The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) (12 page)

At the moment Brandon was in the same frame of mind. He had seen his mother and grandfather and was now rushing back to London so he could see Sunny. She'd been on his heart most of the day, and it had been a revelation to him how attached he'd become to her. Sunny and the girls were still on the floor when he walked into the nursery and quietly took a seat without their notice.

Sunny, in her best dress, was sprawled on the floor in a most undignified manner. Her shoes had been kicked off and were two feet away from her, and strands of hair were Ming in her face as she bent over the game. She looked like she was having a wonderful time.

Diane was the first to spot her uncle, and she jumped up from the game to greet him. Louise was fast on her heels, but Sunny, after pushing to a sitting position, stayed on the floor. Upon sighting him she broke into a huge grin, but then she reminded herself that she was annoyed with the man, and the smile disappeared.

The girls' nanny, Miss Charlotte, interrupted them just after Brandon arrived, and after the game had been put away, took the girls to wash for supper. Sunny left the nursery without speaking to Brandon and headed toward the library for a book on English history,

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one that Heather had mentioned to her. Brandon followed slowly, Sunny's shoes in his hand.

Sunny was scanning the rows of shelves in the library when she heard the door open and close behind her. She knew exactly who it was, and other than a brief pause, decided to ignore him. Brandon took all of this in stride and settled himself onto the davenport, his long legs stretched nonchalantly out before him. After a moment he spoke.

"Angry with me, Sunny?" His voice was soft.

Sunny turned to him immediately, her chin raised indignantly. She glared in his direction and then yanked at the fabric of her sleeve. The small bruise on her bare arm was revealed for just a moment before she adjusted the sleeve and flounced toward the door in a huff.

Brandon stayed in repose until Sunny was just past him. His arm shot out and caught her around the waist. Before Sunny could draw a breath she was deposited neatly beside him. She turned on the seat in outrage, ready to burn his ears with angry words, but stopped at the look of regret on his face.

"Fm sorry it left a mark." Brandon's voice was deep with intensity. "You have more control than some adults I know, but there is a time for crying. Last night you were nearly ill for holding in your emotions. I knew that nothing I said would have the slightest effect. I am sorry I had to pinch you, but I'm not sorry that you cried."

"I didn't want to cry," Sunny admitted.

"Can you tell me why?"

Sunny's chin rose, and she looked away from him. "Crying is a sign of weakness. I'm not a weak person."

That's truey
Brandon thought, but said, "I've seen grown men cry."

He didn't miss the look of revulsion that crossed her face, but he continued, "In fact, I've cried myself."

Sunny's head turned back to him, her eyes searching his face. She had such admiration for this man and considered him one of the strongest, most honorable men she had ever met. Where she had grown up, however, crying was considered shameful, especially for a man.

"Where were you today?" Sunny neatly changed the subject; Brandon decided to let her.

*I went to see my mother and grandfather."

Sunny was surprised. She had assumed that when he went to see

i, she would accompany him. Brandon correctly read the look ['on her face and quietly continued.

Td like to tell you about them when we go riding in the morn-ling. And then, if Heather has no other plans, my mother is expecting
\
us for lunch the day after."

Sunny was so pleased that she didn't say anything for a moment. Her face gave none of her thoughts away. I "Is there some reason you'd rather not go?"

"Oh, no!" Sunny was horrified at the very thought. "I
want
tomeet your mother; I want to meet her very much."

Brandon smiled. She had gone from being practically expressionless to a state of near panic at not being understood. Brandon thought wryly,
There's never a dull moment when you're with tbisjjM.

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sunny's first madam angelica was indeed a feast for the eyes.] Perfectly suited for a girl of 14, the pink silk creation with pi sleeves, a simple lace bodice, and full skirt was presented to Summ with a flourish. Unfortunately, Sunny was too upset over her underclothes to take much notice. She had already surprised Sally into] retreat by refusing to wear all that was required of her, and now she] stood facing her sister.'

"Why do I need this other petticoat when I have a shift?" Sunny, was standing in bloomers and a camisole, a linen shift dangling from her fingers.

"Sunny," Heather's voice was calm, but just barely. Didn't her sister realize the work involved for her to have a complete ensemble in one afternoon? Heather took a deep breath. "You can't go around half-naked beneath your clothes." This might have been an exaggeration, but Heather meant to have her way on this. "You need a petticoat that goes to the floor. It gives proper fullness to your skirt and keeps you warm and well covered."

"But Heather," Sunny too was running out of patience, "I'm nearly suffocating in what I have to wear now." These words had barely escaped Sunny's mouth when there was a knock on the door. Heather went and found Brandon in the hall. She told him with the move of her eyes that it was not going well.

Heather would have been surprised to find that Brandon was pleased with such news. That Sunny was not walking around like a perfect statue,

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i had been just 24 hours previously, was good news indeed. Heather

. Sunny her robe and allowed Brandon entrance. *Tfou never said my underclothes were wrong." Sunny wasted no in accusing him. "Heather wants me to wear this," Sunny held the shift, "plus that thing." She pointed in disdain to the bed

Heather had placed the voluminous petticoat. Brandon made himself comfortable by the fire and spoke calmly. >u need to bow to Heather's judgment on this. Not being mar-Fm not familiar with everything you need to wear. Heather Idn't ask you to put those things on unless it was necessary." This was clearly not what Sunny wanted to hear. She looked

:n the two adults and then spoke to Brandon. "What if I refuse?"

