Delaney overlooked the incident, choosing to answer instead. “I have some unfinished business with her.”
“Do tell.” He presented her with a plate of quiche and bacon, then scooped Captain up and sat with him on his lap at the table.
“Actually, why don’t you go with me? It might be good to have a witness on my side.”
Stanhill’s eyes widened. “Is that so? What on earth are you planning?”
“You’ll see.” She took a bite of the quiche. It was custardy and delicious with the flakiest pastry she’d ever tasted. And she knew about pastry. “And when we get home, you’re going to show me exactly how you made this crust.”
Hugh walked into Illusions and realized he should have called ahead. The crowds brought in by the parade were still in town and, apparently, shopping. He caught Willa’s attention as soon as she was free. He’d seen her at some of his grandmother’s fundraisers, but hadn’t had any real conversations with her since he and his brothers had convinced her to stay in Nocturne Falls. Hard to believe someone so young was already a master of their craft. “Miss Iscove?”
She smiled, and her startling aqua eyes sparked with interest. If her eyes weren’t enough to announce she was fae, her pointed ears were. Hugh wondered what was more of a customer draw, the beautiful jewelry creations in the shop or the shop’s owner. “Mr. Ellingham.” She stuck out her hand. “How are you?”
“I’m well enough.”
“What brings you by?”
“I have a situation I’m hoping you can help me with.”
Willa tucked a strand of honey-blond hair behind one ear as she nodded. “Be happy to. Let’s go in my office and talk. Come around the far end of the counter and follow me back.” She waved at the woman working behind the other side of the counter. “Ramona, watch the floor, please.”
He did as she asked. She waited at the office door for him to go in, then shut it behind her. “Please have a seat.”
He took the one chair available, leaving the desk chair for her. She settled into it. “What can I do for you?”
“I know it’s been a while since we’ve spoken. I hope everything is going well?”
“It is. I think the last time we talked was at the Black and Orange Ball.”
He smiled politely. “I’m sad to say I don’t remember that conversation.”
She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. It was thirty seconds of small talk. One conversation out of probably a hundred you had that night. Your brother, on the other hand, he had better remember talking to me.”
Please let her not have slept with Julian and want to hold that against him. He asked hopefully, “You mean Sebastian?”
“No, Julian.”
Damn it. “I’m sorry if he offended you in any way. I can assure you, my brother and I are two very different people.”
She gave him a strange look. “He didn’t offend me.” Her face suddenly brightened. “Oh, you think he and I slept together and then he never called, huh?” She laughed. “Nothing like that. I made him a charm.”
Relief made Hugh chatty. “Really? What was it?”
She squinted for a second. “He never asked me to keep it secret, so I guess I can tell you. You are family after all. I made him a charm that makes him extra charming. His apologies included.”
Hugh laughed. “I’ve always wondered how he gets away with his womanizing.”
“With help, that’s how.” She shook her head, smiling. “I assume you’re here for a charm too?”
“Yes, but it’s not for me.”
She pursed her lips. “I won’t do work that harms anyone else, so this can only be for good.”
“It is, I swear.”
“All right then. As you know, my gifts lie in metal and stone work. Using one or both of those talents, I can create a piece of jewelry for you that will aid in accomplishing a specific goal. What did you have in mind?”
Everything about Willa seemed genuine. Not that he’d doubted her, but this was Delaney’s life in the balance. It didn’t hurt that the charm Willa had made for Julian was working, well, like a charm. Hugh relaxed a little. “I need an engagement ring that will keep the wearer safe from harm.”
Willa made an understanding sound. “I see. What sort of harm are we talking? General protection? That’s a pretty easy construct.”
“More than that. Life or death.”
Willa’s lips parted in a soft breath. “Oh. That’s something else entirely.” She pulled out a notebook, flipped it open and grabbed a pen. “I’m going to need specifics. This is much more serious than what I usually do.”
“How specific?”
“The more details you give me, the more complex and specific I can weave the magic that goes into the piece. You want this ring to be as successful as it can be, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Then tell me everything.”
He hesitated, trying to think of where to start and what details would be important.
Willa tipped her head. “I promise everything you tell me will be confidential. And I’ve made many pieces for delicate situations. There’s very little I haven’t heard.”
Her assurances were nice, but he’d already been prepared to tell her whatever was necessary. “My first wife did not survive the process of being turned.”
“Into a vampire?”
He nodded.
Willa scribbled something in her notebook. “Go on.”
“There is another woman—”
Willa grinned, her eyes on her notebook. “There always is.”
Hugh ignored the comment. “I want to marry her, and she wants to be turned, but…” He shook his head. “I fear history will repeat itself.”
“So you want the ring to do more than protect her. You want the ring to ensure this turning goes smoothly.” She jotted a few more things in her notebook. “That’s good. That gives me something to work with.”
“Can you do it then?”
