“I do love you.” He drew in a breath to the bottom of his lungs. “I love you with all my heart.” He strode across the room and crouched at her feet. Unable to resist, he snatched her hands out of her lap and held them. The big ring tumbled to the floor. “I didn’t know what love was until I took you in my arms. I feel like I’ve been skating over the surface of life until now. I thought I was seeing life in color and smelling its scents and hearing its music, but I wasn’t. I’ve been watching life on television, and suddenly I’m alive and can feel and see and taste all those things I’ve watched from afar for so long.”
He heard his voice getting loud. Her hands trembled in his and he held them closer. “I’ve never felt this way before, or even knew that I could. It’s taken me all this time to figure out what’s going on with me. When I got to California I felt like someone had cut my heart out with a knife. All I could think about was coming back to you.” His chest swelled with emotion. “Because I love you, Annie. I do love you.”
Twin tears sprang to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “I believe you. I really do.” Her voice trembled. “Oh, Sinclair. If only I believed we could be happy together.”
“Never mind about that.” He held her hands tight as hope soared in his heart. “We could be unhappy together. As long as we’re together. I can’t bear to be without you, Annie.”
She laughed, and the light that had dimmed returned to her eyes, a brilliant sparkle that made the diamond now lying somewhere on the floor seem like a chunk of old glass by comparison. “You know, now you’re making some sense. Being unhappy together actually sounds achievable.”
“Better than being unhappy apart.” He felt laughter bubbling in his chest. “And who knows, maybe we’ll learn to smile from time to time.”
“I wouldn’t divorce you, you know.” Her face wore that strange, calm expression again. She had an air of total self-assurance that filled his heart with joy.
“I wouldn’t let you.” He softened his fierce grip on her hands long enough to lift them to his lips. The scent of her skin made him tremble. “Damn, Annie. I’ve missed you so much it hurts.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Emotion glistened in her gaze. “I didn’t want to admit it. It was just one more thing to keep to myself. Kind of like falling in love with you over the past six years.”
“I could kick myself for wasting so much time. I promise I’ll make it up to you. If you’ll give me the chance.”
She bit her lip, which shone red against her pale skin. “I am feeling reckless today.”
“Wait. Let me start over. Don’t move a muscle.” Still holding both her hands in one of his, he groped toward the floor with the other. His fingers met the cold metal of the ring and he snatched it back up. “You never did answer my question.” He hesitated for a moment, gathering the strength to ask again. “Annie Sullivan, I love you in a way I never dreamed possible, and I want to spend the rest of my life at your side. Will you marry me?”
“I will.” She said it quickly and quietly, eyes sparkling bright.
He felt like letting out a cheer. Instead he slid the engagement ring onto her finger. The fit was snug, perfect.
“What a stunning ring.” She stared at it. “Those look like rubies.” The big, cushion-cut diamond was ringed by smaller, dark pink stones.
“I believe so. It’s a Drummond family ring, so it might be cursed, but it’s not as if we’re trying to be happy together.”
She looked at him, eyes sparkling with humor. “Yes, that is a relief. Really takes the pressure off. How horribly did the last person to wear it die?”
“Hmm.” He pretended to consider. “Actually she’s still alive. My mom said it’s too beautiful to sit in a safe, so she suggested I give it to you.”
“Your mom knew you were going to propose to me?” Her eyes grew huge.
“She made me promise not to screw it up.” He squeezed her hands gently, taking care not to crush the ring against her skin. “She said she won’t speak to me if I come back without you.”
Annie stared, blinking, her lips slightly parted. The urge to kiss her swelled inside him. “You did say yes, didn’t you?” He spoke softly, afraid to break the spell that seemed to bind them together.
“Yes, yes I did.” Her mouth held him riveted, soft and lush, saying the words he needed to hear. His lips met hers and their arms wound around each other. The feel of her body in his arms made a sigh rise through his chest, where it got lost in their kiss. Having Annie in his arms felt so right. He could stay right here and kiss her forever.
A knock sounded at the door, and he managed to pull away from Annie enough to look behind him and see the source. “Come in?” It was more a question than a command. The door opened slowly to reveal the rather red faces of her grandmother and a woman about Annie’s age.
“Were you listening at the keyhole?” Annie jumped to her feet.
Her grandmother scrambled slowly upright, with the help of the door frame. “I needed to make sure he wasn’t taking advantage of you.” She pushed her glasses back up her nose.
“And what’s your excuse?” Annie asked of the younger woman.
“Curiosity.” A sly smile crept across her face. “And we were right to be curious. It got pretty interesting.”
Annie put her hands on her hips. “So I suppose there’s no need for me to make an announcement of any kind.”
They looked from her to Sinclair and back. “We’d still like one.” Her grandmother looked cheerfully expectant.
“Annie and I would like to announce that we’re getting married.”
“Can I be maid of honor?”
Annie had her arms around his waist. “Sinclair, this is my sister, Sheena. Sheena, we didn’t say that we’re having a big wedding. Just that we’re getting married. For myself I’d prefer as little pomp and ceremony as possible.”
“What’s this I hear about someone getting married?” A short, plump man appeared behind the women.
