The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) (18 page)

"A little," Foster admitted. "We've gone nonstop from the moment she arrived, and now that we're heading home tomorrow, I wonder how she'll adjust to routine."

"Holly and I talked briefly," Chelsea interjected. "She told me Sunny seemed most impressed with her stitchwork. Maybe after you go she'll be ready to settle down and learn some of the gentler arts. Has she shown any interest in music?"

"Not that I'm aware of." Heather spoke now. "We're going to redecorate her room, but that won't take more than a month. She seems to genuinely enjoy the twins, but I realize we're a young home for her."

They fell silent and then Rand spoke, measuring his words with care. "I have something I'd like to share with you, and I think you know me well enough to realize this is no criticism on my part. Chelsea and I talked about it, and I want you to know how much I would love for Sunny to live with us. This is no reflection on your parenting skills; you understand that, don't you, Heather?"

"Of course."

Rand nodded with satisfaction and went on. "I'm not really sure when it hit me, but since Sunny is the age of my own two, I've always felt like she
wets
one of my own. I'm praying you'll all be very happy and that she will settle in and be most content in London. But please know that if the time ever comes when you think she would do better at Willows' End, you don't even need to ask."

"Thank you, Rand," Foster responded in all sincerity. "We hope that she will love London and our home as well, but we also have discussed this between us and with Brandon, and we want what's best for Sunny."

They talked on for some time, all four adults freely sharing their thoughts. Miles sat quietly, not expected to add to the conversation -something for which he was most thankful. When it came to his Aunt Sunny, he couldn't seem to think straight.

* * *

The gift exchange with the duke was a quiet affair, everyone intent on not tiring him. Milton was not unaware of his grandchildren's effort on his behalf, and since he did tend to tire in the late afternoon, he was all too happy to keep the festivities brief.

Sunny and Brandon had not gotten away early enough to join the family at the hunting lodge, but they rode back from Bracken to Willows' End with everyone who was going on horseback. In the best of spirits, Foster drove a two-horse buggy with his own girls and Holly, since the latter was none too keen on horses and his girls were too young to take the saddle for such a long ride.

Everyone else rode on horseback. Sunny felt as though she'd been set free as Brandon boosted her onto the back of a lovely little spirited mare. Her name was Pepper, and with the way she tossed her fine head she clearly showed how she liked the light load on her back.

The group set off, and within moments Sunny and Chelsea were in a race to the footbridge up the trail. Chelsea's horse, a large gelding, won easily, but Sunny didn't care. It felt so good to gallop as she had in Darhabar, and this time with permission. Since she was not to be anywhere near the stables in Darhabar, she had always "borrowed" a horse against her father's wishes.

"So what do you think of her?" Brandon called to Sunny as he came abreast of the two women.

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"She's wonderful," Sunny told him with sparkling eyes. "I could go for hours."

Chelsea laughed and looked at her brother with mischief in her eyes. "You really should let Sunny ride the Captain, Hawk. She's quite experienced, and it would give her a great thrill.'*

"Oh, Brandon, could I?" Sunny immediately loved the idea, but Brandon was scowling at his grinning sister.

Most members of his family were completely without fear when it came to horses, and were in tact excellent horsemen. But Brandon was of the old school that believed a woman was to be coddled. You did not put a woman on the back of a horse like Captain, or Rand*s stallion, Jackson.

"It's out of the question, Sunny," Brandon told her and shot another reproving look at his sister. "Chelsea can goad me all she wants, but I think this animal is too much for a woman, or even for a small man."

Chelsea did not look the least bit repentant, and she deliberately moved her horse into Brandon's path to cut him off. He reined in sharply before catching onto her trick. Chelsea had dug her heels into the flanks of her own horse and shot off like a bullet. Brandon rose to the challenge, and Sunny, knowing she hadn't a chance of catching them, heeled her mount to give chase.

Most of the ride back to Willows* End was made in short races with much laughter. A few miles from home everyone slowed to walk their horses. Sunny couldn't remember when she'd had such fun.

The servants evidently had a wonderful time themselves, for they were also in high spirits as the family returned. Sunny, as did the rest of the household, had a bath before dinner and, possibly because it was the last night, had the best evening of her entire visit.

* * *

"Your mother says your brother is coming to London for a time."

"Cecil or Marcus?" Foster wanted to know.

"Cecil."

Sunny heard their conversation but paid little attention. They had been home from Rand's for nearly three weeks, and Sunny was intent on learning to sew like Holly. Heather had mentioned the possibility when they had become resettled, and Sunny had jumped

at the idea. Heather would have been surprised to find that Sunny had not done so out of genuine interest but because she so wanted to fit in and to please her sister.

So far, the skill had eluded her. She was forever stabbing herself in the hand or finger, and she was always in too much of a hurry. More often than not, her thread was in a mass of knots and her colors all ran together like a painting in the rain.

"Having trouble?" Heather asked when she heard Sunny say something under her breath. Sunny was careful to compose her features before answering.

"Just the usual; my thread is all tangled."

Heather came over and sat by her, and in the space of a few moments had Sunny on the right track again. She went back to her own sewing while Foster continued to read the letter from his mother.

"It says he has business here," Foster commented. "Do you want to ask him to stay with us?"

"You didn't finish the letter," Heather replied. "It says that he's rented a town house on the east side."

"Oh, well, that will be easier, I guess. I'm sure he'll come by when he's settled."

Husband and wife exchanged a glance. Cecil was a land young man in his early twenties, but he had always been a bit of a dreamer. Foster's family was quite well-to-do, so there was no need for Cecil to work, but it might have been better if he had, as he always seemed a little at loose ends.

