Page 13 of Lady Tamsyn and the Pixie's Curse
Tamsyn’s mouth dropped. “Coven? As in . . .witches?”
“Yes. She came to him and said danger was looming. A tragedy. And the loss of the pixies and their blessings, if something drastic wasnotdone.”
“And he sold the land based on thatwarning?”
“He did. Granted, it was a temporary sale, but I didn’t understand either. Later, though, I was extremely thankful that he’ddoneit.”
“Why?”
“A man came into the area. A dandy, wealthy and said to be a favorite with the Prince of Wales and his set. My father met him in the village and found him to be a man of knowledge and manners. The stranger even gave him some good advice on some issue with our tin mine. Father had him and some others to dinner one night and they turned to cards as the eveningworeon.”
“You werethere?”
“I was deemed too young to play, but I watched from the shadows. And I saw that Rowancourt had some odd sort of influence on the others. He would make the most outlandish predictions of which way the play might go—and it would. The others didn’t seem to notice or care. When my father had played his fill—and lost quite a bit—he tried to quit. Rowancourt would not let him. He pushed and wheedled my father to continue—and said he’d even take a worthless bit of land as astake.”
“The land with the pixies’barrow?”
“Yes. He pressed relentlessly. I could see my father struggling, in some way. He kept telling the man it wasn’t possible, but the stranger refused to listen. He suggested they all walk out there, in the dark, for a lark. My father tried to object. It almost looked as if he struggled for breath. He kept insisting that he couldn’t offer the land and Rowancourt just stared daggers at him as he grew red and obviously distressed. Finally, I could take no more. I stood and shouted that the land wasn’t oursanymore.”
“Whathappened?”
“The stranger stood, shouted a curse and threw his cards. My father slumped. We all ducked and covered our heads. It was as if a thousand decks were flying about the room at once. And then Rowancourt strode out—and we never saw himagain.”
“Goodness!” She rubbed her brow and he gathered her in close. What a comfort it was, to be drawn into the protective circle of his arm. “I think I’ve had my fill of peculiar events andstories.”
His hand slid along her arm in a slow caress. “Ah, yes, but you are in Cornwall now, land of mystery. Perhaps the development of this new skill of yours is merely to show that you are oneofus.”
She shuddered at the notion. “I’ve no wish to be one ofyou,then!”
He stiffened and the gentle warmth drained from hisexpression.
She looked up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it emerged. Forgive me?” She held on to him, giving no chance to retreat. She’d brought that flat affect back to his face and she couldn’tbearit.
She took a deep breath. “I was wild with curiosity on that day, so long ago. And even now . . . I remember, the pixie’s barrow . . . where they dance in themoonlight.”
Henodded.
“Perhaps . . .” She moved closer to him on the bench. “You might still like . . .” She lifted her face, so close to his. “To show ittome?”
His brow knit into a frown as he stared down at her. For a moment she feared she’d gone too far—but then he leaned down, grasped her shoulders andkissedher.
It was a soft kiss, for all that it was abrupt. Smooth as a petal. His shoulders blocked the scant light left from the sunset and she felt enveloped in shadows and strength. She was also unexpectedly awash with longing, surprise—and the sudden knowledge that she’d never truly been kissedbefore.
Despite what she’d thought, those paltry meetings of lips had been nothing next to this. There was no coquetry, flirtation or play. This was a true kiss, felt to the tips of her toes and reverberating deep in her soul. She was compelled to respond. Letting go of his hands, she reached upward and wrapped her arms around his neck. He made a gratifying sound inresponse.
She knew what he meant. The feel of him, so sturdy and well formed, it made her insides melt, her brain fog and her nipples tighten. He deepened the kiss, his tongue searching for entry, and she let him in and pulled him closer. This was passion. Fierce possession. Awesome potential. His hands slid around her waist and she knew that this was a defining moment. From now on her life would be clearly divided intobeforeandafter.
And suddenly—it was after. He broke the kiss and very slowly and deliberately kissed each freckle across her nose. “I’ve been wanting to do that for eight years.” His voice rumbled, tickling the space behindherears.
He rested his forehead against hers. “To answer your question: Yes, I still would like to show you the pixies’ barrow. Very much.” He sighed. “But I also know that that is exactly why Ishouldnot.”
She reared back, hoping this time to see a contradicting image between them—but therewasnone.
“But why?” It came out awhisper.
“I remember the first time I saw you,” he gestured, “in there. You were a rare, fine girl, Tamsyn, and now, I see the woman you’ve grown into.” He touched her cheek. “Your skin is like porcelain. It’s so easy to see you in a London ballroom, decked out in grand finery and catching the eye of every elegant gentleman. You belong there, being pampered and feted with wine and music and jewels. You’ll have your pick of nobles and likely lead them all a merrychase.”
He made a face as if the mere thoughtpainedhim.
“Right now, in this moment, I wish I could follow you there. But I’m a simple man.” He grinned ruefully. “Too big to be at ease amongst the porcelain ladies, too rough to blend with thebeau monde. Ballrooms and Venetian breakfasts are not my milieu, my lady. I am a man of my land, of my tenants and people, of the earth and the sky out here—and yes, even of the magic that floats on our sea breezes. My boots are planted firmly in the soil of this wild land. I belong here—and you belong in the great worldbeyond.”
He caressed her cheek again, cupped her jaw in his large hand and then letting his hand fall away, he stood. “You’ll be fine, Lady Tamsyn. I know you will.” He took a step back and turnedtogo.
And for the second time in two days, she watched him leave herbehind.
