Unchanged by Heather Crews Page B

movements were deliberate and precise as he brushed off the sand stuck to the hat. When he handed it to her he smiled, looking every bit the gallant gentleman, but no feeling reached his eyes.
    "Thank you," Eve said, replacing the hat over her ruined hair. She smiled, trying to make up for the warmth this man seemed to lack. "I'm Eve, Jocelyn's sister."
    "Pleasure to meet you," he said formally.
    Eve stared at him, brows drawn together, trying to understand . . . something. I knew you from before. He stared back, unmoved. Why did he look as if he could willingly strangle her? Eve shifted uncomfortably, but then Jocelyn approached, all smiles and frivolity.
    "Dear sister!" he cried. "This is Ahaziel, a recent acquaintance of mine. I invited him to join our picnic today, but . . ." Helplessly Jocelyn raised his eyes to the sky and shrugged.
    "Ahaziel?" Eve said. She'd never heard such a strange name.
    "He's Siuslaw. You're Siuslaw, aren't you?"
    "Oh. Well, why don't we go to the caves?" Eve suggested before Ahaziel could respond. "The wind won't reach us there."
    "But we have to climb to get there. It's murder on those rocks!"
    "But the food will be wasted—"
    "We can eat it at home just fine—"
    "I'd like to see the caves," Ahaziel interjected. Both Eve and Jocelyn looked at him and he added, "If it is not too much trouble."
    "I'd be glad to show you," Eve volunteered, finding herself frantic for this man to like her. Besides, she didn't feel like going home.
    She smiled brightly and started down the beach, leaving Jocelyn to carry the goods and explain to the others the change of plans. Eve was well aware of Ahaziel at her back as she climbed the rocks, sure-footed but somewhat hampered by her long skirt.
    Why do I feel as if I know him already? she asked herself as they climbed.
    They reached the first and most easily accessible of the caves well before the others, who lagged behind, laden with picnic supplies. Eve smiled again and opened her arms to indicate the shallow, sandy-floored cave. "Here it is," she announced.
    "Charming," Ahaziel said. He stared at her, something smoldering in his eyes. Eve couldn't tell what he was thinking, but whatever it was, it made her blush.
    "There are more beyond this one," she informed him desperately, gesturing to the north. "You have to keep climbing the rocks. Most of the other caves are connected, like a maze."
    "How interesting."
    Eve frowned, afraid to look at him directly. She didn't feel as if she impressed him, yet she wanted to so badly. If she was successful maybe he'd even marry her. Yes . . . They could marry and he could take her away from Victoria. He hadn't shown any signs of actually liking her, but she was confident she could win him over. And even though she'd just met him she knew he had to be better than—better than . . .
    Well, he's better, she decided firmly.
    She glanced up to find him looking at her still, his expression unsettlingly steady and heated. "Er . . . how did you meet Jocelyn?" she asked politely, hoping her voice didn't quaver too much.
    "In the woods outside the gambling hall," Ahaziel said. "He asked me not to tell you."
    Eve's temper flared and she suddenly forgot her discomfort. "As if I care whether he gambles Esmond Havelock's money away. He could lose it all and I still wouldn't care! In fact, if I wasn't a girl I'd go there and lose it all myself!"
    She stopped on an abrupt note, deeply embarrassed, and held her breath. Would Ahaziel comment on her outburst? Had she put him off? He didn't look any different, but still it was clear he wasn't impressed with her by any means.
    Voices outside the cave reached Eve's ears seconds before her friends and brother appeared. She heard Phillipa squealing prettily and Jocelyn laughing at her. Leah was complaining about the climb. The three entered the cave, Jocelyn brandishing the picnic basket. Leah spread the blanket on the sand, her lips pursed with discontent.
    Phillipa saw Ahaziel and smiled, her