Page 51 of Sweet Siren
He ran a hand through his ruffled hair. "Do you have any ideas why your husband's grandfather bought this land? It's not inside Brighton proper, but nearer Hove. Brighton would have been the more fashionable site, moreexpensive."
She shrugged, disappointment rife in her veins. "One buys what one can afford. I think they owned a house in town, too. To keep up with society. The family hoped to build here, but neverdid."
"Yet you know this land. How isthat?"
"My husband's family liked to pack hampers and come up here to picnic. My parents were distantly related and we lived near them in London. We were invited to come along to Brighton for a week or more. All the children clamored to come because we thought we'd findgold."
He grinned at her, his black hair glistening like ink in the sun. "I've heard this story. Templars' buried treasure, isn'tit?"
"A few escaped France after King Phillip destroyed the order in the early fourteenth century.They came here and hid for many months in the abbey. The Dominicans welcomed them, or so legend says, even though there was no love betweenthem."
"Whynot?"
She took a seat on the stones of one arch. Through her thin shift, drawers and gown, they warmed her and she welcomed it. "Some thought the Templars hid the Holy Grail and refused to give it up. Other orders condemned them forit."
He turned around to gaze at the verdant green downs stretching north. "And has anyone ever found any gold coinshere?"
"Not that Iknow."
"Good." He came away from the wall, his gaze delving into hers. "It's all mine now and I'm glad of it. What I find here is beyondprice."
A frisson of joy rippled through her at what sounded like a compliment to her. Did she dare to reciprocate? "I find it beyond measuremyself."
"Wonderful. Come with me down to the town. We'll have luncheon at the hotel and you'll tell me what you've been doing for these past twoweeks."
She hung back. Her old fear that being seen on his arm in public would spark gossip she could not fight.The Brighton Gazettepublished columns called 'Arrivals and Departures'. Each week in black and white, names appeared not only of those who came to town, but also where they stayed and if they'd rented a house for the season or rooms in the local hotels. When they went home, their names appeared again including the date they left and what their destination was. If the paper also printed where these people went and with whom, Liv hadn't noticed. She'd been too horrified to readfurther.
"What'swrong?"
"Nothing. I—" To hell with fear. She was with him here. Just as she'd wished. Could she not have a few minutes fun? That had been so rare in her life. "A moment's thought that I might not be attired for the diningroom."
"Nonsense. To me you are lovely in anything." He offered hisarm.
She looped her own through his, smiling like a girl beingcourted.
He took a step, then stopped and patted her hand. Turning, he leaned back and scooped up her hat from the stones. Her reticule, too, he picked up. Grinning he handed them over. "The sun can blindyou."
That and the power of yoursmile.
* * *
Taking his arm,she strolled into the pale pink stucco tea room of the Royal Albion Hotel and one sweep of the room told her that she knew none of the twenty or more otherpatrons.
She could ignore them. And enjoy herescort.
What a presence hemade.
Killian commanded the room. His elegant tailoring declared him a man of means. His height and his bold dark looks combined to make him a superb specimen of masculinity. Herequested the far corner table, secluded by potted palms and one large statue of an artfully clothed Aphrodite.He ordered the finest champagne from the menu, the besthors d’œuvrefrom the tray. He asked her for her preference for soup andentrée, then ordered the next six courseshimself.
"I will waddle out of here," she told him on a laugh when the waiterdeparted.
"You need a fullmeal."
She shot him a rueful look. "I've never been accused of beingundernourished."
He blinked, his bright eyes twinkling, his own expression feigned laughter, as if...as if he fought with himself not to assess her form. "We have a full afternoon and evening. Appointments. One afteranother."
"With whom?" she chuckled, delighted, alarmed. "It'sSaturday."
