The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride (29 page)

Stanhill made a face. “Not me.”

“Corette?”

Stanhill stared at the ceiling.

Hugh gave him a hard look. “You didn’t say anything about the amulets to her, did you?”

That snapped his attention back. “No. You know I wouldn’t. Speaking of the amulets, why don’t you ask Alice about help with the turning?”

Hugh snorted derisively. “And give Didi one more thing to lord over me? And Delaney? No, Alice has done enough for us.”

“Then go see Willa.”

“I will.” He realized how brusque he must sound. “Thank you, Stanhill. It was a good suggestion.” He didn’t think much would come of it, but anything was worth a try.

“You’re welcome, your lordship.” Stanhill snickered. “I do hope it works out. For Delaney’s sake. And yours. You both deserve to be happy.”

“Thank you.”

“One thing…” Stanhill raised his brows slightly. “I know you brought Willa here, but Corette says her services aren’t cheap.”

Hugh almost laughed. “You know money’s not an issue.”

Stanhill shook his head. “I’m not talking dollars.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know. Corette just said to tell you to expect to pay dearly.”

“Understood. Listen, let’s keep this between us right now. I don’t want to get Delaney’s hopes up in case this doesn’t pan out.”

Stanhill nodded. “Agreed. She’s been through enough.”

Hugh looked over at her sitting beside Merrow at the kitchen table. The bruises on her face were darkening, and her lip had swollen like she’d been stung. She looked delicate, but fierce. She’d been so calm, despite what she’d been through. Impressive. This woman who’d stolen his heart was a warrior.

If Willa could help Delaney, there was no price he wouldn’t pay.

With Captain trailing her, Delaney stumbled into the kitchen earlier than she’d expected to be awake considering the day she’d had yesterday. Her face hurt, but the swelling on her lip had gone down. A good thing, considering the kitchen smelled like bacon and something else delicious. Her mouth watered. The last thing she’d eaten was cotton candy.

Stanhill was in his usual spot at the table, paper in hand.

“Morning.”

He put the paper down. “Morning, miss. I didn’t even hear you come down. How did you sleep? How are you feeling?” He got to his feet. “Coffee? Breakfast? I’ve got bacon and Quiche Florentine, if you’re interested.”

“Um, good, okay and yes to coffee and breakfast. I’m starving.” She sat at the table and let him wait on her.

Captain wound around Stanhill’s feet, meowing.

“And good morning to you, Captain. Kippers then?”

“No people food.” Delaney shot Stanhill a look.

He frowned back at her. “How can you say no to that face?”

“With great restraint. He’s too tubby.” Her smile turned into a painful yawn. She’d been so exhausted last night that she’d let Hugh carry her up to bed and had fallen asleep within minutes. Spending the night in Hugh’s bed, as tempting as that might be, had been out of the question. “Hugh still sleeping?”

“No, he just left on an errand. Not sure when he’ll be back.” Stanhill put a cup of coffee in front of her, then set to work fixing her a plate.

Hugh’s absence was perfect timing. “Do you think you could take me to see Elenora?”

Stanhill’s brows jumped. “You want to visit her? Voluntarily?” He
accidentally
dropped a piece of bacon on the floor. Captain went full piranha, devouring it in seconds.

Delaney overlooked the incident, choosing to answer instead. “I have some unfinished business with her.”

“Do tell.” He presented her with a plate of quiche and bacon, then scooped Captain up and sat with him on his lap at the table.

“Actually, why don’t you go with me? It might be good to have a witness on my side.”

Stanhill’s eyes widened. “Is that so? What on earth are you planning?”

“You’ll see.” She took a bite of the quiche. It was custardy and delicious with the flakiest pastry she’d ever tasted. And she knew about pastry. “And when we get home, you’re going to show me exactly how you made this crust.”

Hugh walked into Illusions and realized he should have called ahead. The crowds brought in by the parade were still in town and, apparently, shopping. He caught Willa’s attention as soon as she was free. He’d seen her at some of his grandmother’s fundraisers, but hadn’t had any real conversations with her since he and his brothers had convinced her to stay in Nocturne Falls. Hard to believe someone so young was already a master of their craft. “Miss Iscove?”

She smiled, and her startling aqua eyes sparked with interest. If her eyes weren’t enough to announce she was fae, her pointed ears were. Hugh wondered what was more of a customer draw, the beautiful jewelry creations in the shop or the shop’s owner. “Mr. Ellingham.” She stuck out her hand. “How are you?”

“I’m well enough.”

“What brings you by?”

“I have a situation I’m hoping you can help me with.”

Willa tucked a strand of honey-blond hair behind one ear as she nodded. “Be happy to. Let’s go in my office and talk. Come around the far end of the counter and follow me back.” She waved at the woman working behind the other side of the counter. “Ramona, watch the floor, please.”

He did as she asked. She waited at the office door for him to go in, then shut it behind her. “Please have a seat.”

