by Meara Platt
FORTUNE’S
Dragon
by
MEARA PLATT
Copyright © 2019 Myra Platt
EPUB Edition
Cover Design by Jaycee DeLorenzo of Sweet ’N Spicy Designs
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Excerpt from A Wallflower’s Folly
Excerpt from Earl of Westcliff
Excerpt from A Match Made In Duty
Also by Meara Platt
About the Author
CHAPTER ONE
Scarborough, England
August, 1805
CALEB BRAYDEN WASN’T certain how he’d heard the little girl crying beside one of the brightly colored tents amid the din of music and the noisy crowd at the Scarborough Fair. The day was hot, the midday sun beating down on the open field that stretched east toward the sand beach and the North Sea. There was hardly a breeze off the sea so that many who attended the fair had fled the wilting heat for the shade of the larger tents where ale flowed freely and there was food aplenty.
The girl’s soft cries carried on the meager wind straight to him.
Was he the only one who could hear her?
He’d been walking from stall to stall with his older brother and cousins, but Marcus, James and Tynan were too busy gaining the notice of every girl at the fair to pay attention to a weeping child. “Caleb, keep up,” his brother said, noticing that he’d stopped.
He ignored Marcus, for there she was, a tawny-haired waif with enormous green eyes. She stood alone, her little body shaking.
“Where are you going?” his cousin James asked.
Marcus put a hand on his shoulder and frowned at him. “Stay with us, squid. Father will have my hide if I lose you.”
“I’ll meet you in the taproom tent in a few minutes. I won’t be long.” He waved them off when they hesitated to leave him behind. But he knew they wouldn’t protest, for several young ladies were eyeing them with smiles and promises of more, and neither Marcus, Tynan, nor James were about to ignore them.
A few of the women eyed him, but none of them bothered to approach. He was only fourteen years old and they weren’t going to waste their time on a boy they assumed had no coins. Marcus and his cousins were university boys and considered better prospects.
Now alone, Caleb inhaled the salty sea air and made his way toward the little girl. He was big even for his age, so he knelt beside her in the hope he wouldn’t scare her. “Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice purposely gentle as he handed her his handkerchief.
He noted the fine quality of her gown and its matching pelisse. The silk ribbon holding back her long hair confirmed she was no commoner. So where was her family? Or her governess? The girl appeared to be no more than eight years old, obviously scared and probably lost.
“I’m afraid of dragons.” She punctuated her words with little hitching breaths.
“That’s why you’re crying?” Well, that made no sense. “I’m not afraid of them. No dragon will harm you while you’re with me. What’s your name?”
“Lady Faith Boscombe.”
He stifled a grin. “I see. My lady, where is your family?”
“I live with my Uncle Winslow now, but he isn’t here. He doesn’t like noise or crowds. Miss Crandall brought me to the fair.”
“Where is she now? Do you know?” He brushed back a few tendrils of her hair that had stuck to her damp cheek. Miss Crandall was her governess, he surmised.
“No. I lost her.” Her tawny curls bobbed as she shook her head. “I ran away from the red tent.”
Caleb looked around and groaned. There were more than a dozen red tents set up at the fair, but it was a place to start. Faith’s frantic governess might be standing near one of them in the hope that Faith would find her way back.
“We’re going to find your Miss Crandall. What does she look like?”
“She has brown hair and she’s always frowning. Like this.” She pursed her lips and made a sour face that was so adorable and silly, Caleb laughed.
He was going to ask Faith if the woman was tall, but she was a little thing so everyone would appear to be a giant to her. She was also young, so he wasn’t certain she’d give him a helpful answer if he asked the woman’s age. “What were you doing before you lost her?”
She surprised him by taking his hand and resting it palm up in her own. Then she began to trace her finger across the lines of his palm. Her touch was so light, it tickled. But he dared not laugh again, for she appeared quite serious and he had no wish to insult or scare her. “This one is for long life,” she said, now concentrating on his hand. “That’s what the pretty lady said to me.”
“A fortune teller?” Caleb released his breath. Simple enough. How many could there be? No more than two or three, and perhaps no more than one in a red tent. “Ah, let’s try there first. I’m sure Miss Crandall will be waiting for you nearby.”
He took Faith’s hand in his and was about to rise when she stiffened and tried to draw it away. “My lady,” he said, keeping his voice gentle. “I won’t hurt you. You needn’t be afraid of me.”
“I’m afraid of her.”
“Who, the fortune teller? Or your governess?”
“The pretty lady. She said I would meet a dragon who will eat my heart.” She began to wail again. “I don’t want to be eaten!”
Bollocks.
Why would the woman say something to frighten Faith? It made no sense. She appeared to be a sweet girl. The hawkers and gypsies who worked these traveling fairs needed the good will of the local population and the well-heeled gentry or they’d never be permitted to remain on their lands. Why offend their children?
“No one’s going to eat you. Lady Faith, calm down. Your tears will only gain the dragon’s attention.”
