Page 10 of Chance of a Lifetime

He lifted the necklaces up to the candlelight. The settings were rough; the stones oddly placed. He quickly assessed the rest of the jewelry, then glanced at Cora’s sweet, shining face.

“Go on, then,” she said. “Take them. I can’t imagine a better person who should have them.”

Liam thanked her and slid the necklaces into his pocket.

She led him to a side door that opened into the garden. “You’re safe to leave this way. No windows overlook this part of the garden.”

He stepped over the threshold into the yard, his feet squelching in the muddy grass. Turning to face her, Liam felt as if he were leaving all the happiness and hope behind with her, where it belonged. Now he was an outsider again. Only a few feet separated them, but it might as well have been a thousand miles.

“I’m so very glad we met,” she said softly. “I wish...” A deep blush suffused her cheeks, and she bit her bottom lip.

Liam’s gaze lowered to her mouth. His throat went dry, and his fingers ached to pull her toward him. “What is it you wish?”

“I wish...” Her voice faltered for a moment, and then she seemed to catch herself. She straightened her spine and lifted her chin. “I wish you well.”

Liam swallowed hard. “And I, you.” He turned and marched across the grass before he did or said something foolish.

“Farewell, thief.” Cora’s soft voice floated on the breeze.

He spun around without thinking and called out, “Liam.”

Cora blinked in surprise.

“My name is Liam O’Connor.” Maybe he was a damned fool to tell her, but he didn’t care. His name was all he had to give, and he wanted her to have it.

“Liam.” Cora smiled. “I’ll keep your secret.” Then she closed the door and was gone.

A dull ache settled in his chest as he made his way home in the dark. The realization that he’d probably never speak to her again left him feeling hollow inside. What irony! He’d gone to the squire’s house that night to steal something, and he left feeling as though something had been stolen from him.

Liam crossed an open field and climbed over the low stone wall that bordered the edge of the squire’s land. Stopping for a moment, he reached into his pocket, gripping the tangle of necklaces she’d given him. He drew them out, studying the crudely cut stones with a mixture of wry amusement and uneasiness. Even in the weak moonlight, it was clear they were just cheap replicas made of paste. He’d known it the moment she’d placed them into his hands. Cora’s father must have sold the original jewelry long ago to keep his estate running. And Cora had no idea. She thought she was giving him a fortune to help the poor, and Liam didn’t have the heart to tell her they were worthless.

He shoved the jewelry back into his pocket and continued walking. Boyd and the Bricks were going to be furious when they found out the legendary jewels were worthless. There was no telling what they’d do. A prickle of fear slithered down Liam’s spine, and he picked up his pace. The sun would rise in a few hours, and he needed a plan. After tonight, he was more determined than ever to keep the squire’s house safe. Because it wasn’t about the squire anymore. It was about Cora McLeod.