He stroked her hair and she took comfort from the action. “The little one.”
Glancing at him, she saw only compassion on his features. She nodded again.
“Violet.” She took a breath. “She’s ill.”
“Aye.” He grew quiet for a moment. “But… the gold. Why did you take it?”
Brianna couldn’t face him as she told him all of it. He deserved the truth, though.
And she wouldn’t shrink from the task. She studied her hands, folded in her lap to keep from taking the strength he offered.
“She got sick in Cornwall, Luke. Months ago. We thought she was better, but then she grew so weak, so pale. The treatments were so expensive.”
“So you… stole my gold?”
She faced him then, urging him to see what was so clear to her despite its dishonesty. “I didn’t. One of my ancestors did, nearly two hundred years ago. I took it and came here, though. Wouldn’t you do the same for someone you loved?”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, though his gaze grew troubled. “Aye.”
That one word urged her to at last share the burden that had been hers alone these long months. He covered her hands with one of his and she grabbed on for the solace she’d been without since leaving her family in Cornwall.
“I took the gold, Luke. I can’t replace the treasure, I know. My sister needed care and the treatments are expensive.” She took in a breath and let the tears come at last. “But she’s not getting well fast enough. The doctor says…”
Luke held her, letting her cry all over his chest as he stroked her back. She sensed no lust now. Just compassion and caring and she held on to him.
“Easy, lass,” he said. “Easy.”
After a while Brianna sniffled and sat, wiping at her eyes. “If Violet doesn’t get better, the doctor will have to perform surgery.”
“Surgery?”
“He’ll have to remove her spleen—one of her organs.”
Luke sucked in a breath. “Nay.”
She nodded, using the edge of her camisole to mop her cheeks. “Yes. Though he says she may still be too frail.”
“She’s a wee thing, Brianna.”
“You won’t take the gold back, Luke?” Brianna knelt on the couch and faced him fully. “Not now?”
* * *
Luke studied the Pixie, tenderness wrapping around his heart. He wanted her—
aye, he would have to be a dead man to ignore the enticing picture she made there on the couch, all soft and rosy and rumpled. She was so strong, so determined to save the little one entrusted to her care. And the child needed the gold as much as his uncle did. He couldn’t forcibly take away the little mite’s chance at life, could he?
“I’ll not take the treasure, lass. Not now.”
She sagged with relief, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him
soundly. Pulling back, she braced one hand on his chest. “Oh, this isn’t because of what
we nearly…?” Her eyes shone with fresh tears. “Have I traded my body now?”
“Never, Brianna.” He grabbed her arms and held her away from him. “’Tis true, I want you. Like I’ve never wanted another woman. I’ll not ease my body with an innocent, no matter the lure.”
She blushed to the roots of her shining hair and lowered her lashes. “How did you know?”
“I felt it, lass,” he said. “Your purity wrapped in all that passion.”
She smiled, then sobered her expression. “But the gold. You want it back, and yet—”
“It is mine.” Her expression grew guarded but before she could pull away he cupped her cheek. “And if I could think of another way to see the child well, I would reclaim my gold.”
She stood then, wrapping her arms around her middle as she gave him her back.
“You will go then.” Resignation filled her voice despite the command. “There is nothing here for you.”
He turned her and took her in his arms. “What I feel for you, lass. There is that.
And it’s so much more than desire. Don’t you feel it?”
She studied him, looking for what, he wouldn’t hazard a guess. “Yes.”
He hugged her to him. “I need the gold, Brianna.”
She stiffened, and he stroked her hair, her back.
“Back in my time, in my home, my uncle’s mind is not… well,” Luke said. “The gold will restore his wits, I believe.”
She pulled back and placed her hand on his cheek, the gesture comforting and nearly causing his knees to buckle. “Then you know full well what I’ve been through, Luke.”
“Aye.” He kissed her palm and placed it on his chest. “I shall find a way to see your sister well and my uncle’s mind restored, lass.”
She fingered the amber at his neck, and it throbbed in response. “This is your magic, Luke.” Her brow furrowed, then her face filled with hope.
“Aye. ‘Tis what brought me from my time to yours.”
Her eyes sparkled with hope. “Oh, you can time jump and find a simple cure for Violet’s illness!”
He shook his head. “Nay. I wish that were so. ‘Tis not my amber but my uncle’s.
And save for tracking you, it has little power here for me.”
Her shoulders sagged.
“But I shall find a way, Brianna,” he said. “You have my word.”
She smiled then, an expression as beautiful as he had yet seen. “On your honor.”
He chuckled. “Aye.”
Suddenly he couldn’t leave her, not with their blossoming feelings swirling about them as surely as the magic she spun so easily. She’d snagged his heart, he feared. He had given her his word, and on more matters than the gold.
“I don’t want you to leave,” she said.
She seemed surprised by her own words, though he didn’t press her for their meaning. He pulled on his thick undershirt, watching as she gracefully donned her simple T-shirt and smoothed her golden locks. Lord, she was lovely. Dare he hope she could one day belong to him?
