Mistletoe and Magic (Novella): A Loveswept Historical Romance (13 page)

When her eyes fluttered open, he was tracing the outline of her face, those magnificent features, and the enticing curve of her breast.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his expression full of concern.

She smiled. “I am wonderful.”

His face suffused with pleasure at her words. Rising, he put on his robe and fetched a glass of brandy. “Here. This will help you to sleep tonight.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” she admitted, although she rose and accepted the glass even as he retrieved her clothing.

She took a sip of the drink and allowed him to help her dress. As he finished the buttons, she turned in his arms and pressed a kiss on his cheek. “I have to go.”

“I know. Can I see you tomorrow?”

“No!” She looked at him as if he were mad. “Remember your promise?”

“Right.” Jared laughed, and then his eyes grew serious as he leaned into her once more. “Will you see me Christmas Eve, then?”

Penelope gazed at him, memorizing that strong forehead, handsome chin, and Roman nose. She would never forget the dark moustache, the brightness of his smile, the way his green eyes would crinkle with mischief when he teased her or grow smoky when he made love to her.

“Yes,” she whispered quietly, fighting the tears that threatened. “I will see you on Christmas Eve.”

Jared returned to the study, feeling he could conquer the world. Energy poured through him and he was filled with purpose. Tomorrow when he was finished with work, he would stop by the jewelers and buy Penelope an engagement ring. And then he would propose on Christmas Eve, his father be damned. If the old man made good on his threats, Jared would figure out a way to survive. He could move to another state, take the bar there, and start over. He was a good attorney, something his father couldn’t take away from him. Somehow, he’d make his life a success, for now with Penelope at his side, he couldn’t fail.

Penelope returned home to find her aunt waiting anxiously. “Are you all right, my dear?” She had knotted her handkerchief with worry.

“Yes, I am fine.” But her words belied her expression. In horror, Eve saw her niece break down into sobs.

“Penelope! Whatever happened? Did someone hurt you?”

“No.” She gazed at her aunt and allowed her to wipe the tears streaming down her face. “Auntie, I don’t know how to explain, but I … have the sight. I see things and they come to pass. Like your wedding and the dress …”

“Ah.” Eve didn’t seem at all surprised. Instead she took Penelope into the parlor and made her comfortable. “Your father had that talent to a degree,” she confided as Penelope’s eyes widened. “Yes. He hid it, knowing people wouldn’t understand, but I’ve waited to see if any of you girls had acquired his ability.”

Penelope sniffled, and then the tears began once more. “The night of the Christmas ball, I saw Jared being shot and left for dead. His murder is supposed to take place on the morrow. That is why I tried not to care for him, but Auntie, it’s too late! What will happen if the vision comes true?”

She seemed truly distraught and Eve tried to comfort her. “My dear, don’t you understand? There is no guarantee for any of us. Love is always a risk, but it is also life’s greatest reward. I personally do not think it will come to pass, for you were able to warn him. There is always man’s free will—your father knew that. Nothing is predestined that cannot be altered.”

Eve rose and rustled inside a drawer. “Come, dry your eyes. I have something I intended to give you for your wedding day, but I want you to have it now. Do you remember this?”

Penelope opened the velvet box and gasped at the ivory brooch inside. “This was Mother’s cameo!” she breathed, eyeing the beautiful piece of jewelry with fondness.

“Yes. I want you to wear it and understand that she is here, looking over you. She will be with you on your wedding day, just as your father will. There is no such thing as death, child. It’s just going to sleep in one world and waking up in another.”

When Penelope looked at her in wonder, Eve nodded. “Don’t be afraid. You’ve taken the first step. Do you regret loving your parents?”

“No!” she exclaimed.

“Then do not regret this, however it turns out. True love is something you can hold in your heart for eternity.”

The shop was right down the street from his office. Jared had passed the quaint jewelry store many times on his way to his club, and he hurried to get there before nightfall.

The sun was setting as he got out of his carriage and strode down the street. He’d gotten detained when a case went longer than he’d anticipated, but tomorrow was Christmas Eve and everything would be closed. It was his last opportunity to purchase Penelope’s ring, and he had his heart set on a Christmas proposal.

But as he strode quickly toward the store, an eerie feeling came over him. He was stepping on a brick pavement wet with flurries as night descended. There was a gaslight on the corner with a green wreath tied to the top. Shops filled the street, and he couldn’t make out the signs since they were covered with snow. It was exactly as Penelope had
described …

Jared glanced down the alley. The jeweler was at the end of the corridor, and he was grateful to see that his lamp still burned brightly. The brick pavement led directly there and he started to head that way, dismissing the uneasy feeling he had as nonsense. But Penelope’s words wouldn’t leave him.

