Gift of Gold (Gift #1)

The ball will be held on Sunday evening. On Monday I will conduct the auction. What do you think?"

"I think," Jonas said, "that it sounds like a hell of a lot of work."

"Oh, it will be, but Tavi and I have little else to do. The preparations should be amusing. We have already started the research."

"It sounds magnificent," Verity said thoughtfully. "But it'll cost a lot of money to organize something like that." She didn't say aloud that the idea was far less appealing today than it might have been yesterday. After last night, Verity was not feeling a great deal of interest in the Renaissance. But then, it wasn't her party.

"Money is not a problem," Caitlin said easily. "I have the freedom to indulge myself. And I'm glad you like my whimsical little notion, because I would very much like for you and Jonas to attend."

"No, thanks," Jonas said mildly. "Sounds too rich for my blood. And Verity has to run the No Bull Cafe on Sunday evenings."

"In three weeks we'll start closing on Sundays," Verity pointed out, annoyed at the way he had answered for her.

"I believe Laura Griswald mentioned your winter routine," Caitlin murmured.

Verity sighed. "It sounds fantastic, but I'm afraid Jonas is right. You'll be entertaining people who are accustomed to moving in the social stratosphere. I'd feel out of it, Caitlin. You can understand that.

Besides, what you're planning is going to be basically a business affair. You don't need me. I'll come for a visit afterward."

Caitlin leaned forward, her cool fingers touching Verity's hand. Her eyes were deep and filled with urgency. "Please, Verity. I want you to come. It's important to me. I have no other close friends to invite except Tavi and yourself. The others who will be coming will all be strangers who will be indulging me out of a morbid curiosity. I would like to have you there as my friend. I'll pay for the rental of your costumes and I'll cover all your other expenses."

"Caitlin, that's not necessary," Verity interrupted quickly, flicking a gjance at Jonas. She could see the disapproval in him and she felt momentarily trapped between two opposing forces. For an instant she had the unsettling sensation that she was merely a pawn being tossed back and forth between these two. But that was ridiculous.

"Humor me, Verity. I'm going to need you when I sell Bloodlust."

A dish clattered loudly as Tavi moved away from the table. Jonas said nothing but Verity could feel his aggressive anger. She knew he wanted nothing to do with Caitlin's Renaissance ball or the aftermath.

Well, he didn't have to attend, Verity rationalized as she gave in to the appeal she saw in Caitlin's face.

She knew then that, for whatever reason, Caitlin needed her.

"All right," Verity said finally. "If you really want me there, I'll be there."

Caitlin closed her eyes and nodded in relieved satisfaction. "Thank you." She turned to Jonas. "What about you, Jonas? Will you escort your employer?"

Verity hastened to get Jonas off the hook. "I don't think this is going to be Jonas's idea of a fun time,"

she said lightly. "I'm sure he'd rather go fishing with my father."

"It's definitely not my idea of a fun time," Jonas agreed harshly. "But if Verity insists on attending, I'll come with her."

Caitlin looked satisfied. More than satisfied, Verity decided with sudden perception. She looked almost triumphant.

Two hours later Verity was still trying to work through her astonishment over Jonas's willingness to accompany her to Caitlin's party. She got into the passenger seat of her compact while he tossed their bags onto the backseat and slid behind the wheel. She waved at Caitlin and Tavi, framed in the open doorway of the steel-gray house. Tavi did not wave or smile back. Caitlin lifted one hand in farewell and turned to go inside.

"All right, Jonas, let's have it. Why are you going to come with me to Caitlin's party?"

"For the same reason I came with you on this stupid little jaunt. I don't want you driving over here alone. I don't trust that woman. She wants something from you, Verity."

"Friendship."

Jonas shook his head with great certainty. "Caitlin Evanger doesn't need anyone's friendship."

"We all need friends, Jonas," Verity said gently. "Just because she gives the impression of great self-sufficiency, that doesn't mean Caitlin's an exception,"

"She's got good old Tavi."

Verity frowned, thinking about that. "You know, now that you mention it, I don't quite understand that relationship. I know Tavi is a paid companion, but I get the feeling she's very attached to Caitlin. Did you notice how nervous she was this morning when she served breakfast? She was very tense."

"Maybe she had a bad night." Jonas was not concerned about Tavi. "Forget those two, Verity. I want to talk about us."

"What about us?" she asked warily.

"Now that you've had a few hours to think about what I told you last night, do you still think I'm crazy?" he asked bluntly.

"I never said you were crazy," she muttered defensively.

"You might not have said it, but don't try telling me the thought hasn't crossed your mind. Dammit, Verity, tell me the truth. Axe you afraid of me?"

The question took her by surprise. She thought about it. "No, I'm not afraid of you," she finally said honestly. "I just don't understand what's going on."

He shot her a searching glance. "I'll take what I can get for the moment. It's enough that you don't think I'm going to turn into a werewolf some night when the moon is full. In the meantime, will you help me?"

Her head came around in surprise. "Help you do what?"

"I want to conduct some tests," he said tersely. "I want to see how far my control extends now that I've got you to hold on to. We can use those dueling pistols of your dad's to start. I only touched one long enough the other night to get a sense of its authenticity. As soon as I felt the emotions attached to it, I dropped it.

But not before I felt you in that corridor with me. You were in that corridor again last night, honey. I saw you. You touched me."

Verity gave a start. Shock widened her eyes. "What corridor?" Her breathless demand gave her away.

Jonas smiled briefly and ferociously. "I wondered if it would translate into your mind with the same imagery. Apparently it does. Interesting."

"Jonas, please..." The plea drifted to a halt. Verity didn't know what to ask for. She swallowed, her mouth going dry. Until now she had been certain the corridor was merely a quirk of her imagination.