Brandon silently applauded Heather when she answered for him. *m hoping that you won't, but if you do, you'll not come down-fbr supper. I'll not allow you to be out of your bedroom unless )u're properly dressed."

This was all stated very calmly, but Heather was trembling in-ie. Sunny looked back to Brandon, but he didn't so much as blink.

Sunny, clearly angry with both of them, retrieved the petticoat I' and disappeared behind the screen.

"It's all very well and good for you to tell me / have to dress this way, when you can sit there in simple pants and coat."

Brandon didn't acknowledge the caustic remark that came from behind the screen, but he did give Heather an encouraging smile. He would have to meet with her again and tell her that this was yet another good sign. An angry,
talking
Sunny was infinitely better than a quiet one. With a quiet Sunny, you never knew where you stood or what damage she was doing to her own emotional state by bottling everything inside.

Brandon let himself out of the room before Sunny emerged from behind the screen. He was hi the drawing room with Foster when the women appeared. Sally had gone to work on Sunny's hair the moment she was dressed. The simple style, pulled back at the sides and left long down her back, along with the lovely gown she wore, made Sunny look as she should-like a young lady on the threshold of womanhood.

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Brandon rose when Heather and Sunny entered and went directly to Sunny. He lifted her hand within his own, bent low, and kissed it ever so softly. Still holding her hand, he lifted his eyes to hers.

"You look enchanting this evening.**

Sunny couldn't help but smile. Brandon's eyes were brimming with merriment, and after grinning at him Sunny almost giggled.

"You're not angry with me?" she asked suddenly.

"No, Fm not. But as you can see, Heather's word is law around here, and you had better get used to it."

Looking very resigned, Sunny nodded reluctantly. Brandon's heart turned over, but he said nothing. The sooner she became accustomed to obeying Heather and dressing like an English girl, the better for all concerned.

"Do you really like the dress?" Sunny's question cut into his thoughts as she looked down and inspected herself for the tenth time.

"Very much.**

Sunny smiled again, looking very pleased. "Foster and Heather are buying me new dresses for my birthday.** As had become Sunny*s habit when she was lost for words, she lifted her grandmother's ring on its chain and fingered it for a moment. Brandon smiled at the act.

Just moments later supper was announced. Feeling tired but peaceful, and sitting at the end of the table opposite her husband, Heather felt a bit awed over the feet that Sunny had only been with them for one day. It had not been the easiest of days, but she praised God for all that was accomplished and for His will in the days to come.

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raise before she bid him goodnight. He bent close and spoke into her now-composed features.

"Do I need to pinch you again?**

Sunny's shoulders slumped, and she shook her head. There was no fooling this man. Brandon bid his host and hostess goodnight before slipping his arm around Sunny's shoulders.

"Walk me to the door," he bade her.

Sunny did walk with him to the front door and found she felt better. Brandon kissed her cheek before he left and reminded her that he would be there promptly at 10:00. Sunny had almost forgotten about their ride in the park. She went to bed nearly singing with anticipation.

"But I thought you'd be here,** Sunny told Brandon as he made his goodbyes that evening.

"I'll be back in the morning for our ride, but I have a town house here in London, and that's where I'll be tonight. If you need something, Foster and Heather are right here, and if you must see me, Heather can send word.**

The words did not completely comfort Sunny. She knew that Brandon was not going to be around forever, but she had somehow envisioned his presence for some time to come. She reminded herself then that he wasn't going away for good, and that she was acting like an infant. Brandon watched her shoulders straighten and her chin

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brandon and sunny had been on their ride for only ten minutes, when Sunny blurted out what was on her mind.

"Is this animal ill?"

Brandon kept his face averted until he stopped laughing and was able to control his features. He knew when the groom helped her into the saddle that she'd been disappointed. She watched Nick, his own high-spirited gelding, with envy as they rode from the Jamie-sons' toward the park.

Sunny had told him that she was used to horses, but Brandon had not been willing to take a risk without first seeing how she handled one. As they now rode side by side, he could see that he had underestimated her. She commanded her mount with a skill far beyond her years. His own sister, Chelsea, preferred a spirited mount and had the skill to handle one. On the other hand, Chelsea's daughter Holly was afraid of horses, and she was a year older than Sunny.

"Brandon," Sunny was not going to let the matter drop. "Why was I given a horse that's still asleep?"

"Because your telling me you had spent time around horses did not tell me you really knew how to ride."

Sunny scowled at him, but anything she might have said was cut short by the approach of another rider. The other rider, whose mount was lathered with exertion, was Lord Lindley, Duke of Colton. He'd been a friend of Brandon's father for years before his death.

"Good morning, Hawk," the older man greeted him.

u '

"Good morning, sir," Brandon returned. "Lord Lindley, I'd like you to meet Lady Sunny Gallagher. Sunny, this is Lord Lindley; he's 'teen a friend of the family for years."

Brandon watched the older man's eyes light with admiration and amusement when Sunny nodded to him like a queen on the throne and then spoke as though addressing a lowly subject.

"You've ridden this animal hard. It is to be hoped that you had a good reason."

It was obvious that Sunny did not expect an answer since she heeled her mount forward, leaving the duke nearly laughing and Brandon ready to wring her slim neck.

Brandon opened his mouth to apologize, but the duke stopped him.

"It's all right, Hawk. You forget I knew her grandmother. She is just as I'd expected her to be-beautiful and nobody's fool."

Brandon relaxed visibly. "Thank you, sir. You're very understanding."

"Not at all. She amuses me, and at my age," the older man went on good-naturedly, "I find little that does."