Andstill, all he wanted was to go to Eleanor.
It didn’t escape him that if he’d done what he truly wanted and committed himself to her in marriage…this was how it would be every time he had to leave her for his next adventure. He didn’t even want to think about how she would feel…but he did anyway. She would grow to hate him. And he would hate himself.
Despite how painful it was, it was far better to end things now. Surely.
Slumped in the corner of a leather chair, he barely registered Iago’s entrance with the tea tray. But when the man forcefully cleared his throat, Phin glanced his way.
“A package arrived for you, my lord, first thing this morning.”
Phin was quite ready to be done with unexpected packages and mysterious missives, to be honest, but when he glanced at the rough wooden box resting beside the teapot on the silver tray, a spark of lightning danced through his blood.
Iago bowed and walked away, but not before Phin caught the hint of a smirk curling the man’s mouth.
Pushing himself upright, Phin leaned forward, eyeing the smallish wooden box with wary curiosity. He’d always been easily tempted by a mystery. And this…felt somehow…
Damn it! The recent events had gotten to him. He didn’t believe in fate and destiny and whatnot. So, why did the contents of that box seem so blasted important?
He shook off the feeling and forced himself to pour his tea. He added a dollop of honey as usual, then decided to add one more just because it made him think of Eleanor’s sweet kiss.
Then he swore at himself. “Enough,” he said aloud, finally reaching for the rather crude wooden package about the size of a small cigar box.
Iago had already loosened the nails which had been secured to the lid and Phin easily lifted it open. The box was packed with straw and a folded bit of paper rested on top.
Though his body was tense with anticipation and suspicion, Phin perused the letter first.
Seeing Barnaby’s familiar script, he held his breath as he read.
After a lengthy debate, Aadesh and Drishti came to a firm agreement about the destined fate of the legendary honeybee bridal necklace. They’ve decided it belongs where it always should’ve remained. They believe their karmic debt can only be repaid by seeing the item whichhad been stolen so long ago, finally returned to the one to whom it had always belonged.
It took a bit, but I assured them that you wouldpersonallyensure the item safely reaches its rightful destination. I know you won’t let me down.
Your best mate, B
Phin didn’t have to dig through the straw to know what was laying within, but he did so anyway. The precious collection of jewels set in a stunning gold design felt warm as he unwrapped it from the length of black cotton. The glint and fire of the piece ignited an answering flame deep within him.
Holding the necklace this time felt different than it had any of the previous times. It felt right. Comfortable. Certain. Because there were no more questions. The mystery was solved.
Karma. Destiny. Love.
In that moment, they were all the same.
*
The next evening,Bridget and Lydia insisted upon getting ready for the ball they were to attend all together in Eleanor’s rooms at Lindley House. Though Eleanor would have loved to avoid the interrogation that was coming, it was simply unavoidable.
As expected, her cousins arrived early and together. Which meant they’d had time to discuss the prior evenings events the whole way over.
Once Eleanor’s bedroom door was closed, leaving the three women alone together, Bridget rushed to take position on the bed as she blurted, “Tell useverything.”
“But first,” Lydia said quickly as she cast a chiding glance toward Bridget, “please say you were unharmed by last night’s events.”
“I am perfectly fine,” Eleanor replied and her voice didn’t trembleeven a little bit. Her chin may have, however. Because even though it was the truth in the sense of what Lydia had asked…technically, it was an utter lie. A lie her cousins instantly saw right through.
“Oh no,” Lydia muttered, holding out her hand. “Come sit.”
The three settled on Eleanor’s bed, sitting in a circle. Two gazes curious, one slightly avoidant.
“Did something go wrong?” Bridget asked. “Was Ackerly more of a beast than you’d thought?”
