Miss Minnie and the Brass Pluggit (3 page)

And had a few compliments to his own equipment as well. Apparently, the unique shape of his lighthouse was a lure in and of itself. Those women who didn’t faint at the sight of it often hurried down to meet the occupant and see if anything matched up.

Modestly, he confessed to himself that they’d all left with smiles on their faces and no further jests about the Brass Pluggit.

He might not be brass, but he could
pluggit
as well as any man.

All of which was a lot of fun, but didn’t explain his current mood of heightened anticipation as he waited for the notorious Miss Minnie’s arrival.

He’d often blessed his communications channels, a large collection of telegraph wires that he’d cleverly blended into one tidy unit. He could receive messages or information from a variety of sources without surrendering an entire room to the technology. A light above a certain control indicated news from London. Another signaled messages from Cairo or Johannesburg. None were labeled—only Pierce and Dusk knew the origin of the telegraphs. And Dusk barely bothered with them, preferring to work in the greenhouses and leave the other matters to Pierce.

Those other matters were housed in the belly of the lighthouse itself. And concerned nobody but Pierce. Certainly not Miss Minnie, or Lady Dalrymple as he supposed he should call her. Whether this was a simple visit of curiosity or something more, he wasn’t sure.

But the fact her name had been linked to his old school friend Sir Roger Lutterson—that was too big a coincidence to ignore. Politics was politics, after all. He’d known it was only a matter of time before he attracted attention from Whitehall—it didn’t require a huge amount of logical thought to assume that perhaps Miss Minnie was the preliminary salvo fired on behalf of his government.

They’d be wondering what he was doing, tucked away in this quiet little serene corner of the British Isles. The drawback to having attained some degree of fame
within
the scientific community was the prominence and attention one attracted
after
that point.

Pierce’s work with magnetic levitation, conducted at the University of Stuttgart, had been rewarded both financially and academically and put his name on the front page of many scientific journals.

And, it would appear, brought him to the attention of his own illustrious government representatives. He caught himself curling his lip in what probably would have looked like a sneer to anyone else, had they been present. Fortunately they weren’t, because Pierce didn’t like to betray his inner sentiments. And although he certainly found plenty to sneer at in the Houses of Parliament—both the Commons and the House of Lords—he’d prefer to keep those notions tucked away where they couldn’t return to bite him in the arse.

For some obscure reason, the thought of being bitten in the arse brought his thoughts back around to Miss Minnie. And stirred something very male in his loins. He lifted his head and listened, trying to hear over the soft susurration of the waves around the base of the cliff. He had the oddest notion that if he sniffed, he would be able to smell her, pick up her scent, follow it to her…

Shaking off the strange fancies, he glanced landward once more and stiffened at the quick familiar wink of sunlight off his whimsy.

She was on her way. Dusk had found her successfully.

As he began to descend the smooth wide stone stairs within the lighthouse, Pierce wondered how she’d responded to his servant. Although servant was completely the wrong word for Dusk. He was more friend than employee, more father than friend and a little bit of everything when needed.

Since Pierce had created the mask for him, Dusk had been devoted in his loyalty. Both men had been pleased with the result—Pierce with the overall effectiveness and artistic appearance of his creation, and Dusk with the fact that he could now walk freely amongst his fellow men without knowing they were turning away in horror. And there was the added benefit of the fascination his mask held for the ladies.

Yes, it had been a good day when their paths had crossed, a good day for both of them.

It remained to be seen whether this day would prove to be a good one as well. Pierce moved to the large arched doors that led outside and with a grunt pulled them wide. They were of the thickest wood, reinforced with several plates of brass, and they probably could have withstood William the Conqueror’s army, had he chosen to invade the Isle of Wight. As it was, they’d weathered the occasional severe storm and flooding without a mark. It was simply that they were very difficult to open and close without a lot of effort, which brought a grunt to the throat of whoever had the chore at the time.

Any abstract thoughts about historical kings, doors and grunting vanished as a lilting laugh drifted into Pierce’s brain and made itself comfortable there.

