Hanging onto that thread of hope, she treated herself to a long shower. Afterwards, she took her time with her make-up, crafting a flawless “natural” look. With unpracticed hands, she somehow managed to harness her hair into a French braid. As she was twisting two wisps around her fingers to make them curl on her cheeks, a knock came at the door.
“Miss Cantrell?” Lady Isabella’s voice intoned, deflating any hopes that David had come to see her.
“Come in, my lady.” Leah glanced in the full-length mirror, smoothing her form-fitting skirt. “The door’s open.”
Isabella entered, wearing a long floral print gown, accessorized with fat, sparkling sapphires at her throat and ears--found, no doubt, among the treasures in the gate house. She smiled at Leah. “You look lovely, dear. I’m pleased to see you’re wearing black. Your dress will go splendidly with these.”
She held out a velvet box and opened the hinged lid. Inside was a dazzling matched set of diamond--yes, unquestionably diamond--earrings and necklace.
Leah couldn’t begin to estimate the combined carats set in the pieces, let alone their value. Just thinking about the prospect of wearing them, she held up a hand to her throat. “Oh, my lady, thank you so much, but I couldn’t possibly--”
“Of course you can, dear.” Isabella removed the necklace, placing the box on Leah’s dressing table. “Turn around, so I can put this on you.”
“Really, I . . .” She swallowed, actually afraid to wear the precious jewels. What if something happened to them?
On the other hand, she recognized a once-in-a-lifetime chance when she got one. Her gaze seemed caught on the twinkling gems. “Are you sure you don’t mind lending them to me?”
Isabella laughed. “Quite sure--not that I claim them for my own. Everything we found today belongs to David. Without him--and you, of course--Jonathan and I never would have located them. This is the least reward you deserve for your part in saving the estate. Now, turn around.”
Leah gave in, lifting her thick braid with trembling fingers.
Her ladyship strung the jewels around her neck, heavy and cool against her skin. Isabella clasped the back and reached for the earrings, handing them to Leah. “I’ll let you put these on yourself. You look beautiful, dear. I hope this makes up--partially, anyway--for my poor treatment of you. I’m sorry I distrusted you.”
Leah tore her gaze away from the multicolored sparks at her throat and smiled at her. “You had every reason not to trust me. I’m only glad the whole truth is out now.”
Isabella chuckled. “And I’m glad David’s been so busy cataloging and securing his finds that he didn’t have time to present you with these diamonds himself. If not, you might not have accepted my apology so quickly.”
“Of course I would have.” She looked away, eyeing the still-boxed earrings. “Is that what he told you--that he was too busy to see me?”
“Oh, no. He said nothing. I gathered as much myself. You know how men are. When they get involved with a task, they have no mind for anything else.” Gaze fixed on her, Isabella tilted her head to one side. “Don’t worry, dear. When he sees you in that little get-up, cataloging items will be the last thing on his mind.”
Leah tried to smile but felt her lips quiver. Her throat constricted and kept her from answering.
Isabella reached up and grazed her cheek with the back of her hand. “I nearly forgot how difficult being young is. Trust in my wise old opinion, dear. And don’t forget to put on those earrings. I’ll see you downstairs.”
Leah watched her leave, blinking to hold back tears. Her ladyship had a gentle side she would have liked to get to know. Maybe they would keep in touch. She hoped so.
She picked up the earrings and leaned toward the mirror, a little startled by the elegance of her own reflection. With fumbling fingers, she put on the diamond drops and stood back, taking a deep breath. She never would have imagined she could look so sophisticated.
The precious gems called for a more made-up face. She added a coat of mascara to her lashes and dabbed on a richer shade of lipstick. Pouting Cabernet-colored lips at her mirror image, she shook her head in wonder. “If this doesn’t give him second thoughts, nothing will.”
When she stepped into the hall, she could hear voices drifting up from the drawing room. Hesitating at the top of the stairs, she made out enough to tell that the rest of the party had already converged. She contorted her mouth into a stiff smile and sauntered down to the drawing room.
Her gaze flew straight to David, sinfully gorgeous in a black tux. He stood talking with her father and didn’t see her enter the room. Lady Isabella sat on a sofa with her brother, and Kevin slouched across from them, strategically positioned before a tray of hors d’oeuvres. He glanced her way and looked back down, showing more interest in the food. Apparently, her declaration in the driveway had ended his attempt to win her back. She’d be happy if she never had to speak to him again.
David looked over as she crossed the floor, his gaze barely sweeping down her body before he reined in his focus to her face. He bowed and came up with a smile that almost looked formal--not exactly the gaping awe she’d hoped to inspire.
“Whoa, aren’t you dressed to the nines!” Her father joined them and gave her bare back a slap. “Dave here’s been telling me about the hidden treasure you found. So, it turns out I was wrong about your blowing off your trip, wasn’t I? You’ve had a hell of an adventure, while Jeanine’s stuck trying to swallow snails and flag down snooty waiters.”
She tried to smile but had a feeling she’d only come up with a grimace.
“Dinner is served,” Mr. Warner announced from the doorway.
