The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) (5 page)

"Thank you" was all Sunny replied, reminding herself just in 'time that to comment on the food would be disrespectful.

Brandon opened his mouth to begin his story, but Sunny had begun to think of England.

"Did my mother and father send you here?"

ttNot exactly," Brandon answered carefully, not caring for the direction this conversation was heading. He had wanted to start the story by telling her how much she was missed, and about the joy all who had known her had been given to know she was alive and returning to them.

His hesitancy made Sunny so sure that something was wrong, she stood.UI do not know you." Her small hands were balled into fists at her sides, so great was her frustration. "I do not know if your words are truth."

"Sunny, please sit back down." Brandon saw her panic and kept his voice even. "You have nothing to fear from me."

"But how can I know this?"

"Because in a way I'm like family," he assured her gently. "Your brother is married to my sister."

Sunny was instantly captivated, and with trancelike movements sat down and stared at Brandon.

"I have a brother?"

45

"WHEN you were 15 months old, your parents decided to take a trip. They left England on a ship headed for various parts of the world. You were with them," Brandon began quietly.

"Off the coast of Darhabar there was a storm. They were close enough to port that the ship's captain thought they could drop the longboats and go to shore for safety. But the storm was unpredictable, and as the boat carrying you and your parents was rowed toward shore, a huge wave hit. Your parents lost track of each other in this wall of water, and when your father could see again, you and your mother had been washed overboard.

"In the storm your lather could do nothing but pray. So as soon as the waters stilled he began his search. For days he combed the waters and ports in search of some sign of you. When he visited Ahmad Khan's palace, he was shown to a private chamber where they had prepared your mother's body. Your father was so grief-stricken, that when they said they had not seen you, he didn't suspect a thing. You were so small; it wasn't at all hard to believe you'd been lost to the sea,

"Your father returned to England with your mother's body and tried to put his life back together. Sunny Gallagher, your grandmother and the woman you were named after, never believed you were dead. I wish now that she had lived to see how right she was."

"So my father sent you?** Trying to grasp all that was significant, Sunny's head was spinning over this news even as her young heart told her it was true.

"No, he didn't send me. AU contacted your oldest brother, who is married to my sister. We're all very close because of that tie, your siblings and my family, and with my ship and sailing experience, they asked me to come.**

"Is my father dead too?" Sunny suddenly asked, already knowing the answer.

Brandon nodded regretfully. "About four years ago. His heart suddenly stopped. He was gone before a doctor could be summoned.'' Brandon fell silent then, not wishing to overwhelm her.

"What are these 'siblings' you speak of-sisters?'*

"Siblings are brothers and sisters," Brandon told her and reminded himself to watch his choice of words. "You have two brothers and one sister. They are all a good deal older, each married with children.

"I'm a person who enjoys maps and charts, so on the voyage over, I took the liberty of drawing up a family tree so you would understand our family ties.** Brandon rose and fetched a roll of paper from his desk. "As you'll see, you're an aunt eight times over."

Sunny accepted the paper offered to her, and like a person in a dream rolled it open on the table. Brandon, never taking his eyes from her face, helped her hold the edges down as she read. After a moment he began to point and explain.

Gallagher Family Tree Randolph Gallagher d.1840 m. Katherine d. 1832

Douglas 32 m. Marian

Randolph (Rand) 36 m. Chelsea 35

Heather 28 Sunny 13 m. Foster Jamieson

Miles 16 Holly 15

Harlan 11 Lance 8 Graced James 5

Diane & Louise 8 (Twins)

46

"This is your father and mother, and here is your oldest brother, named after your father. We call him Rand. He married my sister, Chelsea. I wrote down everyone's ages, so as you can see, you actually have a niece and a nephew a few years older than yourself.

Hawkesbury Family Tree

Milton Hawkesbury

Edgar d. 1823 m. Andrea

Dexter 21

Brandon 23

Chelsea 35 m. Randolph (Rand) 36

Miles 16 Holly 15

"My family is on this side," he went on. "You see here under my folks are my sister Chelsea, me, and then my brother, Dexter. Dex is engaged to be married."

"Is your mother dead?"

"No. She's very much alive and looking forward to seeing you. She and your mother were the best of friends."

"Will I live with her?" Sunny felt very confused.

Brandon suddenly realized how important it was for her to know where she was headed, and said a prayer of thanks that her family had taken the time to work this out ahead of his departure.

"You'll certainly see my mother, but since your parents are both deceased, you're going to live in London with your sister, Heather, and her husband, Foster. As you can see," Brandon again pointed to the paper, "they have twin girls, Diane and Louise."

Again Brandon felt as though he'd said enough. Sunny's eyes were scanning the paper repeatedly, as though trying to memorize every word.

Unexpectedly she asked, "Why did you come for me?"

47

Brandon had already told her this but patiently answered again. "When Rand was contacted we all sat down, your family and some members of my own, and discussed the matter. When all was said and done, my position and sailing experience made me the rather obvious choice."

Sunny remembered then that he had said this was his ship and agreed that he was the logical person to sail for her. But she did not realize there was more behind the word "position" than she realized. She didn't feel disappointed that no one else had come, just curious over what they might be like.

"How long will I stay?"

Brandon stared at her, completely nonplussed. That she would not understand the permanence of this arrangement had never occurred to him. He felt a bit cowardly, but decided to throw the answer back at Ahmad's feet.

