Renaissance Rogue (Cursed Painting Book 3) Read online

  Hugh made a choking sound and sat beside him on the same chaise. It was as if his legs had gone out from underneath him. Daniel took his arm and led him to the side of the pool, helping him to sit at the edge. He dunked his feet in, motioning for Hugh to do the same. Hugh gazed unseeing into the distance, but wordlessly took off his shoes and put his feet in the water. It seemed to break his daze.

  “That’s refreshing,” he said in a weak voice.

  “Shall we get the ladies to rejoin us?” Daniel asked, not sure Hugh was recovered from what had him so spooked.

  He turned to him abruptly. “Promise you won’t speak of any of it. It wasn’t what I meant to happen. That man refused to listen to reason and wouldn’t leave my sister alone. But I didn’t mean— Seda will never think of me as a hero for committing murder.”

  Daniel stared at him, more gobsmacked than when he’d gotten punched in the face. “What in blazes are you talking about?”

  “I only meant for John to rough him up a bit and put him on a ship to the Orient so he could never return. And instead he murdered him. Stabbed him in the neck. My sister made herself sick from heartbreak. I found out she died only a year after I was cursed. It was all my fault, even though I didn’t wield the knife.”

  “John Archer didn’t wield the knife either.” Daniel slapped his leg as he grasped Hugh’s confusion. “I meant to tell you when we were reunited in Italy, but of course that never happened. And that rascal John must have considered the job as good as done and kept your money, thinking you’d never be the wiser.” He sighed. “And it turns out you weren’t. How you must have tortured yourself all those years in the painting.”

  Tears glistened in Hugh’s eyes. “What do you mean? Explain yourself better,” he said in a shaking voice.

  Daniel would have laughed at the misunderstanding if it weren’t so tragic. “That villain who tried to abuse your sister was murdered before John could ever get near him. It seems he was setting your sister up for a lifetime of misery because he needed her fortune to pay off his gambling debts. But his lenders must have grown tired of waiting and took their payment in blood. Or else he finally got caught cheating. At any rate, he deserved what he got.”

  “And I didn’t give it to him.” Hugh wiped his palm over his eyes.

  “You did not, my friend. You are not, nor have you ever been, responsible for any man’s murder.”

  Hugh shuddered into his hands, a small sob escaping. “You were right, I did torture myself. I hated that man, but… I’m so relieved. So very relieved.”

  Daniel stood up and held out his hand to help Hugh to his feet. “Are we settled now? In fact, what do you think of starting our endeavors in this new time? Would you care to be partners again?”

  Daniel was both sorry and glad to see the pale anguish Hugh had just sported on his face turn to the color of a vat of Burgundy grapes. He stepped back in case another punch was forthcoming.

  “I would not care to, no,” he said. “And we are not settled yet. You still owe me what you stole. Oh, I beg your pardon, took for safekeeping.”

  Daniel grimaced. It was an uneasy peace, but would have to be enough for the moment.

  ***

  Jade kept her phone clutched tightly in her hand as she and Seda kept an eye on the veranda. If another fight broke out she was done. They could both rot in a modern prison, see how they liked that.

  “It doesn’t look like they’re going to kill each other,” Seda said, moving away to sit on the couch. “What’s that yummy smell?”

  Jade sniffed and the delicious aroma calmed her nerves a bit. She hadn’t gotten to take a single bite of cupcake before they got scattered into the pool. She huffed, mentally adding cleaning the pool to her list of grueling chores for Daniel.

  “Daniel swore up and down he knew how to cook if I showed him how to use the stove. He wanted to make lunch for you two. I guess he was telling the truth because it does smell really good.”

  “I really thought Hugh was over it or I wouldn’t have brought him,” Seda said apologetically.

  “Daniel stole his gold, is that what it’s about?”

  “Yes, and made off with his fiancée. So, do you feel any stirrings of true love yet?”

  Jade burst out laughing and finally turned away from the window. “That was the worst segue ever.” She waved her ring hand around. “And no. Because I’m engaged to Reynolds. As you are well aware.”

