The Legacy

by Fayrene Preston

  “Ramona. You stay put. You don’t want to shock her.” He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth, and without taking the time to fasten his pants, he got up and crossed the room. He opened the door only a few inches, angling it so that the view of the bed was shielded.

  “Nico, I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m trying to find Caitlin.”

  Swiftly he tossed various options around in his head, but found none he liked. How in hell could he ease Ramona’s mind while protecting the reputation of the woman in his bed? “Caitlin?” he repeated.

  “I think I told you that she never eats breakfast, but she usually checks in with me sometime during the morning. When she didn’t, I went looking for her. Mr. Haines hasn’t seen her, and neither have any of the men. Then I checked her bedroom. Nico, there was a fire in there.”

  He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. The fire couldn’t be explained away. “Yes, I know.”

  “You know?"

  “I helped her put it out.”

  “Was she hurt? Where in the world is she?”

  “I’m right here, Ramona.” Caitlin pulled the door from Nico’s grasp and swung it open. “And no, I wasn't hurt. ”

  Ramona’s eyes widened as she took in Caitlin, wrapped in nothing but a sheet and standing next to a half-dressed Nico.

  “I knocked a candelabrum over in my room last night, and the candles caught the drapes on fire. Luckily, Nico was passing by, and he put it out. Then, of course, I needed a place to sleep.”

  “Of course,” Ramona said.

  “We’re sorry if we shocked you,” Nico told her. “You didn’t shock me,” Ramona said gruffly. “I was just worried about Caitlin, that’s all.”

  “Well, I’m sorry I worried you. I should have let you know where I was, but ...” She cast a helpless glance at Nico, who merely grinned back at her.

  “Never mind,” Ramona said, back to her brisk, no-nonsense self. “Now that I know you’re all right, I’ll get started cleaning up your room.”

  “Those drapes are heavy,” Nico said. “Just leave them, and I’ll take care of them.”

  “Never mind. One of the men will help me. In the meantime, I’ll air out another bedroom. I don’t think you 'll want to sleep in there until the smoke damage has been seen to, do you, Caitlin?”

  “No. You’re absolutely right. ”

  Ramona nodded and looked at Nico. “Can I assume you won’t be leaving this morning?”

  “Uh, yes, I won’t be leaving this morning.”

  “Fine. Caitlin, later, when you get ready to move your things, you come and get me if you want help.”

  “I’ll do that,” Caitlin said.

  Ramona turned on her heel and strode off. Nico shut the door. For perhaps thirty seconds, he and Caitlin stared at each other, then burst out laughing.

  “Poor Ramona,” he said.

  “Shell be all right. She’s seen a lot in her life. I’m sure she was more embarrassed than shocked.”

  “I think I just fell off her list of people she likes,” he said, steering her against the door and at the same time, unzipping his pants.

  Caitlin’s sheet slipped unnoticed to the floor as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed lovingly up at him. “Not at all. You wait. Next time she sees you, shell be back to normal. In fact, I’m sure she plans to ignore the whole thing, as if it never happened.”

  “And she’s going to prepare another room for you and move all of your things in, so that at night she can think of you in there rather than in here with me.”

  Caitlin nodded. “You got it.”

  He pushed his pants down, out of the way. Then with his hands cupping her bare buttocks, he lifted her, sliding her spine up the door until their eyes were level. “But you will be in here with me, won’t you?”

  She circled his body with her legs and threaded her fingers up into his hair. “Unless you kick me out.”

  “Me?” he said and pushed high into her. “Lord, you’ve gotta be kidding.”

  Later that afternoon, Caitlin descended the grand staircase, with Nico beside her.

  “I’m no expert, but I’m willing to bet this embroidery is going to be expensive to reproduce,” Nico was saying regarding the piece of undamaged drapery they had salvaged from Caitlin’s bedroom.

  Caitlin’s happiness was so pervasive, even the damage didn’t trouble her. They made the turn on the landing in front of the Tiffany window and started down the last flight of stairs. “IH shop around. I don’t want to have to settle for the feeling of the original. If at all possible, I want it to be exactly the same as the original.”

