by Dawn Brower
Chapter 4
Sage was gone. She’d barely said anything to him at all. Only ordered her coffee and had a brief conversation with Nicholas… He’d been too stunned to pay much attention to what they had discussed and now he wished he could have snapped out of it much sooner. Would he ever be able to function in her presence again? It seemed as if a piece of his soul had been ripped from his body when she left him.
At least he could leave the shop soon. Esmeralda would come in soon to take over and start decorating for the St. Patrick’s Day event they were holding later that evening. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Tristan retrieved it and glanced at the caller identification. His lips tilted upward at the sight of Gawain’s name and picture flashing on the screen. He clicked the green button without even thinking about it and then brought his cell up to his ear. “Slow day in Hollywood?” he asked with a hint of humor in his tone.
“Nah,” Gawain replied. “It’s one party after the next but I thought I’d take time out of my day to check on you. I hear there is going to be a Strange wedding soon. I know what that’ll mean for you.”
“Have you been talking to Percival?”
“Not really,” Gawain answered. “He shot me a text to call him when I was free and mentioned he was dating Amadea. The upcoming wedding may have come up but not much else.” He chuckled. “What is going on in Kismet Bay? The curse rearing its ugly head?”
Gawain had always hated the legend of Kismet Bay bringing lovers together. Tristan believed that had been one of the things that had driven his friend out of town after they graduated. He found almost immediate success as an actor and had been thriving ever since his big break. Tristan couldn’t recall the last time his friend had stepped foot in town. “Are you afraid the love bug will hit you?”
“Absolutely not.” Gawain snorted. “Love is never going to hit me.”
“Then prove it,” Tristan goaded him. “Come back for the wedding. Wait… If you’re so sure let’s take it a step farther than that. Nicholas needs another groomsman. You can fill in and be a part of the wedding.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Gawain said. His voice held a hint of reluctance that only made Tristan want to push him even more.
“I thought so—you’re afraid.” He shrugged nonchalantly even though Gawain couldn’t see him. It was more of a reflex than anything. “Don’t worry I won’t let Percival know you’re a chicken.”
“I’m not scared of anything.” Now Gawain sounded pissed. Good. That might actually work in getting his friend in town. He wanted to see Gawain and it would help to have someone around to help distract him from Sage. “Fine. I’ll be one of the stupid groomsmen, but I’m not coming to town until the night before the wedding. I already have a tux—probably one better than the rest of the wedding party will have.”
No doubt it would be a custom designer label tuxedo… “Wonderful,” Tristan said. He had goaded his friend into being in a wedding and Gawain would hate every second of it, but Tristan didn’t feel guilty. “I’ll let Nicholas know I solved his groomsman dilemma.” Gawain needed to face his problems and so did Tristan. While Sage was in town he’d talk to her. If he had any chance of moving on with his life he had to. He couldn’t keep waiting for her to return to him. What kind of life was that to live?
“I better not regret this,” Gawain nearly growled through the phone. “I have to go. I’m needed on set soon. Listen, I know that Sage is in town. Wedding planning is her thing—don’t let her dictate anything to you anymore. If you want the girl then go convince her you belong together. Otherwise let her go and move on. I know that may be easier said than done…”
“Say no more,” Tristan interrupted him. “I’m already on the same page as you are.” Probably farther in the proverbial book… “I’ll text you the info on the wedding and when you need to be here.” He paused a moment and then said, “and Gawain.”
“Yeah?” His reply was quick and the tone in his voice held a hint of inquisitiveness.
“Thanks, man,” Tristan said softly. Sometimes all a person needed was a good conversation with a friend to find perspective, and he found that with his chat with Gawain. He owed him more than his friend would ever know. “It’s nice to know you care.”
“Of course I do,” Gawain answered. “You and Percival are my two best friends. There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you.”
“I know.” Tristan felt much the same way. “Have fun with whatever movie you’re shooting now.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up. Tristan shot Nicholas a quick text about Gawain agreeing to be his fourth groomsman and then slid his phone back into his pocket. He had to make some plans to gain Sage’s undivided attention. For that to work he might need a little help. She was in town to help plan Holly’s wedding, and maybe, just maybe, Holly would take pity on him and help him with Sage. Holly was in love and wanted everyone to be as happy as she was. It might just work…
He retrieved his phone again and texted Holly. After several agonizing minutes she replied back. Tristan grinned at her response. It turned out Holly wanted to assist him more than he’d hoped for. She already had a plan in place and all he had to do was show up. He slid his phone back in his pocket and whistled as he headed toward the exit of Witch’s Brew. He nodded at Esmeralda on his way out and couldn’t help the smile that formed on his face. Maybe there was hope for him and Sage after all… If Holly believed they had a chance perhaps he should start believing it too. Maybe the magic of Kismet Bay was pushing him and Sage back together again or, possibly, he was a fool. Either way he’d find out the answer soon enough.
