Sisters of Colford Hall 01 - The Invasion of Falgannon Isle (18 page)

Gathering her skirt to her hips, she sat and wrapped her arms around her knees. She propped her chin on them, listening to the soothing sounds of the water against the shore.

“Oh, Dudley, I never intended to love again. There—I said the L-word! I’m falling for Des. Having lost Evian, I never wanted to set myself up for that pain again. This time it’s more dangerous. I loved Evian. Those emotions pale beside what Des makes me feel.”

A tear rolled down her cheek as she stood. Then another. She watched them hitting the sand. The tide lapped at them, stealing them away from the mortal world, absorbing them into the endless sea; it receded as five more plunged to the crystalline sand.

“Seven tears to summon a Selkie.” She sighed to the turquoise water that had claimed his life. “Oh, Evian, I’m sorry. Only, Des touches me in a way you never did. He sees the castle with ancient eyes. As it was, as it could be again. My lads like him. They get drunk together, play poker. Even Kitty loves him. Already Des belongs to this isle in ways you never did. I’m powerless against that.”

She exhaled, not sure what she expected. Some sign from Evian that his spirit had moved on, didn’t begrudge her a new love? The only answer was the lulling wash of the surf pulling away her tears.

Blinking against the glare, B.A. thought she spied a seal. Often they came up to the shoreline, so cute, so unafraid.

Seven tears to summon a Selkie,
her mind echoed.

The seal morphed—the head and shoulders of a man rising from the surf, like the fabled creature of Hebridian Lore. It took seconds to realize it was a non-Selkie Desmond. The breath shed held all afternoon released; her heart started a steady thudding. She watched him pause, waist deep, and bend to remove foot fins.

Two more heads reared up behind him, Viking sea gods from the deep. They overtook Des when he lagged. Laughing, Dennis hooked his arm and hauled him toward the shore. They rushed up on the beach, dropping their flippers and removing their hoods and tanks.

Desmond’s eyes found her as he rolled the neoprene cap off his head and then shrugged out of the harness of the double tanks. Dennis caught them as if they were too heavy for Desmond.

Des nodded. “Thanks, Dalen.”

“Welcome, boss.” Dennis grinned. “If we’d have let you drown, we’d have a hell of a problem collecting our paychecks.”

B.A. inhaled sharply at the full impact of the words.

Drown?

Desmond flinched, his eyes locking with B.A.‘s amber ones. Trouble on the horizon. The last thing he’d said to her was that nothing bad would happen to him. Next time he went diving, she’d be even more worried.

His thigh had suffered a spasm due to the fall off the horse and the bruise where B.A. kneed him. Without Dennis and Wulf’s help he would’ve had trouble making it back against the strong riptide. After her tizzy this morning, he didn’t want her to know what caused it, fearing she’d blame herself.

He took in the romantic setting. Nevertheless, he feared there would be a helping of crow to eat before the evening was over.

B.A. walked toward him, concern etched on her face. The anguish he saw in those golden-brown eyes twisted his gut. He’d tasted that fear earlier when she rode that horse into danger. He regretted his actions caused her pain.

Knowing she was upset, he’d considered postponing the dive, but in the end he’d chosen to work off some of the residual adrenaline. Being honest: He’d escaped, trying to distance himself from what she provoked him to feel. But the effort had proved futile. The insular feel underwater only permitted his mind to reflect on everything that had happened since coming to the isle.

B.A.‘s eyes traced his face as an artist might, learning every shadow, each curve. Her hand reached out and brushed a curl off his forehead. He nearly hated her ability to see past his guard, leaving him exposed. He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her hard, stopping the witch from stripping his mind of every secret. Once he had her breathless, he stepped back.

“I take it The Cat Dudley, you and I are dining alfresco?”

A smile formed on her lips. “Thought you might enjoy watching night rainbows.”

He brushed his mouth against hers. “Let me get my clothes and give Wulf some last-minute instructions on a report I want him to write.”

Dennis offered, “I’ll take the tanks up, boss.”

“Thanks.” Desmond rushed up the trail with Dudley bounding after him.

Dennis hoisted the scuba gear by the straps, then scooped up both pairs of fins.

“Mr. Dalen?” B.A. called, causing him to turn back.

“Yes, my lady?” His blue eyes flashed with a devilish twinkle.

