Chapter Six

V erity was crushed.

She watched as friends and family walked past her while she played the harp in a corner of the parlor at St. Austell Grange, home of the Duke and Duchess of Malvern. It was their annual tea party, and the entire village had been invited.

Her hour was almost up and she had yet to see James.

In fact, she had not seen him since the day of their disastrous picnic. Her near drowning had shaken her quite profoundly. She had yet to work up the courage to go near water again. Not even the harmless pool in the copse where she had first met James felt safe yet.

Had he gone for his daily swim? Had he waited for her? Did he miss her?

Henley came to her side. "Verity, put away your instrument and come join us. The weather is perfect for an outdoor stroll."

"I don't mind playing a little longer."

"But I mind," Henley insisted. "Come outdoors and sit with me and my sisters. It is completely selfish on our part. We want to know what happened between you and the Duke of Ashford. Is it true? Did those moonstones shine for you?"

Verity shook her head, hoping to hold off tears. "I don't think so. Michael must have been mistaken. Oh, Hen! I haven't seen him since that day. Not that I blame him for running away. My brothers were awful. Noisy. Disobedient. Stuffing their faces as though they hadn't eaten in a month. Trying to push each other out of the carriage."

"Oh dear."

Verity nodded. "The duke was polite about it, of course. A thorough gentleman, not to mention we both almost drowned while he was trying to save me. I would not blame him if he never spoke to me again. I don't even know if he is still in Moonstone Landing. Has anyone seen him at all this week?"

"Come with me." Hen led Verity to her sisters, who were seated at a table on the terrace. "Sit down." She poured Verity a cup of tea and then turned to her sisters. "Phoebe, Chloe, what have you heard about Ashford?"

"My husband told me," Chloe said, her gaze now on Verity, "that Ashford left for Bath the morning after your almost-drowning incident. But I'm sure he said Ashford was coming back."

"Truly?" Phoebe asked. "Let's hope so. He was only supposed to stay here for two weeks, and those are almost up. But if he said he would return, then he will. Verity, I know he liked you."

Hen and Chloe nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps I was a passing fancy, but nothing more." Verity could not bear to talk about him. "Please excuse me."

So this was it. She would never see James again. Never give him the kiss he had won from her in the silly bet they had made that day at the Kestrel Inn library.

He must have forgotten about it, shoved it from his memory now that he was consorting with the fashionable set in Bath.

She walked to the gazebo overlooking St. Austell's beautiful cove, glad to be away from the crowd. A light breeze floated around her, carrying the sounds of the orchestra tuning their instruments. The dancing would soon begin. Guests began to wander toward the dance floor.

Verity was relieved, because she did not want company. Everyone had heard about her near drowning and those moonstones supposedly glowing.

What did they think James was going to do? Propose to her?

This was not going to happen.

Michael had gone to the Stoningham Manor stable every day to muck out the stalls, even though the big gray James rode was not there. Nor were there any bedpans to be emptied in the bedchambers, since neither James nor Claymore and his family were home.

"Are you going to mope all afternoon?" her father said, coming to stand beside her as she gazed out over the scenic cove and its blue waters. "There's a young man who is eager to speak to you."

"Oh, Papa. Not today."

"Are you certain?"

Why was her father so insistent when he knew she just wanted to be left alone? "Yes, Papa. Kindly leave me to my misery."

"Very well, love. But I really think you ought to greet this young man. In fact, he's standing by the gazebo, hoping for permission to approach you."

"What?" She wasn't paying attention to her father because the water was suddenly glistening and beginning to turn colors.

She blinked.

It could not be the moonstones, because everyone knew the lore and this was not possible. Moonstones only glowed on the night of a full moon. It was the middle of the afternoon and the sun was brightly shining. A full moon was a requirement, was it not?

"Will you look at that," her father said, sounding annoyingly jovial. "Moonstones." He strode off.

Had he seen them, too?

"Wait, Papa! I—"

The breath caught in her throat as James stepped into the gazebo. "So, you do not care to see me?"

Verity rushed to him and hugged him fiercely. "I thought you were never coming back. Oh, James! You will make me cry. Those moonstones are shining again. Do you see them?"

He closed his arms around her. "Yes, love. They are bright as starlight. Was there a doubt?"

