Miss Minnie and the Brass Pluggit Read online

  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 have made some sound or other. Words were beyond her.

  The entire room ringed the lighthouse tower, extending out quite a few feet. The floor was carpeted and the circular wall stopped halfway up. From that point on, it was windows and more windows. Curved glass arched over the heads of those standing near the edge and staring out at an amazing view of ocean, coastline or rolling hills—depending on where one turned.

  Other than the central structure, which must lead to the actual lighting device at the top of the building, the view from this room was unimpeded.

  There were chairs, low tables, even a dining table set in one area. It was indeed a “living” room of sorts, where the people inside could fancy themselves part of the living landscape outside.

  Trailing her fingers absently along the wood sill, Minnie sighed. “This is quite magnificent. How do you ever drag yourself away from it?” She found herself drifting, relaxing with the waves as they made their eternal patterns beneath the sunlight on the ocean.

  “Sometimes I don’t.” He’d moved to her side.

  “I can well understand.”

  “Tea?”

  The mundane question drew her back to reality. “Thank you. If it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Not at all. I had Dusk ready a pot in case I could tempt you.”

  You have no idea. The errant thought darted through Minnie’s brain as she moved to a nearby chair and seated herself, pulling off her gloves and tucking them away in her reticule.

  Dr. Lowell was proficient at tea making, at least. Within a minute there was a small table next to her chair, a plate ready for some cakes if she was hungry and a cup of tea, prepared with milk just as she liked it.

  She sipped and then raised an eyebrow. “Very nice. Thank you.”

  He picked up his own cup and gazed at her over the brim before drinking. “My pleasure. Why are you here?”

  The abruptly direct question caught her by surprise and she struggled for a brief instant, determined not to betray her thoughts or emotions. She was beginning to understand that this man might be able to see behind her façade. Few others even knew she’d created one, and that fact alone made Pierce Lowell a risk to Minnie. She knew she had a weakness for intelligently insightful men.

  She leaned to one side and placed her cup and saucer carefully on the little table. It was a delaying tactic, no more, but it gave her a chance to gather her thoughts. She knew without question that this man could not be dazzled or distracted. She would need all her wits about her to deal with him. He was too observant. And—for the moment—too uninvolved.

  She smiled and glanced around her. “Curiosity. A chance to see inside your unusual home.”

  “And?” He returned her gaze steadily.

  “My turn for a question. How did you know I was coming to Yarmouth? You sent Dusk to meet me, yet I’d had no contact with you or anyone else down here.”

  He shrugged and let a tiny enigmatic smile curve his lips. “I have my methods of securing information.”

  “Good grief, sir.” Minnie laughed aloud. “That sounds like a line from a very bad and overheated mystery novel.”

  He blinked and the curve grew into a full grin. “Sorry. I suppose it does.”

  “Seriously.” She lifted a hand and gestured toward him. “You knew I was coming. Sources in London perhaps? Mutual friends? It was a pleasure meeting Dusk in Yarmouth, but it was unnerving realizing he was expecting me. I’m not very fond of being unnerved and I cherish my privacy as much as possible.”

  The green eyes remained fixed on her face, betraying nothing of Dr. Lowell’s thoughts. In fact it seemed quite likely the man didn’t have any. Minnie found herself somewhat frustrated at his ability to conceal so much from her practiced observation.

  Then he sighed and uncrossed his legs, switching his attention from her person to the ocean outside. “You are twenty-nine years old. You are a widow, your late husband having passed away six years ago. Upon his death you assumed control of Dalrymple Shipping and instead of running it into the ground as many anticipated, you have handled the business cleverly and increased revenues well beyond the expected percentage of profits.”

  He paused for a refreshing mouthful of his own tea, placed the cup back down and continued. “In spite of the many offers for your hand, you have chosen to remain a widow. To date you’ve quietly endowed several scholarships in and around the small town just outside London, where you grew up. You use some of your fortune to improve the lives of others, which is to your credit. Surprisingly, this information is kept under wraps, and you prefer the newspapers to carry stories of your more scandalous behavior. In the past five years you’ve taken several lovers, the latest being Roger Lutterson.”

  Minnie’s cheeks flared with heat and she opened her mouth to respond, but he held up his hand, staying her words.

