The Sapphire Brooch Katherine Logan (best beach reads TXT) 📖

me with yer eyes, yer touch, and, yes”—he squeezed her breast tenderly—“yer heart. I thought ye might have feelings for me though not so much as this. I care about ye so much I canna take ye now, knowing I must leave. And Jack would be a wee bit angry with me, too.”

“My life is my own. He won’t be angry. Come back with us.”

He shook his head. “Ye know I can’t.”

She laid her head on his chest, relishing the warmth of his hand still cupping her breast. His heart thumped against her cheek, solid and steady, relaxing some of the frozen bands of fear plaguing her since he’d left.

She had saved his life, unaware this moment would come. But even if she had known he might break her heart, she would have handed it to him gladly, wrapped in a package tied with hope and longing. Strands of dread coalesced into the cold shudder snaking down her backbone and coiling in her belly, twisting and knotting her insides. Would the knots ever untangle? She doubted it. Desire for him would hold her captive, and she would continue to dream there would one day be a time and place for them.

44

Washington City, February 1865

By the time Charlotte went downstairs for breakfast, she’d only climbed halfway out of her pity party. Jack would want to know what was wrong, and she couldn’t lie to him. He could be counted on to notice her hurt and disappointment. What was she going to tell him? Whatever she decided to say, it would have to be the truth. He had an uncanny ability to read body language and discern thoughts—not just hers, but everyone he met.

She whipped into the parlor and stubbed her big toe on the brick doorstop. “Ouch. Damn it, Braham McCabe. Why’d you put this frigging brick where I would be sure to stub my toe?” She hobbled over to the closest chair, sat, and rubbed her foot. “This is the third time I’ve run into it.”

Edward picked up the brick. One corner of his mouth curled wryly. “I’ll find another place for this nuisance.”

“How about next to the major’s bed? Let him find out what it’s like to stub his toe.”

After a minute or two, when the throbbing dissipated, she opened the sliding doors leading into the dining room, and let out a soft gasp. She clutched the doorframe as the blood rose warm in her cheeks at the memory of last night’s kisses, and the sight of this morning’s smile. Breathlessly she said, “You’re still here.”

Braham stood and pulled out the chair next to him. “Good morning. I hope ye slept well.”

Jack got to his feet, too, frowning. “How’d you know he was here?” His glance moved from Charlotte to Braham, then back to his sister. As he studied her face, it felt like he was prodding beneath her skin. “You have pouches under your eyes you didn’t have late last night, and your hair is”—he waved his hands around his head—“unruly this morning. Why?”

“Good morning to you, too, Jack.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you. You just look…” He cocked his head. “Tired and unhappy.”

“I am tired.” She sat and smiled at Braham. “Braham and I talked late last night.”

“Talked, huh?” Jack settled back into his chair and picked up his coffee cup, but continued to glare. “Rather late, then. I went to bed after two o’clock and Braham hadn’t come home by then. Staying up all night doesn’t usually make your eyes red. You’ve been crying, I bet. What happened?”

She would have kicked her brother under the table, but she was sitting too far away. Instead, she glowered. “Don’t let me interrupt your conversation. I’m sure you have more interesting topics to discuss than the redness of my eyes.” A servant came in and poured her a cup of coffee. “Thank you. I’ll serve myself from the buffet when I’m ready to eat.”

Jack set down his coffee cup, crossed his arms, and wiggled his index finger from side to side. “You stayed up late talking, and this morning your eyes are red from crying. What’s going on between you?”

She rubbed her fingers slowly with her other hand, lips pursed in thought. “If you must know…”

Jack leaned forward eagerly. “Yes?”

“Braham asked me to marry him, give up medicine, and have a dozen children. I laughed so hard I cried and couldn’t stop. I’m surprised you didn’t hear me.”

Braham pressed a crooked finger against his lips and coughed, his eyes twinkling. “Ye misheard, lass. Considering yer age, I only asked for a half dozen.”

She quirked her eyebrows at him. “Well, if I got lucky, I could have sextuplets, which would require only one pregnancy. Might be doable at my advanced age.” She barely got a swallow of coffee down before she really did laugh till she cried, and then dabbed at her eyes with the cloth napkin. She lay her hand on Braham’s arm. “I’m glad to see you, but I expected you to be gone by now.”

“I was on my way out when I ran into Jack. He persuaded me to stay until this evening. If ye’re up for a ride, I thought we’d go to Georgetown for luncheon.”

“And see your house?” She glanced from Braham to Jack. “I’d love to go.”

Jack stood. “Good. It’s settled. But first Braham’s going to sit for an interview to discuss espionage during the war, so give us a couple of hours.” He poured another cup of coffee and left the room.

Before Braham followed Jack to the office, he squeezed her shoulder and kissed the back of her neck, blowing a tickle of warm air down the length of her spine. “I’ve thought of nothing but ye in the last few hours. When we get to Georgetown, we’ll find a few moments of privacy to talk.”

She sat in much-needed solitude, smiling, thrilled at the unexpected gift of a day with Braham, but dreading another final good-bye. Her body warmed,