Chapter 5
Sage was pissed. She’d dealt with a lot of difficult brides as an event planner, but her own sister was the worst one she’d ever had the misfortune to work with, and she wasn’t even being compensated for her work. The things she did for her sister… She didn’t want to visit Prosperity Vineyard to see if it would make a good enough place to hold the wedding reception. If that was where Holly wanted to hold it Sage could find a way to make it work. It seemed a tad redundant to look at everything in person, but whatever, she’d go through the motions for Holly.
What she really wanted to do was find Tristan. She hadn’t stopped thinking about him all day and now that she’d made a decision all she needed to do was act on it, but she couldn’t. Not until she did this one little thing for Holly. It had been years since Sage had visited the vineyard and she wasn’t sure what changes her cousins had made to it. Leilia and Caprecia sold wine from the vineyard at Grape Flavors winery. The last time she’d talked to Caprecia she’d mentioned the extensive expansions that they were making to some of the outer buildings. One of them might be good for the reception.
She turned into the long drive that led to the main house and parked in front of it. Sage killed the engine and stepped out of the car. She narrowed her gaze and stared at the house. A light was on inside. Someone must have come up, but she didn’t see any other vehicles. Holly had said no one was going to be there. Their cousins didn’t often stay at the main house and mostly chose to stay in town. Who could be at the vineyard now?
She grabbed the keys out of her purse and headed to the front door. Sage wasn’t sure if it would be locked or not with someone inside but figured she should be prepared. Once she reached the front door she tried the doorknob and it turned. Well… That answered one question. She slipped the key back into her purse and went inside to investigate. Most of the lights were off but there was a soft glow coming from the dining room. Almost as if it were being illuminated with candles… Sage walked slowly toward the dining room and stopped short at the entrance. When she drove to the vineyard she never expected to find the one person she wanted to actually see there.
“It’s about time,” Tristan said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I don’t understand…” What the hell was going on? Had Holly set her up? “How did you know I’d be here?”
“Your sister and I had a me
eting of minds.” His lips quirked upward into a sexy smile. “More like she set this up and told me where to go. She was a few steps ahead of me as I was already trying to find a way to be alone with you.” He took a step forward. “I hope you aren’t too mad.”
She should be irate. On the drive up to the vineyard she’d been cursing her twin sister’s existence. Now she wanted to kiss her. This was exactly what she needed. Why had she been denying what she really wanted all this time? She still had a few things to work out, but in the meantime she could explore some other possibilities with Tristan. She lifted an eyebrow and said, “Why would I be mad?”
“Well,” he said slowly. “Because your sister tricked you.”
“Did she?” Sage tilted her head to the side, then twirled her gaze around the room. “This wasn’t a bad idea of hers. The main house isn’t exactly fit to hold hundreds of people but it definitely has potential for other events. It gives me ideas.” And suddenly she knew what she wanted to do with her business. She didn’t need to be in a big city to run it.
“What kind of ideas?” There was hesitation in his voice and she should alleviate it. She would, but not just yet.
She turned to meet his gaze. Tristan shoved his hands into his pocket and stood there—waiting. For her. He didn’t make a move or push is own desires on her even though it was clear he wanted her. He’d always put her needs before his own. It was one of the reason she loved him.
Sage strolled toward him with a slight sway to her hips. When she reached him she lifted her hand and trailed her fingers over his cheek. “Why do you love me?” There was no doubt he still did. He was there. Waiting. Hoping. She didn’t deserve him.
He swallowed hard and said huskily, “The why doesn’t matter. I love you and that is the beginning and end of everything. Without you I’m only half a person.”
“That’s sweet,” she whispered. “I’ve been lost without you too. I never should have left.”
“No,” he agreed. “But I understand why you had to.”
She stepped even closer and lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck. “Kiss me,” she demanded.
“Whatever the lady wants.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. It was like coming home and finally feeling as if she belonged. Kismet Bay had worked its magic. That was why she’d avoided returning for so long. She’d known if she came back she’d never be able to leave Tristan again. It had been hard enough the first time.
She stepped back even though it nearly killed her to do so. “I do love you.”
“I know,” he replied and caressed her hair with the tips of his fingers. “Tell me we can make this work. I don’t want to lose you again.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and then smiled. “We can. It might take some wrangling with my business, but I think I can stay in Kismet Bay most of the time. I have a really good assistant I can give a promotion. She can handle things in the city and I’ll run things here. I’m going to see if my cousins will let me work out of the vineyard. Being here gave me an idea on taking my business to a new level.”
His lips tilted upward. “You’re really going to stay?”
“Yes,” she answered. “But I’ll still need to go to the city occasionally…”
“When you do I’ll go with you. Esmeralda can handle the coffee shop when I am gone. I don’t want to be separated from you ever again.”
She felt the same way. Maybe her going into the coffee shop had not been bad luck after all. Seeing Tristan earlier had been luck at first sight. It had showed her that loving him was the best thing that had ever happened to her and she would never walk away from him the way she had before. This was where she belonged—in his arms and in Kismet Bay.
