Page 4 of Tanglewood Legacy (The Three Sisters 3)
“Truly?” Isis squinted at the horse. She had no doubt the stranger was telling the truth. What reason would he have to lie? Now that she examined the animals more closely, the other horses for sale seemed to have far more energy and muscle. With the amount of money in her pockets, she could afford any of them.
“Truly,” he answered softly. His gaze lingered on her mouth, and Isis experienced an acute awareness of him, almost as if she were being drawn to him, unable to look away. It wasn’t lust. She’d felt lust with the demon in her dreams and was familiar with its heady sensation. This was something else—an intense desire to know him better. Odd.
“In any event, I’ll need four,” she said, breaking the spell. “One for each of us.”
“Smart. In this heat, you must be careful not to overwork a single horse. Still, I wouldn’t risk the mare. Perhaps the thoroughbreds there.” He cleared his throat. “If you have the means.”
“I have the means,” she answered quickly. Why was she sharing such a thing with this man? Medea would chastise her for simply entertaining this conversation, let alone sharing their financial status. For all she knew, the man could be a thief.
After a long beat, locked in each other’s thrall, he took a deep breath, seeming to break the spell between them. Had she imagined the pull between them or was he as affected as she was? “Forgive me. I’ve been remiss and haven’t introduced myself. I am Pierre Baron.” He extended his hand toward her.
“Isis Tanglewood.” She slipped her ungloved hand into his.
He lowered his mouth to kiss the back of her hand. At the soft press of his lips, she inhaled deeply, and the shadows seemed to come awake, bending and circling at the feeling he ignited in her. She willed her magic under control. What was it about him that tugged at her innermost spirit, even now when she was hot and exhausted?
“Isis, like the Egyptian goddess.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You’re familiar?”
“I’ve read some on the subject.Enchante, Isis,” he said.
“Enchante, MonsieurBaron—” Isis began.
“Pierre,s’il vous plait,” he corrected.
“Pierre, how is it you know so much about horses?” She flashed him her most charming smile.
He brushed the sleeve of his shirt, although she could see no dust there. “Oh, I am no expert. Only from experience do I know anything. My profession requires the use of a reliable team.”
“And what is that profession?”
He smiled roguishly, lowering his chin to look at her through intoxicatingly long lashes. “I’d rather show you than tell you.”
Isis didn’t have a chance to respond. Martin must have finished with his other customer because he adjusted his wide-brimmed hat and strode to their side, his attention focused entirely on Pierre. “How can I help you today, Monsieur Baron?”
“Bonjour, Monsieur Martin. Mademoiselle is interested in four of your best horses,” he said, never taking his eyes off Isis.
“Excellent. This gentle mare has taken a liking to you. She’s a lovely animal, and I can give her to you at a special price.”
As hot as it was, Isis felt the shadows gather around her, cooling her skin. Unlike Pierre, this man could not be trusted. She scented his lies like bad magic. “I will take those four.” She pointed to the group Pierre had indicated.
“They are very expensive, mademoiselle. Although, if your intended is willing to pay…” The man stared down at her over a scowl.
Isis felt her anger like ice crystals in her veins. “Name your price.”
The amount the man tossed out was three times what she was expecting, but she forced herself to remain impassive. A flick of her wand would make the man more cooperative. She’d only just touched it when she realized she wouldn’t need it.
“They aren’t worth half that, Martin, and you know it,” Pierre said through his teeth. “If you ever want my business again, or my referrals, offer her a fair price.”
The man raised an eyebrow. “Or what? If you’d like to travel to Biloxi for a better deal, be my guest.”
Pierre stepped in closer to the man. “If I make the trip, it will be for far more than four horses. Perhaps I’ll bring back a dozen. I’ve been thinking about diversifying. Would you enjoy some competition in la Nouvelle-Orléans?”
Isis squelched the urge to laugh. She liked this Pierre. She released her wand and turned back to Monsieur Martin, offering him half what he’d demanded.
Martin scowled. “Not unless you can offer me specie upfront.”
Isis wasn’t surprised at his demand for cash. Word about a severe shortage of coin in the French colonies brought about by the Spanish control of gold and silver mines in South America had reached her during her travels. She opened her purse and extracted the appropriate amount.
