The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy

smile just the other side of wicked, he’d have believed her a witch without hesitation. “Setting aside your considerable powers, are you going to tell me you believe this story, and all its parts, as reality?”
    “I do, yes.” She picked up her fork. “And if I were you, and living here, I’d take great care with my heart.” She lifted a forkful of creamy egg and cheese, slid it between her lips. “There are those who also believe if one loses that heart here, it’s forever pledged.”
    “Like Maude’s.” The idea of it worried him more than he wanted to admit. “Why are you telling me this?”
    “Well, I wondered if you’d ask. You’re an attractive man, and I like the look of you. Added to that—and I’m not ashamed to say it’s a big ‘added to that’ to me— you’re rich. I think there’s a good possibility I might enjoy your company as well.”
    “Are you proposing?”
    She shot a grin at him, wide and gorgeous. “Not quite yet. I’m telling you this because I’ve the impression you’re a man who sees through pretenses as easy as a knife slides through butter.”
    She picked up her own knife and demonstrated on the stick he’d taken from the refrigerator. “I’m not a woman who falls in love. I’ve tried,” she said, and for a moment the light in her eyes clouded. Then she shrugged and spread the butter on a slice of toast. “It’s just not in me. And it may be that we’re not what destiny has in store for each other, but if we are, I think we might come to an arrangement that pleases both of us.”
    Under the circumstances, he decided, another refill of coffee couldn’t hurt. He got up to top off the cups. “I’ve met a lot of people in my business, sampled a lot of cultures, and I have to say this is the strangest breakfast conversation I’ve ever had.”
    “I believe in fate, Trevor, in the meeting of like minds, in comfort and in honesty when it serves its purpose.” She took another bite of omelette. “Do you?”
    “I believe in like minds, comfort and honesty when it serves its purpose. As to fate, that’s a different matter.”
    “There’s too much Irish in your blood for you not to be a fatalist,” she told him.
    “Is that the nature of the beast?”
    “Of course. And at the same time, we manage to be optimistically sentimental and full of dark and exciting superstition. As for honesty.” Her eyes twinkled at him. “Now that’s a matter of degrees and viewpoints, for what’s better, all in all, than a well-told tale embroidered with colorful exaggerations? However, honesty is something I think you appreciate, so what’s wrong with letting you know that if you fall in love with me, I’ll likely let you?”
    He enjoyed the rest of his coffee. And her. “I’ve tried to fall in love. It didn’t take for me, either.”
    For the first time sympathy moved over her face, and she reached out to touch his hand. “It’s as painful not being able to stumble, I think, as the fall would be.”
    He looked down at their joined hands. “What a sad pair we are, Darcy.”
    “Best, isn’t it, to know yourself, and your limitations? It could be that some pretty young woman will catch your eye and your heart will pop right out of your chest and plop at her feet.” She shrugged her shoulders. “But meanwhile, I wouldn’t mind having you spend some of your time, and your not inconsiderable funds, on me.”
    “Mercenary, are we?”
    “Yes, I am.” She gave his hand a friendly pat, then went back to her breakfast. “You’ve never had to count your pennies, have you?”
    “Got me there.”
    “But if you ever have to earn a few extra, you make a very fine omelette.” She rose, taking both of the plates to the sink. “I appreciate a decent cook, as it’s not a skill I have, nor one I care to develop.”
    He came up behind her, ran his hands over her shoulders, down her arms and back again in one long stroke. “Going to wash my dishes?”
    “No.” She wanted to stretch like a satisfied cat, but thought it wiser not to. “But I might be persuaded to dry them for you.”
    She let him turn her around, kept her eyes on his as he lowered his head. Then, with not a little regret, placed her fingers on his lips before they touched hers. “Here’s what I’m thinking. Either of us could seduce the other with considerable style if not much effort.”
    “Okay. Let me go first.”
    Her laugh was low and smooth. “And however satisfied we might be after,