“What spell have you cast over me?” he asked.
“I could ask you the same thing.” She laughed lightly.
“My mother and sisters cast spells. Once, my mother made sure my brother was celibate for days.” He chuckled as he softly ran his fingers up and down her back. “He was careful not to anger her again.”
Darcy tried to stay as quiet as she could, letting Surlock talk. She didn’t think he realized that he was remembering.
His hand stilled. “I have a mother and sisters.” He spoke barely above a whisper.
She leaned back and looked into his face, smiling. “It’s just like the doctor said, your memory will return. You only have to give it a little time.”
He stepped out of her arms, lost in thought, and walked back inside the guest house. She followed.
“I think I have three sisters.” He turned back around and faced her. “I think they’re very bossy, too.”
She smiled back. “And they cast spells.” Her smile dropped. “They cast spells?”
He nodded. “To the gods and goddesses.”
“Gods and goddesses,” she mumbled. Her eyes suddenly widened as she let it all sink in. “Where the hell are you from?”
“Symtaria, I think.”
She began to walk back and forth across the room. “Except it doesn’t exist. And your family prays to gods and goddesses. What are they? Gypsies? Modern-day witches? This is getting really strange, Surlock.”
“Yes, I think I do pray to the gods and goddesses. You don’t?”
“I pray to God. Just one.” Oh, Lord, her parents weren’t religious fanatics, but they’d always told her that they would like her to marry a nice Baptist boy.
“Darcy, are you okay?”
“I don’t know.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Does it matter who we pray to as long as we are good people?”
It wasn’t like they were going to marry, so Surlock’s religion didn’t really enter into the equation. Right? “No, it doesn’t matter at all.” Then why did she have a feeling it would matter a lot someday?
Hadn’t she once wondered if he might have an obnoxious family or something? She’d rather face obnoxious than to explain to her parents that Surlock and his family were practicing witches or gypsies.
Drat, even if nothing came from this relationship, she wanted her parents to like Surlock as much as she did.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That it might be a good thing to keep your religious beliefs to yourself for now. Not that I disapprove or anything, but it might just be easier all around. Most people wouldn’t understand.” And she hadn’t thought she could feel any worse.
“If you think it’s best.”
“I do.”
There was a tapping on the door. They moved out of each other’s arms. Darcy went to the French doors and opened them. “Ms. Abernathy, did you need something?”
Ms. Abernathy looked between the two of them, then pursed her lips. “Your mother called. She said she hasn’t heard from you in a few days. I told her I would have you call her right back.”
Cripes, why hadn’t she called her mom first? Darcy glanced at Surlock, then turned her attention back to the housekeeper. “You didn’t mention … uh—”
Ms. Abernathy squared her shoulders and sniffed loudly. “No, I didn’t, but I think you’d better. It’s not right keeping things from your mother.”
Sheesh, more drama. “I’ll tell her.”
“And you’ll call her? I told her it wouldn’t be more than a few minutes.” She glanced at her watch. “You should call her soon.”
“I will.” She shooed the housekeeper from the room. “I’ll call her from here.”
“And you’ll tell her about”—she lowered her voice—“him.”
“Surlock. His name is Surlock. Yes, I’ll tell her.”
“I know his name,” she whispered. “Just because he can play the piano like an angel, you should still be careful.”
“Okay, okay.” Darcy shut the door.
“I don’t blame her for not completely trusting me,” Surlock said after the housekeeper left.
“She needs to get over it.” She went to the sofa and sat down, reaching for the phone. Still, Darcy hesitated. What exactly was she going to tell her mother? That she really felt drawn to this man whose whole family worshipped gods and goddesses?
“Prince,” Surlock suddenly said.
“What?”
“I think that’s part of my name. It’s familiar.”
Excitement fluttered through her. Another piece of the puzzle. “Surlock Prince,” she tested the sound. It didn’t really go together. “At least we have a last name. It should prove easier to find out exactly who you are and where you come from.” And why his whole family worshipped gods and goddesses.
She called her mom and waited. The phone rang only once before her mother answered.
“Darcy, are you all right? You haven’t called.”
“I’m fine, Mom. I’ve just been busy.”
“Busy? Doing what?”
“Well, Surlock is staying in the guest house.”
“Surlock who?”
Darcy bit her bottom lip. She had a feeling this was going to be a long conversation. “Surlock Prince. You know, I mentioned him to you. The guy you’re supposed to meet when you and daddy arrive. And Peter is home and planning a huge party. And Jennifer is here, too.” Thank goodness she’d filled the fake boyfriend slot.
“Jennifer is there, too?”
“Yes, Mom.” Darcy heard her mother’s sigh of relief.
“Tell me about this young man.”
She really hated lying to her mom. “Surlock?” she hedged.
“Yes, dear, I already know all about Peter.”
“Peter likes Surlock.”
“Which tells me absolutely nothing. I know he covered for you when you broke that window. You were what? Twelve. I haven’t completely trusted him since.”
“You know about the window?” Wow, all this time and Darcy had thought she’d gotten away with breaking it.
“Yes, dear, I’m your mother. It’s my job. Now tell me about this young man.”
“He’s wonderful, Mom. You should hear him play the piano. You’d think he was a professional. He brought tears to Ms. Abernathy’s eyes.”
“He’s musical?”
Darcy breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes. Absolutely wonderful.”
“Who are his parents?”
Almost home free. “They’re from Sweden.” She said a silent prayer for forgiveness. “Very upper crust.”
“Are they Baptist?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Well, no matter. Your father and I will meet your young man soon enough.”
Darcy swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Meet him?”
“Yes, we’re leaving the city early. Your father is quite exhausted and needs a vacation. We’ll be there next week.”
Darcy looked toward Surlock. He had his back to her as he stared out the window. “That’s great. I can’t wait to see you both.”
“We’ll have to plan a party. I just hate that we have to miss Peter’s.”
“His are so big, though,” she quickly reminded her mother. “You know how you hate crowds.”
“You’re so right. We’ll just have a small get-together. Not more than twenty or so of our closest friends. What do you think about prawns and those cheese puffs I so adore for appetizers?”
Darcy listened while her mother planned her party, only occasionally agreeing with her. Her mother was in her element when she had friends over. Darcy had to smile. Her mother was the queen bee of her social circle.
“Oh, you know Jennifer is starting her own party planning business. You should talk to her about it. I bet she’ll have some great ideas.”
“Jennifer? Our Jennifer?”
“Yes, our Jennifer.”
“Well, it should at least keep her out of trouble. I have to say I worry about that child the way she likes to go out all the time. It’s good she’s found something to keep her occupied.”
Darcy opened her mouth, but then closed it without saying anything. Now was not the time to get into an argument about why it was okay for Jennifer to have a job but not Darcy. She would tuck the information away, though. It might add a little leverage to her argument about having a real job.