  “You know, Caitlin,” he said, humor threading his voice, “most people involved with restorations are content to use fabrics and furnishings that are of the type of the period.”

  “But this is SwanSea.”

  Nico smiled wryly. “Right. How could I have forgotten?”

  Caitlin laughed. “I admit it. I’m obsessive.”

  “Be obsessive about me, and I won’t mind a bit.” One minute he was smiling down at her; the next, he had tensed. “Looks like you have a visitor,” he said, indicating the silver-haired man standing just inside the front doors. “Is he the electrical inspector you were waiting for?”

  “Could be. I guess I’d better go check.”

  “I think I’ll come with you to meet him if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course I don’t.”

  As she crossed the wide stretch of marble toward the newcomer, Caitlin studied him. An older man, he was fashionably dressed in taupe-colored linen slacks, an open-necked blue shirt, and a navy sport coat. Tall and well built, he had hazel eyes and an attractive, slightly weathered face that made it impossible to guess his exact age. She supposed he was one of those fortunate men who seemed to stop aging in their forties and then began again sometime in their sixties. Nico would probably be one of those men, she thought idly.

  As she drew near, she realized with amusement that he was studying her as closely as she had been studying him. “I'm Caitlin DevereU, and this is Nico DiFrenza. May I help you?”

  “I’m Quinn O’Neill,” he said, nodding to Nico and extending his hand to her, “and I’m delighted to meet you.”

  “How do you do,” she said, shaking his hand. “I assume you’re the electrical inspector?”

  Humor flashed in his eyes. “No, no. I’m afraid not. I’m just a long-time admirer of the house. I’m on holiday in the area, and I thought I’d take the opportunity to stop by.”

  He spoke without an accent, yet used a European-flavored phrase. Caitlin decided he must have lived overseas for a time. “I’m sorry, Mr. O’Neill, but SwanSea isn’t open yet.”

  He nodded, his expression intent. “I can see that you’re in the middle of work. When do you plan to open?”

  “Next spring.”

  “So long?”

  His tone carried a hint of wistfulness, and his manner conveyed a warmth that Caitlin responded to.

  He grinned. “You’ll have to forgive me. I’m really disappointed. I had hoped I could stay here for a few days.”

  Caitlin was tempted to laugh. Two men with the same wish in such a short time. Apparently she was going to have no trouble booking guests. “You wouldn’t want to stay here now, believe me. Things are a real mess. We don’t even have electricity at the moment.”

  “I really wouldn’t mind. You see, I stayed here once a long time ago.”

  Caitlin’s interest sharpened. “Really? When?”

  “I can’t remember exactly ... as I said, it was many years ago. But I’ve always remembered SwanSea as a very special place.”

  “Were you here visiting my grandfather?”

  Quinn nodded. “Jake was a wonderful man. I was sorry to hear of his death.”

  “Thank you.”

  Standing beside Caitlin, Nico realized his shoulders were tensed and his instincts were telling him to be wary. He’d felt this way before in the presence of dangerous men. But he had to wo
nder, could he trust his instincts in this situation? Or was he simply experiencing the prickly awareness one male feels when another enters his territory? Out of the comer of his eyes, he saw Ramona approaching. She came to a stop near him and listened.

  “It would really mean a lot to me if you’d let me stay for a few days,” Quinn said. “I promise I wouldn’t be a bother.”

  Caitlin considered the man before her, thinking that it was too bad she was going to have to turn him down. He seemed charming, and his charm was inherent, not forced. She liked him for that. “Mr. O’Neill—”

  His smile told her he knew what she was about to say. “You’re going to break my heart if you say no.” She laughed ruefully. “You're not making this easy for me.”

  “Good. Then you’ll let me stay?”

  “Caitlin pretty much has her hands full,” Nico said, speaking up for the first time. “A guest would be out of the question.”

  “He’s right—” she began.

  “What’s one more person?” Ramona asked.

  All three turned toward her in surprise.

