Stanhill was in his usual spot at the table, paper in hand.
“Morning.”
He put the paper down. “Morning, miss. I didn’t even hear you come down. How did you sleep? How are you feeling?” He got to his feet. “Coffee? Breakfast? I’ve got bacon and Quiche Florentine, if you’re interested.”
“Um, good, okay and yes to coffee and breakfast. I’m starving.” She sat at the table and let him wait on her.
Captain wound around Stanhill’s feet, meowing.
“And good morning to you, Captain. Kippers then?”
“No people food.” Delaney shot Stanhill a look.
He frowned back at her. “How can you say no to that face?”
“With great restraint. He’s too tubby.” Her smile turned into a painful yawn. She’d been so exhausted last night that she’d let Hugh carry her up to bed and had fallen asleep within minutes. Spending the night in Hugh’s bed, as tempting as that might be, had been out of the question. “Hugh still sleeping?”
“No, he just left on an errand. Not sure when he’ll be back.” Stanhill put a cup of coffee in front of her, then set to work fixing her a plate.
Hugh’s absence was perfect timing. “Do you think you could take me to see Elenora?”
Stanhill’s brows jumped. “You want to visit her? Voluntarily?” He accidentally dropped a piece of bacon on the floor. Captain went full piranha, devouring it in seconds.
Delaney overlooked the incident, choosing to answer instead. “I have some unfinished business with her.”
“Do tell.” He presented her with a plate of quiche and bacon, then scooped Captain up and sat with him on his lap at the table.
“Actually, why don’t you go with me? It might be good to have a witness on my side.”
Stanhill’s eyes widened. “Is that so? What on earth are you planning?”
“You’ll see.” She took a bite of the quiche. It was custardy and delicious with the flakiest pastry she’d ever tasted. And she knew about pastry. “And when we get home, you’re going to show me exactly how you made this crust.”
Hugh walked into Illusions and realized he should have called ahead. The crowds brought in by the parade were still in town and, apparently, shopping. He caught Willa’s attention as soon as she was free. He’d seen her at some of his grandmother’s fundraisers, but hadn’t had any real conversations with her since he and his brothers had convinced her to stay in Nocturne Falls. Hard to believe someone so young was already a master of their craft. “Miss Iscove?”
She smiled, and her startling aqua eyes sparked with interest. If her eyes weren’t enough to announce she was fae, her pointed ears were. Hugh wondered what was more of a customer draw, the beautiful jewelry creations in the shop or the shop’s owner. “Mr. Ellingham.” She stuck out her hand. “How are you?”
“I’m well enough.”
“What brings you by?”
“I have a situation I’m hoping you can help me with.”
Willa tucked a strand of honey-blond hair behind one ear as she nodded. “Be happy to. Let’s go in my office and talk. Come around the far end of the counter and follow me back.” She waved at the woman working behind the other side of the counter. “Ramona, watch the floor, please.”
He did as she asked. She waited at the office door for him to go in, then shut it behind her. “Please have a seat.”
He took the one chair available, leaving the desk chair for her. She settled into it. “What can I do for you?”
“I know it’s been a while since we’ve spoken. I hope everything is going well?”
“It is. I think the last time we talked was at the Black and Orange Ball.”
He smiled politely. “I’m sad to say I don’t remember that conversation.”
She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. It was thirty seconds of small talk. One conversation out of probably a hundred you had that night. Your brother, on the other hand, he had better remember talking to me.”
Please let her not have slept with Julian and want to hold that against him. He asked hopefully, “You mean Sebastian?”
“No, Julian.”
Damn it. “I’m sorry if he offended you in any way. I can assure you, my brother and I are two very different people.”
She gave him a strange look. “He didn’t offend me.” Her face suddenly brightened. “Oh, you think he and I slept together and then he never called, huh?” She laughed. “Nothing like that. I made him a charm.”
Relief made Hugh chatty. “Really? What was it?”
She squinted for a second. “He never asked me to keep it secret, so I guess I can tell you. You are family after all. I made him a charm that makes him extra charming. His apologies included.”
Hugh laughed. “I’ve always wondered how he gets away with his womanizing.”
“With help, that’s how.” She shook her head, smiling. “I assume you’re here for a charm too?”
“Yes, but it’s not for me.”
She pursed her lips. “I won’t do work that harms anyone else, so this can only be for good.”
“It is, I swear.”
“All right then. As you know, my gifts lie in metal and stone work. Using one or both of those talents, I can create a piece of jewelry for you that will aid in accomplishing a specific goal. What did you have in mind?”