  “I’m really sorry if this is overstepping the client-designer boundaries, but Reynolds is an ass,” Seda replied tersely. “You’re way too good for him.”

  Jade laughed again, this time without any humor. “Reynolds is in line to be a VP at his company one day. His family has been here since the gold rush days. They practically own half of California. How’s that not good enough? Daniel was a thief in his other life.”

  “It was more like he was a pirate from what I’ve been told. He had a ship.”

  “Well, even better, then,” Jade said with an eye roll. “And you think I ought to be in love with a pirate?”

  “It isn’t me who thinks it,” Seda muttered. “It’s fate.”

  Jade grumbled. “I don’t believe in fate.”

  “I only meant I don’t think Reynolds is good enough for you because he doesn’t treat you well. How does Daniel treat you?”

  “He’s perfectly civil, why wouldn’t he be?” she snapped.

  Jade would never admit how mean Reynolds sometimes was to her. She could barely admit it to herself, always making excuses for him. Bailing on the gala wasn’t the first time he hadn’t been there for her. Not by a long shot. And Daniel had been so sweet, offering to go in Reynolds’ place. Of course he hadn’t been out of his painting in half a millenia, it could have been that he just wanted to dance the night away.

  He hadn’t danced at all though, because she’d given him that idiotic no-touch command. She’d told him he could, had practically tried to shove him onto the dance floor, but he’d chivalrously told her he was her escort and would not shame her by dancing with another woman. That had led her to not wanting to leave him alone at their table, so she hadn’t danced at all, either.

  Jade found her mind drifting back to the reason for the no-touch rule and felt her face go hot. That massage of his had been the closest to heaven she’d ever been and whenever it crossed her mind, which was way too often, she found herself wanting more. So much more.

  If only he’d been a clod at the gala, boring or stupid, but he’d charmed everyone at their table. He drew people, women mainly, like flies to honey. She was quick to explain to everyone that he was her cousin to keep people from thinking she was no longer with Reynolds, but then they’d see it as an engraved invitation to flirt with him, much to her dismay.

  Every time one of them put their manicured claws on his shoulder or forearm, she wanted to swat it, just as if they really were flies. But why did she care? He was in this time now, he may as well find a girlfriend. She had a bout of nausea at that thought, but why would her stomach care what he did? She pressed her middle and scowled, realizing Seda had been talking to her.

  “Sorry, what?”

  “I asked if you got this update from the Annabel Crime Alert. Didn’t you hear my phone go crazy just now? Their alert noise is so loud. I’m glad we don’t have much crime here or I’d have to turn the app off altogether.”

  Jade shrugged. “I turn off all of those city or statewide alerts. It’s not as if I’d ever come across a missing senior or find the middle school bike bandit.”

  “Jade! You should be more civic minded. Oh my God, this one’s actually something real.”

  “It is? Well, read it.”

  “Crap, it’s in your neighborhood, too. Do you know the Wakely’s?”

  “Yes,” Jade said, getting up and wedging herself next to Seda to read over her shoulder.

  “They’re three houses down the hill. I think they’re in Cabo right now for their niece’s wedding.”

  “Well, that’s
lucky for them,” Seda said ominously, holding up the phone so Jade could see.

  It turned out three men had escaped Salinas Valley State Prison three days earlier and there had been a break-in at the Wakely’s house the night before. Four windows had been shattered, furniture had been smashed, and a small fire had been set in the living area. They were waiting on the Wakely’s to return to confirm if anything had been stolen, but the damage was severe.

  “Nobody knows if it was these escaped convicts,” Jade said, glad she’d shelled out for a top-notch security system.

  “Either way, it’s pretty scary. I hate to think what might have happened to those poor people if they’d been home. Good thing you have Daniel here.”

  She made a face, angry at herself that she was also glad about that. And not necessarily because there might be violent criminals on the loose. She had to do something to nip this infatuation of hers in the bud.