Annie’s grandmother stared at him. “Oh, my lord, the excitement has drawn your father away from his television. Wonders will never cease. Your daughter’s getting married.” She gestured to Sinclair. “To this fine young man.” She leaned toward him. “His BMW is parked outside.”
Her father blinked and scratched his forehead. “Goodness. I break from my show for a plate of eggs, and now I’ve lost the plot entirely. I suppose congratulations are in order.” He stepped forward and shook Sinclair by the hand.
“I promise you I’ll take good care of her.”
“I’m not sure I need taking care of. I’m usually the one taking care of everyone else,” Annie protested.
“Then it’s time you took a break.” Sinclair slid his arm around her waist. “And I think you should start with a nice, long vacation.”
* * *
Annie shoved her belongings back into her flimsy suitcase again. It wasn’t hard to convince Sinclair that they needed to visit his mom before flying off to parts unknown. Katherine Drummond was still in a vulnerable state and the events of the last week were enough to stress even a healthy person.
She splashed water on her face before heading back down into the maelstrom of her family. Her mom had come home from work and screamed when she heard the news. They’d all crowded around Sinclair’s car and left fingerprints on the shiny paint. He’d handled their probing questions with grace and charm, but she couldn’t wait to get out of here and back to the relative calm of Dog Harbor.
But how would it feel to be there as a guest instead of an employee? Not even a guest. What was she?
“I feel very old-fashioned, like I’ve come to carry you away from your family and take you back to my castle.” Sinclair stood in the doorway. “I’m sure the Drummond ancestors would approve.”
“And I didn’t even have to lay seige. If only we could sail my car across Long Island Sound we’d be there in about fifteen minutes. Shame we actually have about a four-hour drive.”
* * *
Scenery whipped by outside the window as they talked about Sinclair’s other houses, the ones she’d never seen: the ski chalet in Colorado, an old beachfront mansion in northern California, and the hunting lodge in upper Michigan. They decided to be married in the garden of Dog Harbor, preferably within the month, with only people they considered true friends in attendance.
When they pulled into the driveway, the house looked different. She couldn’t put her finger on what had changed. The chimneys still loomed above the gabled roof, windows sparkled in the late afternoon sun, and the lawn glowed green on either side of the gravel drive.
“Welcome home,” Sinclair whispered in her ear. “Look. No one’s here but us. I told my mom and Vicki to make themselves scarce for a few days. We have some catching up to do.”
“I know what you mean. We’re short at least six months of dating.”
“We’ll make up for lost time.” His sultry gaze made her shiver. Desire and anticipation roared through her at the prospect of being alone with Sinclair—her new fiancé.
She still couldn’t believe it.
“Don’t move. I need to carry you over the threshold.” Sinclair had rounded the circular drive and pulled up in front of the house. He leaped from the car and opened her door before she had time to protest. Dangling the key in his teeth, he slid his arms under her and lifted her out of the car. She gave a little scream as he ran for the house. “You don’t mind if I hurry, do you? I’m feeling impatient.”
“Not at all.” She clung to his neck as he bounded up the stairs, and fumbled with the keys while balancing her in one strong arm.
She whispered in his ear. “Where’s the housekeeper when you need her?”
“She’s indisposed.” He kicked open the door and threw his keys on the sideboard, then carried her over the marble threshold into the wide foyer. “On a permanent basis.” His hot breath tickled her skin, sending ripples of sensation to her toes.
“Hey, what’s that?” Something sitting in the middle of the dining room table had caught her eye as he headed past on the way to the stairs.
“What?”
“Take a detour into the dining room. I think there’s a note on the table.”
“It better be a short one,” he growled playfully. “I have other priorities.” He swung into the dining room, nuzzling her cheek. “What the heck is that?” A scarred wooden box sat in the middle of the table. Next to it, a sheet of white paper was scrawled with the words, We found it.
“The cup? I think you’d better put me down.”
“What if I don’t want to put you down?” He kissed her ear, and heat flooded her core. “I have more important things to do than mess with an old cup.” He lifted her onto the dining room table, and kissed her with force. All the excitement that had built up during their long drive blossomed into the longest and fiercest kiss she’d ever known. Sinclair’s powerful fingers plucked at the buttons on her shirt and soon slid it back over her shoulders. She tugged his polo shirt over his head, revealing his hard chest with that intoxicating sprinkling of dark hair that led below his belt buckle. Her fingers fumbled with the buckle while Sinclair breathed kisses over her face and neck, and licked her nipples into hard peaks.
Her belly trembled under his touch as he unzipped her pants and slid them down over her legs, leaving her sitting on the polished antique table in her bikini underwear. She giggled. “Should we really be doing this here?”
“Absolutely.” Sinclair stepped out of his pants. The force of his desire was clearly visible and only heightened her own. Lips gently pressed to hers, he entered her slowly but surely, filling her and making her gasp with pleasure. The table proved surprisingly sturdy as Sinclair took them both on a sensual journey at its edge. Then, just as she felt her climax draw near, he lifted her up and carried her, striding swiftly, into the formal living room, where he spread her on the brocade chaise longue.
