Page 85 of Four Promises to Love

Seeing the tautness of his jaw, she said tentatively, “How?”

“I injured his hand. Not on purpose, but that doesn’t matter. He was trying to help me, and I destroyed the thing that meant the most to him: his career as a maestro. He might have become as celebrated as Liszt—playing piano was his passion, his reason for being. And I took that from him.”

His agonizing guilt tightened her chest. Hurting one’s loved one would be a terrible burden to bear—how she would feel if she let Iris or the Hawks down. Yet she thought about what she’d observed of Owen and his brother.

“Lord Ethan doesn’t seem to bear a grudge. In fact, he seems quite content.”

“He’s found happiness with Xenia. He’s composing now and garnering acclaim for his works. He says what happened is water under the bridge, but that does not absolve me—nothing can.” Owen’s stark conviction tore at her heart. “I share this only to say that if Ethan can forgive me for what I’ve done, Iris will certainly forgive you.”

Finn sensed that he didn’t want to be comforted. Although his brother had forgiven him, he still held himself accountable. Perhaps he needed to do so as penance—the way she could not let herself forget her own failures.

She sighed. “We can be our own harshest critics.”

“That is undoubtedly true.” He gave her a crooked smile. “You know, I am relieved to discover that it was your friend you were brooding over.”

“Why is that?”

“I thought that frown of yours had to do with my declaration.”

His candor tied her tongue.

“Maybe I did, um, think about what you said.” She realized she was blushing. “A bit.”

“I meant it.” His eyes were as clear as the dawn. “I am falling in love with you, Finn, but I don’t want my feelings to be a burden. The last thing I want is for my honesty to discomfort you.”

You have no idea. But it’s not for the reason you think. It’s because I don’t deserve your love or your honesty. It’s because when push comes to shove, I must choose Iris over my own happiness.

“You’re not a burden,” she whispered. “The truth is, I wish…I wish I could give you more⁠—”

“You gave me plenty last night, love.”

His wolfish grin caused her nipples to stiffen against her borrowed shirt.

“As for the rest, take your time. I am not going anywhere. I will be here waiting—for as long as you want me to be.”

When he kissed her tenderly on the forehead, she shut her eyes and wished she could make a different choice.

Twenty-Four

“We are wasting time here,” Caleb muttered. “We searched the place top to bottom last night, and I’m telling you the jewels aren’t here.”

“Keep your voice down.” Finn cast a nervous glance at the Harringtons, who were up ahead, passing through the gate to the spa. “Do you want everyone to know our plan?”

“Your plan is useless. It’s gotten us nowhere.”

“Be patient, Caleb,” Nell whispered. “Maybe Finn will see something we missed. And when she channels Rose, the spirit might show us the hidden cache.”

“Well, the spirit didn’t help Finn at the stream, did it?” Smirking, Caleb jerked his chin at Owen, who luckily appeared occupied by his conversation with Lord Ethan. “She has naught to show after staying out all night with that bloke.”

Finn refused to blush. “We had to eliminate the yew tree as a possible hiding place. Having done so, we’ll move on.”

“If you’re so friendly with the bleeding ghost, why didn’t she come to you with a vision last night, eh?”

I know you. We are the same… We both lose what we love to save it.

Finn told herself that she hadn’t shared this recent episode because she didn’t know if it was a vision. She could have been dreaming; Rose could have been a manifestation of her conflicted mind. She was torn between Owen and Iris—torn between what she wanted and what she ought to do. Given that Caleb had already accused her of going soft, she was afraid of disclosing too much.

“It doesn’t work that way,” she replied. “Channeling a ghost is not that simple.”