Page 28 of A Spot of Tea and Sorcery: Vol. 6

“What about it?”

“You found it. Last night. At the warehouse.”

“Yeah?”

“So you know I was there. Doesn’t that make you . . . I don’t know. Suspicious?”

“Should I be?”

She blinked a few times, her brow knotted.

“Look, Luna,” he said, turning on the bench to face her again. “I told you a long time ago that I’m good at reading people. Right? I pegged you for the fresh little mountain daisy you are from the off. I don’t know what you were doing down at the warehouse last night, but something tells me it probably had to do with that Mrs. Goddard’s idiot son and his tie-ups with the Brute Boys.” He raised an eyebrow, looking at her closely. “Am I on the right track?”

“Um. Yes, actually.”

“So there you have it. I’m not undercover, I’m not conning you, and I don’t have any ulterior motive.” Ward shook his head, heaving a big sigh. “I justlikeyou, Luna. Is that so hard to believe?”

She stared down at her hands, the awkwardness of the moment almost more than she could bear. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice choked. “I like you too, Ward. And I never meant to hurt you.”

Silence lingered between them for a count of heartbeats. Then he pressed gently, “So, I never got a clear answer to my question.”

“Which question?”

“Gods-damn it, Luna!” He rolled his eyes, sighing heavily. “Thewill you marry mequestion! What other question would I be talking about?”

“Oh, Ward! You don’t even love me.”

“Sure I do. Didn’t I say that? I’m pretty sure I just shouted it loud enough for half of Ballycastle to hear!”

Though it was the last thing she wanted to do, Luna forced herself to meet his eye. “But you don’t, Ward. You . . . you want to get in my knickers. And you think the only way to do that is by marrying me.”

“Yeah?” He raised both eyebrows. “What’s so wrong with that? I knew from the start you were the marrying sort. The type of girl my old mam always told me to bring home one day. Maybe it’s time to settle down? Start a family?” He slid a little closer to her on the bench, reaching for her hand, which she reluctantly allowed him to take. “I’d be a good husband, Luna. I’d take care of you and I’d treat you right. You can’t say I haven’t treated you well all this time.”

“You’ve been . . . lovely,” she acknowledged.

Something in her voice must have communicated more than she meant to. She felt Ward’s fingers stiffen around hers, felt something like ice overlay his soul. “But let me guess,” he said coldly, “you’d rather waste your life fetching and carrying for old Nigel Grimm.”

Her chin jerked up. She turned to look at him, eyes blazing.

“Oh, don’t think I haven’t picked up a thing or two,” Ward continued bitterly. “Remember? I’m a wardsman. Attention to detail is the name of the game. I’ve seen the way you are with him. Ready to drop anything the minute he gives you the signal. Ifheasked, bet you wouldn’t hesitate to drop your—”

The slap cracked loudly. And hurt more than Luna expected. She’d never slapped anyone before, only seen it done inflicks. Somehow, some unconscious part of her imagination had believed it would onlybestowpain, not send such a sharp stinging through her own palm. She gasped at the shock of it, then gasped again realizing what she’d just done. Clapping her smarting hand to her mouth, she swallowed back a little scream. “Oh, Gracious Mother, I’m so sorry!” she squeaked through her fingers. “Oh, Ward! I don’t know what came over me! Does it hurt very badly?”

Ward rubbed his reddened cheek, his expression rueful. “Nah, it’s all right. Not the first time I’ve been slapped by a dame at a party. Probably not the last either.”

Luna turned away. She dropped her trembling fingers from her mouth and clasped them tight in her lap. “You’ve got it all wrong,” she muttered at last. “About Mr. Grimm and me.”

She felt Ward’s look but hadn’t the courage to meet it. “Oh, have I?”

“He’s . . . a good boss, you know,” Luna persisted. “Very fair. Very honorable. Generous even. And always the perfect gentleman.”

“Yeah, spare me the list. I already know you’re in love with him.”

It was like a giant fist hit her between the shoulders, knocking all the wind from her body. Luna actually rocked under the blow. “What?” she whispered, a short expulsion of sound.

Ward chuckled without warmth. “Come on, Luna. What did Ijustsay about attention to detail? I clocked that little tidbit as far back as Saint Jollify’s.”

“Saint . . . Saint Jollify’s?” she echoed stupidly.