The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) (14 page)

"No one will touch it without your permission,'* Sally told her softly, and Sunny relinquished her hold.

A few moments later Sunny was seated before the large mirror that hung above the dressing table, and Sally was drawing the brush through her glorious chestnut hair. Sally loved doing Sunny's hair because the girl was not so self-absorbed that she never took her eyes from her own reflection.

This evening Sunny was reading her history book. It was not an easy task while having her hair brushed, but the young woman was captivated. She looked up only when someone else knocked on her door. Heather entered without waiting for an answer, and behind her was a footman carrying a large trunk.

"If there's anything special you want packed, Sunny, be sure to tell Sally."

Sunny only stared at her sister.

"Sunny," Heather spoke with uncertainty. "You did realize we're leaving for Rand and Chelsea's in the morning?"

"I thought we were going for Christmas."

"Christmas is three days away, Sunny. Today is the twenty-second."

Heather did not linger, and Sunny was glad. She laid her history book down, and for the first time since Sally started her hair, she stared at herself in the mirror.

* $ *

The drive to Willows' End, as Rand and Chelsea's home was called, was a complete surprise to Sunny. After leaving the busy

112

113

London streets, the carriage soon moved out into the country. The land was somewhat barren in the winter months; still, Sunny found it beautiful and very tranquil. The countryside rolled and dipped with hollows and hills, and everywhere she looked the land was crisscrossed with low stone walls.

Cattle and sheep grazed contentedly, and the twins could not stop talking or pointing them out. They carried on about their Uncle Rand's lands and stables, the main house, cottages, and carriage house. Sunny listened with only half an ear. She was going to meet Randolph and his family. What would they be like? Would they like her?

Up to this time, the news that she had a niece and nephew older than herself had made little difference to her. Suddenly she was nervous over the feet. And what about Rand himself? He was her brother. Heather had been glad to see her, but what if she was just a nuisance to Rand? He hadn't come to see her when she was in London. She was, after all, young enough to be his daughter. Perhaps he would just as soon she had stayed in Oarhabar.

The thought was so unsettling that Sunny did not hear Foster addressing her. He stopped when he realized her mind was elsewhere, and after exchanging a glance with Heather, left her to her thoughts for the remainder of the journey.

Randolph Gallagher, Marquess of Woodburn, stood at the library window and let his eyes study the long, willow-lined drive. It had been wet lately, and he wondered if his family had been delayed by the roads or a late departure from London. When the door opened behind him, he glanced over his shoulder and saw that Chelsea had entered. With an outstretched hand, he welcomed her into the curve of his arm.

"Are you wishing them here?" Chelsea asked.

"I think maybe I am. I fear she won't understand why I didn't come to London as soon as she arrived.'*

"You can explain it to her."

"True," Rand said. His mind was already back on his youngest sister and what she must be like. He'd talked to Brandon at length, and where most people would be shocked at Sunny's independent

behavior on ship, Rand had admired her courage and spunk. She sounded a lot like his own dear wife, and Rand couldn't imagine life without her. His arm tightened around Chelsea for just a minute, and then they both spotted it-the Jamieson coach was coming up61the drive.

"What are you doing in here?" Miles asked his sister Holly when he found her practically hiding in the upstairs salon.

"Nothing," she said a bit defensively.

"Didn't you hear Binks say that Heather and Foster are here?"

"I heard," the young woman said softly, and Miles came in and shut the door. Holly went on just as softly after Miles sat down across from her.

"Doesn't it bother you a little bit that she's our aunt, but we're older?"

Miles shrugged, clearly not at all concerned. "I guess it might seem a little funny, but I assumed we'd act more like cousins to each other, since she's just 14 to our 15 and 16. I don't really think there's going to be a problem."

"What if none of us likes the other?"

Again Miles shrugged. "There's probably nothing to like or dislike one way or the other. And if there is, then we'll all be thankful she's just here for Christmas."

Miles was so logical that Holly nodded reluctantly and rose when he did. He led her to the door and then held it with gentlemanly ease so she could precede him into the hall.

Sunny stared into the fire that danced merrily in one of the vast fireplaces in Rand and Chelsea's large parlor. She felt so cold she wished she could crawl in with the flames. The coldness, the same type she had experienced when she met Heather, was now seeping into her bones as she waited for her brother to arrive. The twins had been ushered away by their mother, and now she and Foster waited alone.

"Why don't you sit down, Sunny," Foster suggested.

114

115

She tried to smile at him. He was always so kind, but at the moment she didn't think she could move to do as he'd suggested.

"They're not going to bite you," he remarked with a teasing glint in his eye. This did wring a slight smile from Sunny, but just then the door opened. Without delay the smile and all traces of strain left Sunny's features, and as composed as ever, she turned with stately ease to meet her family.

Rand was not sure what he had been expecting, but this slim, beautiful girl who stood looking more poised than many adult women he had known was decidedly not it. He sent up a prayer of silent thanks that Brandon had warned him of her self-control. She was indeed hard to gauge with her collected features and proper stance.

"Sunny," Foster said, wanting to break the ice and start things on the right foot. "This is Rand and his wife, Chelsea."

"Hello," Sunny said, nodding her head just slightly but not smiling or showing warmth of any kind.

Rand and Chelsea both greeted her, but the strain in the room was evident. Rand felt miserable, but he didn't have a due as to how to help the situation. Chelsea, usually able to jump in and save the most awkward situation, was clearly at a loss also.

