He nodded. “It’s going to be all right now.” He smiled slyly. “Until we come back and I start beating you at Go.”
“Brat.” She kissed the top of his head and took a step back. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
She stood watching them drive out of the parking lot and then up the road.
It had been a lovely tea and she had been with the people she loved on a great sunny day. What could be better? Except for that rather weird call from Lisa, there had been nothing disturbing since she’d walked into this charming tearoom. But even that call had not been so much disturbing as confusing. And Michael had evidently jettisoned that peculiar mood that he’d been in since the moment she’d opened her eyes this morning. That was important as well. Now to get back to the castle and start working on those sketches that she’d told Michael she was going to do for Lady Kendrick.
She got into her car, backed out of the parking spot, and headed back toward the castle a few miles down the road.
And screeched to a stop just before she reached the castle gates.
Dammit!
Seth Caleb got out of his silver Range Rover, parked on the side of the road opposite the front gates, and strolled across the road toward her. “You look wonderful,” he said quietly. “I always liked you in teal. It sets fire to your hair. That’s a nice little tearoom up the road. I assume you’ve been having tea with Eve and Joe?”
“Yes, I have.” Caleb was wearing black jeans and a casual navy-colored shirt, and he looked just the same as the last time she’d seen him. Of course he did, she thought impatiently as she braced herself. It hadn’t been more than a few months since he’d dropped into the gallery for her last showing. And the moment he’d entered the door, she’d been aware of him. How could she help it? She was always aware of him. During the months they had been lovers, he’d somehow tuned her every physical and mental response to know him, need him. And even though he’d deliberately stayed in the background that day, he’d attracted his usual attention from the other art patrons. But then he was always high-impact and totally magnetic. The strand of dark hair falling over his forehead, the slight brush of silver at his temples, the full sensuous lips, and just the hint of an indentation in his chin. Still, it was more the high intensity that seemed to burn inside him that caught and held attention. She could feel that intensity now…Her hands clenched on the steering wheel. “What the hell are you doing here, Caleb?”
“I’ve come for a visit.” He smiled as he strolled around her car and leaned to look in the driver’s window at her. “You promised me one a few weeks ago and then reneged. That wasn’t fair, Jane. I was disappointed.”
“I told you it was no longer necessary.” He was too close. She could feel the heat his body was emitting. And that clean, smoky spice scent that always clung to him was drifting to her. “I sent you an email thanking you for agreeing to help, but things worked out very well for Michael without you. We didn’t need you.”
“Oh, I understood that. But emails can be so cold.” He added solemnly, “Though I did appreciate that you added the thanks. That made it a little warmer.” He opened the car door for her. “But I was looking forward to seeing Michael again. It’s been a long time since you had him in London for a visit. After thinking about it, I decided I wasn’t willing to give that up.”
“That wasn’t your choice to make.” She didn’t get out of the car. “And Michael is on his way to London right now with Eve and Joe. If you really want to see him, perhaps we can arrange another time and place.”
“But not if you have your way,” he said softly. “Right, Jane?”
She met his eyes. “Not if I have my way. I’ve said what I wanted to say. And I don’t believe you missed Michael that much, Caleb.”
“You should.” He grinned. “I’m telling the truth. Just not all the truth.” He took her hand and pulled her out of the car. “But that’s going to change right now. Come for a drive with me and I’ll tell you why I’m not going to let you send me away this time.”
She hadn’t wanted him to touch her. She could feel the pulse in her wrist pounding. “I don’t want to go for a drive with you.”
“But you’d like it less if I drove into the castle campgrounds and forced a discussion there. That’s your territory, where you feel safe. You don’t want me invading it.”
Lord, that was true. “I don’t have to have either,” she said coolly as she tried to jerk her wrist away from him. “Back off, Caleb.”
“Yes, you do. Pick and choose.” He added coaxingly, “Because Michael will be disappointed when he calls me back later and I have to tell him that you tossed me out and you’re alone here. He wouldn’t understand.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “I’m the one who doesn’t understand. Why should he call you?”
“He didn’t want you to be alone. And he wanted to be sure everything would work out to his satisfaction. Haven’t you found that Michael can be very thorough?”
“Yes,” she said absently. Then the anger sparked as she thought she understood. “None of this makes sense. Did you call him, Caleb?”
“I really like the boy, and I wouldn’t involve him in our business unless I was forced.” His hand tightened on her wrist. “But then I might use any means necessary. However, that time hasn’t come. I was surprised when Michael called me a couple of hours ago and asked me to come and keep you company this evening. He appeared to be quite determined about it.”
Her jaw went slack. She could tell he was telling the truth. No wonder Michael had been so serene when he’d said goodbye. “Sometimes Michael gets an idea in his head and just won’t let go. You should have told him that you couldn’t do it.”
“But I could do it. Why would I lie to him? I was almost here by that time anyway.” He gestured to the Range Rover. “Give me twenty minutes to let me talk you into keeping my promise to Michael. Then I’ll bring you back and I can tell him I did my best. Because he will call and check, Jane.”
“I know he will,” she said grimly. “And I want to talk to him when he does.” She hesitated. This was the last thing she wanted to do, but it was only twenty minutes, and Caleb always kept his word. Get it over with. She strode over to the Range Rover. “Twenty minutes. But it’s a waste of time. I don’t know why he’s so concerned about me being alone today. It’s not as if I’m not accustomed to it.”
“I don’t know why, either.” He closed her door and then went around to the driver’s seat. “But we both know that the boy is a little fey, and I’d just as soon not go against him in this. I didn’t argue with him.”
“Well, you should have. And he’s not fey. I always think of an elf living in a hollow tree when I hear that word. Michael just has certain strong…instincts.”
“Very strong. And closer to the psychic category than instinct.” He held up his hand as she opened her lips to speak. “I know you like to hide his talents under a bushel. It’s safer for him. But when I’m with you, I’ll use any word I choose. I’m not insulting him. On the contrary, I consider him a brother. We share both a gift and the risk of being ousted because of it at any given moment.”