"Yes! Doubts galore. I was sure my brothers had scared you off. Why did you run away?"

"I wasn't running away. I was making marriage plans."

She gasped. "Who is the lucky bride?"

"You, if you will have me. You are my mermaid and always meant to be mine. How could I lose you to the water? How could I ever lose you to anyone or anything? I rode to Bath to fetch my aunt because I wanted one bloody member of my family to share this day with me."

"Is she here?"

He groaned lightly. "No. She claimed it was too much of an effort to make the trip."

"James, I'm so sorry." She meant it sincerely, and ached for him because she knew how hurt he was by this.

"Don't be. I was a fool to think anything had changed. I haven't even asked you to marry me yet. I should have done at least that before running off like a heedless dolt."

"Those moonstones shone because we love each other," Verity said, feeling as though she was walking in a dream. "Is there a doubt what my answer will be?"

"I've spoken to your father, and he has consented to our marriage. He and I will obtain the license tomorrow."

Verity's heart soared, but she gave a hearty laugh. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

His smile melted her heart. "Asking you to marry me? Yes, that is an important detail that I hope to rectify immediately." He reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and withdrew a small box. "I have been carrying this around since the day of your harp recital. I wanted to give it to you then as a gift in celebration of your recital. But now, it is a bride token. A rather plain one for a future duchess, but I shall buy you something more spectacular tomorrow."

She took a moment to open her gift and cried out softly. "James, this is beautiful! It's perfect. I don't need anything else. I cannot think of a single thing I would love more." He had given her a cameo brooch with a young lady playing a harp etched in it. Probably one of the Muses because of the style of her long, curly locks and the flowing robe she was wearing. "It is exquisite."

"So are you, Verity. I'm going to kiss you in a moment, but there is a little more I need to say to you."

"Wait, James. It is up to me to kiss you, because I lost the bet."

He smiled again and tweaked her chin. "Ah, yes. My grand prize. I am eager to collect it. Do you have any idea how to kiss a man?"

Heat ran up her cheeks. "No. Is there an art to it?"

"Yes, in fact, there is. Do you mind if I show you how it is done? After which, I intend to officially ask you to marry me. I wish to be clear on this point because I am going to kiss you long and hard. I am going to kiss you until your legs turn to water and cannot hold you up. And I think we are going to gather quite an audience for that performance."

"Then may I give you advance warning that I am going to accept your offer of marriage because I love you with all my heart? My legs have already turned to water and I cannot think of anything I would like better than to have you kiss me. Should I hold on to your shoulders? They feel divine. Your arms, too. There is something quite appealing about your muscles. You have the most beautifully formed body I have ever seen on a man."

"Seen many men, have you?"

She blushed again. "No, I… You know what I mean. Clothed you look divine, and no one has ever looked better."

"And unclothed?"

"Well, I have only you to judge about that. But I am fairly certain no one can surpass you. You, however, have seen other women without a stitch. Dare I ask how I would compare?"

"None of them were mermaids, and none can ever come close to your splendor. I knew you were meant to be mine the moment I saw your rounded bottom and gorgeous legs poking out of the water that first day at the pool."

"Oh, heavens. My bottom?"

"And exquisite legs. Close your eyes, love. It is time for me to kiss you." His mouth closed over hers, and with that gentle crush of his lips against the softness of her own, he pledged his heart and soul.

He pledged to protect her and love her.

He pledged to always be faithful.

He pledged to give her happiness and a houseful of unruly children who would adore her, and hopefully adore him. He meant to make theirs a true family home.

His lips pressed down on hers with a hungry need, that of a man who had grown up without love and was now famished for it.

As predicted, a crowd had gathered around them by the time he ended the kiss. Verity's smile was incandescent as she looked out among her friends and family.

Her father now stepped forward.

"Papa, he loves me."

"I know, my dearest." He was tearful with joy. "I'm sure all of Moonstone Landing knows by now. Those moonstones are blinding in their brilliance."

She turned to James. "Oh, I did not realize everyone can see them."

He took hold of her hand. "Does it matter? They shone for us, and this is what counts."

She cast him an impish grin. "In broad daylight, no less."

"Because I love you that much, Verity," he said in all seriousness. "Will you marry me, my moonstone mermaid?"

The End