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“It was my Grandmother’s.”
“Then you mustn’t give it to me. I might lose it or break it. It’s a family heirloom. I can’t take it.”
He removed the necklace from the box and fastened it round my neck.
“You can lose or break; is yours. She would like that it is worn again, my Russian Grandmother. She would like you. Several times I have thought this. Is no light thing, as she is not liking many people. She would not have been pleased with me recently. Look, it completely suits you.”
I stood and looked into the mirror on the wall. It had nothing to say.
“Malphia.” He held his arms out, and I was hugged and home and safe and warm. “This is where it all calms,” he said. “This is where we balance our fire.”
Chapter 23
Willwastryingtolight the fire in the huge fireplace of the great hall when I walked in. He continued ineffectually setting light to bits of newspaper as I sat down in the nearest orange armchair.
“How was the ladies’ midnight romp?” Ruaridh enquired, after informing me that there had been no breakfast. Holly hadn’t shown up.
“It wasn’t the most fun,” I told him.
“What were the knickers for?”
“Oh, burning. Banishing past badness. The melting elastic smelled bad.”
Will still didn’t look up.
“You need firelighters,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder and joining him by the enormous slate hearth. A quick rummage in a basket soon located some, and the fire in the cradle flickered to life. I smiled at him in a moment of forgiveness, though there was nothing to forgive. His return expression seemed more a sorry than a smile.
“No food?” Aleks asked, coming into the room behind us. “I will make. Come,” he said to me. “We find something.”
“I am honoured that you are wearing it,” he said, once we were alone in the kitchen.
My hand touched the diamond under my jumper for the umpteenth time. “I can’t wear it often. I’m frightened of losing it.”
“So, this is a special day,” he said, tracing the chain with a finger and making my skin tingle. “I have not coped well with finding myself in love. I have been an idiot. Even this morning, I am panicking and saying so many wrong things.”
“Blurting. I know it well. But I know you too, Aleks. And I think I can handle you.”
“I think you can too,” he said with a smile.
The sound of footsteps ended the kiss. We stepped apart. He opened the two fridges, and I looked in the baking cupboard as the boys came in.
“Eggs,” said Aleks.
“Chocolate-chip pancakes,” said I.
“I’ll make coffee,” volunteered Ruaridh, and Will put bread in the toaster. Soon we were a happy little family round the big breakfast table, all cosy and content.
“Look at our little Malphia,” said Aleks. “She is eating, and she is smiling. I think she must have reconcile with… what are you calling him, Will? The prick?”
My face warmed, and I studied a burned black circle on the much-marked surface of the table.
“No way,” said Will in disbelief.
Further comment was delayed by the arrival of Justin. “You’re having a secret breakfast back here? Give us a plate then.”
“Did you know about this?” Will asked him. “She’s back with the prick.”
“Is she?” Justin studied all our faces. “Well, this is all completely delicious.” He took a smiling bite of pancake. “I saw it coming, of course.”