He had left school without apparent reason a month before Christmas, and his coming to London on business was something entirely new. He had never even attempted to make something of himself, and one could only imagine what he might be up to now.

Before Cecil made an appearance at the Jamiesons', Brandon came for a visit. Sunny had seen him only once since Christmas, and that had been for their visit to the bank. Now when he came the following week, the serious look on his face caused Sunny to know that her fears about his going back to sea had come true.

"You're going back out on your ship, aren't you?" Sunny wasted no time in coming to the point.

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"Yes, it's time. My grandfather is doing well, and I've some shipments that must be arranged."

Sunny was glad they were alone. She did nothing to fight the tears that flooded her eyes. Brandon moved close to her on the library davenport and slipped an arm around her shoulders. For more reasons than she could name, she sobbed against him. He was such a solid comfort in her world, and whenever something happened, good or bad, he was the first person she wanted to tell,

Brandon let her cry. He knew his leaving was going to break her heart, but he had no choice. When she began to calm he started to speak, knowing she wouldn't catch every word but needing to assure her of his feelings.

"Whenever I hear of a ship corning to London, I'll send a letter to you. I'll miss you and pray for you every day. There is so much you haven't seen of London, and I hope that you will make this your home in every way. I know Heather and Foster want you to be happy. They will take care of your every need. No matter how far away I am, I'll always love my little Sunny."

His words nearly started her tears afresh. Sunny hiccuped. Thinking how much he was going to miss her, Brandon fell silent. A moment passed, and he rose to retrieve something from the table in the hallway.

Sunny watched him return with a deceptively plain box in his hand. When he handed it to Sunny, she saw that it was actually a very beautiful box, overlaid with brushed gold and latched with a solid gold clasp. It didn't look like anything she had ever seen in Darhabar; in fact, the design was very English. Sunny, having already remembered who the box was from, felt somewhat disappointed.

"Ali gave this to me after he drugged you. Do you remember my mentioning it?"

Sunny nodded.

"At the time you wanted nothing to do with it. How do you feel now?"

Sunny hesitated. The rejected feeling from that day, a feeling she hadn't experienced in weeks, suddenly flooded through her.

"You don't have to take it. I can keep it and bring it to you when I return, or even give it to Heather to hold for you."

"No," Sunny said finally. Til keep it."

She lapsed into silence, and Brandon was hesitant to press her.

He let the matter drop but gave her one more word of comfort.

"I have to leave right after dinner, but if you write to me, you might feel better. There won't be any way to send the letters, but you might feel as though you've actually spoken with me. That might help if you're feeling low."

Sunny thanked him with a smile, and soon after they went in to dine. The time passed all too quickly, and Sunny was reminded of Willows' End and the look of pain on Rand's face as he had said goodbye to her. Sunny was beginning to think she couldn't win. First she was sick with anxiety over meeting all of her family, and now she was sick with grief over having to say goodbye.

The
Hying Surprise
sailed with the morning tide, and both Dexter and Sunny were on the dock. They had arrived too late to speak with Brandon but alighted from the carriage in time to watch as his ship crept away from the mooring. Just when it seemed that he would be too far to notice them, Brandon spotted his brother and Sunny.

He raised an arm, and Dexter waved in reply. When Sunny stayed motionless, Brandon put a hand to his lips and threw her a kiss with a gentle move of his hand. Sunny, tears running down her cheeks, returned the gesture. She and Dex watched until the ship was out of sight.

Knowing Sunny was already missing Brandon, Dexter did not try to engage her in conversation as they returned to the house. Thankful for his consideration, Sunny stared out the carriage window. She sought the shelter of her room as soon as she could. When the door was shut she lay on the bed and stared at the gold box on her bedside table. She had yet to open it.

The box was such an odd link to the past as well as to the present. Until now Brandon had kept the box, so in some ways it was a link to him. On the other hand, it was from the emir, delivered by Ali, and that made it a definite link to Darhabar.

Sunny sat up slowly on her bed and reached for the box. She moved the catch that served as a lock and raised" the lid. Her eyes were round with wonder as she emptied the contents on her bed. There appeared to be three completely different sets of jewelry.

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The first set was a necklace, ring, and bracelet in silver, all smooth as glass, with no design whatever. They were so polished that Sunny could see her face in the silver of the ring. The second set was gold, etched and ornate, and included two bracelets, a necklace with three strands of chain, and another ring. The last set held some of the most beautiful pieces Sunny had ever seen. A broach, bracelet, and ring, all set with perfect sapphires and diamonds.

Sunny fingered each piece in turn before reaching for her grandmother's ring at her throat. As beautiful as it was, none of the jewelry from the box had given her as much pleasure as her grandmother's ring and Brandon's chain.

"I can't think why he would give them to me," Sunny spoke aloud to the empty room as she began to speculate on why the emir had given her these jewels. "He never tried to buy me before."

"Why?" Sunny whispered now. "Why must I have been sent away in order to know my family? I was happy. I knew who I was. Did he not think my heart was big enough to hold everyone?** Suddenly she was angry all over again. "He had no right to choose for me."

With an angry sweep of her arm, Sunny sent the jewelry flying across the bed. She cried then, and cried hard, anger continuing to boil within her. Anger toward the emir, anger toward Brandon for leaving, and anger toward herself for giving in to her tears. She cried for several minutes and was just gaining control when the door opened. Sunny turned with surprise; there had been no knock.

"I'm sorry, my lady," said Tina, a new chambermaid, softly. She had a load of linens in her arms. "I didn't realize you were in here."