Her eyes widened in terror and she seemed to stop breathing.
But his warning was effective and she stopped crying.
He hadn’t meant to be cruel. What else could he have said to stop her tears? “No dragon will ever come near you while I’m watching over you.” Caleb tried his best to dispel her fears. “Do you want to know why they’ll never harm you?”
She nodded.
“Because I’m a dragon slayer.”
Her eyes were still wide and taking all of him in. “Is that why you’re so big?”
Caleb grinned. All the Braydens were big, and even though he was only fourteen years old, he was already taller than most men. “Yes. And this is why dragons are afraid of me. They flap their wings and fly away whenever they see me. They’ll hide from you, too.”
“But I’m little.” She eyed him dubiously.
“But your heart is big and strong. At least, it will be when I give you a special amulet to keep those bad dragons away.”
“What’s that?” Her expression turned hopeful.
“An amulet? It’s a special necklace for you to wear.” Drat. Now he had to buy her a charm necklace. One in the shape of a dragon, if he could find it. If not, he’d make up a story about something else and convince her it was a magical talisman to ward o
ff dragons.
Lord, he’d be teased mercilessly by his brother and cousins if they ever found out what he’d gotten himself into.
He dried the last of her tears with his handkerchief and tucked it back in his pocket. “Ready, my lady?”
She cast him an unexpectedly sweet smile and nodded.
He led her to a blue and white striped tent that looked promising. The peddler had bangles and bracelets, rings and necklaces, and brooches of all sizes. Faith forgot her fears and studied the trinkets in wide-eyed fascination. She pointed to a charm in the shape of a fish. “Is that a dragon omelet?”
“Amulet?” He could have said yes and been done with it. However, he did not want her to feel duped or have her governess laugh at her when she showed the woman the necklace. “No.”
Then he saw just the thing, a beautifully worked dragon with a lapis lazuli eye. “This one.” It would cost him a pretty penny. But there was such relief in the little girl’s eyes that he could not disappoint her.
He purchased a chain for it so she would be able to wear it around her neck. “Stand still, my lady. Let me put it on you.”
The merchant grinned at him.
He shrugged and grinned back, for Faith had taken this little adventure quite seriously and held herself with regal poise. In truth, she resembled a tiny faerie queen adorned with royal jewels. He couldn’t resist purchasing a circlet of flowers as well that he set atop her tawny curls to create the effect of a crown. “There.”
“Thank you…” She pursed her lips upon realizing she didn’t know his name.
He knelt before her. “Caleb Dragonslayer at your service, Lady Faith.”
“Thank you, Sir Caleb. I shall never forget your kindness.”
His heart tugged. “Nor will I ever forget you.”
He rose and took her hand again as they strolled through the fair toward the fortune teller’s tent. They passed wandering minstrels, more gaily colored tents with flags that whipped and fluttered in the now gusting wind. There were merchants selling meat pies. He stopped and purchased one for himself and one for Faith.
She took two bites of her pie, which seemed to fill her up, and handed him the rest. He devoured it as he did his own since he was hungry. Her eyes widened, once again in fascination, as she watched him scarf down every last crumb. He stifled a laugh. “Dragon slayers have hearty appetites. We need to eat to keep up our fighting strength. Time to find your governess, my lady. The wind’s picking up and there’s moisture in the air. We’ll have rain this evening.”
And he had no intention of bringing her back to the inn where his family was staying. Look, Father. I’ve found this little stray. May we keep her?
No, that wouldn’t do at all.
She placed her hand in his and they marched toward the red tent with a small stand to the side of it that held crystal balls, decks of cards, and sachets of tea leaves beside it. “Madame Zeta,” he murmured, reading from the banner on the tent flap. “Is she the fortune teller?”
Before Faith could answer, a stern-looking woman of about forty years let out a cry and suddenly ran toward them, pushing aside a few people who were in her way. “There you are, you wicked girl!”
Caleb wrapped his arm protectively around Faith’s shoulders. “Are you her governess? If you dare lay a hand on the girl, I shall report your neglect to her uncle.”
“Insolent boy! What right have you to speak to me this way? I’ll summon the authorities.” She attempted to take Faith’s hand, but Caleb stopped her. She frowned at him and then at Faith. “Did he harm you? Did he attempt to abduct you?”
“Summon the authorities, why don’t you?” If she thought to intimidate him, she’d soon learn her mistake. “Then you can explain how you lost Lady Faith. There’s lilac water on your breath. Do you think they’ll believe you when you claim to have been diligently watching her?”
He saw the flicker of fear in her eyes. Faith must have noticed it as well. “I’m sorry, Miss Crandall. I won’t run away again.”
Caleb’s gaze remained on the governess. “You are the one who ought to apologize to Faith and beg her forgiveness.”
To his surprise, the woman’s eyes began to tear. “Yes. Yes, I shall.”
To his relief, she did so.