“I think we’re scandalizing the furniture.” She sighed at the sensation of sinking into the soft, upholstered surface, with Sinclair’s warm, heavy weight on top of her.
“It could use some excitement.” He licked her lips, making her gasp. “I know I needed some.”
He sank deeper, and she melted under him, giving herself over to the sensation that lapped through her. For once she didn’t have to worry about what would happen next, or what kind of a terrible mistake she was making. She was meant to be here, right now, in Sinclair’s arms. Her heart felt so full. All the hope and fear she’d been storing for so long spilled over into passion. She gripped Sinclair as they moved together, rising and falling with him and holding him as tight as she could until their climax threw them deep into the chaise, breathing in heavy unison.
“Am I dreaming?” she said, when she could finally catch enough breath.
“If you are, I am, too. Let’s not wake up.” His eyelashes brushed her cheek as he lay against her.
“We never looked in the box.”
“What box?” His chest rose and fell and beads of perspiration stood out on his proud forehead. “Oh, yes. That box. I’m sure whatever it is can wait.”
“Apparently we couldn’t.” She bit her lip, trying to stop a smile sneaking across her face.
“Speak for yourself. I could have easily gone for a cool dip in the Sound instead.” His eyes opened just enough for her to see them twinkle with mischief.
“Liar.” She slid a fingertip down the groove of his spine and he shivered slightly in response. “But I’m glad you have no self-control where I’m concerned. Otherwise we might have gone on tiptoeing around each other for another six years.”
“That would have been a tragedy.” He grazed her cheek with his teeth. “Come on. Let’s go see what the big mystery is.” He climbed off the sofa and pulled her gently to her feet. She insisted on grabbing a couple of white linen tablecloths from the pantry on the way back to the dining room, so they looked like ancient Romans as they surveyed the aged wooden box again.
Sinclair stood back. “You first. You’re the newest member of the Drummond family.”
“Not yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. The curse starts working as soon as you agree to marry a Drummond.” A sneaky dimple appeared in his cheek.
“All right. Since I’m doomed anyway.” She lifted the lid, which creaked loudly. Inside was a moth-eaten piece of tartan cloth, folded around something. She pulled the object out—it was heavy—and held it in her hands. She placed it on the table and peeled back the cloth, sending a small cloud of dust into the air. Her nose tickled with the desire to sneeze. The cloth fell away to reveal a very dark, tarnished rod of metal. “Huh? That’s not what I was expecting. I thought it would be one-third of the infamous cup.”
“Maybe it is.” Sinclair reached into the folds of the fabric and drew it out. The surface was scored with patterns, and each end had a sort of claw on it. “This could be the stem.”
“And the other pieces are the base and the cup? I never thought of that.” He placed the cool metal rod in her hands, and she turned it. “These ends do look like they could attach to something else. I wonder where they found it?”
“I wonder when they found it. And if it coincides with me finally having the good sense to pursue the one woman I need by my side.” He looked at her, his dark gaze serious. Her heart fluttered at the depth of emotion she read in his face.
“I love you, Sinclair.”
“I love you, too, and thank heaven I had the sense to realize that before it was too late. Welcome home, Annie.” He laid another warm kiss on her lips. “And welcome to the ancient line of Drummonds.”
Epilogue
“Katherine, you shouldn’t have.” Annie pulled tissue paper from the big box. “It’s not even Christmas yet.”
“I don’t have to wait for special occasions to give my grandson a few things.” The balsam tree she and Sinclair had cut and brought home together already had piles of wrapped boxes and gift bags that reached as high as its lower branches.
“I’m naturally impatient, darling. You know that. And Annie understands, don’t you?”
Annie pulled yet another adorable tiny outfit—French, of course—with a pattern of little sailboats, from the box. Followed by a matching hat and booties. “Of course I do. It’s impossible not to be excited about the arrival of a new person in our midst.”
“The newest Drummond shall want for nothing. Do you think it would be silly to buy a sled in the sales?” Snow had been falling steadily for two days and they were all snowed into a very quiet and sleepy Dog Harbor.
“Definitely silly.” Sinclair laughed. “He won’t be able to sled until at least the winter after next. Besides, we found about eight antique sleds up in the attic. Those are probably faster and sturdier than anything you’ll find in a toy store.”
“I’m just so excited. It’s hard to stop myself. I’m sure I’ll calm down once the doctor gives me the okay to travel again. He said to wait a full year since my illness. That’s another four months! It’s driving me to distraction that I can’t fly to Scotland and shake the young laird into looking for more of the cup.”
“Why can’t you go to Florida and harass the Drummond down there?” Sinclair kissed Annie gently on the cheek as she folded the baby outfit and laid it on the sofa. “That’s only a domestic flight.”
“Vicki insisted on going.” Katherine shrugged her slim shoulders. “She seemed really interested. I think she knows people down there.”
“Or she wants to win the reward she convinced you to offer for finding the cup piece.” Sinclair topped up their glasses of eggnog.
“Sinclair! Vicki doesn’t need money. Her family made a fortune in…something or other. I forget what.”
The Cinderella Act Page 15