Dangerous Gifts by Mary Jo Putney

believe. But I understand that he’s been more visible in the last fortnight.” Lady Wheaton laughed wickedly. “Good hunting, child. If you can’t capture him, I don’t know what woman could.”
    Leah leaned back, expression determined. This was why she had accepted a faery bargain for beauty—so she could win the heart of a man like Duncan Townley.

    Even though mortals could not see him, from habit Ranulph stayed in the shadow of a massive rhododendron as he waited in the park opposite Wheaton House. As always, his Leah attracted an endless stream of male callers.
    Then a smart sporting carriage drawn by matched bays swept into the square and halted in front of Wheaton House. The driver, a strikingly handsome young man of military bearing, gave his reins to his groom and jumped lightly to the ground, then entered the house. In a remarkably short time, he emerged with Leah on his arm. She was looking up into the man’s eyes, her face bright with laughter.
    She was exquisite, his little harpist. Ranulph greedily absorbed the sight of her slim, graceful figure and delicate features. He felt a surprising urge to reveal himself and wrench her away from her young man. Goddess, but he’d spent too much time observing mortals! He was developing some of their vices, such as jealousy.
    He watched as the young man helped her into the carriage with tender care. Then the man left his groom to wait at Wheaton House, and drove off with Leah.
    Ranulph scowled. He should be pleased. If he was any judge, his little harpist was finally well on her way to falling in love, which meant that the day when he could claim her was not far off. That knowledge only increased his impatience.
    “Surely in London you can find other amusements while you wait to net your mortal miss,” a familiar purring voice said.
    Ranulph was becoming accustomed to Kamana’s silent appearances. This time when he turned, his hand was not on the hilt of his sword. “There is enough greenery here to sustain faery life, but it is locked into strange, unnatural shapes. I shall be glad when the time comes to return to my wood.” He suppressed a sigh. His longing for the familiar green peace was almost as powerful as his desire to have Leah there as his consort.
    “It won’t be much longer now,” Kamana said. “The silver threads are crossing now, creating shared destinies. You’ll be home again soon.”
    “I hope so.” He studied her appreciatively. Today she wore an Indian costume that swathed her magnificent figure with provocative snugness. Necklaces of golden coins jingled around her neck and drew attention to her dark silky skin. “What are your London amusements, Lady Kamana?”
    She shrugged, the gesture creating a tantalizing possibility that her wrapped garment would come unmoored. “Observing the passing scene. Visiting the green margins of the city. Did you know that by the river in Chelsea there is a wonderful apothecary’s garden that contains plants from my own land?” She gave a dazzling smile. “But mostly I watch these strange, intriguing mortal creatures.”
    “Surely you cannot wish to stay in London forever.”
    “Oh, no,” she said positively. “Soon I shall return to the country. I’ve visited the great faery courts in Somerset and Derbyshire, and some smaller ones as well. I know what home I would prefer, but I will not speak of it until I’m sure I will be accepted.”
    He smiled down at her. For all her regal bearing, she was really quite a small creature. “I’m sure that whatever court you choose will welcome you gladly.”
    “We shall see.” She pressed her hands together in front of her chest and bowed gracefully. “As we say in Hind, namaste. Until next time, Lord Ranulph.”
    She vanished in a shimmer of light. A good trick. He must learn how to do it. Then he turned and glided unseen through the street to Hyde Park so he could continue observing Leah and her mortal.
     
     
    Leah enjoyed watching Duncan as he