Once upon a Dream Read Online Free

snatched up the robe. Then simply rubbed the rich fabric over her cheek and moaned. It felt like something a princess would wear. Or a goddess. But certainly nothing that Kayleen Brennan of Boston would slip casually into for dinner.
    This will suit you, he’d said. The idea of that made her laugh, but she slid her arms into it and let herself enjoy the lustrous warmth against her skin.
    She turned, caught her own reflection in a cheval glass. Her hair was a tumble around the shoulders of the deep blue robe that swept down her body and ended in a shimmer of gold lace at the ankles.
    I don’t look like me, she thought. I look like something out of a fairy tale. Because that made her feel foolish, she turned away.
    The bed she’d lain in was covered with velvet as well and lushly canopied with more. On the bureau, and certainly that was a Charles II in perfect condition, sat a lady’s brush set of silver with inlays of lapis, antique perfume bottles of opal and of jade. Roses, fresh as morning and white as snow, stood regally in a cobalt vase.
    A fairy tale of a room as well, she mused. One fashioned for candlelight and simmering fires. There was a Queen Anne desk in the corner, and tall windows draped in lace and velvet, pretty watercolors of hills and meadows on the walls, lovely faded rugs over the thick planked floors.
    If she’d conjured the perfect room, this would have been it.
    His manners might be lacking, but his taste was impeccable. Or his wife’s, she corrected. For obviously this was a woman’s room.
    Because the idea should have relieved her, she ignored the little sinking sensation in her belly and satisfied her curiosity by opening the opal bottle.
    Wasn’t that strange? she thought after a sniff. The bottle held her favorite perfume.

3
    F LYNN HAD A stiff whiskey before he dealt with the food. It hit him like a hot fist.
    Thank God there were still some things a man could count on.
    He would feed his woman—for she was unquestionably his—and he would take some care with her. He would see to her comfort, as a man was meant to do, then he would let her know the way things were to be.
    But first he would see that she was steadier on her feet.
    The dining hall fireplace was lit. He had the table set with bone china, heavy silver, a pool of fragrant roses, the delicacy of slim white candles and the jewel sparkle of crystal.
    Then closing his eyes, lifting his hands palms out, he began to lay the table with the foods that would please her most.
    She was so lovely, his Kayleen. He wanted to put the bloom back in her cheeks. He wanted to hear her laugh.
    He wanted her.
    And so, that was the way things would be.
    He stepped back, studied his work with cool satisfaction. Pleased with himself, Flynn went out again to wait at the base of the stairs.
    And as she came down toward him, his heart staggered in his chest. “Speirbhean.”
    Kayleen hesitated. “I’m sorry?”
    â€œYou’re beautiful. You should learn the Gaelic,” he said, taking her hand and leading her out of the hall. “I’ll teach you.”
    â€œWell, thank you, but I really don’t think that’ll be necessary. I really want to thank you, too, for taking me in like this, and I wonder if I might use your phone.” A little detail, Kayleen thought, that had suddenly come to her.
    â€œI have no telephone. Does the gown please you?”
    â€œNo phone? Well, perhaps one of your neighbors might have one I can use.”
    â€œI have no neighbors.”
    â€œIn the closest village,” she said, as panic began to tickle her throat again.
    â€œThere is no village. Why are you fretting, Kayleen? You’re warm and dry and safe.”
    â€œThat may be, but…how do you know my name?”
    â€œYou told me.”
    â€œI don’t remember telling you. I don’t remember how I—”
    â€œYou’ve no cause to worry. You’ll feel better when