‘draw* when you’re

  180

  trying to trap an animal. You might say, *I put the food in the forest to draw the rabbit into the snare.‘n

  “Are there more?” Sunny’s face was avid.

  “Let me think,” Jordan was silent a moment, thinking he had never had a conversation like this in his life. He was also having the most fun he’d had all week-this girl fascinated him. One minute she looked so proud as to appear almost arrogant, and the next she was admitting ignorance over a common word in the English language.

  “You can draw money from a savings account, but that’s much like getting water from a well. You can also draw interest on your money, which is more like the words *gain* or ‘accumulate.*** The conversation had continued in this vein for the better part of 20 minutes, when Sunny suddenly stopped short from asking one more question.
The interest was gone from her face. She stared at Jordan, her expression unreadable.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Sunny’s face did not change, even when she answered truthfully. “That you’re as nice as Miles said you were.”

  Jordan smiled, and Sunny found herself smiling in return.

  “I was hoping you would think so,” Jordan admitted and again they shared an easy smile.

  Holly was some feet away from her elders when Andrea spoke for the duke’s ears alone.

  “I’m so glad you took the time to show us flowers that I pointed out to you two days ago.”

  She spoke with just the right touch of humility in her voice, but the duke was not fooled. He turned his head and met her steady gaze. Only an instant passed before he grinned. He was completely unrepentant over the feet that she had seen through his matchmaking ways. Andrea shook her head and was on the verge of scolding him when Holly cried out.

  “Uncle Dex is here.”

  The duke and Andrea followed in her hurried path and watched as she embraced her uncle. Dex still had his arm around Holly when the duke and Andrea arrived, talking in quiet tones.

  “After seeing you I was rather hoping that Sunny would be here too.”

  181

  “Oh, but she is here,” Holly told him triumphantly. “She’s in the house with Jordan.”

  “Is something wrong, dear?** Dexter’s mother asked after he’d greeted her and kissed her cheek.

  “Nothing that Sunny can’t fix.” He spoke with what his mother recognized as a hopeful expression. “Judith’s sixth bridesmaid has eloped, and Judith wants Sunny to take her place,” he explained. “We’d love to have her if she’s willing.**

  “Of course she’ll be willing,” Holly exclaimed, having missed any undertones of doubt. “Any girl would be. May I tell her?**

  Dexter had barely answered when Holly ran for the house, completely missing the look of uncertainty on each adult face.

  “What do you mean, you can’t?**

  Holly stood in the middle of the room, arms akimbo, a look of total disbelief on her pretty round race. Just minutes earlier she’d arrived with what was certain to be the day’s greatest news, but Holly was now stunned to see that Sunny was not excited in the least.