by Dawn Brower
“It is a bonny day isn’t it?” A woman’s voice infused with an Irish lilt filled her ears.
Regina’s eyes fluttered open and she turned toward the woman. She had fiery red hair streaked with gold. It fell over her shoulders in waves hitting the middle of her back. Her ice blue eyes were a little disconcerting. The blue irises were incredibly light and dotted with white flecks. She’d never seen eyes quite like hers, and she didn’t know what to make of them. “Undeniably,” she agreed.
The woman took the seat next to her. Regina had begun to think she’d not have to deal with anyone on the flight. The first class passengers boarded first, and when no one sat next to her she’d been happy to have the extra space. She should have known she wouldn’t be that lucky. Apparently her seatmate had been running late, as everyone else had already boarded.
“I’m Eve,” She held out her hand introducing herself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She didn’t realize they were already the name exchanging phase of their time together. If she had her way they’d ignore each other the entire flight. Regina had no desire for idle chit-chat. She took a deep breath and reminded herself she was supposed to be working on becoming a better person. “Regina,” she replied.
She put her seat belt around her waist and leaned back. “I’ve been meaning to get back to England for some time. It’s been a struggle to find my way home.”
Regina frowned. What did that mean? She nodded at the woman not knowing how to respond to her statement. “Um, okay,” she mumbled. What did she expect in response? Regina wasn’t keen on small talk.
Eve ran her fingers though her curls and sighed. “I don’t suppose you would understand. Not having been lost yourself.” She tilted her head and studied Regina, appearing to take her measure. After a moment she said, “You have lost someone though, haven’t you, lass?”
She scrunched her eyebrows up and narrowed her eyes at the other woman. What did she know about her loss? Did she recognize Regina from the New York society pages and latch onto the opportunity to grill her? She’d had several reporters try to interview her about Alys. She wasn’t going to be sucked into answering a shady journalist’s questions. She was smart enough to refrain from answering them this long, and wasn’t going to crumble at this late juncture.
“Who are you really?” Regina asked. “What game are you playing?”
Her laugh had a musical quality to it. Almost mesmerizing in its beauty, much like her voice. It was exquisite and lyrical to listen to. “This is no game. I promise you that.”
Yeah right, as if Regina was going to buy that one. She wasn’t the sucker Eve thought she was. She learned early on not to trust strangers. Her family was too high profile to open up to anyone.
“If you are not trying to get information from me, then what are you doing?” She glared at Eve. “How do you know about my losses?”
The other woman studied her in silence. She didn’t say anything for several minutes. It was disturbing to be scrutinized by her. The eeriness of her eyes alone made her uncomfortable. Regina squirmed under the pressure of Eve’s innate stillness.
“I apologize for alarming you. That was never my intention,” she finally replied. “I have a gift.” She waved her hand dismissively. “More a burden than anything most of the time. I see things others don’t.”
Regina wanted to snort at the absurdity of her statement. Gift, her ass. She was certain now the woman was on a fishing expedition for more information.
“A gift?” She raised an eyebrow. “Would it include the skills to do proper research about an individual or subject?”
“Tell me something,” Eve said, ignoring the sarcasm latent in Regina’s voice. “Have you ever desperately needed someone’s help and it was near impossible to obtain it?”
What angle was she going with now? “No.” The simplest answer was the best when dealing with sharks. They would bleed you out if you gave them too much. No doubt this was another way to find out what happened to Alys. What every reporter didn’t know was she couldn’t give them the information they sought. No one, not her parents, not her, and certainly not the authorities around Weston Manor knew what happened to Alys. It was a mystery without a solution. She would love to find her sister. Any news would be good. Her family was frantic for answers. Not desperate enough to feed information to an investigative journalist—yet. There might come a time she would willingly submit to an interview. They hadn’t reached that pinnacle point of no return.
“In that I envy you.” Sadness filled Eve’s unnatural blue eyes. She jerked her head to the side and stared across the aisle. She shuddered as if wracked with pain. “I don’t have a lot of time. My strength is waning.”