  “I wonder if Reynolds knows about this,” she said, also wondering why she hadn’t heard from him since the morning before when he’d walked off in a snit.

  Could he possibly be mad at her? She had no earthly idea why, but decided the crime alert was the perfect excuse to send him a message. She tapped out an apology. For what, she had no idea, but it usually got him out of his sulks.

  Did you hear about the break-in down the street? The suspects are still at large.

  She sent it before she could directly ask him to come over, wanting him to offer. She didn’t need him, but she did want him there. She was tired of fighting. As soon as he came over, she’d tell Daniel he couldn’t love her and then send him away. She didn’t know why she hadn’t put that plan into action yet. Was she afraid she’d get another butt cramp and need him to massage it away? Was she hoping that?

  Shivering, she hurriedly sent another message to Reynolds. Come over as soon as you can, okay? Don’t want to be alone.

  Blech. She felt dirty, like she wasn’t being true to herself. But marriage was a compromise and she wanted to be married to Reynolds. Didn’t she?

  The oven timer went off and Jade went to check on it while Seda called the men in. They were barely being civil, certainly not besties like Daniel had described to her. She felt a twinge of pity for him. He’d spent five hundred years worrying about a friend who punched him the moment they were together again. His nose was swollen and he already had the beginnings of two black eyes, but it somehow didn’t detract from his good looks. Either that or she was crazy.

  She took out her phone again, frantically sending another message. Reynolds? Is everything okay? Just really worried over here, thinking I should go to your parents house until they catch those guys.

  Double blech.

  Daniel brought out a beautifully glazed and roasted ham, garnished with buttery carrots, and fluffy bread rolls on the side. He looked awfully pleased with himself, and she didn’t blame him.

  “How did you do this? Are you magic?”

  He laughed, sounding adorably stuffed up. His poor nose, she’d need to make him an ice pack and get some pain relievers in him. No, he was a grown man. He could figure it out on his own.

  “I found this ham in your freezer. What a remarkable feat, being able to store food like that. And I made the rolls from ingredients in your larder.”

  Seda giggled. “I didn’t think you’d have rolls in the house. I was surprised you got the cupcakes.”

  “Everything in moderation,” Jade said by rote. “Shall we be casual and eat in the kitchen? I’d suggest the veranda but I wouldn’t want the ham to end up at the bottom of the pool.” She looked pointedly at Hugh, still irked she hadn’t gotten a single bite of those divine cupcakes.

  Hugh frowned and took Seda’s hand. “Thank you, but we already have plans.”

  “We do?” Seda asked, slapping her hand over her mouth. “I guess we do.”

  “I no longer want to kill him, but that doesn’t mean I care to dine with him,” he said under his breath.

  Jade pretended she didn’t hear and showed them to the door, not knowing if she should thank them for coming over or not. With all the hubbub, she still didn’t have any answers about what to do with Daniel. The aroma of the ham and freshly baked bread wafted into the front hall, making her stomach growl. She decided the only thing she was going to do at that moment was sit down and have a meal with him.

  Chapter 9

  It wasn’t something she normally did, but Jade left her phone on the table beside her so she could keep an eye on it. Daniel shook out a napkin and put it on her lap, then held the plate with ham slices out to her. Trying not to giggle, she pointed at two slices.

  “Nonsense, madame, you must keep up your strength,” he said, putting a third slice on her plate.

  He then piled a hill of carrots next to the meat and waved the bread basket in front of her until she took a bun. It was still warm and she held it up to her nose to breathe in the marvelous smell.

  “What do I need my strength for?” she asked, glancing at her phone. Still no return messages from Reynolds.

  He looked past her longingly and pointed toward the bank of windows with his fork. “I wonder if you’d give me the great pleasure of accompanying me along the cliffs, perhaps down to the beach as well. I long to see the surf up close. Feel the sand beneath my feet.”

  She swallowed a mouthful of the savory, sweet ham. “This is magnificent. This came from my freezer? Huh. There’s another thing you can put on your list of new careers.” He looked at her hopefully, waiting for her answer, not seeming to care at all about the compliment to his cooking. “You really want to go for a hike after lunch?”