Excerpt: When an Earl Turns Wicked
Bluestockings Defying Rogues Book One
Dawn Brower
Prologue
Southington Castle, England, 1808
The day was like any other one in England. Rainfall had become a normal enough occurrence that Jonas didn’t notice it—even as it dripped down his face, drenching him completely. He stared at the chiseled stones in the cemetery near Southington’s chapel. Only members of his family were buried there—many he never met personally. Pictures of them filled the great hall, but they were history to him, and he’d been able to distance himself from their stories. This, however, was far different.
His life would never be the same. The death of his father had marked an unchangeable truth. The duke now had control over Jonas’s life. His grandfather was a tyrant and had always attempted to browbeat his will into him. His father had been the one person he’d been able to count on. A buffer the duke couldn’t break through, and he’d tried often.
So, no, the cold didn’t matter because he was numb through and through. Rain? Paltry in comparison to what he had yet to face. The Duke of Southington, his grandfather, hadn’t started yet—mainly because he couldn’t. There were people around, and he dared not cause a scene. Once all the mourners departed, things would start to unravel ever further around him. Would his grandfather allow him to return to Eton? What about his mother? Would she have it in her to fight him? Somehow, he doubted everything and yet prayed for anything resembling his life before his father’s death.
“Lord Harrington,” a man said as he rested his hand on Jonas’s shoulder. How could he be the earl now? That was his father’s name, and he doubted he’d ever become accustomed to it. “It’s time to head back.”
He glanced up at the man as the rain continued to drip down his face. His hair was black, but had already started to turn to gray along the sides. Jonas barely knew him, but Lord Coventry had been a friend of his father’s. “I’m not ready,” he told him.
“George was a good man,” Lord Coventry said. “He loved you.”
“I know,” Jonas replied woodenly. He’d long ago stopped feeling and now went through the motions. What else could he do? Lord Coventry was correct—it was long past time to go, yet he couldn’t move. Once he left, it would all become too real for him. His grandfather would start barking orders, and he had years before he could be free of him. Three long years to be exact—once he turned eighteen he could seize control of his inheritance. As long as his grandfather didn’t find a way to break the will. “But that doesn’t change anything.”
“No,” Lord Coventry agreed. “He’s still gone, and nothing will ever bring him back.”
If Jonas were capable of crying, he’d have done so days ago. It was probably a good thing he hadn’t. Any sign of weakness would have set his grandfather off. He had to be brave, and somehow find the strength to move on sooner than he’d like. His father deserved to be mourned, but he’d understand why Jonas couldn’t openly do it. “I’m ready now.” Jonas didn’t look at Lord Coventry. He spun on his heels and began the long trek back to Southington Castle. He hated his grandfather’s home—it was as cold as he was. There wasn’t anything welcoming about it.
“Lord Harrington—”
“Don’t call me that,” Jonas interrupted. The sound of his father’s title shot pain through his already aching heart. He didn’t want to think or feel. Everything reminded him of his father and the loss that he couldn’t escape. The title… That was more than he could bear.
Lord Coventry cleared his throat. “It’s who you are now.”
“That may be.” Jonas swallowed hard. “But filling my father’s shoes is something I’m not yet prepared for. I can’t hear his title without thinking of him and what I’ve lost.”
“I understand,” Coventry said and sighed. “You’re too young to have lost your father already. If I had a son…” He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. You have a long road ahead of you, and there’s probably no one you feel you can trust. You might not know it yet, but you can trust me.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “What would you like me to call you?”
“Nothing,” Jonas said. “I doubt we will see each other again after today.”
The older man laughed.
It was a foreign sound, considering their surroundings. Sadness permeated everything around them, yet the earl had found something humorous. Coventry seemed like a likeable sort and in another time, Jonas may have liked him. Somehow, he doubted he’d find anything appealing or even joyous for a long time.
Coventry gestured toward the castle in the distance. “We shall see. Come, let’s get out of this rain.”
The earl followed behind Jonas as they entered the castle. He didn’t stay long after that. He’d spoken to the duke quietly before his departure, and the duke didn’t argue or order the earl around. That alone made Jonas wonder what they’d discussed.
“Now that everyone is gone we have some things to discuss, boy.” His grandfather stormed across the room and glared down at him. “Starting with your education… I was going to keep you here, but Coventry made a good point. You’ll need to make connections, and those are rooted in school. So, I’ll allow you to return to Eton—at least for the rest of this school year. We’ll revisit that idea before the next term.”
He owed the earl far more than he realized. Never had he truly believed his grandfather would allow him to return to school. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” his grandfather said gruffly. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to prepare you for the dukedom.”
He was barely an earl, and now he had to worry about grandfather’s title? Jonas wanted to curl up into a ball and sleep for days—no, weeks. That was the cowardly way though, and he refused to give in to it. “Where is Mother?”
