Page 146 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
He handed Laura the cup of tea and glanced out the window with her. They stared at the tinker’s wagon for several moments.
“Oliver made sure you weren’t mentioned in connection with the fire. The ghost is already blamed. The last thing we need is a rumor the ghost is deadly. It would start an uproar and would have Evan’s family in the middle.” He ran his hand through his hair. “We need to resolve this before Herbert returns. He’s in danger, too.”
“Did you speak to Holger?” She sipped the warm liquid.
Jamie shook his head and looked at her with guilty eyes. “I had other things on my mind. I never should have left you alone. What would I tell… Darla and Wesley?”
Is that what drove him to protect her while she fought the poison? For a moment she hoped… Childish dreams. She swallowed hard.
“It was as much my fault,” her voice dropped. The wave of nausea that hit her wasn’t from the poison. That was long gone. She breathed deeply to calm her stomach as much as her thoughts.
“If we spend time placing blame we’ll never get anything done.” She put the tea on a nearby table and stepped toward the door.
“Where are you going?” His voice was soft with alarm.
“There’s no more time. I’ll speak to Holger.” She turned too fast and stumbled. Jamie rushed to her side and caught her.
“Are you sure you’re recovered?”
She straightened her back and brushed the wrinkles out of her skirt. “Yes. I’ll be fine.”
“I worry about your health. You almost—”
“When you report to my family, you can tell them I’m quite well.” She let out a deep breath and turned to storm away. His arm shot out in front of her against the window jamb barring her way. Her lungs filled with air as she tried to object. He stood so close she could see the vein pulse in his temple. His eyes, dark green, with… passion.
“It’s not your family I’m concerned about, it’s you. I could’ve lost you. I won’t let that happen again.” Her heart hammered in her chest. She closed her eyes to savor the moment. The frightened exhilaration she experienced when they flew through the air nestled warm between her legs.
Jamie bent close. He covered her mouth with his and captured her lips in a passionate possession. Heat swept away the remnants of her anger. In a moment, panic coursed through her veins, then disappeared in a rush of desire.
He released her lips and held her close, cradling her head on his chest. A smile played across her mouth and broadened. His heart pounded as hard as hers. How often she’d dreamt of his touch, his kiss. It was better than she imagined.
“We must find Evan and Angel’s murderer.” She pulled away enough to look at his face.
Jamie smoothed back her hair then kissed her on her nose.
“Yes, Evan and Angel. Are you sure you’re recovered?” She wanted to kiss his worried wrinkles away. “I’ve never felt better.” He took her by the elbow and directed her down the stairs.
“While I slept, the ghost told me we have all the information we need. We simply need to put the pieces together. He had a troubled expression, as if there was no hope. We can’t let that happen.”
“Your ghost said you had all the information.”
“Yes.” She stopped in the middle of the courtyard. “We must be overlooking something. We both agree Evan and Angel were murdered.” He nodded.
“And the attack on me is tied to their murders.” Again he nodded.
A broad smile lit her face.
“Why don’t I like that smile?”
She looked up at him.
“I trust you more than anyone. You know that.” She kept her tone even, controlled, convincing.
“Yes? I still don’t like the look in your eye.” His brow wrinkled.
“I know how to get the murderer to expose himself. I have something he wants.” She touched the black pin.
“Oh, no. You’re not going to be bait.” He was adamant.
