A Curse of the Heart

Gabriel glanced down at the inlaid box, his brows drawn together. His face grew solemn as he mouthed the words John Brown and London. “I hope it’s not what I think it is.”

Rebecca flicked the brass catch and opened the lid to reveal the plush burgundy lining. “Only the finest pair of over and under flintlock pistols you will ever see,” she said running her fingers over the cold metal stock in admiration. “They’re made small enough to fit into a pocket or a reticule. What do you think?”

Gabriel’s mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally said, “I think you have completely lost your mind. Do you even know how to use them?”

“Of course,” she chuckled. “Mr. Cutter was very attentive and gave me a thorough demonstration.”

“Indeed. I’m sure he did.”

“Would you like me to show you?”

“No!” he cried. “Rebecca, please tell me you do not intend to carry one of those things around with you?”

“Of course not,” she groaned. “I will keep one under my pillow at night in case of intruders and the other one in the top drawer of this desk.”

Gabriel placed his book on the wooden counter and rested the weight of his body on his knuckles. With his head bent low, he whispered, “Heaven help me.”

“Surely you did not expect me just to sit here like a pheasant waiting to be plucked. I should think you’d be pleased I am able to protect myself. You’ve been neglecting your work, and it is all my fault. This way you won’t have to worry.”

“Lately, all I seem to do is worry,” he said straightening. “Now, I can add murder to the list of things to fret over. Without a steady aim, it is impossible to hit the intended target.”

Rebecca shrugged as she closed the box and secured the catch. “I doubt I will need to use them. Are you staying for dinner?”

He appeared shocked at her question. “Dinner? Rebecca, after what happened here yesterday, I am staying the night.”

The words caused a tightening in her stomach that pulsated all the way down her legs to the tips of her toes. She had been waiting to hear him say those words, although she did not intend to make it easy for him.

“There’s no need. I will be fine now I have Mr. Brown’s wonderful inventions. Besides, I’m sure it must be a terrible inconvenience, having to chaperone me when you could be immersed in your books.”

His gaze turned dark, brooding. “You don’t want me to stay?”

Inside she was smiling, but she kept her expression indifferent. “Do you want to stay?”

“I do not want to leave you here alone.”

Did she need to strap him to the rack and crank the handle to gain a confession? Even then, the sound of crunching bones would still render him mute.

“I have been alone for a very long time,” she said. “Another night will not make any difference. If you want to spend time in my company, then by all means, you are welcome to stay. If your reasons stem from a sense of duty or responsibility, then I would prefer you didn’t.”

He was silent, and she could imagine the battle within — the questions, the fears, the doubts. If he walked away, then that was the end of it. If he stayed, then it was only the beginning.

“You know the answer, Rebecca.”

She raised a challenging brow. “Sadly, I do not have the power to read minds. What if I guessed and got it completely wrong?”

His mouth curved into a mischievous grin, and she breathed a sigh of relief. “Now you’re teasing me. You know I want to stay.”

Finally! She felt like dropping to her knees and praising the Lord.

“We have a few hours before dinner. If you want to, you could help me in the storeroom. I have been sorting through the boxes, but I shall tell you more about it over dinner.”

“Then lead the way,” he said shrugging out of his coat. He draped it over the chair and then gestured to the remaining package. “What’s in the last parcel, a cutlass and a bottle of rum?”

“I’m glad to see you have not lost your wit,” she said as she ran her hand over the last box. She gave it an admiring caress, causing a rush of anticipation to thrum through her veins. Tonight, she would make another memory. One never to be erased or eradicated, one she would always treasure. “But I’m afraid you will have to wait until after dinner to find out what’s in this box.”

Chapter 19

“You’re not still sulking about the pistols?”