Page 48 of The Moonstone Pirate
“Yes, think of it as two pieces of a puzzle waiting to lock into place. The heart knows when the fit is right.”
“Even if the brain resists? One cannot leap into a lifelong commitment merely because one’s heart flutters. What if one is merely suffering from a bout of indigestion?”
Imogen turned away from him. “I am not listening to you. As I said, you are far too cynical.”
He nudged her so that she turned back to face him. “What is the point of the moonstones if one’s heart already knows who they love? Simply to confirm they are not making a mistake? And what if those moonstones fail to shine? What then? Wouldyou pass up your chance for happiness with the person you love? Are these moonstones so infallible?”
“They have never been wrong.”
“How do you know? And is there not always a first time?” He knew he was distressing Imogen because she was now nibbling her luscious lower lip and fretting.
He tried not to look at her sweet mouth.
Those cherry lips.
Lord, he wanted to devour her.
“The moonstones are magical and never make mistakes,” she insisted.
He gave her cheek a light caress. “You are thinking with your heart, Imogen.”
“What is wrong with that? How else am I to recognize love when it comes along?”
He sighed, wishing she wasn’t so influenced by romantic notions.
But feelings were her strength, and she felt everything so deeply, ached so thoroughly and sincerely. Why did she have to leave herself so completely exposed to hurt? Perhaps this was why he felt so protective of her. How could he let anyone hurt his precious butterfly? “All right, tell me more.”
“The moonstones only come out on the night of a full moon,” Imogen explained, smiling up at him because she was pleased he was willing to listen to more of this fable. “They shine their colorful lights whenever they see a couple in love. The tide must be low, although I have also heard they will shine at high tide if the love in question is strong enough.”
Draco arched an eyebrow. “So it does not matter whether the tide is high or low? I just want to understand the rules to this lore.”
Imogen’s smile faltered. “You are being sarcastic.”
“No, just trying to get it right. Are you sure there must be a full moon?”
“Well, I think so.” She gazed out over the water and then turned to him with a faerie glow in her eyes. It was as though she had captured the moonlight in her beautiful orbs. “But I think all rules are broken when there is true love. It cannot be held back by logic or convention. Magic happens, Draco. It really does. I wish I could make you see that true love defies all boundaries, including those of space and time.”
“And tides?” Draco shook his head and laughed softly. “This is what you learned from the moonstone lore?”
Imogen nodded. “Well, actually I learned about the limitless boundaries of love from the Moonstone Cottage ghost.”
“A ghost?” He wanted to laugh, but Imogen believed so deeply in the miracle of love that he dared not disappoint her. Who was to say she was incorrect? It could be thathewas in the wrong. Perhaps this was why he was falling in love with her. They were such opposites, and yet obviously attracted to each other. He was a creature of logic and common sense. He believed in the practical, in what one could see before one’s very eyes.
Imogen believed in the impossible. Moonstones, ghosts. Magic. She could have passed as a faerie princess herself, for she believed in love’s dream and the power of enchantment.
Indeed, they were complete opposites.
And yet he could not breathe for wanting her so badly.
“Is there really lore about a ghost haunting Moonstone Cottage?” Draco pressed her when she did not immediately reply. He tried not to sound dismissive.
“Yes, and the ghost is real. He’s wonderful and would never hurt us.” She tipped her chin up in defiance, daring him to contradict her. “Henley, Phoebe, and Chloe have seen him. You can also ask the land agent, Mr. Priam, if you won’t believe them.”
“Has he seen the ghost, too?”
Imogen gave it a moment of earnest thought. “I’m not sure, but he heard reports from prospective purchasers who begged off from acquiring Moonstone Cottage because the ghost chased them away. However, he did not chase away Lady Henleigh Killigrew. She was Henley, Phoebe, and Chloe’s aunt.”
“And why was she spared his haunting?”
