"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."
He turned to smile at Jade. "My dear, what say we go over to Nathan's town house next week? If you're feeling up to the outing," he added. "We still have to settle her brother's affairs," he told Lady Briars.
Jade thought Caine had lost his mind. She smiled, just to cover her unease, while she waited for his next surprise.
It wasn't long in coming. "Perhaps you'd like to accompany us over to Nathan's place and have a look
at the trunk with us," Caine suggested.
Lady Briars declined the invitation. She insisted that Jade come to see her soon, then took her leave. Caine assisted the frail woman into her carriage.
Jade paced the drawing room until he returned. "And just what was that all about?" she demanded as soon as he walked inside again.
He shut the doors before answering her. She noticed his grin then. Caine looked thoroughly pleased
with himself.
"I didn't like lying to that dear woman one bit, Caine," she cried out. "Besides, I'm the accomplished liar in this family, not you. Why did you tell her there was a trunk, for heaven's sake? Were you thinking to make her feel better so she wouldn't have to give up any of her cherished possessions? Do you know, now that I reflect upon this, I don't like hearing you lie at all. Well?" she demanded when she needed to pause for breath. "What have you got to say for yourself?"
"The lie was necessary," Caine began.
She wouldn't let him get any further. '"No lie is ever necessary,'" she quoted from memory. "You told
me that days ago. Remember?"
"Love, you're really upset because I lied?" he asked. He looked astonished.
"1 most certainly am upset," she returned. "I've come to depend upon your honesty, Caine. Yet if you
tell me the lie was reaily necessary, then I must assume you have a plan. Do you think Lady Briars
might mention this imaginary trunk to someone? Is that it?"
She thought she had it all figured out. "No," he answered, smiling over the frown his denial caused.
"No? Then you should be ashamed of yourself for lying to that old woman."
"If you'll let me explain…"
She folded her arms across her chest. "This had better be good, sir, or I just might blister you."
He thought she sounded like her Uncle Harry now. She was certainly blustering enough to make him draw that conclusion. He laughed and took his disgruntled looking wife into his arms.
"Well?" she muttered against his jacket. "Explain, if you please, why you lied to a dear family friend."
"She isn't a dear family friend," Caine told her, his exasperation apparent in his tone of voice.
"Of course she is," Jade protested. "You heard her, husband. She has kept all the little presents my
father gave her. She loved him!"
"She killed him."
Jade didn't react to that statement for a long, silent minute. Then she slowly lifted her gaze to stare into his eyes. She shook her head.
He nodded.