Page 15 of The Duke's Brother

He squeezed her hand. “We will take care of this. Like I said, it’s a historic landmark.” His voice grew quiet. “I’d like to do much more than help restore Stefano’s and support the village. Everyone’s been so good to us, keeping out the press, perhaps you all have lost what you could have gained in publicity and sales.”

She considered the idea and then grunted. “I think it may have helped us more than hurt. There is a sense of elite specialty products among the shops. The other owners franchise and do internet orders. We just have to get with the times I guess.”

He chuckled. “Would your Crumpets taste as good shipped?”

“And there you’ve hit on the Faluna pride. None of us wants to sell anything less delicious than a fresh-from-the-oven product. And we don’t trust anyone else to be able to follow our recipes either.”

He squeezed her hand. “And that’s where we might need to do some convincing with your mother.” He raised an eyebrow. “And her daughter. You’re a Faluna as much as she is.”

She felt her face warm. “It’s true. I am. But I see we can’t continue how we are.”

He moved closer. “We will figure it out. I’d like to help you with this. My mother will care just as much as me, you know. None of us want to see Stefano’s go away.”

She reached up and wiped a tear with her other wet hand, then she laughed. “My mother was right about one thing.”

“Oh, and what’s that?” His warm eyes twinkled at her and she couldn’t understand how she could be so lucky, to sit here with such a man, to receive his help.

“She said the royal family would never let us go under.”

He beamed with pride. “And she’s right. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me that our citizens would have that much trust in us.”

She scooted closer to him, overcome with gratitude. Their thighs pressed together. She reached across him to hold on to the cement at his other side and turned to face him, bubbles rising up between them, tickling her neck and under her arms. She floated to his front, her face moving closer as she balanced the movement of the water pushing against her. “Tripp, you are so wonderful I don’t know how I can thank you.” She smiled up at him, their noses almost touching as her body floated out behind her. Suddenly she didn’t care how much of a groupie she appeared to be, she was so taken in by Tripp, so attracted to his goodness, and so very grateful for all that he was offering. She looked down at his wide and inviting lips. Perhaps she should just tilt her head…

His eyes grew uncomfortable. “No, Jenneca. I would never offer any of these things and expect payment…of any kind.” He shifted away.

At first confused, then Jenneca pushed backwards away from him, horrified. “No, Tripp, that’s not what I meant at all.” How could he think she would cheapen herself in that way? She liked him and thought that he liked her also.

“Oh, you weren’t coming on to me?” His face blushed a bright red.

And it was her turn to flush red, because of course she had been coming on to him. But he obviously was not interested in her in that way. And now she felt cheap. But she laughed it off, because she had to. She forced a casual tone. “No, Tripp, no. I guess I just got caught up in the moment, and I am very grateful. Whatever I can do to repay you...” She stopped, mortified, “But not whatever, I mean. Whatever respectable thing I can do.” This was only getting worse. “I’m sorry, Tripp. I’m just going to stop talking right now.”

He nodded. “Yeah.” Then he cleared his throat. “Um. Look, Jenneca.”

She stood. “No, it’s ok. I’m tired. I think I’ll just call it a night.”

“Oh, ok. Sure.” He seemed uncertain. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow? We have a lot to do.”

So now he wanted her out of the way. “Of course.” She stepped up out of the pool, dabbed herself dry and slipped her dress over her head.

The last she saw of Tripp, he had sunk lower in the water and was staring up at the ceiling.

Chapter 9

Tripp met with the family for breakfast, an old Valdez family tradition which was more important today than ever. The news played against the far wall, turned down unless a breaking announcement interrupted. Their phones rang almost constantly as the different areas of the island called in their reports. The damage was widespread. The storm had gained sudden strength just off their shores and turned at the last moment to hit them head on. No one was expecting the strength of what battered into their homes. Luckily, many had taken the time to board up and prepare. Living on an island, the citizens were accustomed to preliminary precautions. But even those precautions could not protect some areas.

“More flooding on the south side.” Jo’s face pinched in worry as she scrambled to take notes. “Ten injured. No deaths.”

They all breathed out in relief. With each phone call, they dreaded the moment they would hear someone had died during the night. Tripp worried for the villagers of Grevena. The Mayor had not yet contacted them.

Seraphina called out. “Jenneca, come in.”

Tripp raised his eyebrows in surprise and then smiled at her, motioning she take the seat beside him. He was finishing a conversation. Jenneca looked composed, but not pleased. He cringed at the memory of their awkward conversation last night.

Phina helped Jenneca get her plate and then Tripp finished his call. “Good morning Jenneca. Have some breakfast.”

“Thank you.” She sat down, subdued.

He turned to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but she wiggled out of the way of his hand. A shard of hurt sliced through him. “Everything ok?”

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