'Isn't it rather ironic that you two ended up together?' Lady Briars asked. There was a smile in her
voice now.
'Not really,' Caine answered. 'Both of us missed the ceremony honoring our brothers,' he explained. 'Jade came to see me. She wanted to talk about Nathan and I guess I needed to talk about Colin. We were immediately drawn to each other.'
He paused to wink at Jade, then continued, 'I believe it was love at first sight.'
'I can see why,' Lady Briars said. 'Jade, you've turned into a beautiful woman.' She shook her head
and let out a little sigh. 'I never understood why your father's friend snatched you away so quickly after your father's funeral. I will admit I was going to petition the Crown for guardianship. I'd always wanted
a daughter. I also believed you would have fared much better with me. Now, after visiting with you, well, I must concede that you were properly raised.'
'Uncle Harry insisted we leave right away,' Jade explained. 'He wasn't our legal guardian and he knew you'd fight for Nathan and me.'
'Yes,' Lady Briars agreed. 'Do you know, I feel in part responsible for Nathan's death. Yes, I do. If
he'd come to live with me, I certainly wouldn't have allowed him to go off on those sea voyages. It was too dangerous.'
'Nathan was a fully grown man when he made his decision to work for England,' Caine interjected.
'I doubt you could have kept him home, Lady Briars.'
'Still,' she countered. 'I still don't understand why your father didn't consider me for guardianship…'
'I believe I understand,' Jade said. 'Harry told me that Father had turned his heart against England.'
'I cannot imagine why,' Lady Briars returned. 'He seemed very content to me.'
Jade shrugged. 'We probably will never know his reasons. Harry believed Father was being chased by demons who lived in his head.'
'Perhaps so,' Lady Briars agreed. 'Now enough about your father, Jade. Tell me all about your early
life. We have so much catching up to do. What was it like living on this tiny island? Did you learn to
read and write? How did you keep yourself occupied, child? Were there many functions to attend?'
Jade laughed. 'The people on the island weren't part of society, Lady Briars. Most didn't even bother to wear shoes. I never managed to read or write because Harry couldn't find anyone who could teach me.'
Jade told that lie because Caine had insisted no one know she'd conquered those skills. Every little edge would give them an added advantage, he'd explained. If everyone believed she hadn't learned how to read, then she couldn't have read the letters.
She thought that reasoning was filled with flaws, but she didn't argue with her husband. She concentrated on making up several amusing childhood stories to satisfy Lady Briars' curiosity. She ended her remarks with the admission that although it had certainly been a peaceful time, it had also been a little boring.
The topic returned to the issue of their recent marriage. Caine answered all of the woman's questions. Jade was amazed by the easy way he told his lies. He obviously had a natural talent, too.
Her father's old friend appeared to be genuinely interested. Jade thought she was a terribly sweet woman.
'Why is it you never married?' Jade asked. 'I know that's a bold question, but you're such a beautiful woman, Lady Briars. I'm certain you must have set the young men scurrying around for your attention.'
Lady Briars was obviously pleased by Jade's comments. She actually blushed. She paused to pat her
hair before answering. Jade noticed the tremor in the elderly woman's hand then. The ravages of age,
she decided as she waited for her to answer.
'I had my hopes set on your father for a long time, my dear. Thorton was such a dashing man. That special spark was missing, though. We ended up good friends, of course. I still think about him every once in a while, and I sometimes bring out some of the precious little gifts he gave me. I get quite maudlin,' she admitted. 'Do you have any special mementos to remember your father by, Jade?'
'No,' Jade answered. 'Everything that belonged to my father burned in the fire.'
'Fire?'
'This is going to disappoint you, Lady Briars, but the lovely house you helped Nathan renovate caught fire. Everything was destroyed.'
'Oh, my poor dear,' Lady Briars whispered. 'It has been a difficult time for you, hasn't it?'
Jade nodded agreement. 'Caine has been a comfort, of course. I doubt I would have gotten through
this last month without him at my side.'
'Yes, that is fortunate,' Lady Briars announced. She put her teacup down on the table. 'So you say
you don't have anything at all to remember your father by? Nothing at all? Not even a family bible
or a time piece or a letter?'
Jade shook her head. Caine took hold of her hand and squeezed it. 'Sweetheart, you're forgetting the trunk,' he interjected smoothly.
She turned to look at Caine, wondering what his game was. Not a hint of her confusion appeared in
her expression however. 'Oh, yes, the trunk,' she agreed.
'Then you do have something to remember your father by, after all,' Lady Briars announced. She nodded in apparent satisfaction. 'I was going to rush right home and go through my things to find something for you. A daughter must have a trinket or two from her father. Now, I remember a lovely porcelain statue your father gave me as a birthday gift when I turned sixteen…'
'Oh, I couldn't take that from you,' she interjected.
'No, she couldn't,' Caine said. 'Besides, she has the trunk. Of course, we haven't had a chance to look inside yet. Jade's been so ill these past weeks with the worrisome fever.'