What was she talking about now? The woman was so confusing. Could she be any more cryptic? “Sure.” She shrugged and tried to rein in her urge to spout sarcasm, and failed. “I can see how weak you are.”
Eve shook her head frantically. “I’m not long for this world. If I don’t get home soon I won’t survive. I need your help.” Her eyes were wild as she pleaded with Regina. “Save me.”
Oh, holy hell, the woman was a lunatic. It was clear as day now. Maybe that was why she found her so damned unsettling. Save her? From what? Her seat belt? “I don’t know what I could possibly do for you.”
Eve’s head jerked backward against her seat. She clawed her fingers into the armrest. Her breathing became ragged as she fought for breath. Shit. She really did need help. Regina had brushed it off, and now she felt like the biggest jerk alive. Was Eve having some kind of seizure?
“Hold on, I’ll get someone to help you.”
“No time,” she wheezed out. “Must tell you what I came here for.”
“Sure, um ... yes. That is... I’m listening.” Was the woman dying in front of her? There might be time to help her. The plane still hadn’t left the tarmac. “Hold on. Don’t let go yet. We can help you.”
“I certainly hope so. My life depends on you.” Her lilting voice was barely above a whisper. The red-haired woman appeared to be fading. “Tell him he’s close. He can find me.”
“Who?” Regina asked. “Who can find you?”
Her lips tilted into a soft smile. “I see why he liked you.”
Sadness permeated off her in waves and crashed over Regina. She could feel Eve’s emotions as clear as if they were her own. It scared her a little bit.
“And that is?” She raised an eyebrow questionably. “I can’t very well deliver a message to someone if I don’t know who they are.”
“I’m out of time—Remember.”
Her voice faded out of existence before she did. In front of Regina’s eyes, Eve disappeared. What the hell had happened?
“Pardon me, miss.” A receptionist tapped Regina’s shoulder. “Would you like a beverage.”
Regina shook her head and rubbed her eyes trying to focus them. The seat next to her remained empty. Her hands shook with the surge of emotion that flooded her. A bead of sweat settled on her upper lip. She lifted her hand and wiped it away. It was a dream. Nothing more. Eve didn’t exist. Was she losing her mind?
Regina shook it all from her thoughts. Whatever message her subconscious was trying to send her... Regina didn’t want to think about it—she could figure it all out later. She had a long flight ahead of her, so when she arrived in England she’d examine it more. Exhaustion had set in and she found herself too tired to think. Her little mindfuck had drained her of all energy.
“Do you want anything to drink?” the flight attendant repeated.
Regina glanced at her and shook her head. “A pillow would be nice.”
The woman nodded, brought her a little pillow, and then left her alone. She vaguely heard them talking about safety for the flight before she drifted off. Maybe this time she wouldn’t dream of a strange woman with equally peculiar eyes...
CHAPTER TWO
Bradford Kendall, ninth Duke of Weston paced his study. He stopped by a nearby window and stared
across the landscape, and his gaze landed on the cliffs in the distance. A year ago his step-brother Trenton Quinn married Regina Dewitt on his estate. Regina’s sister, Alys, had disappeared the same day somewhere along the cliffs. She’d been last seen heading toward their steep edges. No one knew what happened to her. Her family had been devastated, and it had ended the festivities rather abruptly.
He’d been grateful. It pained him to admit it, but Alys’s disappearance had ended the farce of a wedding. It was too bad she hadn’t had the grace to disappear before Regina and Trenton said their vows. Was it too much to ask for that particular wedding to never have happened?
I was an ass. Bradford couldn’t make himself care overly much. Alys seemed like a nice enough woman. She even resembled one of his ancestors... Weddings though, he shuddered, were an abomination. They were useless and ended in divorce more often than not. He should know. His mother had been married so many times he’d lost count. Catherine Quinn flitted from man to man like a butterfly seeking a variety of sweet nectar. Her current husband of the past decade, Marshall Quinn, was happy to let her do it without demanding a divorce. It was enough to leave a sour taste in his mouth.