He squinted against the bright morning sun to see Dusk assisting a lady from the whimsy and onto the flagstones. She glanced upward and laughed again, apparently vastly amused by the edifice in front of her.

Then she lowered her head and met Pierce’s gaze. Still half-blind from the light, he blinked as she came toward him with her hand extended.

“Dr. Lowell, I’m guessing. Thank you for sending an escort, but I shall confess that I probably could have found my way here without him.” She looked up and once more stifled a chuckle. “Believe me, I don’t say this often or lightly, Doctor.” She paused for one dramatic beat. “You have a
very
nice pluggit.”

Chapter Two

Pierce Lowell was a great deal more handsome than Minnie could have imagined and it wasn’t only his looks that were affecting her.

His welcome had been everything that was appropriate. A gentle brush of his lips somewhere in the vicinity of her gloved hand, and a murmured invitation to enter after a charming smile in response to her lighthearted comment. She’d remained silent, mostly out of curiosity, as he’d led her into the strange lighthouse and to a small platform edged with wrought iron.

It was snug with both of them standing on it, especially when the little half-gate closed, gears whirred and the entire thing lifted, making her gasp a little and reach for the shiny brass bar which ran around three sides. “How amazing.” She glanced at him.

“A convenience. The circular stairs can be tiring.” He nodded at the stone steps, which could be glimpsed as they moved upward.

“And it will stop…how? Where?”

He gestured at a small panel where a couple of lights blinked. “For now, at the top. My living area. It will also stop at the lower levels should I wish.”

“Fascinating.”

Whether that comment was aimed at the moving platform or the man himself, Minnie wasn’t quite sure. He was tall, topping her by a head at least. Well built but not overly so, he moved easily, as if comfortable with his body. His hair was dark, somewhat longer than was stylish, but soft and shiny. The kind of hair a woman would find most attractive if falling over her naked skin.

Catching herself up in surprise, Minnie pushed such thoughts away. It was unlike her to immediately view a stranger as an object of desire. Perhaps it was his scent. Standing shoulder to shoulder, she couldn’t help but detect the warm fragrance of man, mixed with a dash of leather and some soap—sandalwood, perhaps. It was very appealing and in spite of her earlier determination, she couldn’t help taking a deep breath of it. She managed not to lick her lips, but it was a close thing.

His eyes had caught her off-guard. They weren’t the dark brown she’d have expected, given his coloring. They were green. A pure green that spoke of moss in sunlight. Few specks of any other color detracted from the striking pools of emerald. She wondered where in his heritage those distinctive eyes had first occurred.

Then the lifting device eased to a halt and she forgot to wonder about her host as she got her first look at the scenery from almost at the top of a lighthouse.

It was—to use a hackneyed phrase—breathtaking.

“Yes, it usually renders guests speechless the first time they see it.”

Dr. Lowell was smiling and Minnie guessed she must have made some sound or other. Words were beyond her.

The entire room ringed the lighthouse tower, extending out quite a few feet. The floor was carpeted and the circular wall stopped halfway up. From that point on, it was windows and more windows. Curved glass arched over the heads of those standing near the edge and staring out at an amazing view of ocean, coastline or rolling hills—depending on where one turned.

Other than the central structure, which must lead to the actual lighting device at the top of the building, the view from this room was unimpeded.

There were chairs, low tables, even a dining table set in one area. It was indeed a “living” room of sorts, where the people inside could fancy themselves part of the living landscape outside.

Trailing her fingers absently along the wood sill, Minnie sighed. “This is quite magnificent. How do you ever drag yourself away from it?” She found herself drifting, relaxing with the waves as they made their eternal patterns beneath the sunlight on the ocean.

“Sometimes I don’t.” He’d moved to her side.

“I can well understand.”

“Tea?”

The mundane question drew her back to reality. “Thank you. If it’s not too much trouble.”

“Not at all. I had Dusk ready a pot in case I could tempt you.”