His bright smile was infectious. This was a man B.A. would enjoy having as a friend. She adored males. Surrounded by them her whole life, she loved their moods, their reversion to childishness at odd times, often their inability to verbalize emotions and their time-honored chivalric code toward women. They provoked, fascinated and flabbergasted her. Her fae sense said Dennis could easily fit in here with her lads. His endless amusement at every situation went well with the quirkiness of Falgannon.

“I feel too formal addressing you as Ms. Montgomerie, too forward as BarbaraAnne. ‘My lady’ fits,” he said.

“How about calling me B.A. then?”

He nodded. “I’d be happy to, if you call me Dennis.”

She held out her hand to shake. “Done. Dennis, might I ask a favor?”

“Funny, I’ve been waiting to approach you as well with a request.” Dennis held her hand for a moment, then released it. “You first.”

“Could you please tell my lads if I see the first face peeking about the cliffs or hear Willie going’ouch, ouch,’ I’ll truss them up with Jock the Repair’s duct tape and yank it off.”

Dennis laughted. “A pleasure. Want me to take the cat with us?”

It was her turn to laugh. “Brave soul. Kitty dunna like being ‘taken.’ So, what’s your request?”

“I’d like to live here… permanently.”

Her eyes widened. Yes, men did the most astounding things! “Make a home on Falgannon?”

He nodded. “I’ve plenty of money. Desmond pays well. I’ve saved nearly everything. I’ve been around the world with him seven times over, but I’m tired. I want roots. I know you don’t want another man on an island of males, but I’d love to retire here. There are things I want to do so I’ll retire come spring. With your permission, I’ll buy a plot, build a home and settle here. This place is paradise.”

She digested the information. The island had plenty of land not being used. “It’s doable. You’ve spoken to Des about this?”

“Not yet. He knows I’m tired of travel. “I’ve known my dreams for a long time, just not where to find them. I want to write. Viking tales. I talked with Willie. He’s excited to have another writer on the island. Also, I spoke with Hamish the Lighthouse. Said he’d enjoy splitting chores with me. My grandfather ran a lighthouse and I’ve fond memories of that place. Hamish said I could bunk there this winter. Come spring we can take turns helping build real homes.” He laughed. “Sorry, I guess you’ll need to add me to your Bachelor Registry—end of the line, naturally. I want to get my first book done and my home started before considering marriage.”

“You
have
thought this out.” She’d have no trouble finding eager ladies when he was ready. She held out her hand to shake. “I’m sure Innis will toast you officially with paint thinner, but welcome, Falgannon’s newest resident.”

His smile turned to a grimace. Looking down, he saw Dudley had returned. “Your cat nipped my ankle.”

“Kitty’s sealing the bargain.”

Desmond grabbed the jogging pants and jacket from the back of the Rover, then went to the passenger side to unlock the glove compartment. B.A. might not lock her doors, but habits died hard with him. He inserted the key, paused, realizing he
had
forgotten to lock it. Strange, he always locked the glove box. Guess he’d been too upset about B.A. Dismissing it, he pulled out his wallet and turned to Wulf.

“Shame about the location. It’s ideal for a deep water harbor.” Wulf pushed his bright blond hair from his face.

Desmond dismissed the problem with a shrug. He should be ticked. Wulf was right—it was perfect. His original plans had called for the deep harbor to be built at this point.

“B.A. would keep us tied up in courts for decades—and win. Since the beach was directly under the castle, she’s not passing an idle warning about the checkmate with Scottish National Heritage. I’m not going to cry over spilt milk. Once we locate another spot, I’ll press B.A. to trade my parcel of land for another chunk of the island.” He held out several large bills.

Wulf’s left brow arched. “Bribing me?”

“You have plans for the evening with a certain redhead, if I know you. Get Dennis to stand B.A.‘s lads to drinks. I don’t want to see the first Michael or Ian.”

“A challenge, since there’s a surplus of both.” Wulf slid behind the wheel. He looked as if he were contemplating whether to say what was on his mind. “Des, there are alternatives. There are, what—hundreds of isles with no people on them out here?”

Muscles in Desmond’s jaw twitched. “Plans are set. You know the costs involved.”

“There’d be a price for pushing it back as we hunt for another site. But with the takeover bid for Montgomerie Enterprises coming, you’ll be able to take the hit and move on.”

Desmond closed the door, his stare impassive. “This is about more than money.”

