Page 5 of Captivated
“Of course.” There was no help for it, Morgana thought. She was simply too fond of the batty old woman to make excuses.
“You’re a dream. She’s a dream, isn’t she?” Mrs. Littleton demanded of Nash.
“You bet.”
Mrs. Littleton beamed, turning toward him with a musical symphony of jaggling chains and bracelets. “Sagittarius, right?”
“Ah...” Nash heedlessly amended his birthday to suit her. “Right. Amazing.”
She puffed out her ample bosom. “I do pride myself on being an excellent judge. I won’t keep you but a moment from your date, dear.”
“I don’t have a date,” Morgana told her. “What can I do for you?”
“Just the teensiest favor.” Mrs. Littleton’s eyes took on a gleam that had Morgana stifling a moan. “Mygrandniece. There’s the matter of the prom, and this sweet boy in her geometry class.”
This time she’d be firm, Morgana promised herself. Absolutely a rock. Taking Mrs. Littleton’s arm, she edged her away from Nash. “I’ve explained to you that I don’t work that way.”
Mrs. Littleton fluttered her false eyelashes. “I know youusuallydon’t. But this is such a worthy cause.”
“They all are.” Narrowing her eyes at Nash, who’d shifted closer, Morgana pulled Mrs. Littleton across the room. “I’m sure your niece is a wonderful girl, but arranging a prom date for her is frivolous—and such things have repercussions. No,” she said when Mrs. Littleton began to protest. “If I did arrange it—changing somethingthat shouldn’t be changed—it could affect her life.”
“It’s only one night.”
“Altering fate one night potentially alters it for centuries.” Mrs. Littleton’s downcast look had Morgana feeling like a miser refusing a starving man a crust of bread. “I know you only want her to have a special night, but I just can’t play games with destiny.”
“She’s so shy, you see,” Mrs. Littleton said with a sigh. Her ears were sharp enough to have heard the faint weakening in Morgana’s resolve. “And she doesn’t think she’s the least bit pretty. But she is.” Before Morgana could protest, she whipped out a snapshot. “See?”
She didn’t want to see, Morgana thought. But she looked, and the pretty young teenager with the somber eyes did the rest. Morgana cursed inwardly. Dragon’s teeth and hellfire. She was as soppy as a wet valentine when it came to puppy love.
“I won’t guarantee—only suggest.”
“That will be wonderful.” Seizing the moment, Mrs. Littleton pulled out another picture, one she’d cut from the high school yearbook at the school library. “This is Matthew. A nice name, isn’t it? Matthew Brody, and Jessie Littleton. She was named for me. You will start soon, won’t you? The prom’s the first weekend in May.”
“If it’s meant, it’s meant,” Morgana said, slipping the photos into her pocket.
“Blessed be.” Beaming, Mrs. Littleton kissed Morgana’s cheek. “I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll be backMonday to shop.”
“Have a good weekend.” Annoyed with herself, Morgana watched Mrs. Littleton depart.
“Wasn’t she supposed to cross your palm with silver?” Nash asked.
Morgana tilted her head. The anger that had been directed solely at herself shot out of her eyes. “I don’t profit from power.”
He shrugged, then walked toward her. “I hate to point it out, but she twisted you around her finger.”
A faint flush crept into her cheeks. If there was anything she hated more than being weak, it was being weak in public. “I’m aware of that.”
Lifting a hand, he rubbed his thumb over her cheek to wipe away the faint smear of crimson Mrs. Littleton had left there. “I figured witches would be tough.”
“I have a weak spot for the eccentric and the good-hearted. And you’re not a Sagittarius.”
He was sorry he had to remove his thumb from her cheek. Her skin was as cool and smooth as milk. “No? What, then?”
“Gemini.”
His brow lifted, and he stuck his hand in his pocket. “Good guess.”
His discomfort made her feel a little better. “I rarely guess. Since you were nice enough not to hurt her feelings, I won’t take out my annoyance on you. Why don’t you come in the back? I’ll brew us some tea.” She laughed when she saw his expression. “All right. I’ll pour us some wine.”
