Miss Minnie and the Brass Pluggit Read Online Free Page A

outside and with a grunt pulled them wide. They were of the thickest wood, reinforced with several plates of brass, and they probably could have withstood William the Conqueror’s army, had he chosen to invade the Isle of Wight. As it was, they’d weathered the occasional severe storm and flooding without a mark. It was simply that they were very difficult to open and close without a lot of effort, which brought a grunt to the throat of whoever had the chore at the time.
    Any abstract thoughts about historical kings, doors and grunting vanished as a lilting laugh drifted into Pierce’s brain and made itself comfortable there.
    He squinted against the bright morning sun to see Dusk assisting a lady from the whimsy and onto the flagstones. She glanced upward and laughed again, apparently vastly amused by the edifice in front of her.
    Then she lowered her head and met Pierce’s gaze. Still half-blind from the light, he blinked as she came toward him with her hand extended.
    “Dr. Lowell, I’m guessing. Thank you for sending an escort, but I shall confess that I probably could have found my way here without him.” She looked up and once more stifled a chuckle. “Believe me, I don’t say this often or lightly, Doctor.” She paused for one dramatic beat. “You have a very nice pluggit.”

Chapter Two
     
    Pierce Lowell was a great deal more handsome than Minnie could have imagined and it wasn’t only his looks that were affecting her.
    His welcome had been everything that was appropriate. A gentle brush of his lips somewhere in the vicinity of her gloved hand, and a murmured invitation to enter after a charming smile in response to her lighthearted comment. She’d remained silent, mostly out of curiosity, as he’d led her into the strange lighthouse and to a small platform edged with wrought iron.
    It was snug with both of them standing on it, especially when the little half-gate closed, gears whirred and the entire thing lifted, making her gasp a little and reach for the shiny brass bar which ran around three sides. “How amazing.” She glanced at him.
    “A convenience. The circular stairs can be tiring.” He nodded at the stone steps, which could be glimpsed as they moved upward.
    “And it will stop…how? Where?”
    He gestured at a small panel where a couple of lights blinked. “For now, at the top. My living area. It will also stop at the lower levels should I wish.”
    “Fascinating.”
    Whether that comment was aimed at the moving platform or the man himself, Minnie wasn’t quite sure. He was tall, topping her by a head at least. Well built but not overly so, he moved easily, as if comfortable with his body. His hair was dark, somewhat longer than was stylish, but soft and shiny. The kind of hair a woman would find most attractive if falling over her naked skin.
    Catching herself up in surprise, Minnie pushed such thoughts away. It was unlike her to immediately view a stranger as an object of desire. Perhaps it was his scent. Standing shoulder to shoulder, she couldn’t help but detect the warm fragrance of man, mixed with a dash of leather and some soap—sandalwood, perhaps. It was very appealing and in spite of her earlier determination, she couldn’t help taking a deep breath of it. She managed not to lick her lips, but it was a close thing.
    His eyes had caught her off-guard. They weren’t the dark brown she’d have expected, given his coloring. They were green. A pure green that spoke of moss in sunlight. Few specks of any other color detracted from the striking pools of emerald. She wondered where in his heritage those distinctive eyes had first occurred.
    Then the lifting device eased to a halt and she forgot to wonder about her host as she got her first look at the scenery from almost at the top of a lighthouse.
    It was—to use a hackneyed phrase—breathtaking.
    “Yes, it usually renders guests speechless the first time they see it.”
    Dr. Lowell was smiling and Minnie guessed she must