You have no idea
. The errant thought darted through Minnie’s brain as she moved to a nearby chair and seated herself, pulling off her gloves and tucking them away in her reticule.

Dr. Lowell was proficient at tea making, at least. Within a minute there was a small table next to her chair, a plate ready for some cakes if she was hungry and a cup of tea, prepared with milk just as she liked it.

She sipped and then raised an eyebrow. “Very nice. Thank you.”

He picked up his own cup and gazed at her over the brim before drinking. “My pleasure. Why are you here?”

The abruptly direct question caught her by surprise and she struggled for a brief instant, determined not to betray her thoughts or emotions. She was beginning to understand that this man might be able to see behind her façade. Few others even knew she’d created one, and that fact alone made Pierce Lowell a risk to Minnie. She knew she had a weakness for intelligently insightful men.

She leaned to one side and placed her cup and saucer carefully on the little table. It was a delaying tactic, no more, but it gave her a chance to gather her thoughts. She knew without question that this man could not be dazzled or distracted. She would need all her wits about her to deal with him. He was too observant. And—for the moment—too uninvolved.

She smiled and glanced around her. “Curiosity. A chance to see inside your unusual home.”

“And?” He returned her gaze steadily.

“My turn for a question. How did you know I was coming to Yarmouth? You sent Dusk to meet me, yet I’d had no contact with you or anyone else down here.”

He shrugged and let a tiny enigmatic smile curve his lips. “I have my methods of securing information.”

“Good grief, sir.” Minnie laughed aloud. “That sounds like a line from a very bad and overheated mystery novel.”

He blinked and the curve grew into a full grin. “Sorry. I suppose it does.”

“Seriously.” She lifted a hand and gestured toward him. “You knew I was coming. Sources in London perhaps? Mutual friends? It was a pleasure meeting Dusk in Yarmouth, but it was unnerving realizing he was expecting me. I’m not very fond of being unnerved and I cherish my privacy as much as possible.”

The green eyes remained fixed on her face, betraying nothing of Dr. Lowell’s thoughts. In fact it seemed quite likely the man didn’t
have
any. Minnie found herself somewhat frustrated at his ability to conceal so much from her practiced observation.

Then he sighed and uncrossed his legs, switching his attention from her person to the ocean outside. “You are twenty-nine years old. You are a widow, your late husband having passed away six years ago. Upon his death you assumed control of Dalrymple Shipping and instead of running it into the ground as many anticipated, you have handled the business cleverly and increased revenues well beyond the expected percentage of profits.”

He paused for a refreshing mouthful of his own tea, placed the cup back down and continued. “In spite of the many offers for your hand, you have chosen to remain a widow. To date you’ve quietly endowed several scholarships in and around the small town just outside London, where you grew up. You use some of your fortune to improve the lives of others, which is to your credit. Surprisingly, this information is kept under wraps, and you prefer the newspapers to carry stories of your more scandalous behavior. In the past five years you’ve taken several lovers, the latest being Roger Lutterson.”

Minnie’s cheeks flared with heat and she opened her mouth to respond, but he held up his hand, staying her words.

“You have three places you refer to as home—a town house in the City, a small estate not too far from here in Lyndhurst and a modest manor just over the Welsh border. You don’t spend a lot of time in any of them, however, since you enjoy traveling and have been able to create your own traveling apartments.”

His gaze returned to her face, his scrutiny and his voice making her feel strangely vulnerable. It was as if he was peeling away her emotional garments with his words, leaving her naked before him. “You are somewhat of an enigma, Miss Minnie.”

Now she could see little flickers of something in the green depths. “I am?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “You present an image to the world and you carefully nurture that image, quite happy you’ve been spotted at the theater with a new beau. Uncaring if Her Majesty disapproves—which I’m pretty sure she does. You wander from place to place, never really calling any of them home. Some might say you’re a dilettante, yet there’s that business aptitude you’ve displayed which can’t be overlooked.”

He rose and crossed to her chair, leaning over and placing his hands on either arm, effectively pinning her to the seat. She lost herself in his eyes.

