She bit back the sarcastic retort that formed on her tongue. What was the matter with her? Im fine, she answered pleasantly.
He waited a moment before responding. Good.
Would you still like some help picking out furniture and things to decorate the restaurant?
Absolutely. But only if we dont wear you out.
You wont wear me out. She cut into her pancakes with the side of her fork, spearing a bite. Shed skipped dinner last night, planning to eat once she got back to the ranch. But after the breakdown, there hadnt been an opportunity. So, this morning, she was famished.
They ate companionably, talking about housing, schools and services available in Lyndon. Abigail had a hard time wrapping her head around the fact that DFB headquarters was moving to Lyndon. And hearing Zach talk, she realized just how complex an undertaking it would be. They had lawyers, accountants and real estate agents working overtime. It was a major disruption to the lives of all his employees.
Listening, she found herself feeling guilty for having pushed the move on him. Then again, there really wasnt another solution to expand Craig Mountain Brewery. And if the expansion was as important as Zach made it out to be, then shed provided the only solution possible.
They finished breakfast and headed for the north tower. Shed already been up in the center tower. It was easily accessed by a half flight of stairs from the fourth floor. The north tower was a little tougher to access. They made their way to the rear service area, where they came to a narrow, curving, stone staircase that spiraled up in a dim passage. Ozzy gazed up the stairs as if considering his options, then, evidently having decided to skip the climb, settled on a worn, padded bench seat in the stream of sunshine from a recessed window. He wasnt the most athletic dog in the world.
Youre not planning to imprison me up here, are you? Abigail couldnt help joking as she and Zach made their way up.
Itd be perfect for that, wouldnt it? he said over his shoulder.
If you ever had a fantasy about being an evil count, this would definitely be the place to act it out.
Scream as loud as you like, sweet darling, he intoned in a dramatic, dire voice. No one will ever hear you.
I wonder why they built it this way. She couldnt see any particular use for a room this inaccessible.
According to Lucas, Lord Ashton modeled the entire castle after one his family owned back in Britain.
Either that, or he had a crazy wife he needed to imprison.
That would be my second guess. Zach stopped at the top of the steep staircase, bracing his shoulder against a thick, rough-hewn, oak door.
I hope shes not still in there, Abigail joked as the hinges squeaked.
I dont think anyones been up here in fifty years, said Zach.
Seriously? Now she was really curious.
Im joking. Apparently they clean up here periodically.
She socked him in the back. Not funny.
I wasnt really spooking you, was I?
No. Well, not exactly. Coming across the skeletal remains of someones long-dead, imprisoned, insane wife-now, that would have truly spooked her.
The door opened to reveal a surprisingly brightly lit room. It was wide and round, with an abnormally high ceiling and at least a dozen lead-paned windows recessed into the stone walls. The air was still, warm and musty, and most of the contents of the room were boxed in cardboard or aging wooden trunks. It didnt seem to have antique furniture like the center tower and some of the other upstairs rooms. She supposed nobody would want to carry a dresser or cabinet up that staircase.
I cant even imagine whats inside all these. She glanced around, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning.
Zach pushed his shoulder gently against hers. Have at er. All this is the property of DFB Incorporated. Then he took the easiest pathway through the boxes to one of the windows, pushing it open and letting in a welcome breeze.
She zeroed in on the trunk that looked the oldest. There, she crouched down on her knees, popped open the center latch, flipped the two end catches and eased up the lid.
Zach squatted beside her. What did you find?
Candleholders. She pushed wads of yellowed newspaper to one side, lifting the first of a matched set of ornate, thickly tarnished silver candleholders. It was heavy in her hand, and Zach took it from her, lifting it and the other, and setting the pair on the floor between them.
And serving trays, she announced, leaning over the edge of the trunk and digging deeper. To her delight, she also found a tea service and a velvet-lined, mahogany chest of silverware.
This is great stuff, she enthused, reaching into the depths of the chest.
Be careful feeling around in there, Zach advised. He reached to the very back of the trunk and pulled out a long, silver object. Rising, he revealed a sheathed sword. He took a step back and withdrew the blade.
Abigail turned, taking the burden off her knees by sitting down. She leaned against the side of the trunk as she gazed up at the sharp, jeweled-hilt sword. It was pretty impressive. Then again, it might be the man brandishing it who was impressive. That would go great on the restaurant wall.
He stepped back, swishing the blade through the air. Lord Ashton He whistled. What did you get up to?