“I was going to eat a little something and go to bed.” Her mouth was an O of surprise. “That is… to sleep.”
He laughed at her unease, sharing the feeling himself. “Ah. What of the soup the sprite ate for dinner, lass?”
“You…?” She smiled knowingly. “You watched over her.”
“I waited for you, Brianna.” Luke shrugged. “Forever, it seems.”
His own words stunned him. Thankfully, she took nothing more from his
statement.
“Two hundred years, at least,” she smiled. “I shall heat some soup, then. And yesterday I brought home some bread from the coffee shop.”
She took herself into the little kitchen adjacent to the drawing room and he settled on the couch once more. Day-old bread when she had the MacDonald gold at her fingertips? He knew the truth then. The gold was for the child. Brianna was noble. And his match. He’d had a true glimpse of the purity of her spirit. And her passion.
He would have to find a way to see both the child and his uncle well, and that was no small task. Perhaps he was indeed blessed with his uncle’s own luck. He fingered the still-warm amber pendant. Hadn’t it brought Brianna into his life?
Chapter 12
Brianna hummed to herself as she worked behind the counter, her mind on all that had changed since yesterday. The MacDonald—Luke, she smiled to herself—stayed long after their modest meal was over, sharing his own fears for his uncle that mirrored hers for Violet. They kissed some more, delicious kisses that woke yearnings within her for so much more, and cuddled on the couch together. The tenderness they shared was only one reason for her mood this morning; after keeping her burden to herself all these weeks, her heart was fairly floating.
“You look happy, Bree.”
She smiled in Lori’s direction, shrugging her shoulders even as she continued to hum. “It’s a lovely morning, is all.”
Her friend eyed her closely. Lori opened her mouth, no doubt to questi
on her further, but stilled as the bell jingled above the door. Brianna turned and caught Luke’s eye as he entered the shop. A pleasant tingle coursed through her, the crystal key thrumming in her pocket as her heart beat in rhythm.
“So that’s it!” Lori said.
Brianna glanced at Lori to find her wearing a knowing grin. Her cheeks heated but she said nothing. Instead she faced Luke and smiled.
He returned the expression, his green eyes sparkling. “Good mornin’, lass.”
His smooth deep voice brought to mind the sweet words he had whispered in her ear last night. She was seized with the urge to fly over the counter and wrap her arms around his neck. Restraining herself, she wiped her damp palms on her thighs and stood her ground. “Good morning, Luke.”
As he approached the counter, she saw his blond friend followed on his heels.
That man too must have sensed something, for he threw her a puzzled glance before
settling beside Luke.
“Coffee, please,” the man said.
Brianna looked at Luke. He nodded his agreement and she hurried to fill their cups. She set the pot back on the burner and turned to the counter.
Luke caught her wrist and gently tugged her closer to him. “How are you this mornin’, Brianna?”
That sounded quite intimate! She checked to see if his friend had heard his question, but the man seemed taken with Lori as those two traded flirts and banter.
“I’m fine, Luke,” Brianna said.
He sipped his coffee, regarding her over the rim of his cup. She gazed into his eyes, feeling the pull that no longer frightened her. At least not as it had when she feared for her safety rather than her virtue. She took a step back nonetheless, still overwhelmed by his charm.
* * *
Luke watched Brianna as she distanced herself from him, if only by an arm’s
length. From the very moment he’d entered the shop he’d wanted to touch her, to hold her like he had last night. Now she removed herself. Taking a breath, he turned the conversation to a safer if no less vital topic. “Is the little mite well?”
Brianna nodded. “She’s better today. And…” She stepped close again and
lowered her voice to a whisper. “And she has been using her magic.”
Luke barked out a laugh, causing the other patrons to look their way. He leaned one elbow on the counter, and grinned. “I saw her flip through the pictures on the television and retrieve books from the shelves.”
She smiled at that. “Oh, but she’s driving poor Mrs. Henning mad.”
Her sparkling gaze told him the truth of it. “You don’t seem upset, lass.”
She nodded with enthusiasm. “I admit I’m encouraged.”
Luke took her hand and gently stroked the back of it. Only someone who knew of the Faery folk would understand the import of her words. “She’s getting better, Brianna.”
Brianna’s eyes shone with the sheen of tears, and he longed to carry her burden for her.
“Lass…”
“She has another treatment at the hospital in a few days,” she said.
“Do you want me to come with you?” he asked. “That is, if the wee one agrees.”
“Oh, that isn’t…” Her guard was still up then, but she nodded in the next moment.
“Yes. Thank you, Luke.”
He glanced over at Jim, then leaned closer. “May I take you to dinner this evenin’, Brianna?”
“I can’t. You’re… you’re welcome to come to my house.”
He felt it again, the pull toward her that had nothing to do with MacDonald gold.
Her eyes showed that she, too, remembered all that had happened—and nearly happened—in her little house. He was honorable, and she knew that. Her virtue would be safe. He shook his head. Even if it killed him, she would remain pure. He was in no position to make an offer fitting to her granting him that gift. Was he actually considering marriage?
