The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) (10 page)

It took some mental scolding, but she succeeded. By the time Brandon called to her, her face was composed and her manner serene. He approached her with a smile and took her arm to lead her to the waiting couple by the gangplank.

"Sunny, this is my brother, Dexter, and this is his fiancee, Judith Brompton. Judith is Cheryl's sister."

The resemblance was apparent in both families, and Sunny immediately relaxed. Dexter was nearly as tall as Brandon and sported the same dark good looks. Judith was much like Cheryl, a few years younger perhaps, but the warmth in her smile was the same.

Without an invitation Judith stepped forward and hugged Sunny. The young girl responded much like she did in Freeport, and before she realized what was happening, Judith was chatting away and leading her down the gangplank to a waiting carriage.

The men followed and, speaking in a low tone, Dexter filled Brandon in on the last four months. Brandon praised God over the news that his grandfather, the Duke of Briscoe, was still alive. He had said his goodbyes before he left, but it had been his deepest hope that the old man would be there when he returned. Both families were well, Sunny's and his own, and everyone was looking forward to being at Bracken, the duke's home, for Christmas.

Sunny, completely unaware of anything but Judith, was listening attentively and doing her best to answer the questions asked of her. The carriage was in motion for some minutes before the conversation

shifted, and for a short while the adults in the carriage conversed alone. In those few moments Sunny let her eyes roam over Judith's beautiful cloak, hat, and dress.

Not wanting to be caught staring, she shifted her eyes to the window, thinking as she did, that both Cheryl and Judith had wonderful taste in clothing. Compared with their outfits, Sunny's cloak and dresses were dowdy. Her attention was then caught by some women who were on the street as the carriage passed. They too were dressed in stylish cloaks with matching hats in gorgeous colors. With sudden and disheartening knowledge, Sunny knew her clothes were all wrong.

Her face burned as questions ran through her mind. Had Calla really been here? Why hadn't Brandon said anything about her clothes being wrong? What would her sister say when she saw her?

"Sunny?" Brandon called her name for the second time, and she turned, just barely remembering to compose her features.

"Yes?"

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she lied smoothly. "Are we nearly there?" Sunny asked the first question that came to mind, anything to keep from dwelling on the way she felt, which was absolutely miserable and on the verge of hysteria.

Brandon glanced out the window. "Another ten minutes. What do you think of the city?"

"Wonderful." Again she lied, but this time Brandon caught it. Wishing they were alone so he could question her further, Brandon smiled gently at her before she turned to look out the window once again.

Heather Jamieson, Sunny's sister, stood in the doorway of what was to be Sunny's room. It was a nice room, functional actually, but Heather didn't want nice or functional, she wanted special. Foster had talked her out of doing any remodeling until Sunny arrived, and now she regretted it. First impressions were so important, and this room had always been a bit dark and masculine.

Foster had reasoned that Sunny would want to have a say in the

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decorating, thinking that would make her feel more at home. As she took in the dark brown draperies, and equally dark carpets and bed hangings, Heather wondered if maybe they hadn't made a mistake.

A moment later, a maid was sent to tell Heather that his lordship and Sunny had arrived. Knowing it was too late to change a thing, Heather took a last glance at the room and told herself not to run as she hurried down the stairs to meet her sister.

Sunny's head tilted back as she took in the four-storied gray-stone mansion that belonged to her sister. With only two other mansions in sight, the street itself was not busy, but the noise of the city streets just a block away could still be heard.

Sunny was rooted to the spot until she felt Brandon's hand on her back. She preceded him up the wide steps. Once at the top the front door opened, seemingly by itself. Dexter and Judith caught sight of Sunny*s serene features as she entered her sister's home for the first time and were very impressed by how well she seemed to be doing.

Brandon, on the other hand, was not fooled a bit. He knew just how well Sunny could hide her thoughts and found himself wishing that Judith and Dexter had not met the ship so they could have had more time to talk. But as with Heather and the bedroom, Brandon also knew that it was too late to change a thing.

Sunny told herself not to look around as her cloak was taken and she moved through the entryway and into a large parlor at the prompting of Brandon's hand. She determined not to think of her dress, cry, or to let herself feel how cold she was. Sunny moved a step closer to the fire for warmth and looked as composed as the queen herself.

Only a moment passed before Sunny saw a woman enter and come toward her. She was taller than Sunny, but the resemblance to her own features was marked. Brandon did not make introductions this time; in fact, he couldn't speak at all after seeing the look on Heather's face. He was sure he must have looked the same when Sunny stepped aboard ship four months ago.

Sunny was still looking like a statue as Heather moved to stand within two feet of her. She smiled into the face that was a younger version of their grandmother. As for Sunny, all she could do was stare.

"Hello, Sunny," her sister said softly. *Tm Heather."

"Hello, Heather," Sunny managed.

Heather could not stay away from her for another moment. She moved then and took Sunny in her arms. Her eyes closed against a rush of tears, and Heather scolded herself over crying.

Sunny was also fighting tears, but of a different nature. The ship had felt so safe, and the air at sea so clean, unlike London, which smelled of sewage. Until they had docked, it had all just seemed like a long, wonderful dream. She'd had all of Brandon's attention, and the reaction of her family was only a thought in her mind. Now she was also having to share Brandon. Since she was now meeting her family in person, imagining them was no longer a game.

What if, after a few months, they feel that my coming here has been a mistake? What if they decide I'd be better off back in Darhabar, and Fm sent away once again?
These were the last thoughts that ran through Sunny's mind before Heather released her. Sunny hadn't really hugged her older sister in return, but didn't realize this until Heather held her at arm's length.