  “You have three places you refer to as home—a town house in the City, a small estat
e not too far from here in Lyndhurst and a modest manor just over the Welsh border. You don’t spend a lot of time in any of them, however, since you enjoy traveling and have been able to create your own traveling apartments.”

  His gaze returned to her face, his scrutiny and his voice making her feel strangely vulnerable. It was as if he was peeling away her emotional garments with his words, leaving her naked before him. “You are somewhat of an enigma, Miss Minnie.”

  Now she could see little flickers of something in the green depths. “I am?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “You present an image to the world and you carefully nurture that image, quite happy you’ve been spotted at the theater with a new beau. Uncaring if Her Majesty disapproves—which I’m pretty sure she does. You wander from place to place, never really calling any of them home. Some might say you’re a dilettante, yet there’s that business aptitude you’ve displayed which can’t be overlooked.”

  He rose and crossed to her chair, leaning over and placing his hands on either arm, effectively pinning her to the seat. She lost herself in his eyes.

  “I do my research, as—I’m sure—you do yours. So I ask you once again. What does Roger Lutterson want of me? Why are you here?”

  Minnie’s head spun from the nearness of him, the scent of his skin, the pulse beating at the base of his throat. Her own heart was thundering, pounding so loud she wondered if he could hear it.

  His words had intrigued, surprised and even scared her a little. His presence was arousing her, stirring longings deep within her body and making her wish for…well, he was a very unusual man, without a doubt.

  She took a breath, her gaze meeting his and holding it fast. “Roger wants to know what you’re working on at the moment.”

  He nodded briefly. “And you? What do you want?”

  She stared back and knew nothing but the truth would suffice. “You.”

  She was his every dream made flesh and to top it off, she’d just baldly announced she wanted him.

  Pierce struggled manfully with the frantic urge to give her exactly what she’d asked for right there in his living room, in the overstuffed chair. Thankfully, he won the struggle, since it was likely the furniture wouldn’t have withstood the things he wanted to do to her.

  He simply eased away, sucked in a large but silent breath and lifted an eyebrow at her. “Ah.”

  “Forgive me.” She held her hands to her flushed cheeks and looked quite distressed. “I’m not sure what came over me. That was extremely inappropriate.”

  “But honest.” Pierce managed a taut smile, his arousal still making him uncomfortable. He’d been that way since she walked out of the sunshine and into his life. He supposed he’d get used to it the longer he was in her presence.

  Walking to the edge of the room and gazing at nothing in particular, he chose his words carefully. “There’s little I appreciate more than honesty, Miss Minnie. I will make you a promise. I will not lie to you. If it is within my power to tell you the truth, I will do so.”

  Her dress rustled as she stood. “It’s an unusual promise, Dr. Lowell. One seldom made between anyone, let alone a man and woman who have just met.” She reached his side and joined him in looking out over the coastline stretching into the distance. “It could well prove dangerous.”

  “Yes. I know.” He waited.

  “Very well. I will agree. Honesty between us. No lies or subterfuge.”

  She didn’t disappoint. Pierce wanted to grin from ear to ear, but he didn’t. He kept his expression calm as he turned to her and held out his hand. “A deal. Let’s hope neither of us regrets it.”

  “We probably will. But we can but try.” With those somber words, she shook his hand.

  “I’d like to begin our newly minted acquaintance by saying something.” He kept her hand in his, drawing her a little nearer. “I find you…extraordinarily appealing. Not just beautiful, because you are and I’m sure you’ve been told so many times.” He let his gaze roam over her features. “It’s something more. Something beneath the beauty.” He glanced down over her body. “Something inside. I have yet to discover what it is, but it’s there. And I’m very attracted to it.”

  He glanced back up and saw a flicker of something like desire flash behind her warm brown eyes. But she gently withdrew her hand and moved back a pace. “I also find you appealing, Dr. Lowell. To return the compliment, you are a very handsome man.” She grinned. “And I’m sure you’ve discovered that for yourself.”

  He couldn’t help grinning back. “Now and again. Call me Pierce.”

  “So now you know why I’m here, Pierce.” She acknowledged his request. “That Roger Lutterson—and, one would assume, the government he represents—would like me to inquire about your current research and experiments.”

  Pierce couldn’t but admire her adroit shifting of the topic. Suddenly they were far from his fertile imaginings—no naked limbs or sweaty skin. Dammit. He sighed. Oh well. He’d make sure there was time to get back to that later.