He swallowed. “I shall bring dinner, then. Have you had pizza?”
Lori and Jim both shot him an look of confusion at that question, and Brianna hid her smile. “Of course. It’s a favorite of Violet’s, too.”
“Good.” He stared into the empty coffee cup for a moment before bringing his gaze to hers. “Do you think she’ll like me?”
Brianna smiled. “Why, MacDonald! You told me you were not without power.
Surely a tiny child doesn’t frighten you?”
Luke shook his head, laughing deep in his throat. “I daresay the thought of spending time with the two of you does much to make me doubt my powers, Brianna.”
She nodded again and went back to her work, fairly bouncing on the balls of her feet as she served the other patrons. Lori refilled his coffee cup, giving him a look of warning along with the brew, and left him to his thoughts as he drank.
All night he had puzzled over it. However would he satisfy his family and
Brianna’s? He would have to return home and speak to his uncle soon. He’d made a promise to Brianna, one he prayed he could keep with his uncle’s help. He could only hope the man’s mind hadn’t deteriorated much further in his absence.
* * *
“Is he handsome, Brianna?” Violet asked.
Brianna turned from the front window and looked at her sister. The child was in high spirits this evening and Mrs. Henning reported that she’d hardly complained about a sore belly all day. Brianna prayed this meant the child was healing, but she would await judgment until Dr. Noble looked at her on Monday.
“Yes, love,” Brianna said. “The Braunach is handsome.” Violet’s eyes twinkled and Brianna laughed. “Now you will behave yourself.”
Violet’s eyes rounded in a look of innocence that didn’t fool Brianna for a moment. “I was just asking.” Violet fiddled with her pretty pink sweater, still too large for her. “He’s bringing pizza?”
Brianna smiled. “Yes, Violet. And he—”
A knock on the front door gave her a start. She peered out the window and saw Luke standing there, two flat boxes held easily in one arm. He grinned at her and her heart gave a flip. Oh, she would have to be very careful.
She opened the door and he strode inside.
“Dinner is served!” he said.
Violet giggled, her eyes riveted to the man. Luke bowed in the child’s direction, his smile replaced by a solemn expression.
“Is this the Pixie Violet?” he asked.
Violet popped off the couch. She executed a perfect curtsey and batted her eyes at him. “Hello, MacDonald.”
“Luke, sprite.” Luke grinned. “If you please.”
Violet nodded and looked at Brianna. “Oh you were right, Brianna. He’s most handsome.”
Brianna’s cheeks heated as Luke arched a brow at her. Instead of attempting an argument she couldn’t possibly make, she went into the kitchen for plates and napkins.
Bracing her hands on the table, she closed her eyes. She could hear Violet talking in the next room, her chatter interrupted now and again by Luke’s deep voice. There was something so comfortable about the situation, yet she couldn’t hope it would last. Luke had promised to find a way to get Violet well, and she sensed his spirit was as true as his word. But what of the gold? And his uncle? How could she expect him to come to her aid when his family was depending on his success two hundred years away?
“Brianna?” Luke asked.
She whirled to face him, grabbing up the dishes and napkins from the table.
“Here… here are the plates.”
He stepped in and took the small stack from her, his brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “I’m a bit tired, is all.”
The quirk of his lips told her he didn’t believe her, but he said nothing more of it.
With a flick of his head, he directed her into the living room. “The sprite is hungry, lass.
As am I.”
Brianna nodded and left the kitchen, Luke trailing behind her.
* * *
He didn’t need her magic to sense her unease. After leaving the coffee shop that afternoon, he hadn’t been able to find any solution save for returning to Ireland.
The child was as fascinating as her sister, and he could see clearly now she needed the gold as much as his uncle did. Pale despite the sparkle in her eyes, Violet would no doubt fail without the treatments Brianna’s determination found and his gold financed.
“Brianna says you want to come to the hospital with us?” Violet asked.
Luke faced the sprite and smiled. Red sauce smeared her little mouth, and her cheeks bulged with pizza.
“Aye, Violet,” he said. “I trust that’s all right with you?”
“Oh, yes.” She swallowed her bite of pizza. “You can keep Brianna company
while I rest.”
That told him much. The treatments must tire out the mite, and at the sight of Brianna’s knit brow he knew they took as much out of her.
“And maybe when you feel well I can take the two of you out and about?” he asked.
“Luke, that isn’t—” Brianna began.
“Oh, yes!” Violet cried.
Luke laughed aloud then. “There are canals behind my flat, and they let out little boats to paddle. Would you like that?”
The child nodded with enthusiasm and even Brianna’s eyes brightened at the
prospect.
“A boat ride would be lovely,” Brianna said.
“Aye.” He lifted another slice of pizza and chuckled. “Though the waterway hardly compares to what we’re used to, lass.”
Brianna laughed, a musical sound that made his heart clench pleasantly. “I admit I miss the Cornish coast.”
Luke's Gold Page 9