Abigail chuckled. I hope we find a diary, or some letters or something. Id love to know more about these people. Hey. She had a sudden idea. What if we used an old-English-script motif for the menus? We could go with parchment and leather bindings.
Sure, he agreed, carefully replacing the sword in its sheath. Well do them however you want.
She couldnt help feeling pleased by his approval.
He set the sword aside and again peered into the crate. Here we go.
What is it?
The other sword. Its a matched set. I guess when you challenge someone to a duel, youre obligated to offer evenly matched weapons.
Or it could be a spare, she reasoned. Do you think Lord Ashton had a shield to go with them?
Not in this trunk. It was obvious theyd come to the paper-lined bottom. But lets open another.
Nine
Zach watched Abigails slow smile as, one by one, she unveiled the watercolors theyd discovered behind a canvas sheet against one wall of the north tower. He was content to stand back and observe her reaction to the paintings. Time had slipped away while they worked. Midafternoon, and they were now surrounded by treasures both valuable and absurd. He had no desire and no intention of reminding her that it was getting late.
She favored her left hand as she awkwardly lifted one of the larger paintings. He quickly stepped up and took it away, positioning it so that she could get a better look. It was the view from the cliff beyond Lord Ashtons statue, a man standing in the foreground on a sunny summer day, with Lake Patricia and its two small islands as the backdrop.
Whoever painted these did a really good job, Abigail observed.
Zach squinted down in front of himself, trying to make out the scrawled signature in the bottom corner. E. Ashton. At least thats what it looked like to him.
Abigail stepped around the clutter on the floor, dusting off her jeans with one hand as she moved. E. Ashton, she confirmed.
Lord Ashtons wife was named Elise.
I guess she must be the artist. Elises paintings are definitely going on the walls of the restaurant.
Whatever you say. Zach couldnt keep his gaze from Abigail.
There was a smudge of dust on her smooth cheek. Her eyes were deep gold in the streaming sunshine. Her lips were full and dark, and her mussed hair framed her face like a halo.
Youre beautiful, he breathed.
Sarcasm? she returned without missing a beat.
Im dead serious. Despite her familys obvious attempts to turn her into some latter-day Cinderella laborer, hed never met any woman who could hold a candle to her.
Im dirty and sweaty, and I havent worn makeup in two weeks. She held up her blunt, unadorned fingernails. Look at these.
Setting aside the painting, he reached forward and took her hand, giving in to impulse and gently kissing at her knuckles.
Doesnt matter, he told her. They cant erase your beauty.
She fluttered her long lashes. Youre starting to sound like a courtly Lord Ashton.
Im beginning to like Lord Ashton.
I bet he danced a mean quadrille.
Zach lifted her hand and spun Abigail in a pirouette, earning a grin. He strikes me as more of the pheasant-hunting type. Or maybe wild boar.
Wild boar?
Isnt that what they do in England?
I think they go fox hunting. In those tight little red suits. Quite the dandies back then.
I suppose, he allowed. I mean, when he wasnt busy loading a cannon or fighting a duel.
Over the honor of a lady?
What other reason would there be to fight a duel?
Would you fight for my honor?
In a heartbeat. He sobered, his voice going husky, using their joined hands to draw her close.
She didnt pull away, but fear clouded her expression.
Dont look so scared.
Im not scared.
Good. He couldnt resist brushing a smudge of dust from her cheek.
Zach?
Relax.
That seems unlikely.
Lets stop time again.
She went still. I dont think-
I dont mean jump back into bed, he quickly assured her.
Yes, you do, she countered.
She was right about that, but he wasnt going to press her. I mean you should stay here. For a couple of days. Help me put together some ideas for the restaurant.
I told Travis Id come home today.
Call him back and tell him youve changed your mind.
They need me-
I know they need you. And I know you love them. And they can have you back. But not yet. Stay here with me and heal. He searched his brain for something else to say, some other argument that might sway her.
He realized that he couldnt bear to let her go back to the ranch while she was still injured. He wanted her here, with him. And, yes, he wanted to sleep with her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and never let her go. But hed take her with or without lovemaking. Hed take her however he could get her.
She drew a breath. I dont need to hide to take a few days off. Theres some office work at the ranch that I can-
Stay, Doll-Face. He gazed deeply into her eyes, all out of reasonable arguments. Just Stay.
She was silent for what seemed like an eternity. Okay, the word whispered out. For a couple of days.
The tension rushed from his body, and his hand tightened around hers.