  He nodded eagerly. “I’ve been wanting to since I first got out.”

  “Well, why haven’t you— oh, sorry.” She realized she’d told him explicitly, many times, that he couldn’t leave the property. And the beach was public, she didn’t own an inch of it. He wouldn’t have been able to go much beyond the hedge. “Yes, of course we can go. I love hiking. I don’t get to go much.”

  “Why not, living in this perfect spot for it?”

  She blushed. “I walk down to the beach, but real hiking along the cliffs is dangerous to do alone.”

  And Reynolds didn’t like it. He didn’t like jogging or yoga or lifting weights, either. Pretty much her entire life.

  “Reynolds is a dick,” he said, once again seeming to read her thoughts. “If I had such a beautiful betrothed, I would be stuck to your side like a barnacle.” He realized what he said and quickly amended, “I mean, her side.”

  “Barnacle, huh? How very romantic.”

  She kept her eyes down while she finished the meal. Despite her sarcasm she was touched by his words and afraid if she looked into his eyes, she’d be lost. Instead, she checked to make sure her phone was even on. It was. Just no message from Reynolds.

  She showed him how to work the television while they let their stomachs settle, and watched him as he flipped through all the channels, as entranced by him as he was by the TV.

  “This seems to be a wonderful time to be set free in,” he said.

  “Hmph. Keep watching the news for a while and then tell me what you think.”

  They got changed, Jade determining that the boots Daniel had worn in his painting would have to do for the hike.

  “I’ll get you some proper ones,” she promised.

  Why would she make such a promise? She mentally kicked herself and decided not to talk about anything other than the scenery.

  When they got to the hedge, she paused. Would he make a break for it the second she told him he could leave the property? And wasn’t that what she wanted? To ultimately be rid of him? She checked her phone again to find there was still no message. If there really were escaped convicts tearing up the neighborhood, Daniel would make a good guard dog. That seemed a good enough reason to keep him around for a while longer. If he took off, all she had to do was yell stop and he’d have to stop.

  “You may now leave the property,” she sai
d invitingly, pointing out the path she wanted to take. “We can get all the way up to the highest point on this ridge. The view is amazing up there, but watch your step.”

  “I’ve walked a craggy cliffside once or twice in my time,” he told her.

  Indeed, he was like a mountain goat with his sure steps, lolloping along as if they were on a smooth sidewalk. She was slightly winded by the time they reached the top. The breeze picked up and whipped her hair around her face. The sun was angling its way down over the ocean, making the crashing waves shimmer and sparkle.

  “I guess you’re a beach boy,” she said, noticing the awestruck joy on his face.

  “I do love the sea,” he said. He turned to her, suddenly serious. “You often speak of my new career. Is there anything I could do on the water?”

  She figured he’d have to start from scratch if he ever wanted to captain a vessel again. “Was your ship made of wood?” she asked.

  He looked confused. “What else would it be made of?”

  She laughed. “Things have changed a lot but I’m sure there are plenty of things you could do to be on the ocean. Don’t worry, you’ll find your path.”

  Daniel ran his hands over his hair, trying to smooth away the loose strands that had blown free of their tie. “How did you know I was worried?”

  “How could you not be?”

  “Ah, here I thought you were being perceptive.”

  She turned in a circle, enjoying the view from every angle. After her rotation was complete, she ended up standing closer to Daniel. Their arms almost touched and if she’d wiggled her fingers, she would have brushed up against his hand. The no-touch rule only applied to Daniel. There was nothing saying she couldn’t touch him. If only…

  No if onlys. Reynolds had to have answered her by now. She stepped away hurriedly to check her phone again. Her foot slipped through a clump of grasses that deceptively looked like they were growing on solid ground instead of clinging to the very edge of the cliff. Her hands windmilled to keep her balance, her phone flying into Daniel’s chest. Her stomach plummeted as all she felt around her was air. She was going over the cliff.