They all moved into the dining room, where her father made a fuss over the “pretty” table setting. She got seated next to David and tried not to stare at him. Each time she weakened and looked, he caught her in the act and gave her a rigid-looking smile. Where was the passion she’d seen in his eyes for those few short days they were together?
She didn’t have it in her to make much conversation. Her father and David dominated most of the talk throughout dinner, trading opinions about the future bed-and-breakfast and the car dealership Daddy managed. Lord Solebury and Lady Isabella added their viewpoints, but she and Kevin spoke only when someone questioned them. She supposed Kevin couldn’t be enjoying himself, but he made no effort to talk to her, so she didn’t give him much thought.
After dinner, they went back to the drawing room, where David again paired up with her father. Leah kept to herself, staring into a glass of wine. Her last night at Solebury House and David wasn’t paying her one iota of attention. She hadn’t yet told him she intended to leave the next day, but she doubted the information would make much difference. Still, she did want to take him aside and inform him in private, so she could see his reaction. Even if she ended up giving away how much she loved him and making a total fool of herself, she had to try to talk to him one last time.
She got up and walked across the room to where he and her father stood. At the first break in conversation, she asked, “David, can I speak to you in private for a minute?”
He raised his eyebrows and looked a question to her father.
Daddy shrugged. “Go ahead. Don’t mind me.”
“Let’s go out on the terrace,” Leah said before she lost her nerve.
David looked at her father again, then back to her. “I have one more matter I want to discuss with your father. I shall be with you in a moment.”
Her fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass. So much for her irresistible outfit, let alone the possibility of his having real feelings for her.
“Fine.” She took her drink and went out onto the terrace alone. If he didn’t follow, she knew she’d have to accept that she meant nothing to him.
The spring air chilled her exposed back and arms, but the heat of her anger kept her from shivering. A good five minutes passed, and David didn’t come. Her last hopes dwindled with the wine in her glass. W
hen she’d downed the remaining gulp, she glanced back into the drawing room.
Through the weathered French doors, she saw David and her father bent close together, engrossed in talking. Daddy made a motion with his head and the two of them walked out of the room, disappearing from her view.
Her jaw dropped. Well, there it was--the final insult! He’d forgotten her.
She turned and stared out into the rose garden, the heavy scent of the blooms teasing her nostrils. Damn, she would miss Solebury almost as much as she’d miss him.
Suddenly, she got an urge to see the spring one final time. She needed to say goodbye to the water sprites or whoever had engineered her adventure. True, they could have given her a better return for the gold coin she’d sacrificed to them--but all she had wished for was to know who’d originally owned the coin and if they got their wish. Now she knew David had thrown the coin into the pool in 1815 . . . and he had all he could possibly wish for.
She set down her glass and stepped into the garden. The chirping of crickets accompanied her on her walk, again reminding her what a wonderful place Solebury was. She had gained a belief in magic here . . . and a new respect for wish-making.
Next time she made one, she’d be sure to word it carefully.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“I have never known a woman quite like your daughter.” David took a deep breath and lifted a decanter of burgundy from the desk in Lord Solebury’s study. As he refilled Mr. Cantrell’s goblet, a droplet or two splashed onto the floor, but at least his grip appeared steady. He had never asked a man for his daughter’s hand--never imagined he would have occasion to do so. Now he wished he had a better idea of how one handled the trick.
He held out the goblet, hoping his companion didn’t notice the liquid’s quivering. “Beside Leah’s extraordinary beauty, she has an unmatched inner grace. She doesn’t prejudge others--and, above all, I admire her self-reliance.”
Leah’s father accepted the drink and looked down into his glass. “I have to admit she’s a lot more independent than I realized. I never thought she’d go through with this trip to Europe, let alone decide to stay in England by herself. For a girl who’s never really been out on her own, that took guts. Of course, I didn’t see it that way at first. She and Kevin only broke up a few weeks ago. I assumed she was on the rebound.”
David didn’t quite understand the term but forged on with his speech. “I know that you have favored Kevin over me--”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Without making visual contact, the man tossed back a gulp of wine. “I mean, I’ve always thought Kevin’s all right. He’s never really given me any reason not to. He works hard at the dealership--that sort of thing. But he’s not particularly a favorite of mine.”
The statement encouraged David. He had seen Mr. Cantrell’s annoyance with Kevin but hadn’t known quite how little leverage his rival had. Still, the question remained of how much headway he himself had made with Leah’s father. Could a single evening of conversation win him the kind of respect he required?
He sipped his drink to ease his dry mouth. “Indeed?”
“I only brought him along with me as sort of the lesser of two evils. I didn’t like the idea of some playboy taking advantage of Leah.” Mr. Cantrell looked up at him and grinned. “That’s how I pictured you, if you can imagine. Here, you turn out to be about the most serious, business-minded young fellow I’ve ever met--not exactly the playboy type.”
David allowed himself a cautious smile. The term “playboy” was unfamiliar, but he felt certain the word didn’t describe him.