He wished Trenton all the happiness in the world. Sadly, he didn’t believe Regina was going to give him any. No, that woman would end up shredding him to pieces. She was nothing like Trenton’s first love. His wife was a socialite of the first order. It was too bad she was also, by far, one of the most beautiful women he’d ever laid eyes on. He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath as her image floated through his mind. Yes, Regina Dewitt-Quinn was exquisite in every way, and Bradford lusted after her as he’d never had any other woman in his life.
His brother’s wife. He was going to hell.
“Fuck,” Bradford swore and crossed the room to the bar near his desk. The nearby brandy decanter glistened with amber liquid. He poured two fingers in a glass and downed it in one swallow. It burned as it traveled down his throat. He set the glass down with a thud and reminded himself he couldn’t have her. She wasn’t his, and he would never hurt Trenton by trying to take her away from him. The duke didn’t want her enough to keep her.
Why couldn’t he have found her first? Then he could have erased his infernal craving for her. One night. That was all he’d wanted. Then he could forget about her and move on. Maybe once his step-brother’s marriage inevitably ended in divorce he could have it. Regina was attracted to him. Her eyes had lit up when she’d seen him for the first time. He recognized lust in a woman’s gaze when he saw it. It wouldn’t take much to tumble her into bed and have his wicked way with her.
Yup. He was definitely heading to the fiery pits below.
“Pardon the interruption, Your Grace, but you have a visitor.”
Bradford turned toward his butler and asked, “Is it the courier with the documents I’ve been waiting for?”
“I’m afraid not.” His butler remained stiff inside the door frame. “The courier has yet to arrive.”
Brad frowned. Who the hell had dropped by? The estate wasn’t exactly on the way to anywhere. He had no desire for company. What he needed was those damn contracts he was waiting on. They were important for expanding the software division of his company. The one good thing that had come out of Regina and Trenton’s wedding was meeting Paul Dewitt. He was a genius in the business world, and Bradford wasn’t about to let an opportunity slip by. They were working on a special project that would benefit both their companies. Dewitt Enterprises was a world leader in technology, and Bradford wanted a piece of it.
“Call the courier service and figure out what the holdup is. I need those contracts,” Bradford ordered the butler. “I can’t wait all day for them to arrive.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The butler nodded. “What shall I do with your guest?”
Bloody hell. He’d already forgotten about the visitor. He had other priorities, and his impromptu guest wasn’t at the top of his list. “Get rid of them. I’m not in the mood for company.”
“But,” the butler sputtered and walked into the room. He stopped in front of Bradford and said, “I implore you to reconsider.”
When had his butler become so cheeky and questioned his requests? Bradford glared down at him and said with an edge of steel skimming his voice, “Do as I asked, Ashton. I am not in the mood to make small talk with anyone.”
“Your Grace...” he started again.
“Damn it. Don’t even attempt to argue with me.” He threw his hand up in the air. Heat filled his face. He pursed his lips in displeasure and clenched his fists at his side. It took every bit of his control to rein in his temper. “Inform them I’m not at home to callers.”
A soft laugh filled the room. Bradford spun around and met the gaze of the woman who’d been haunting his dreams for over a year. Platinum blonde hair fell down her shoulder in soft waves, and her dark blue eyes were filled with amusement. Her lips tilted into a sultry smile. Hell. He should have known it was her that was disturbing him. She’d been doing it rather well for months.
“I think he was trying to tell you who was here.” Regina waltzed into the room. “You shouldn’t be so rude to your staff.”
Bradford closed his eyes and counted to ten. He was on edge and about to explode. It wouldn’t help his cause to lose it now. Regina had to go. Her very presence shattered his control. He might very well do something they would both regret later. He’d been good and kept his hands to himself this long. Betrayal wasn’t something he did. He’d not give in to his urges to pull his brother’s wife into his arms and ravage her. No matter how beautiful or enticing she was to him.
He opened his eyes and glared at Regina. “What are you doing here?” And where the hell was Trenton?