The woman’s demeanor softened when she turned back to him and spoke. “My apologies, my lord. She ran out of Madame Zeta’s tent so fast, I couldn’t keep up with her. Please believe I always have Lady Faith’s care at heart. Perhaps it was not a good idea to have her fortune told. It seemed harmless entertainment.”
He wasn’t a lord, but did not bother to correct her. His cousin James was Earl of Exmoor and his cousin Tynan was a viscount and would become Earl of Westcliff. While he and his older brother Marcus held no exalted titles, they’d gone to the best schools and been raised in privilege.
Faith nodded. “I don’t ever want to go back in there again.”
She took Miss Crandall’s hand quite readily this time, showing no fear of her governess. Caleb was relieved. The woman might be strict and surly, but it was obvious she did not exact physical punishment on the girl. That eased Caleb’s mind.
He shook his head and silently chided himself for caring about this little sprite with big green eyes he’d known for less than an hour. “Farewell, Lady Faith. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you, Sir Caleb.” Her gaze remained fixed on him as her governess led her away, those striking eyes of hers so bright and her smile so expressive. He knew what she was silently saying to him. Thank you, dragon slayer. Thank you for my omelet.
Once Faith and her governess disappeared from view, Caleb strode into the red tent to confront Madame Zeta. She was alone, although he would not have cared had she been in the middle of a reading. “Why did you scare the little girl?”
He was taken aback by the beauty of the young woman who stared back at him. She had a lovely, exotic face. Her skin was the rich, dark color of honey and her eyes were a silvery blue. She appeared confused. “You found her? Oh, thank goodness. Her governess was so worried.”
Faith had referred to her as the pretty lady. Caleb now understood why. Madame Zeta was younger and much better looking than he had expected. There was also kindness in her eyes, but he had to be mistaken. “Why did you scare her?” he repeated.
“I?” The woman appeared even more confused. “What did she think I said to her?”
Her accent was cultured British, but she appeared foreign. Was it possible Faith had misunderstood her words? Still, he eyed her warily. “You told her that she would meet a dragon who will eat her heart.”
Her eyes widened and she emitted a groaning laugh. “Oh, dear. Is this why she ran out of my tent?” But her laughter quickly faded and her manner turned quite serious. “I would never intentionally frighten a child. Never. I would sooner cut out my own heart.”
Caleb believed her. He didn’t know why, for this woman was likely an accomplished liar and possibly a cutpurse. One would have to acquire such talents to be successful in this line of work.
She motioned for him to sit down and then took a seat across the table from him. His chair was a simple one of sturdy wood. Hers was cushioned and covered in a dark velvet fabric. It resembled a small throne. He supposed it was all part of the game. The billowing folds of the red tent, the lace tablecloth, the exotic lamp, the carpet of oriental design, her big chair, all meant to create an aura of mystery. How else was she to convince her patrons of her ability to reach into the world beyond? “Give me your hand, Caleb.”
He arched an eyebrow. “How do you know my name?” He hadn’t mentioned it. Perhaps she’d overheard Faith calling him Sir Caleb. He shrugged and held out his hand.
She took it in hers and studied it a long moment before fixing her gaze on him again. “I told her that she would meet a dragoon who will devour her heart.”
“A dragoon? Not a dragon?”
Madame Zeta smiled.
“A dragoon who will devour her hear
t,” Caleb repeated, not certain he understood the prediction either.
“I was speaking of love,” Madame Zeta explained. “She misunderstood. The little girl will find a great love. One that is to be treasured.”
“Nothing to do with dragons eating her heart?”
“No.”
“All this fuss because you told her she’s going to fall in love with a soldier?” Caleb ran a hand through his hair in consternation. “That’s rich. I bought her a dragon charm to protect her.” He gave a chuckling groan. “I spent all of my allowance on the damn trinket. She thinks I am her dragon slayer.”
“She won’t remember you.” Her expression turned tender and her eyes began to fill with tears. “But you will always remember her. You are a good man, Caleb. She is fortunate to have found you.”
“Are you all right?” Why are all these women bursting into tears around me?
She shook her head but quickly turned away. “Yes, I’m fine. True love is a rare and precious thing. It is as beautiful as a rainbow and just as elusive to hold. You must excuse me.” She hurried out of the tent and ran to the gypsy wagon that stood behind it.
Caleb considered following after her, but decided against it. He didn’t know what she was talking about. True love and rainbows? What the hell? He’d learned what he needed to know. Little Faith had misunderstood her fortune, which was nonsense and make believe anyway. He and his family were planning to leave Scarborough tomorrow morning. He would never see Faith again. She’d soon forget him and the fortune that had frightened her.
How long before she lost the necklace he’d bought her?
He walked to the large tent where his brother and cousins had gone to cool off with pints of ale. They were easy to spot amid the crowd, for they towered over the other men and had a swarm of barmaids fussing around them.
Marcus waved him over. “I was about to go in search of you. What happened to you, squid? Where did you go?”
He shrugged and settled on the bench beside him. “Saving a lady from a dragon.”
“What?” Marcus shook his head. “Have you been drinking?”