  Ramona shrugged, uncomfortable beneath the scrutiny. “Heaven knows we have plenty of space, and I always cook for twenty anyway. And you can charge him enough to cover the cost of those new draperies you’re going to have to order.”

  “Ramona’s obviously bored,” Caitlin said to Nico, her tone wry. “Taking care of you and me has lost its challenge.”

  “I thought you were going to Boston,” Nico said pointedly to Ramona.

  “Plans can be changed,” she said just as pointedly as she crossed the marble floor to them. “Besides, Mr. O’Neill said he only planned to stay for a few days, and Boston will still be there when I get ready to go. Mr. O’Neill, I’m Ramona Johnson.”

  Quinn stepped forward and took her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. And thank you.”

  “Nothing to thank me for. Caitlin’s is the final decision. ”

  “Are you sure about this, Ramona?” Caitlin asked, and at Ramona’s nod, she spread her hands. “Well, if you won’t mind the mess, Mr. O’Neill, and Ramona doesn’t mind the extra work, I don’t suppose there’s any reason why you can’t stay.”

  “Thank you, Caitlin,” he said seriously. “I’ll try not to do anything that would make you regret your decision. ”

  Ramona spoke up. "We’ll choose you a bedroom, Mr. O’Neill, and then you can help me prepare it. Caitlin, have you moved your things yet?”

  “Not yet, but I will.”

  “Are you going to need any assistance?”

  “I don’t think so. Thank you anyway.”

  “IH show you the way, Mr. O’Neill.”

  “Quinn, please.”

  Nico’s gaze followed the two as they ascended the stairs, Quinn moving easily beside Ramona. He was in good condition, Nico reflected, his body lean and muscled. And the uneasy feeling persisted that there was more to Quinn O’Neill than what he’d told Caitlin.

  Is he the man Rettig has sent after me, he wondered grimly.

  Six

  Gossamer curtains of mist drifted across the cliffs. The sounds of the ocean and the gulls were loud in the early-morning quiet.

  Quinn watched Caitlin, as he had ever since he’d arrived two days ago, and thought again how lovely she was. Wearing a flowing white dress, she seemed as ethereal as the diaphanous white haze through which she walked.

  “Good morning, Caitlin,” he called when she drew close enough to hear him.

  “Good morning. I didn’t know anyone else was up yet. ”

  “At six a.m., no matter where I am in the world, my eyes pop open. What’s your excuse?”

  She laughed. “I’ve always loved this time of day on the cliffs. Even when I was a little girl, I used to climb out of bed and come here. I considered this time and this place my very own piece of heaven before the day began. I never grew out of that feeling. And now with the work going on at the house, I steal this time before the workmen start arriving at eight.”

  Quinn’s expression turned rueful. “And here I’ve intruded. I’m sorry.”

  “Oh no, don’t be. Actually, I’m glad I rain into you. I didn’t see you yesterday. I have a feeling you’re taking pains to keep out of the way.”

  “You were kind enough to let me stay. The least I can do in return is try not to be a bother.”

  She studied him curiously. “Tell me, has being back at SwanSea lived up to your expectations, or are you disappointed?”

  He smiled slowly. “My expectations have been more than fulfilled.”

  “I'm glad.”

  “How is your family these days? I’ve heard rumblings that your uncle Seldon, Senator Deverell, is contemplating a bid for the presidency.”

  She laughed. “That’s right. If he decides to go for it, the experts say he’ll win. And Uncle Jacob still holds the title of chairman of the board, but his son Conall pretty much runs Deverell’s these days.”

  “And your mother?”

  “She’s fine. She’s away at the moment.”

  After a moment, Quinn said, “I think your grandfather made a very wise decision to leave SwanSea to you, Caitlin. ”

  Through the shifting veils of mist, she stared at the house. “Grandfather said that since I was the only Deverell ever to have been bom here, I had an extraordinary bond to the house. SwanSea has always been special to the Deverells, but he felt that I was the only one of his four children and two grandchildren who could see what my great-grandfather Edward saw in it. Maybe it was because I spent so many years alone here with only my mother, Ramona, and the house for company. The house was almost like a playmate.”

