"Yes, yes. Decades ago. When I was a child and we visited. I played there. There is a tale that the Knights Templar buried gold florins from the French king's treasury up on the hillside. As children, David and I used to dig in search ofthem."
"David?"
"My husband. I knew him...or rather our families knew each other. We played together up there beneath the arches. I cannot imagine how they've withstood the test of time and storm andsea."
"Nor I," he said in a reverent whisper. "I want them preserved. Shored up. The wild flower banks along the path to them improved. The terrace connected somehow to the house. I don't care how you do it. Just give methat."
"I will. Never fear. I love them too. It's as if they've stood this long as sentinels to the centuries. As if they've proclaimed they can endure. As if they challenge what we build to last aslong."
He was silent. The moment stretched on. In his expression stood compassion, affection and...flashes ofdesire.
She remembered herself and considered her hands. "There is something else I musthave."
"Nameit."
A knock came at thedoor.
"Come in," Killianordered.
The butler appeared, tea tray in hand. He set the elements out on a table before them, then promptly turned on his heel andleft.
"Would you do me the favor to pour?" Killian asked, motioning to the teapot and theservice.
Relaxed in his presence, she agreed. Yet she knew she might not be so with her next request. She set about pouring tea, handing him his, offering the sandwiches andbiscuits.
"Thank you," he said, took a sip of his tea and placed his cup aside. "I hope you didn't plan to return to Londontoday?"
"No. I reserved a room at the inn inAshford."
"Please don't go. Stay for dinner. Stay the night, in fact. The family's all here, waiting for Lily to deliver her baby. You know everyone from Marianne and Remy's wedding. No need to rush back to town today, is there? Not since we've agreed on yourstipulations."
"That's kind of you but I don't wish to intrude on yourfamily."
"You won't. Besides, you are family. No way out ofthis."
She narrowed her gaze on him, playful in her grin. "Are you getting your own way by manipulatingme?"
He flinched. "Certainly not. I'm just citing logic. What do you say?Stay."
Oh, how she wanted to. Tired, exhausted by her anxiety and relieved at the outcome of this discussion with him, she could use a diversion. "Iwill."
"Wonderful." He picked up his cup andsaucer.
"There is one more matter," she said, as she sat back and took a sip of her hot, comforting tea. To be quite emphatic about this issue, she should be forthright. And so she put down her cup, clasped her hands and said, "I will work for you for these houses. You buy my services as a decorator. The project is complicated, the houses many and it may require two years or more tocomplete."
He nodded once. "But?"
"Throughout it all, you and I will remain client and consultant. Home owner anddecorator."
"Business associates?" he asked, his faceplacid.
Why, oh, why did her heart squeeze tight?"Correct."
"Iagree."
You do?She forced a smile. "Thankyou."
"Mypleasure."
And why is it not also myown?