Leah’s father stepped around the desk and seated himself in the chair behind it. “I apologize for making that kind of assumption. I’ll have to apologize to Leah, too. She told me she made the decision to stay here with a clear head, but I didn’t believe her until I got to know you and your family. I mean, I know there’s an attraction or whatever between you two, but not the kind of thing I was afraid of. You have a very nice family. No wonder Leah chose to stay here rather than travel on with Jeanine. Jeanine can be a little overbearing at times.”
David heard only half of his words, staring into his goblet. “You mentioned my being business-minded, sir. Do you believe the plans for the bed-and-breakfast are sound?”
His companion nodded. “I’m sure you’ll earn plenty enough to maintain this place, even as massive as it is. I still can’t get over the hidden treasure. It’s like something out of a movie. It must feel good to suddenly find yourself out of the hole, eh?”
“Inexpressibly so.” He cleared his throat. “You, uh, understand, then, that my financial situation has drastically changed from when we spoke this morning?”
“Well, of course. That goes without saying.” Mr. Cantrell lifted his glass but stopped before drinking, eyeing David sharply. “Wait a minute--you’re not about to start talking about your ‘good intentions’ again, are you?”
He couldn’t help but look away. “The marquess and I spent the entire afternoon cataloging assets and calculating what capital we shall need for mortgage payments and restoration. The results are quite clear. I can unquestionably provide for your daughter now. Lord Solebury will attest to it, and we’re prepared to show you figures, if you wish.”
Leah’s father rose again, rubbing his brow. “Let me make sure I understand this, though I still think I must have it wrong. You’re saying you want to marry my daughter?”
He nodded, wishing the man would end his mounting tension with a simple answer: Would he give his blessing or not?
“After such a short time?” His would-be father-in-law scratched the red fuzz on his head. “I mean, you’ve known each other what--four or five days?”
David’s stomach rolled, but he tried to smile. “However many days, each one has been extraordinary. Moreover, I shouldn’t want to give this Kevin fellow any further opportunity to court her. He has already had an advantage over me, sir--several years’ worth.”
Mr. Cantrell let out a short laugh. Shaking his head, he said quietly, “Wait till her mother hears this.”
David frowned. Perhaps Leah’s mother held Kevin in more esteem than her father did. “Do you believe your wife will have objections, sir?”
This time the man’s laugh rang out. “To Leah marrying a rich and handsome English lord? I don’t think so!”
So the mother would not prove an obstacle. He waited to receive permission to pay his addresses, but still Mr. Cantrell dallied over his wine, chuckling to himself. Finally, David cleared his throat again. “I . . . I should like to offer for your daughter tonight, sir.”
“You don’t say?” The smirk on the man’s face looked more like amusement than gladness. “Well, this is one for the books! Wait till I tell the guys at the dealership.”
At last, David could wait no longer. “Sir, please, do I or do I not have your permission to address her?”
“My permission?” The grin on his lips finally faded, replaced by a vague O shape. Silence seemed to hang endlessly between them, then he laughed again. “Hell, yeah.”
* * * *
Leah stared down into the arid hole where the spring had gushed. The mud at the bottom was now dried and cracked. Around the edges, moss had begun to brown and harden. She should have known the pool would be gone. The lost treasures had been returned to the Traymores. The need for magic had passed . . . for them, anyway. She could still use a miracle.
A breeze skimmed the nylon covering her legs, and she pulled her arms tightly around her torso. The night had become cold--though maybe it wasn’t the air, but the . . . finality. Like the spring, her hopes had dried, gone lifeless.
“I knew you’d be here,” a soft male voice said amidst the crickets’ chorus.
Though she hadn’t heard David come up behind her, somehow his presence didn’t startle her. He always seemed to show up when she went to the spring.
She turned around and immediately wished he hadn’t come. Shadows hid his features, but even his silhou
etted form sent a shot of longing through her. In this very spot, she’d felt his arms around her for the first time. She ached to feel that warmth again.
“I came to say good-bye,” she said, looking down at her feet. “I was too late. The spring’s dry.”
“Good-bye? To the spring? Then you presumed it would dry up--and yet you appear disappointed.” He stepped forward and lifted her chin so she had to look into his smile, a smile that showed he shared none of her grief. “Don’t tell me you will miss being thrust into unknown eras, nearly drowning in the process. I know I shan’t.”
She swallowed, split between wanting to break free of his torturous touch and wanting to savor every last trace of contact. “No, that’s not what I’ll miss . . .”
“You are thinking of Phoebe and my father?” His smile vanished, and his fingers slid from her face. He turned and stooped beside the spring hole, grazing the dried moss with the back of his hand. “I have regrets there, as well.”
She touched her chin, where she imagined she could still feel the pressure of his fingertips. In her preoccupation with losing him, she’d forgotten about his losses. How could she have thought he had everything, when the father he might have had--for the first time--was gone forever, dead almost two centuries. “I . . . I’m sorry. It’s a shame you and your father had to separate just when you’d really begun to value each other.”
“If only I had been a bit quicker to see . . .” He trailed off, staring into the night. “No, I couldn’t possibly have seen that wretched business in any other light. Even now I cannot forgive his spurning my mother. She accepted the choice he made, yet I cannot. Mama deserved better treatment.”
As You Wish Page 25