Wulf nodded. “Revenge? My friend, there are many ways to achieve that, some sweeter than others. You’re fighting a ghost—fighting yourself. If I were you, I’d marry that lass, change her name to Mershan, then keep her pregnant with Mershan babies. All hail, Clan Mershan. That’d set old Montgomerie rolling in his grave.”

With a wave and a laugh, Dennis appeared and climbed into the passenger side, slamming the door. Wulf started the engine. Desmond stood watching as the car drove off and vanished over the knoll, trying not to let his friend’s advice take root.

Why did B.A. Mershan have to sound so perfect?

He watched B.A. poking the peat bricks with a long stick, absently stirring flames. His mouth quirked. She stared, a dreamy look in those whiskey-colored eyes, while he unzipped his wetsuit. Wind stirring his hair, he rolled one side off his shoulder, then the next.

“What’s the going price tag on thoughts these days?” he asked. “I’m curious about that Mona Lisa smile.” Sitting on the blanket, he rolled the blue-striped, black neoprene down his legs, then yanked the jogging pants on before B.A. could see the massive bruise on his thigh. Unzipping the jacket, he shoved his arms into the sleeves.

B.A. looked as if she wasn’t going to tell, then he saw her change her mind. “The way you rolled off that wetsuit reminds me of how a
Selkie
sheds his skin, so I was pondering if you’re part
Selkie.
You’re beautiful enough to be one.”

“You hear that, Fuzzball? She thinks I’m beautiful,” Desmond chuckled to the cat.

“My grandfather, many generations back, was said to be a
Selkie
.”

Though still in a black mood, Desmond couldn’t help but smile. “Did he have green eyes?”

“Of course.”

“Is green eyes a Scottish passion?” Desmond dodged Dudley, who’d crawled into his lap and was trying to lick his chin.

“No—a passion for Mackenzie women.” She brushed her mouth lightly against his. “And only ones with black hair. Lucky you.”

“Very lucky me.” He inclined toward her, intent on taking her mouth in a bruising kiss. Only, Dudley meowed and bumped noses with him.

“He missed you.”

“No, he
hit
me.” He laughed, rubbing his nose. “Did you?”

She opened her picnic basket and took out plates and glasses. “Miss you, you arrogant man?”

“Hm. I recollect the last time you called me arrogant.”

“After you rest and eat, I’ll let you remind me.”

Pushing Kitty down, he scooted so his chest molded against B.A.‘s back, nuzzled her hair. “And he asks, why not now? He’s more than up for the task.” Dudley jostled back into Desmond’s lap, causing him to wince as the fat pussycat stomped on his bruised thigh.

“Because, Mr. Arrogant, your leg cramped. Dennis and Wulf hauled your arse back.” Her voice cracked.

“B.A.” He took her hand. “That’s why you dive with partners.”

“And that is why you’re going to rest, eat something and enjoy the show nature will soon put on for us.”

Desmond was unaccustomed to relaxing. He had a feeling it might be a lot of work. Lying back on the soft plaid, he was willing to give it a go. Besides, he hungered to learn about B.A. “So tell me: What’s a
Selkie?
”

“A seaside fae, native to the Hebrides. Legend says they can shed their sealskin and appear with perfect male or female form, their features alluring and beautiful.” B.A. talked as she prepared their food. “Often, they came ashore and took mates.”

“So great-umpteen great-granddaddy came ashore and took a lover?” he said.

“Annie Mackenzie was to marry Sean Ogilvie, but he died. Disconsolate, she walked into the sea, intending to end her life. Near death, something saved her, pushed her to the shore. When she reached the beach, she saw a seal. Mad that the meddling beastie interfered, she grabbed a piece of driftwood to throw at it. A hand closed over hers, preventing her. Annie’s eyes lifted to behold the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. His name was Cian. He told her life was precious, to value it, then he disappeared into the sea.”

“But he returned?”

“For weeks, Annie went back to the shore, hoping to see this mysterious man again. As she lost hope, seven of her tears hit the sand and the tide carried them out. Lore says seven tears shed into the endless sea summons a
Selkie
. Cian answered her call. They became lovers. Annie bore him a son, though she soon learnt the legends were true. Cian could not linger on shore with her for more than a year and a day. He didn’t want to leave, but had no choice. He gave her a strange orange-brown candle, telling her to burn it in the window at midnight when she could stand the pain of separation no longer. Eventually, the candle was replaced with another and another. Annie and Cian had thirteen children. When she died, the candle was in the window. That candle has been preserved for over three centuries in my family.”