The butler nodded toward Bradford and quietly exited the room.
“Is that anyway to greet a guest?” She pouted. “I don’t know why I’m surprised considering how brutish you are with your servants.” She shook her head and frowned. “Why they remain loyal to such a beast of a man is a mystery.”
Bradford scrunched his eyebrows together and continued to glare at her. He was not falling into her trap. “I don’t have time for your histrionics. Do us both a favor and go back where you came from.”
Regina smiled and it lit her whole face up. She was rather perverse that way. He insulted her and pushed her away and she found it amusing. If Bradford were being honest with himself, and he hated when he was forced to—he rather liked that side of her. Perhaps he was a little perverse himself.
“Trust me. I’m as far from hysterical as any woman can be.” She kept walking toward him. He took a step back. Her laugher echoed through the room. “Are you afraid of me?”
Why the bloody hell did she have to be so gorgeous? Even in jeans and a simple white shirt. He wanted to rip her clothes off and see if she was as exquisite naked. “Don’t be ridiculous.” He snorted. “Why would I be afraid of you?”
She shrugged. Regina waved her hand nonchalantly.“I have no clue. You’re the one retreating.”
Bradford narrowed his gaze and studied her left hand. Where was her wedding rings? He wouldn’t ask her about it. He didn’t want to have any discussion with her at all. All he wanted was for her to leave, and encouraging her wouldn’t gain him any recourse. He couldn’t give her anything to dig her heels in about. “I don’t want you here.” He kept repeating it to himself, but he failed to come up with a good excuse to make her leave.
Besides, it wasn’t entirely the truth. He wanted her. But he couldn’t have her. At least not yet. Not until Trenton threw her aside. Then he could give in to his baser instincts. One day, he had no doubt, she would be his. That day, unfortunately, was not this one.
Her eyes gleamed with something he couldn’t identify. She lifted her chin with a hint of defiance. “I hate to break it to you, but you don’t have a choice.”
Hell if he didn’t. Weston Manor was his home. He wasn’t required to let anyone in he didn’t want to. She had no idea who
she was dealing with, but she was about to find out. In the past he’d been—nice—for lack of a better word. Now though, he didn’t have to be. There was no one around whose feelings he needed to protect. Regina meant nothing to him. “I don’t have to do anything.” He stared at her with a mulish expression. “If I don’t want you here, then it is my right to send you packing.”
He should probably be concerned about offending her. Trenton might become irate if he knew Bradford had kicked his wife out. He would deal with that downfall if or when it came. It was much better his step-brother believed him rude then the alternative. He didn’t trust himself to be alone with her.
“True,” she said and stepped even closer to him.
He could see the rise and fall of her breasts. He itched to feel them in the palm of his hands. Restraint was becoming harder and harder to maintain. Regina had to go and fast.
“Then do what I asked and leave.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you’d actually asked. You demanded.” Regina licked her lips and flashed him a sinful smile. “And I so hoped we could get to know each other better.”
Lord save him, he wasn’t strong enough to handle her. Why was she flirting so much with him? Was she already bored with her marriage to Trenton? The little hussy didn’t deserve to be a part of Trenton’s life. He’d be much better off if he kicked her out of it. “As is my right. This is my home. Please leave.” He ignored the second part of her statement. It wouldn’t do any good to address her innuendo. Bradford wasn’t a fool and was aware she baited him.
The wicked gleam in her eyes put him even further on edge. His body tightened into a mass of nerves as she raised her hand and trailed her fingers down his chest. “Then you don’t want to go into business with my father?”
What game was she playing now? He took a deep breath, and with every inch of what remained of his control he kept his arms at his sides. “I didn’t say that.”
“Oh, good. Then I can stay.”
He opened his mouth and closed it into a firm line. She was blackmailing him to allow her to stay in his home. How bad did he want to do business with Paul Dewitt? Could he risk letting her stay near him to gain what he needed from her father? It was a conundrum, and Bradford didn’t like it one bit. The little minx was going to get her way. She’d pay for boxing him into this corner.
