The woman stopped beside our table. “What do ye say to a card reading?” she asked in a thick Scottish brogue. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Belle’s gaze flicked to me.
“I don’t need my fortune told,” I said evenly.
“Why?” Belle countered lightly. “It’s fun.”
“For the lady,” he told the fortune teller.
She cocked her head to the side. “Aye, I think the fates have more to say about you.”
I shook my head, not willing to entertain such silliness.
“I can come back later,” the fortune teller offered. Then the insolent women winked at me.
Belle reached out gently and touched my hand. “Please?”
It was the way she said it, soft and hopeful, as though this small indulgence mattered.
I exhaled quietly. “Very well.”
She beamed at me like I had granted her something monumental. In truth, I would have granted her far more than that.
The Scottish woman with wild red hair sat down across from us. I didn’t much care for the glint in her eye.
The first card she flipped over was the sun. “This card represents your past. The sun is a card of good fortune, of things going your way. If this is your hotel, that makes sense.”
I gave a small nod. Nothing shocking about telling a rich man he has good fortune.
She flipped over another card, the Nine of Swords. Her head cocks to the side before she looks up at me with eyes that feel like they can see right through me. “The Nine of Swords. Something has happened in your past. Something that still causes great distress.”
I feel Belle’s hand tighten on mine. I shrug it off and roll my neck. This is theatrics. It’s not possible that this woman knows anything about me. Tragic rich man is a trope at best.
“Now for the final card. Let’s see what the future holds for you.”
She flipped over the final card, revealing a single cup in an outstretched hand.
“The Ace of Cups. It’s a perfect cup for the beautiful woman you have on your arm tonight,” she said as she smiled over at Belle.
“This is the cup of a romantic fresh start.” She cocked her head to the side, and with that damned mischievous glint in her eye. said, “Perhaps even a marriage, if I’m not mistaken.”
This woman was chaotic. I didn’t care for chaos, but Belle listened with rapt attention, eyes bright in the candlelight.
“Well, that’s what the cards have to say. I hope you enjoy your night with this radiant creature.”
When the fortune teller finished, Belle leaned back in her chair.
“That was ridiculous,” I said.
“Was it? Nothing resonated?”
I cocked an eyebrow as I looked across the table at her. “You’re telling me you believe in those things?”
“I’m not sure if I believe it, but I loved it.”
She tried to stand then. I placed a steadying hand on her waist.
“What are you doing?”