"Ali said that the letter he left would explain everything." Brandon could only hope that after these words, the letter actually would fulfill that promise.

"Oh," Sunny looked stunned. "I did not read all the words, and I do not know-" she hesitated when Brandon rose and retrieved yet another paper from the desk.

"You must have dropped it in your hurry to leave." Brandon's voice was a bit amused, but it was lost on Sunny as she opened the letter.

"It is because of my love for you," she began again, "that I have taken this action. You will be angry, but I know what is best. The family you have in England has position, power, and money. You will be welcome and have care. Indira will miss you. Think of us when you open the jewel box. It comes with my love, Poppy."

A single tear escaped the corner of Sunny's eye as she looked up at Brandon. "I am not to go back." It was a statement, not a question, but Brandon still nodded in agreement, knowing the sooner she accepted the feet, the easier it would be.

"What is this jewel box?" Sunny tried to distract her own tortured thoughts.

"Something Ali left for you. Did you want to see it?"

"I would cast it into the sea, were it in my hands," she whispered, knowing she hadn't diverted her thoughts at all. She felt so betrayed and angry that she wanted to scream.

Brandon's brows rose as he thought how well Ali had known

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49

what her reaction would be. He also saw the anger building in those stunning purple eyes. Brandon asked himself if he should sidetrack her or let the anger come. He decided on the latter and stayed quiet as she crumpled the paper in her hands.

"He had no right," she suddenly spat furiously.

Brandon was certain she referred to Ahmad's method of sending her away.

"He had no right to lie all these years! All this time I am not his, I am not given to him by an English man whose wife had died. I am not the daughter of a man who trusts me to Ahmad's care, wanting the best for me. He
lied
-all these years he lied!" More tears had gathered in her eyes, and Brandon could see they were tears of fury, tears of the betrayed.

As she stormed the cabin floor, her hands were clenched and her hair, not having seen a brush recently, swirled around her shoulders.

"I was safe. I was happy. Now I have only lies." She stopped and buried her face in her hands. Brandon stayed in his seat for a few moments and then rose to put his arms around her. He knew very well that she would push him away, but on the slim chance she would welcome a shoulder to cry on, he approached.

Tears in the palace were not something the emir had enjoyed, and he only allowed shows of emotion on rare occasions. Not even Rashad, in deference to his ruler's preference, had comforted her when she cried. Sunny had never had a man hold her when she was upset, and at this moment, when her world had been torn in pieces, nothing was of more comfort than the feel of his strong arms surrounding her or the smell of his shirt as she buried her face against his chest and wept.

Brandon said nothing to stop her tears or avert her from this grief. She had, in a sense, experienced the death of a loved one-an entire family of loved ones. Brandon believed her tears, grief, and anger were all healthy ways of handling the hurt.

When the worst of the storm had passed and Brandon had handed her a handkerchief, he asked if she wanted to talk a little more. Her head shook in the negative, and Brandon knew that now was the time for a little diversion.

"Let's head back into your room for a little while."

Sunny, having come to realize that he meant her no harm, told him she did not need to sleep.

"I'm not suggesting that you do. You have a bed to make and two trunks to repack.**

His planned diversion worked like a charm. Sunny's chin rose with indignation, and her eyes flashed purple fire. Brandon thought she looked like a young princess. She also sounded like she was addressing a servant.

"I have never made my bed or picked up my clothing. Why," she sputtered angrily, "I do not even know how!" She sounded almost proud of the feet.

Brandon wanted to smile, but knew better. He also decided not to mention that she obviously didn't know how
to
use a hairbrush either. Her thick tresses hung in unruly strands around her face, back, and shoulders.

Brandon calmly turned her around and propelled her in the direction of her bedroom. "Then I think it's high time you learn."

51

"You are hurting me!" Sunny told the captain angrily.

"That," Brandon's voice was as calm as ever, "is why you must do this every day."

Sunny let out a disgusted sigh but said nothing.

Brandon had let another two days pass before mentioning Sunny's hair. At his suggestion that she brush it out herself, she had stared at him as if he'd taken leave of his senses.

So now they sat together in a sheltered spot on the deck, and Brandon tirelessly ran the brush through her hair, or at least made the attempt. Some strands were so tangled he feared he would need to cut them.

At one point, when he had one side brushed smooth, he made Sunny brush for a while. But it was clear that her heart wasn't in it. She grew distracted easily and ended up with nearly as many snarls as when she started. Brandon tolerantly retrieved the brush and went back to work.

"I hope you realize that I'm not on this trip to play maid to you," he told her suddenly, although his voice held no rebuke.

"Why did you not bring a maid for me?" Sunny asked the first question that came to mind, thinking what an excellent idea it was.

Brandon could only shake his head. She was so clearly accustomed to being waited on hand and foot. He had been raised in a home of considerable wealth, and even now, in part because of that wealth, was considered one of London's most sought-after bachelors.

In his home, however, money had never been an excuse for acting helpless or being unwilling to learn new skills. Sunny obviously believed that if she didn't know something by now, especially some thing that didn't interest her, then she didn't need to learn.

"What is my sister like?" Sunny turned suddenly, and Brandon saw the spark of curiosity in her eyes.

"Like a grown-up version of yourself. You look like you might be taller someday, but other than your eye color, your faces are very much alike."

"Did my mother have my eyes?"

**No, you have your grandmother Gallagher's. I believe that is why you were named for her."