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it. It was smooth and cold to the touch. “Did
she give you this?”
    “Yes.”
Nathaniel’s voice sounded like melted chocolate. His eyes were
distant with a memory that was both beautiful and heart
breaking.
    “It’s very…
unique,” Gemma scrounged for a polite word. It wasn’t exactly the
most attractive piece of jewellery she had ever encountered.
    “So was she.”
Nathaniel cleared his throat as he took it from her grasp.
    “Why couldn’t
you keep her? Did she die?”
    “No.” He shook
his head with a frown and tucked the necklace beneath his clothing.
“She left me. I’m still not sure why.”
    “Well, you
should look for her and find out.”
    He glanced up
with a faint smile.
    “If she left
me, it would have been for good reason.”
    His eyes swept
over the papers on his desk as he fell into silence. Gemma watched
both pain and affection skitter over his face and wanted to ask for
more. What was the woman’s name? Why did he still speak of her with
such adoration if she left without a reason? Was she married to
another man? Was she…? Any opportunity was stolen as Dominic burst
through the door followed by a humble man with quiet eyes.
    “Gemma!” He
wrapped her in a fierce hug.
    “I’m fine.” His
heavy coat muffled her assurance. “Let me breathe, Dom!” She pushed
him away.
    “Sorry, I just…
I’m glad you’re okay.”
    He turned to
face the two men. Gemma watched him blush with a small apology as
he nodded at the servant. She could just imagine the bullocking the
poor man would have received from her frantic brother. Last time he
had left Gemma alone their father had nearly ripped his head off.
Since then Dom had been reluctant to leave her side whenever they
crossed the line. The arrow shooting of 1393 didn’t help much
either. Gemma had been fighting off the cotton wool ever since. The
fact he left her today was a huge step, although she was guessing
they were going to keep this one under wraps if at all
possible.
    “Thank you for
your help, gentlemen,” Dom’s voice was quiet and sincere. “I’m
afraid we must leave.”
    Nathaniel stood
and straightened his shirt, a knowledgeable glint in his eye.
    “I thought as
much.” He pointed to the satchel at her feet. “Would you like me to
deliver this to Mr. Paulson?”
    Gemma’s face
blanched. “How do you know…?”
    “I recognize
the satchel. I’m sure he will appreciate its return.”
    “You know, we
weren’t stealing it.”
    “Oh, I’m sure.”
His eyes gleamed with amusement, just the way Harrison’s did.
    Picking up the
satchel, she placed it in his hands with a murmur of thanks.
    “Gemma, we
gotta go.”
    She nodded at
her brother. Stepping towards the door, she took a moment to study
Nathaniel. He returned her gaze with a probing one of his own
before he sent her a soft smile.
    “It was nice
meeting you.” He bowed his head like a dignified gentleman.
    Gemma smiled.
“You too.”
    With that, she
closed the door and felt her body begin to break as she was whisked
back home to Harrison.
     

 
    Chapter
Four
    Anastasia National Park, Florida – 2011 AD
     
    Harrison ran
his fingers through Gemma’s silky hair, rubbing his thumb and
forefinger over the ends. His body was tucked into the crook of a
tree, his feet resting in the sand. Gemma was nestled against him
sending comfortable licks of flame over his torso.
    A contented
sigh escaped her lips as she shifted her head and looked up at
him.
    “I had fun
today.”
    He kissed her
forehead. “Me too. I especially liked seeing Justin sopping his way
to the bathroom.”
    Gemma giggled.
“That was pretty triumphant.” She raised her hand and ran a finger
down his cheek before turning back to face the water.
    Harrison pulled
a clump of her hair north and watched it float back to her body as
he tried to decide whether or not to ask. He knew they weren’t
supposed to talk about trips when she got back, but more often than
not she would let him in. She usually