“I’ll tell you what I tell all my custom clients. My end will be a hundred percent.”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
“That means there are always factors I can’t control.” She gave him an apologetic shrug. “Fae magic is born of the earth, and the truth is, if you were human and asking me for a fertility bracelet or a pendant to bring you love, I could guarantee it. But when it comes to other supernaturals, fae magic can’t always control the situation. I can guide what happens. Beyond that, there are no certainties. It’s part of the reason I was never able to create anything that would allow your kind to walk in the sun. Whatever gift your family has that allows that is beyond me.”
Frustration tightened his jaw. “How is that any different than how the situation would turn out without your magic?”
“She’s human, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then it ups your odds greatly. If that isn’t enough, then maybe there’s no point in continuing this conversation.”
“No. I’m sorry.” He combed his fingers through his hair. “I want your help. Any additional protection is welcome.”
She reached across the space between them and put her hand on his arm. The reassuring gesture gave him hope. “I understand how frightening a situation this must be for you. I promise you I will give this ring my full focus.”
“Thank you.” And now on to the rest of it. “Not to be crass, but I know you’re not doing this for free, nor would I expect you to. What is this going to cost?”
“There will be the cost of the materials, the diamond—assuming you want a diamond?”
He nodded. “Something large but not ostentatious. As perfect a stone as you can find.”
“Two carats?”
“Three.” He wanted Delaney to know he meant business. This was forever.
Her pen rolled across the page as she made a note. “Hmm. I have an idea. Give me a sec.”
She opened her laptop, angling it so he could see the screen but she could reach the keyb
oard. With a few key strokes, she called up a program and started designing a ring right in front of him. “I’m thinking cushion cut. I have a great supplier who will overnight me anything I want and he’s got beautiful goods.”
“Excellent.”
She tapped away. “I’ll set it with a halo of smaller diamonds, round brilliants, then do a split shank paved with round sapphires.” She looked at him. “Great stone for protection and strength.”
“Perfect.” He studied the design she’d produced. “It’s beautiful. Classic but different.”
“I’m going to set a few stones on the inside of the band. Moonstones, peridot, a little turquoise, maybe. They won’t be felt when the ring is on, but for our purposes, they’ll add another layer of protection.”
“Absolutely. Whatever you think it’ll take.”
“All right then.” She pulled out a calculator and did a few sums that resulted in her making a little noise in her throat. “It’s going to be a very nice ring.”
“I understand. How much does very nice cost?”
“Based on the quality of the stones and the amount I’ll need…about fifty to sixty thousand.”
“That’s fine.” He would have paid twice that. Triple, even. “And that’s all you need from me?”
She put the calculator down. “No. In order for me to charge the magic and make it directly relatable to you, I need something very dear to you.”
“Which is?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. That’s up to you. It doesn’t need to have actual value, but it must be valuable to you. Giving it to me should feel like a sacrifice.”
“Will I get this thing back?”
“No, I’m sorry. The creation of the magic will use it up. Whatever you give me will be gone for good.”
An odd sensation trickled through him. A sense of inevitability. Stanhill had said there would be a cost beyond dollars, but it wasn’t just that. It was as if Hugh had lived his whole life knowing a moment like this would come one day.
“I understand.” Without hesitation, he knew what he would give her. “I’ll have a package delivered to you this afternoon. How long after you get that can you have the ring ready?”
“Two weeks, maybe three.”
“No. Too long. You said you could have the stones overnight.”
“I can, but I have other projects sitting on my bench—”
“I’ll pay you an extra ten thousand to ignore them. How long then?”
She thought for a moment. “If I put all my other projects aside, a week.”
“Still too long.”
She made a face. “I can work while I’m here, but I still have to wait on customers and run the shop. I only have two other employees besides myself.”
“I’ll find you a third. I’ll even pay their wages if that’s what it takes.”
She stared at him hard. “You’re desperate to turn her, huh?”
“Not at all.” He’d rather ignore that part altogether. “What I am desperate for is to give her that ring. To make this engagement official. To show her how serious I am.”
Willa smiled. “For love, I can have the ring in three, maybe four days.”
He nodded. “Done. I assume you accept cash?”
“I do. Prefer it, actually.”
“Then I’ll send the money along with the item you requested.”
“Half is fine upfront.”
“I’ll send it all. I don’t want that to be an issue.”
“All righty then.” She grinned as she stood. “My very next task will be ordering the stones.”
“Call if you have any issues. I’ll arrange for the temporary help to start tomorrow then.”
She held out her hand. “Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Ellingham.”
“Call me Hugh, please.” He shook her hand.
“I’ll be in touch, Hugh.”
“Very good.” He left the shop and walked back to where he’d parked. He tipped his face into the sun, enjoying the warmth one last time. Stanhill had been right about the cost, but an eternity with Delaney was priceless.
His fingers went to the amulet around his neck.
She was all the sun he needed.
Delaney had to knock only once before Alice Bishop came to answer the door.
The woman shifted her gaze from Delaney to Stanhill. “I’m sorry, Elenora didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“That’s because it’s a surprise visit,” Delaney answered.
“Is everything all right?”
