Heartwishes (Edilean 5)

Gemma drew in her breath. “That Mrs. Frazier made her husband wish for grandchildren.”

“Right.”

Gemma swallowed. “But wouldn’t they come from Jean?”

“Colin won’t tell me what’s going on with her, but what if they did stay together?” There was anger in his voice. “Will she commute back and forth to Richmond?”

“I saw a law office here in town. Maybe she could—”

“Infiltrate MAW—the law firm of McDowell, Aldredge and Welsch? My cousin is one of the partners, and I can tell you that they’d never let an outsider in.”

“But she’d be Colin’s wife. She’d belong,” Gemma said, even though the words stuck in her throat.

“It won’t happen,” Tris said firmly.

Gemma ran her finger over her plate to get the last bit of chocolate, and put it in her mouth. “How long have you disliked Jean?”

“Since she ran her hand up my thigh at a party.”

“Did you tell Colin?”

“I tried to, but he wouldn’t listen.”

Gemma thought about what he’d told her. “Look, I’m sure this Heartwishes thing is just a family myth. If it were true, the Fraziers would have been granted wishes for centuries, but I can’t see that they have. Or have they?”

Tris gave a bit of a grin. “No. If it had been up to Mrs. Frazier, her daughter would never have attended medical school. Her wish would have made Ariel stay in Edilean, get married, and she’d have six kids by now. And if Mr. Frazier had his way, all of his children would be crazy about cars and want to take over the family business.”

“It’s a good thing there is nothing that does grant wishes, isn’t it?” Gemma said. “Everyone’s wish would conflict with everyone else’s.”

“Not to mention people getting angry and wishing ill on others,” Tris said.

Gemma looked at him. “And what about you?” she asked. “If Nell is part Frazier, so are you. If you did have a wish, what would it be?”

“I . . .” He leaned back in his chair and didn’t seem inclined to say any more.

“I told you about my stupidity with Colin, so you can tell me your secrets.”

“Yeah, but I’m a doctor. I’m used to people’s secrets.”

“And I’m an historian. I’m used to two-hundred-year-old secrets.”

He smiled. “All right. I’m looking for her.”

“Who?”

“The one they write all the songs and novels about. My sister says I’m too romantic, but I feel that I’ll know her when I see her.” He took a breath. “And I want her to like me for more than what I do or what I look like.” He looked down at his plate for a moment, then back at Gemma. “Maybe the Heartwishes Stone works for my sister, but it’s not working for me.”

“It’s not possible, of course, but I wonder what could have activated the Stone now after all these years.”

“You. Maybe you opened something in those papers. Maybe the Stone is in there but you haven’t seen it.”

“Not possible,” Gemma said. “I’ve been through all the boxes. There was only paper in them and a few sentimental things.”

“Such as?”

“Ribbons, lockets full of strands of hair, the usual Victorian sentimentality.”

Tris just stared at her.