Sunny was so
perfect.
She had just traveled by coach for hours, but every hair was in place and her dress was flawless. She had done no developing of any kind in her 14 years, so her manners did not fit the young body clothed by the dark blue traveling suit, but Rand's heart turned over at how unsure she must be feeling inside, and he decided to act as normally as he could.

"Please, Sunny, sit down. We're glad to have you here at Willows* End. If there's anything you need, just ask."

"Thank you," Sunny told him and sat like a statue on the edge of the settee.

**How was the trip?" Chelsea interjected as she also sat.

"Fine, thank you." Sunny had decided that these people were not going to like her, so she was going to be on her best behavior until she could leave this place. She actually preferred what she had seen of Willows' End over Heather's house in London, but she was certain she must be an intruder here, so she told herself not to relax.

The strained silence that followed those few words was broken by Sinks, who was head of housekeeping in this vast home. Nearly all the servants answered to him. His wife, Mrs. Sinks, was the Gallaghers' cook.

"Lady Heather is asking for you, my lord," he said to Foster. "Shall I tell her you are indisposed?"

"No, Sinks, I'll come. Tell her I'll be right there." He turned to Sunny and smiled. Til see you later," he told her kindly and left, thinking this might be the best thing to have happened.

Chelsea was thinking the same thing and stood with Foster. "I can't think what has become of Miles and Holly. Til see what's keeping them." Sunny watched her leave and began to feel so cold again she rose and went back to the fire.

Rand watched as she held her hands to the flames, and knew an ache to put his arms around her so deep that he thought he wouldn't be able to restrain himself. Sunny turned to find him watching her and, for just a moment, couldn't take her eyes from his. Sunny decided to tell him that she knew she wasn't welcome in his home.

"I'm sure it's not very easy for me to come here like this, but I'll not be any bother to you while I'm here, and Heather tells me we'll be gone in a few days* time."

"Is that what you think, Sunny?" Rand's voice was deep. "That I don't want you here; that you're going to be an inconvenience?"

Sunny's chin rose. Rand saw this move and knew that there was way too much space between them. He rose and came to stand next to her by the fire. When she didn't turn to face him, but instead turned back to look at the fire, he took her by the shoulders and turned her toward him.

"The day you were born I already had two children of my own. You would have thought it was my wife and not my mother who'd had a baby, so great was my joy. I first saw you when you were six hours old. On that day when I first held you, I watched as you opened your eyes and in so doing, walked straight into my heart.

"You left here with Mother and Father when you were just a year old, and it was like having one of my own children taken away. Some time passed before we heard that you had been lost, and I ached for months over the thought that I couldn't hold you and play with you again.

"And now after being separated from me for nearly 13 years, you're here in my own home. If you expect me to keep my distance, you're going to be disappointed. I've been forced to be separated from you for all these years, but no longer."

All of this said, Rand wrapped his little sister in his powerful

116

arms. He could tell he had shocked her speechless, but at the moment he didn't care. It took over half a minute for her to relax in his arms, but Rand was patient. The trembling had left her frame, and her arms were now hugging him back. He lowered his head so his cheek could rest on the top of her head. Tears clogged his throat He tightened his grasp slightly and spoke softly.

**I wanted to come to London as soon as you arrived, but I couldn't get away."

Sunny shifted and tipped her head back to see his face.

"Do you mean that?"

"Every word,** he told her fervently. "The only thing that kept me from dropping everything here and rushing to see you was knowing you'd be coming today."

Sunny smiled then, a smile that started in her heart and worked its way right up to her mouth. Her brother loved her. Sunny couldn't think of anything more wonderful.

In the next few moments brother and sister were talking like old friends. Sunny learned all about the land Rand owned, managed by men from the village. He also owned and operated several woolen mills. Sunny was captivated.

She shared with him about her trip with Brandon and a few facts about her life in Darhabar. They probably would have continued talking for hours, Rand telling more about his work and Sunny about her life in London, but Sinks opened the door. Chelsea entered. She was followed by Miles and Holly.

cr

G/MP

holly gallagher was short, with a full figure, a lovely face, and a fan-loving personality. At the sight of her aunt, all previous fears melted away, and she smiled at Sunny as if she were a long-lost friend. The other people in the room, including her brother, were forgotten as Sunny found herself smiling shyly in return.

Introductions were made, but it was some moments before Sunny really turned to look at Miles. He was a picture of his handsome father in face and build, and unlike Holly, he was not smiling. He was staring at Sunny as if he had never seen a young woman before. Sunny, not sure what to think of his scrutiny, nodded in his direction and let herself be drawn into a conversation with Chelsea and Holly.

"Did Rand tell you how badly he had wanted to come to London?" Chelsea asked her sister-in-law.

"Yes," Sunny said with an understanding smile. "He said he was very busy.**

"I'm so glad you're here now," Holly broke in and smiled once again. Sunny found herself liking her more than ever.

"Mum," Holly went on, "May Sunny and I go to my room? Oh," the older girl stopped suddenly. "I can call you Sunny, can't I?**

"What else would you call me?** the younger girl asked, completely forgetting their relationship.

"Aunt Sunny," Chelsea supplied kindly and then turned to Holly. "If Sunny doesn't mind, it's fine with me.**

118

119

"Diane and Louise call me Aunt Sunny," she said softly, obviously considering this for the first time. "But they're younger than I am."

Holly beamed again. "It's all settled then. We'll see you later," Holly called to the room in general, and then took Sunny by the arm and nearly dragged her from the room.

Rand and Chelsea exchanged grins and spoke quietly for a moment. Neither mother nor father noticed how quiet Miles had been during the entire exchange.