“No. That’s why I need to talk to her. Can you let us in please?”
“Yes, of course.” Alice moved out of the way. “She’s in the drawing room. I’ll just go get her and—”
Delaney looked at Stanhill. “Do you know where that is?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Lead the way.”
Alice sputtered. “You can’t just barge in—”
But Stanhill was already moving, his eyes sparkling with mischievous joy. Delaney followed, leaving Alice to scamper after them.
The witch wasn’t up on her cardio, judging by the panting. “You…can’t…”
“Already there, Alice.” Stanhill turned a corner, yanked a set of double doors open and bowed to Delaney. “After you, miss.”
A small wave of self-doubt struck Delaney as she walked into the gorgeous room. She shoved it away. This wasn’t about her, it was about Hugh. About their life together.
Elenora sat near a window, reading. She put her book down and peered at Delaney. “Good afternoon.”
“Hi. Sorry about the short notice, but I saw an opportunity and took it.”
Alice charged in after Delaney. “They got away from me.” She shot Delaney a glare. “Very impolite.”
Elenora waved a hand at Alice. “It’s all right.” Her attention shifted to Delaney, and for a moment, the same luminescence Delaney often glimpsed in Hugh’s eyes shone in his grandmother’s. “I imagine you must have something very important to discuss with me to arrive unannounced.”
“I do.”
“Thank you, Alice. That will be all.” Elenora tapered her gaze at Stanhill. “You may leave us also.”
“He stays.” Delaney lifted her chin a little, finding courage in her love for Hugh. “Alice can stay too. She should, actually, since this concerns her in a roundabout way.”
Elenora frowned. “Whatever are you talking about?”
“It’s about the deal you offered me if I got Hugh to ask me to marry him. He asked. I said yes.”
Elenora’s mouth came open in a very unbecoming gape. She closed it and smiled. “Nicely done. But our deal was for him to ask and for a date to be set.”
“Here’s the thing, that deal is off the table. There’s a new deal in play.”
Elenora’s brows rose stiffly. “And that is?”
Delaney could see Stanhill’s surprised look out of the corner of her eye. No doubt this was news to him, and probably not the kind that made him happy, but he’d understand things soon enough. “You will never again threaten to take away Hugh’s amulet. Ever. Not in the next five hundred years. Not in the next thousand years. Never. You’re not to even speak the word amulet to him. And Alice will not remove or destroy the magic that keeps it working. It is his, free and clear. No strings attached. Not even a thread. Are we clear?”
The woman snorted softly. “You’re giving up the candy shop in exchange for…” She shrugged.
“In exchange for you lifting your thumb off his neck.”
“That’s a rather crude way of putting it, don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t. You used that amulet to force him into entertaining a strange woman in his home all so you could end up with grandbabies to play with. I’d say that was pretty crude, wouldn’t you?”
She laughed, a cultured, deliberate sound. “You are a sweet child. And your love for Hugh is admirable.” She stood and walked over to stand in front of Delaney, making no effort to hide her fangs or fl
ashing eyes. Probably an attempt at intimidation, but Delaney had just been kidnapped by mobsters. A little vampire plumage wasn’t about to scare her off.
Elenora leaned in. “There’s just one thing you have overlooked.”
“What’s that?”
“Leverage. You have none. Which means I will continue to do what I think is best for my grandson. Are we clear?”
Delaney laughed. “I may not have leverage now, but I will.” She grinned at the woman. “See, Hugh and I are going to get married, and he’s going to turn me into a vampire, and then someday, we’re going to have babies. Lots of babies.”
Delaney canted toward Elenora, leaving very little space between them. “Babies you’re going to want to see and spend time with and spoil. But if you defy my wishes on the amulet, I will do everything in my power to keep those children from you. Is that enough leverage for you?”
Elenora’s victorious expression faded. “You wouldn’t dare keep those grandbabies from me.”
Delaney smiled, but was careful not to overdo it. She didn’t want to make an enemy of the woman, just put her firmly in check. “I certainly wouldn’t want to, but for their protection and the happiness of their father, I will do whatever necessary. And if you think I wouldn’t, that’s only because you don’t know me well enough yet.”
Several long seconds passed. Elenora swallowed but said nothing. Emotions clouded her eyes. Delaney felt a little guilt seeing Hugh’s grandmother coming to grips with this harsh new reality, but this was about protecting Hugh. Just like he’d protected her.
Finally, Elenora composed herself and spoke. “I had no idea you were so ruthless. Our original deal is done. There will be no financing for the candy shop. No backing from me whatsoever. But I will abide by your wishes. You can tell Hugh I will never again bring up the amulet. Alice won’t do anything to void it, either.”
“But I will expect to be an active part of those grandbabies’ lives.” She sniffed. “When they arrive.” She fussed at her blouse, smoothing the silk that was already perfectly smooth. “Which I hope is not too long from now.”
Delaney smiled. “I would much rather we be friends than enemies, Mrs. Ellingham. Especially since we’re going to be family for a long, long time.”
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride Page 20