None of her disappointment over Sunny's poor response showed on Heather's face. She stood looking into the composed face of her sister, praying for the right words to express her joy over Sunny's return. In an instantaneous decision, she decided to say nothing personal.

"Supper is in 30 minutes. Would you like to see your room or stay here and warm yourself by the fire?"

Sunny knew that Brandon would not be in her room, and wanting to be near him, she opted to stay by the fire. With this decision out of the way, everyone took a seat. It was as if everyone in the room had been holding his breath while Heather and Sunny met, and now the conversation flowed around the youngest member of the family with a familiar ease.

Much to her relief, no questions were directed at Sunny, and it wasn't many minutes before her attention began to wander about the room. Moving nothing more than her eyes, she studied the elaborate fireplace and the portrait hung over the mantel. Her gaze also took in the rich furniture and ornate rugs.

Heather, some feet away from her, could not drag her eyes from her sister's race. Dexter and Judith were talking easily, and Sunny never realized Heather's scrutiny or thoughts.
She's so young to hide her fear behind a mask of composure. Do I really have a chance of getting

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close to this sister who was raised in such a. foreign way?
Heather's thoughts made her feel as though she could cry all over again.

Her eyes shifted from Sunny, and she found Brandon's gaze upon her. His look was compassionate, but the small shake of his head told her she couldn't cry right now. Heather sat and prayed. She asked God to rescue her until she could be alone, and rescue her He did. His help came in the form of her twin daughters, Diane and Louise. Heather had never been so glad to see them.

"You lived in A palace, Aunt Sunny?" Diane wanted to know.

"Yes," Sunny answered softly and watched both girls' eyes grow wide.

"Then she must have been a princess," Louise breathed after a moment, and the two identical faces turned to each other for just an instant, their young minds filled with grandiose dreams.

"I was not a princess," Sunny told them. "But I was the ruler's daughter."

The question-and-answer session had gone on for some minutes now, but Heather did nothing to interrupt. Sunny seemed a bit more relaxed since the girls' nanny had delivered them, and Heather had to remind herself that even though Sunny was in her generation, she was only six years older than her eight-year-old nieces.

Supper was announced a few minutes later, and Sunny was surprised when the twins bid her goodnight. She too was having a hard time figuring out in which part of this family she belonged and was surprised that the little girls were not eating with them.

Dexter and Judith had been invited to stay for the meal, and even though the food was the best served to her since her journey had begun, the delicious tastes were lost to Sunny's troubled young heart. Her mind ran the gamut from wondering what had become of her trunks to hoping she would never have to look at her clothes again.

When Sunny wasn't thinking about her clothing, she fretted about eating properly. She watched everyone closely in an effort not

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to humiliate herself, something no one at the table missed. In fact, her scrutiny of the others was so keen that she bumped her water glass at one point and filled her plate with liquid.

The decision to run and hide was cut short by the arrival of Foster, Heather's husband. He was late and made his apologies as he moved toward Sunny. He stood looking down at her for just an instant before he spoke.

"Welcome home, Sunny. I'm Foster, and I hope you'll be very happy with us." He bent and kissed her cheek before taking his seat at the head of the table, his kind blue eyes sparkling with pleasure.

Sunny's eyes followed him, and she decided in an instant that she liked what she saw. He was tali and lean and his face was open with kindness. Sunny watched as Foster and Heather smiled at each other. Unknown to them, their action did more for her heart than anything else she had seen or heard since arriving.

The evening progressed, and beyond a comment here or there, no attempt was made to draw Sunny into the conversation. Wanting very much to be left alone, Sunny did not complain. Not long after they'd moved into the drawing room, Brandon suggested that she might want to turn in early.

Sunny's features were as composed as ever as she thanked him and bid everyone goodnight. She was pleasantly surprised over not being handed over to a servant at that point. Both Brandon and Heather escorted her upstairs to her room.

"I'm in the room next door if you need something, Sunny,** Brandon
told
her as soon as they were inside.

"And I'm across the hall and two doors down," Heather added. A maid had pulled the bedcovers down and laid out a nightgown. Heather called her over and introduced her to Sunny. Her name was Sally. Thinking that she might not have understood, Heather told Sunny once again where her room was.

"It doesn't matter what time it is, just come and get me if you need something," Heather added.

*Tm sure I'll be fine," Sunny told her easily. "Thank you for everything.'*

It was dear that she wanted to be left alone. Heather wasn't sure what to do, so she took Brandon's cue and bid her sister goodnight. Shutting the door behind them, Brandon told Heather he would talk
to
her and Foster in the library in ten minutes' time.

* * *

Sunny turned slowly and took a long look around her dark, rather depressing bedroom. Thinking she was alone, she nearly jumped from her skin when she turned to find Sally near the door.

"Can I help you with your dress, Lady Sunny?"

Sunny was about to decline, but then remembered the row of tiny buttons down the back of her dress. She turned obediently for Sally's assistance, but just as soon as the maid had the dress unbuttoned, Sunny stepped away from her.

UI can manage now, thank you."

Sally, an experienced servant of many years, did not let her surprise show. She bid her mistress goodnight and left the room on silent feet.

Brandon, just coming out of his room, was surprised to see Sally in the hall. He knew she hadn't had enough time to settle Sunny for the night, and he almost questioned her. She curtsied to him as she passed, but Brandon stayed silent. He stood in the hall for some moments, indecision riding him. Sunny wanted to be alone, and he knew how she felt after being cooped up on ship. But with everything she'd seen and heard today, should she be left to herself?