“Promise me …”

And he had promised.

Frustrated, he found himself crossing the road to the dirt path that led around the block. It seemed a monumental waste of time, and he chided himself for being superstitious. Not for a moment did he think Penelope could see “visions,” or the future for that matter, but if she believed it, he would honor that for her.

A bell announced his presence as he entered the store, and the jeweler looked up from polishing a stone. “You’re lucky, laddie! I was just getting ready to close. Need a last-minute Christmas gift?”

“I want something more special than that. I am looking for an engagement ring …”

He surveyed the glass cupboard and saw the perfect stone. It was a blue diamond, cut like an emerald, in a platinum setting. The stone seemed to contain hints of violet and gold, and when the man took it from the case and placed it on a velvet pad, it winked at him just like Penelope’s enchanting eyes. As he retrieved the ring and held it under the light, he saw the hidden fire within its sparkling depths.

It was gorgeous, just like her. And just like Penelope, there was a fire burning inside it. He would never get tired of being with her, never tire of kissing her. This was the woman he loved, the woman he intended to marry …

“How much?” he reached inside his coat and swore as he felt the empty pocket. “Damn, I forgot my checks. My folio must be in my other coat. Can you send me a bill?”

“Of course,” the dealer replied. “I’ll put it on your account. I don’t believe in those newfangled checks anyway.” But just as he reached for a box to wrap the gift, gunfire rang out.

Jared and the shopkeeper exchanged glances, and the man reached beneath the counter and quickly withdrew a gun. Immediately they both rushed into the alley. A man
lay facedown in the snow, a trickle of blood snaking from his head to the gutter. Something about him looked familiar, although Jared couldn’t immediately place what it was. Footsteps rang out as the assailant made his getaway. Jared dashed down one alley while the shopkeeper took the other, but when they reached the corner, the man was gone.

The shopkeeper called for the police as people began to gather. A constable was on the next corner and had already started to make his way toward Orchard Street.

“Is he dead?” a woman cried, and the policeman stooped to the ground.

“Aye, he is that.” Placing a handkerchief over the man’s head, he turned to the crowd. “Did anyone see what happened?”

“Not really,” Jared admitted. “We heard the shots and saw someone run off.”

“I’d like you to come to the station if you don’t mind,” the policeman requested, shaking his head in sorrow as the blood continued to stain the snow. “For the report. A terrible thing, this is, what with Christmas just around the corner …”

“Certainly,” Jared agreed. “I have to conclude a piece of business and then I’ll head right over. I’ll call for my carriage in a few minutes.” Returning to the shop with the dealer, he completed the purchase of the ring. As the man wrapped his gift, he glanced down at the newspaper lying on the countertop.

The date was December 23.

Tomorrow morning’s paper would be December 24. If he’d continued on that brick walkway, would it have been he who was killed?

He was chilled by the thought.

A reporter arrived just as the police had deposited the corpse on a gurney. “Bloody bit of bad luck,” he said, scribbling on his pad. “Was there any identification on the poor bloke?”

One of the officers standing by indicated a checkbook. “We found this in his pocket. I don’t think he will get much benefit from these now.”

The reporter nodded and opened the leather folio. The man’s name was Jared
Marton.

Jared stopped at the police station on his way home. He walked inside, still thinking about that newspaper on the jeweler’s counter. The ring resided safely in his pocket, and a clerk led him to a desk and sat beside him, putting a form into a typewriter.

“Name?”

“Jared Marton.”

“Very funny.” The man gave him a look betraying his lack of appreciation as he rolled the form into place. “Your name?”

“I just told you,” Jared said in confusion. “Jared Marton. Do you want me to spell it?”

The man looked at him for a long moment. “Excuse me.” He walked outside and Jared saw him conversing with one of the constables. He returned with the superintendent.

“I understand you are not cooperating with the report?” The man gave him a stern stare.

“I gave him my name twice. For some reason, he doesn’t seem to believe me,” Jared said, beginning to get annoyed. “I have business to attend. I came down here to assist you. Now do you want my statement or not?”

“And what did you say your name is?”

“Jared Marton. Look here, my good man, I am the prosecuting attorney in this city! Where is Jimmy Reardon? He knows me quite well.”