Amethyst (59 page)
"I don't care about that, but it's all
he
cares about, which is why this should work." Caithren turned around to think. "I must go to Adam." She spun back to her cousin. "My letters never seem to reach him, and he may be off to India soon."
"India?" Cameron frowned. "Do you know where he is now?"
"A letter came just yesterday." She hurried to the desk and pulled out a sheet of parchment. "He mailed it the first of August, from Chichester." She scanned the single page. "He said he was in the company of two friends on their way to West Riding near Pontefract, where Lord Scarborough had invited them hunting. Then to London for Lord Darnley's wedding on the thirtieth. And he hopes to make it home for Hogmanay, but there's talk of a voyage to India." She looked up. "He should still be at Scarborough's. Pontefract is about halfway to London, isn't? Not so far."
"I'll go."
"Nay, Cam. I must ask this of Adam myself."
"You don't trust me to ask him to sign a piece of paper?"
Caithren winced at the hurt look on her cousin's face. "It wouldn't be the same request, coming from you." Setting the letter aside, she put a hand on his arm. "I do love him, you know, but I also see him for what he is."
Cam's hand covered hers and squeezed. "Then I'll accompany you—"
"Nay, it's here you're needed. The harvest approaches." She raised a palm to stem his next protest. "You may see me to Edinburgh and put me on the public coach, but then it's back to Leslie where you belong. I can deal with Adam."
"I don't like to think of you traveling alone."
The thought of a solo journey did make a wee tingle of fear flutter in her stomach. But she pushed it away. "We can hire a chaperone in Edinburgh. You may choose her personally, if that will make you feel better."
When Cam's shoulders slumped, she sensed her victory. He took her chin in one hand and tilted her face up. "There's no arguing with you, is there, sweet Cait?"
"Nay, and there never was." She rose to her toes to kiss him on the cheek. "I'm thinking it's about time you learnt it, cousin."
He gave a wry shake of his head, followed by a speculative smile. "Do you know, I reckon you may be right."
"Aye?"
"There may be no man willing to take you to bride, you stubborn lass."
"Crivvens! Be off with you!" She swatted at him playfully. "You know what Mam used to say."
"I cannot wait to hear this one."
"Ha freens and ha life."
"Good friends make a full life," Cameron murmured.
She locked her gaze on his. All she had left to love were Cameron and Leslie.
She would not lose either.
"You're a fine friend, Cam. The best. Leslie will fare well in our hands."
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Also available by Lauren Royal:
The rest of
The Jewel Trilogy
Amber
Forevermore
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The Flower Trilogy
Violet
Lily
Rose
The Temptations Trilogy
Lost in Temptation
Tempting Juliana
The Art of Temptation
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I decided to become a writer in the third grade, after winning a “Why My Mother is the Greatest” essay contest and seeing my entry published in a major newspaper. But everyone told me it's too hard for novelists to get published, so after college I spent fourteen years as the CEO of my own jewelry store chain before writing my first book.
I've been oh-so-lucky to see my books hit bestseller lists all over the world, including the
New York Times
and
USA Today
lists, and win awards including the Golden Quill and
Booklist
's Top 10 Romance of the Year, making this second career a real dream come true. I live in Southern California with my husband, our three young adult children, and one constantly shedding cat, and I still think my mother is the greatest!
I love to hear from readers. You can e-mail me at
[email protected]
or via the "
Keep in Touch
" section on my website at
www.LaurenRoyal.com
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My heartfelt thanks:
To Terri Castoro, the most patient critique partner on the planet, for going
way
above and beyond.
To Audrey LaFehr, my editor for this (my very first!) book, whose confidence and boundless enthusiasm kept me going.
To Genny Ostertag, the brilliant assistant editor who cheerfully answered my endless silly questions.
To Jack Royal-Gordon, the world's most understanding husband, who put up with month after month of no clean laundry and nothing planned for dinner.
To my son Brent, for designing and maintaining my website and telling all his teachers that Mom wrote a book.
To my son Blake, for keeping so happy and busy I almost never felt guilty ignoring him to write.
To my daughter Devonie, for all the precious kisses and hugs even though I am far from a perfect mommy.
To Ken Royal and Margot Harris, the brave, generous people who read my early attempts and gave me encouraging feedback.
To writers group members Nancy Phillips, Elaine Ecuyer, Diana Brandmeyer, and Amanda Murphy for hanging in there with me.
To Rebecca Forster, mentor extraordinaire, for turning the lightbulb on in my head.
To the Orange County Chapter of RWA, for everlasting support, a wealth of knowledge, and the willingness to share it.
To Rita Adair-Robison, for all her encouragement and dragging me to RWA in the first place.
To the Rising Stars of Romance, for all the uplifting camaraderie.
To the Painted Rock Research Listserve, for having an answer to every question no matter how obscure.
To Elise Misiorowski, from the Gemological Institute of America, for her wonderful insight into old jewelry manufacturing techniques.
To Mark Zana, for exhaustive research into England's confusing monetary history.
To Herb Royal, for explaining all about obsolete guns and the resulting wounds in excruciating detail.
To Teri Royal, for invaluable firsthand experience in the mechanics of sibling rivalry.
To my oldest friends—Julie Walker, DeeDee Perkins, and Diena Simmons—for their Blind Faith (even though our favorite band growing up was the Who).
To Del Amitri, for writing and performing such incredible music for me to listen to as I write.
To my first readers and biggest cheerleaders—Joan Royal (head cheerleader), Dawn Royal, June Jørgensen, Karen Nesbitt, Taire Martyn, Alison Bellach, April Mann, Beth Sher, Tobey Seidman, and Sandy Shniderson—for reading my stories and laughing and crying in all the right places.
And to anyone who bothered to read all this, for your amazing fortitude.
Thank you, one and all!