“I do my research, as—I’m sure—you do yours. So I ask you once again. What does Roger Lutterson want of me? Why are you here?”

Minnie’s head spun from the nearness of him, the scent of his skin, the pulse beating at the base of his throat. Her own heart was thundering, pounding so loud she wondered if he could hear it.

His words had intrigued, surprised and even scared her a little. His presence was arousing her, stirring longings deep within her body and making her wish for…well, he was a very unusual man, without a doubt.

She took a breath, her gaze meeting his and holding it fast. “Roger wants to know what you’re working on at the moment.”

He nodded briefly. “And you? What do you want?”

She stared back and knew nothing but the truth would suffice. “You.”

She was his every dream made flesh and to top it off, she’d just baldly announced she wanted
him
.

Pierce struggled manfully with the frantic urge to give her exactly what she’d asked for right there in his living room, in the overstuffed chair. Thankfully, he won the struggle, since it was likely the furniture wouldn’t have withstood the things he wanted to do to her.

He simply eased away, sucked in a large but silent breath and lifted an eyebrow at her. “Ah.”

“Forgive me.” She held her hands to her flushed cheeks and looked quite distressed. “I’m not sure what came over me. That was extremely inappropriate.”

“But honest.” Pierce managed a taut smile, his arousal still making him uncomfortable. He’d been that way since she walked out of the sunshine and into his life. He supposed he’d get used to it the longer he was in her presence.

Walking to the edge of the room and gazing at nothing in particular, he chose his words carefully. “There’s little I appreciate more than honesty, Miss Minnie. I will make you a promise. I will not lie to you. If it is within my power to tell you the truth, I will do so.”

Her dress rustled as she stood. “It’s an unusual promise, Dr. Lowell. One seldom made between anyone, let alone a man and woman who have just met.” She reached his side and joined him in looking out over the coastline stretching into the distance. “It could well prove dangerous.”

“Yes. I know.” He waited.

“Very well. I will agree. Honesty between us. No lies or subterfuge.”

She didn’t disappoint. Pierce wanted to grin from ear to ear, but he didn’t. He kept his expression calm as he turned to her and held out his hand. “A deal. Let’s hope neither of us regrets it.”

“We probably will. But we can but try.” With those somber words, she shook his hand.

“I’d like to begin our newly minted acquaintance by saying something.” He kept her hand in his, drawing her a little nearer. “I find you…extraordinarily appealing. Not just beautiful, because you are and I’m sure you’ve been told so many times.” He let his gaze roam over her features. “It’s something more. Something beneath the beauty.” He glanced down over her body. “Something inside. I have yet to discover what it is, but it’s there. And I’m very attracted to it.”

He glanced back up and saw a flicker of something like desire flash behind her warm brown eyes. But she gently withdrew her hand and moved back a pace. “I also find you appealing, Dr. Lowell. To return the compliment, you are a very handsome man.” She grinned. “And I’m sure you’ve discovered that for yourself.”

He couldn’t help grinning back. “Now and again. Call me Pierce.”

“So now you know why I’m here, Pierce.” She acknowledged his request. “That Roger Lutterson—and, one would assume, the government he represents—would like me to inquire about your current research and experiments.”

Pierce couldn’t but admire her adroit shifting of the topic. Suddenly they were far from his fertile imaginings—no naked limbs or sweaty skin.
Dammit
. He sighed. Oh well. He’d make sure there was time to get back to that later.

“I’d be happy to show you around. If you need paper and pencil to take notes, I can provide that as well.” He extended his arm.

She rested her fingertips on it. “Not necessary. I doubt I will understand the intricacies of your work. And if
I
don’t, then it’s very unlikely Roger will either.”

“Still struggling with scientific and mathematical concepts, is he?”

“He’s a very clever man. But a classic example of how brilliance does not necessarily encompass all things in life.” She chuckled. “His speeches are literate and stirring. He’s eloquent and extremely astute, politically. His knowledge of the global stage and its players is nothing short of astounding at times.”