  “And now you’re taking steps to share it with others,” Quinn said gently. “That is admirable.”

  She shrugged. “Not really. My decision Involves many things. ”

  “But I’m willing to bet that at the bottom of all those reasons is love of SwanSea.”

  She nodded and looked back at him. “Sometime I’d like you to tell me about the time you spent here. I enjoy hearing stories about how it used to be.”

  He turned slightly, so that his expression was partially obscured. “SwanSea’s future will shine every bit as bright as its past, Caitlin. I’m confident. Look, there’s a fishing boat. Makes a pretty picture, doesn’t it, coming out of the mist like that.”

  She followed his gaze. “It’s riding low in the water. I guess they’ve already gotten their catch. They must have been out for a few days.”

  From his bedroom window, Nico also stared at the fishing boat. He’d seen it before, and something about it bothered him, although he couldn’t decide what. His gaze returned to Caitlin and the man she was talking to.

  Quinn O’Neill disturbed him too. A lot. If he’d known when he’d felt Caitlin slip out of bed earlier that she would run Into Quinn, he would have gone with her. He felt no sense of security that this was the start of Quinn’s second full day here and so far he had made no overt moves. Quinn was watching him just as he was watching Quinn. Maybe he was exactly what he seemed, but Nico seriously doubted it. But whatever and whoever Quinn was, he could handle him.

  Caitlin was another matter. Nico had no confidence that their situation would be as simple. She’d not only trusted him into her home; now she’d trusted him into her bed. There were times when he felt like the lowest of the low, a first-class bastard. But at night, when they made love, he forgot everything but her. And despite his guilty conscience, whether it was daylight or dark, he knew he’d do everything in his power, honest or dishonest, to keep her with him.

  With fresh determination when Caitlin was busy, he had intensified his search of the attic, the most likely place where something from long ago would have been stored.

  But he’d made a crucial decision. He could no longer go on without telling Caitlin. He didn’t want to hurt her. And no matter her reaction, he didn’t want to deceive her.

  The mist was lifting; the sun was coming out. Quinn and Caitlin were wa
lking toward the house. Nico's mouth curved with a tender smile as he looked down on Caitlin. No, he thought. He didn’t want to hurt her. He wanted only to love her.

  Clusters of glass grapes hung from the ceiling at different lengths in a fantasy grape arbor created by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Each cluster sheathed a light and cast a iridescent glow over Nico’s bedroom that evening. Fresh from the shower, he lay across the end of the bed, his elbow propping up his head, a towel draped over his hips.

  A few feet away, Caitlin swept a silver-backed brush through her hair. Her every movement caused light to flow through the folds of the pale gold silk nightgown.

  “I can’t believe that one hundred rolls of wallpaper were delivered today and not one of them was the right pattern,” she was saying.

  “Why can’t you believe it?” he asked absently, enthralled by her feminine rituals. Each pass of the brush through her hair brought more life and luster to the long strands.

  She paused, giving his question thought. “I don’t know. I suppose I expected that because it was SwanSea being renovated, everyone involved would give their all.” Unexpectedly, the sound of her laughter erupted, spreading a tvarmth through the room and him. “I guess it was a pretty absurd assumption on my part, wasn’t it?”

  “I don’t think you were that far off base. The men who you have working for you seem very conscientious.”

  “They are. But then, most of them have grown up around here, and they have relatives who’ve worked for the family. Some even have ancestors who helped build the house. But the supplies I’m dealing with long-distance have never seen SwanSea.”

  “It will all work out,” he said softly.

  “I know. And we do have the electricity back.”

  “I didn’t mind using candles.”

  “I didn’t either, now that you mention it.” The smile she gave him spoke of a sexual familiarity, and it sent desire tingling through him. Any second now, his decision would become secondary to his desire, and he couldn’t let that happen.

  “There is something I have to tell you, Caitlin.” She tossed the brush onto a chair, pushed him back on the bed, and slid on top of him, arranging herself so that she lay full length over him. She dropped a kiss on his mouth, then crossing her arms on his chest, she propped her chin on her arms. “You’re frowning. Why?”