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SOPHIE HEADED DOWN the staircase quite sure that Edwina, Bob, and Fiona would be sleeping. She needed to hunt for her pistol and spare sim card. She’d have to start in Morgan’s room. Where would she have hidden them?
“Sophie?” Fiona whispered, poking her head out of the library, then let out a relieved breath. “I heard someone. I hoped it was you.”
“Why are you up so late?” Her own tone matched the affection shining back at her through thick rimmed glasses. “Your husband will start to wonder what I did to you.”
Fiona rolled her eyes, hurried over, and grabbed her by the hand. Then she proceeded to drag her into the library and shut the door. “Bob thinks we are hot together.” She snorted. “I told him you don’t need me for that, you do it all by yourself.”
Sophie chuckled. She couldn’t help it. Fiona had always found ways to make her smile. “You didn’t spin him tales of me ravishing you beneath the Willow-Blossom?”
Fiona dragged her to sit down. “He’d only believe it, then he’d want details and I would have to make it up and hope it sounded authentic.”
Sophie sat back in her chair and leaned onto one fist. “If I didn’t love you so much, I’d come up with some threat to show you.”
Fiona tutted. “Like you’d ever do that to me.”
She studied Fiona, perhaps for too long as Fiona’s cheeks flushed. “What makes you so certain I am honourable towards you?”
“Because I’ve had to put calamine lotion on your bum.” Fiona wrinkled up her nose. “And when you’ve been there, it earns respect.”
Sophie chuckled again. “And you’re buzzing like you drank the coffee pot . . . why are you dragging me off to profess your memories of my behind?”
Fiona leaned on her fist so they were but inches apart. “I want you to stop playing with Morgan.” She wagged her finger. “And you are playing with her so don’t give me your waffle.”
“It’s unintentional.” She sighed and grabbed Fiona’s finger. “I think it is best I dismiss her.”
“No.” Fiona wagged her finger and Sophie’s hand. “You like her. I know you do. I didn’t say don’t like her, I just said don’t play.” She held Sophie’s gaze. “Do you even know the difference?”
Sophie shook her head. “I never will either. I’m a Haye.”
“But you’re also a woman.” Fiona reached out and held her head as if to stop her from shaking it. “I know how you were brought up; I know what you’re capable of . . . it’s me.” She rubbed the tip of her nose to Sophie’s. “But I also know that you don’t take just anyone yelling at you.”
Sophie grabbed her nose. “I don’t allow anyone to yell at me.”
“Liar. I yelled at you all the time and I yelled at you during dinner and I’m yelling at you again . . . just quietly.” She grinned that sweet grin that never failed to make her smile back. “I don’t like Trin for her. She’s a nice lady but I don’t like who Morgan is with her. I do like who she is with you and who you are with her.”
“Says you who got pregnant on your first date.” She went to shake her head again and again Fiona grabbed it.
“I did, but I’m still happily married fifteen years later, so there.” Fiona poked her tongue out.
“Yes, Morgan is delighted by his role.” She pushed back and leaned her head to the back of the chair. “Fiona, for Morgan to be close to me, she would have to accept I’m no upstanding citizen. She’d have to let herself love someone who wouldn’t think twice about hurting another.”
“You say it like you actually killed someone, Sophie.” Fiona scowled.
“I did.” She held Fiona’s gaze. “And I would again.”
“Why?” Fiona studied her, even with the confession, there was no disgust or fear merely worry.
“Because I wanted to.” She stared up at the library ceiling. “Which is what I told Morgan yet she warns me the police are on their way and she hides my pistol.”
“Which is what happens when you play with people.” Fiona poked her in the arm. “You know the effect you have.”
“I don’t understand how, she has seen me in a bad mood.” Sophie held up her hands. “I’ve warned her, I’ve confessed to her, and yet she still comforts me when her fiancé is interrogating me.” She blew out a breath and swept the hair from her face. “What is one meant to do with that?”
“Tell her you care about her.” Fiona held her gaze. “Glare all you like, you know what your grandfather always told you . . . what did he say . . . ?” She tapped her ear. “Come on . . .”
Sophie pursed her lips. “It is not the same.”
“Say it, fair Sophie, or I will recount to her the tale of the calamine lotion.” Ooh she was so cheeky.
“When a Haye falls in love, whomever has their affection has earned it.” She waved it off but Fiona was still tapping her ears. “He wrote it for my grandmother. It’s not the same.”
“When a Haye falls in love, it is a ferocious love. Whomever has their affection will have earned it through trusting in their heart enough to see beyond the warrior and the title to deep treasure beyond.” Fiona recited it like she thought it was poetry. “To love a Haye in return is the melting of a fierce ice that gives way to a centre more beautiful yet passionate than any could dare imagine.”
“You read too much.” Sophie pursed her lips. “Regardless of my grandfather’s gushing letters to his poor wife, I am not some fierce ice to be melted.”
“They were his letters to her after thirty years of marriage.” Fiona blew out a breath. “He loved her to pieces and everyone knew it including her.”
“Yes, I know.”
“He didn’t see it as wrong to adore a woman who adored him right back.” Fiona poked her in the arm again.
“Yes, I know.”
“And if he was here right now, what do you think he would say?” Fiona raised her eyebrows.
“Make sure your next accountant doesn’t turn on you?” She folded her arms and Fiona thunked into her shoulder. “Or rather he might tell me that I’d better get on with things and provide an heir to the estate.”
“You’re pushing it for that.” Fiona raised both eyebrows. “You’re forty three.”
“I had them frozen.” She poked out her tongue.
“Oh, in that case, I agree with your grandfather. Get on with it because I can tell you that childbirth is not fun.” Fiona smirked. “Or you could melt your fierce ice and get a younger model to do the work.”
Sophie got to her feet. “I’m no longer listening, Fiona. You have led me astray more than enough.”
Fiona kissed her on the cheek and strolled to the stairs. “Yes but never underneath the Willow-Blossom.” She winked, giggled, and hurried up the stairs as Sophie growled after her.
Fierce ice? She rolled her eyes. She hadn’t read that letter in years.