  “I’d be happy to show you around. If you need paper and pencil to take notes, I can provide that as well.” He extended his arm.

  She rested her fingertips on it. “Not necessary. I doubt I will understand the intricacies of your work. And if I don’t, then it’s very unlikely Roger will either.”

  “Still struggling with scientific and mathematical concepts, is he?”

  “He’s a very clever man. But a classic example of how brilliance does not necessarily encompass all things in life.” She chuckled. “His speeches are literate and stirring. He’s eloquent and extremely astute, politically. His knowledge of the global stage and its players is nothing short of astounding at times.”

  “But?”

  “But he has trouble making change for a pound when purchasing a fourteen-shilling and sixpence pair of gloves.”

  Pierce’s laugh rang out, filling the space between them, and somehow defusing the tension that had arisen. He knew it was indicative of the sexual heat they both felt—he was half-hard, longing to see her without the garments she wore so well, and eager to touch the softness of her skin as she lay beneath his own naked body.

  But he was a patient man. He’d known they would become lovers the instant he saw her. It didn’t have to be at this moment, no matter how much he wished it could be. Instead, he guided her down to his laboratory and wondered on the way if she’d have any idea at all of what he was attempting to do.

  “Goodness.”

  Her eyes widened as he led her into the massive room that comprised a good portion of the center of the lighthouse. He’d taken it over for his own pursuits. One thing about lighthouses—there was always plenty of available space, as long as one didn’t mind either custom ordering curved worktables or having the odd gap here and there.

  Pierce had gone with the odd gap. But he had a feeling Minnie wouldn’t notice right away. She was standing in the classic position, frozen in place, head tilted back and eyes wide. She was doing what every other visitor did on a routine basis—stare at the walls above her.

  They were ringed with coil after coil of brass tubing, an endless circle of shining metal that went all the way up to the high ceiling. The lower end began in a large brass box-shaped container, and the end—surprisingly—simply went out through the wall.

  “I don’t believe this is part of your plumbing system, is it?” Minnie asked the question while staring around her.

  “No.” He moved to a tabletop and pointed at a bank of dials. “It’s a magnet. Of sorts.”

  “What sort?” She eyed him curiously.

  “An electromagnet.”

  “Does it produce electricity, or will it pull the hairpins out of my hair?”

  He sighed, unsure of how detailed he should be. The truth was, his work had taken him into a realm of physics that was still young. He wasn’t exactly convinced it could be explained. Let alone to a layman.

  “It’s recently been discovered that electric current, running through a
wire, produces a magnetic field. It has the potential to do many things—for example I’ve been able to adapt it to work on the little carriage Dusk used to bring you here.”

  “Oh yes. That strip of metal beneath.” She nodded.

  “Exactly. The magnetism coming from that strip is powered by this solenoid. It’s sufficient to move a lightweight vehicle with low friction.” He noticed her eyebrows drawing together. “Wheels.”

  “Ah. Yes.”

  “But it is capable of much more. I’m currently involved in finding out what that might be and how to use it in practical applications.”

  “I see.” She sounded thoughtful. “What I don’t see is why or even if Roger and his cronies might have an interest. It all sounds very theoretical at present.” Glancing his way, she lifted her eyebrows. “And my instincts tell me your metal strip propulsion system would not be much of a success in London.”

  Pleased at her grasp of matters, he nodded. “You are quite right. Magnetism may indeed prove to be a viable option for propulsion, but that day is a long way off. And yes, most of my work at the moment involves taking a theoretical notion and experimenting with it. Most times with little success, I’m afraid.”

  “So I don’t have to worry about my hairpins?”

  “No.” He stared at her and paused for a second or two. “The rest of your clothes…well, that’s another matter.”

  And just like that the tension was back, almost snapping in the air between them like a brief but violent discharge of static electricity.

  Where it would have led, he wasn’t quite sure, but before he could find out, Dusk hurried in to the laboratory through a side door, his boots clattering on the stone flooring.

  “Sorry, Doctor. My apologies for the interruption.” His white hair flew around his face and the mask, and there was no hiding the fact he was upset. “They’ve found another one.”

  “Damn it all to hell.”

  Completely forgetting about electromagnetism and Miss Minnie, Pierce rushed to the door behind Dusk. He knew exactly what those words implied and it was bad. Very bad.