He took the one chair available, leaving the desk chair for her. She settled into it. “What can I do for you?”

“I know it’s been a while since we’ve spoken. I hope everything is going well?”

“It is. I think the last time we talked was at the Black and Orange Ball.”

He smiled politely. “I’m sad to say I don’t remember that conversation.”

She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. It was thirty seconds of small talk. One conversation out of probably a hundred you had that night. Your brother, on the other hand, he had better remember talking to me.”

Please let her not have slept with Julian and want to hold that against him. He asked hopefully, “You mean Sebastian?”

“No, Julian.”

Damn it. “I’m sorry if he offended you in any way. I can assure you, my brother and I are two very different people.”

She gave him a strange look. “He didn’t offend me.” Her face suddenly brightened. “Oh, you think he and I slept together and then he never called, huh?” She laughed. “Nothing like that. I made him a charm.”

Relief made Hugh chatty. “Really? What was it?”

She squinted for a second. “He never asked me to keep it secret, so I guess I can tell you. You are family after all. I made him a charm that makes him extra charming. His apologies included.”

Hugh laughed. “I’ve always wondered how he gets away with his womanizing.”

“With help, that’s how.” She shook her head, smiling. “I assume you’re here for a charm too?”

“Yes, but it’s not for me.”

She pursed her lips. “I won’t do work that harms anyone else, so this can only be for good.”

“It is, I swear.”

“All right then. As you know, my gifts lie in metal and stone work. Using one or both of those talents, I can create a piece of jewelry for you that will aid in accomplishing a specific goal. What did you have in mind?”

Everything about Willa seemed genuine. Not that he’d doubted her, but this was Delaney’s life in the balance. It didn’t hurt that the charm Willa had made for Julian was working, well, like a charm. Hugh relaxed a little. “I need an engagement ring that will keep the wearer safe from harm.”

Willa made an understanding sound. “I see. What sort of harm are we talking? General protection? That’s a pretty easy construct.”

“More than that. Life or death.”

Willa’s lips parted in a soft breath. “Oh. That’s something else entirely.” She pulled out a notebook, flipped it open and grabbed a pen. “I’m going to need specifics. This is much more serious than what I usually do.”

“How specific?”

“The more details you give me, the more complex and specific I can weave the magic that goes into the piece. You want this ring to be as successful as it can be, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then tell me everything.”

He hesitated, trying to think of where to start and what details would be important.

Willa tipped her head. “I promise everything you tell me will be confidential. And I’ve made many pieces for delicate situations. There’s very little I haven’t heard.”

Her assurances were nice, but he’d already been prepared to tell her whatever was necessary. “My first wife did not survive the process of being turned.”

“Into a vampire?”

He nodded.

Willa scribbled something in her notebook. “Go on.”

“There is another woman—”

Willa grinned, her eyes on her notebook. “There always is.”

Hugh ignored the comment. “I want to marry her, and she wants to be turned, but…” He shook his head. “I fear history will repeat itself.”

“So you want the ring to do more than protect her. You want the ring to ensure this turning goes smoothly.” She jotted a few more things in her notebook. “That’s good. That gives me something to work with.”

“Can you do it then?”

“I’ll tell you what I tell all my custom clients. My end will be a hundred percent.”

He frowned. “What does that mean?”

“That means there are always factors I can’t control.” She gave him an apologetic shrug. “Fae magic is born of the earth, and the truth is, if you were human and asking me for a fertility bracelet or a pendant to bring you love, I could guarantee it. But when it comes to other supernaturals, fae magic can’t always control the situation. I can guide what happens. Beyond that, there are no certainties. It’s part of the reason I was never able to create anything that would allow your kind to walk in the sun. Whatever gift your family has that allows that is beyond me.”

Frustration tightened his jaw. “How is that any different than how the situation would turn out without your magic?”

“She’s human, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then it ups your odds greatly. If that isn’t enough, then maybe there’s no point in continuing this conversation.”

“No. I’m sorry.” He combed his fingers through his hair. “I want your help. Any additional protection is welcome.”

She reached across the space between them and put her hand on his arm. The reassuring gesture gave him hope. “I understand how frightening a situation this must be for you. I promise you I will give this ring my full focus.”

“Thank you.” And now on to the rest of it. “Not to be crass, but I know you’re not doing this for free, nor would I expect you to. What is this going to cost?”

“There will be the cost of the materials, the diamond—assuming you want a diamond?”

He nodded. “Something large but not ostentatious. As perfect a stone as you can find.”

“Two carats?”

“Three.” He wanted Delaney to know he meant business. This was forever.

Her pen rolled across the page as she made a note. “Hmm. I have an idea. Give me a sec.”

She opened her laptop, angling it so he could see the screen but she could reach the keyboard. With a few key strokes, she called up a program and started designing a ring right in front of him. “I’m thinking cushion cut. I have a great supplier who will overnight me anything I want and he’s got beautiful goods.”