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The differences in hiht with it an air of blatant self-confidence, the look of a man who knew himself and his abilities Daisy remembered when he had first come to work for her father…he had been a scrawny, cold-eyed opportunist in expensive but ill-fitting garments and dilapidated shoes

"That’s old Boston for you," her father had said indulgently when the ancient shoes had caused co the family "They make a pair of shoes or a coat last forever Econoreat the farasp "You’ve changed," she said, trying to collect herself

"You haven’t," he replied It was impossible to tell whether the remark was intended as co at the well?"

"I was…I thought…" Daisy searched in vain for a sensible explanation, but could think of nothing "It’s a wishing well"

His expression was solemn, but there was a suspicious flicker in his vivid blue eyes as if he were secretly aood authority, I take it?"

"Everyone in the local village visits it," Daisy replied testily "It’s a legendary wishing well"

He was staring at her the way she had always hated, absorbing everything, no detail escaping his notice Daisy felt her cheeks turn blood-hot beneath his scrutiny "What did you wish for?" he asked

"That’s private"

"Knowing you," he said, "it could be anything"

"You don’t know ive her over to afor her in every way…it was e of ations Of disappointment and mutual contempt And it was certain that he was no more attracted to her than she was to hiirl like her if not for the lure of her father’s co false He thought he knew exactly who and what she was Their gazes endary status," Swift said, "I’d hate to overlook a good opportunity" He reached into a pocket, rue silver coin It had been forever since Daisy had seen American money

"You’re supposed to throw in a pin," she said

"I don’t have a pin"

"That’s a five-dollar piece," Daisy said in disbelief "You’re not going to throw that away, are you?"

"I’ an invest wishes--it’s a lot ofme"

"I’m in deadly earnest And since I’ve never done this before, some advice would be welcome" He waited for her reply, and when it beca, a touch of hu to toss the coin in regardless"

Daisy cursed herself Even though it was obvious he wasthat should be wasted, especially a five-dollar wish Drat!

She approached the well and said curtly, "First hold the coin in your palm until it’s warm from your hand"

Swift came to stand beside her "And then?"

"Close your eyes and concentrate on the thing you want most" She let a scornful note enter her voice "And it has to be a personal wish It can’t be about so trusts"

"I do think about things other than business affairs"

Daisy gave hilance, and he astonished her with a brief smile

Had she ever seen hiue past aunt that all she had received was an iriood cheer But this s and tantalizing…a flash of warmth that made her wonder exactly what kind of man lurked behind his sober exterior

Daisy was profoundly relieved when the smile disappeared and he was back to his usual stone-faced self "Close your eyes," she re out of yourher the chance to stare at hi him stare back It was not the sort of face a boy could wear co-boned, the nose too long, the jaw obstinate

But Swift had finally grown into his looks The austere angles of his face had been softened by extravagant sweeps of black lashes and a wide mouth that hinted of sensuality

"What now?" heat hih her…to step nearer and explore the tanned skin of his cheeks with her fingertips "When an ied to say, "open your eyes and toss the coin into the well"

His lashes lifted to reveal eyes as bright as fire trapped in blue glass

Without glancing at the well, he threw the coin right into the center of it

Daisy realized that her heart had begun to thues of The Plight of Penelope, in which a maiden was captured by an evil villain who locked her in a tower rooreed to surrender her virtue

Daisy had known the novel was silly even as she had read it, but that had not detracted one bit from her enjoyment And she had been perversely disappointed when Penelope had been rescued froinald, as not nearly as interesting as the villain

Of course the prospect of being locked in a tower roo to Daisy But the threatening ues by the villain about Penelope’s beauty, and his desire for her, and the debauchery he would force on her, had been quite intriguing

It was just plain bad luck that Mattheould turn out to look just like the handsos

"What did you wish for?" she asked

One corner of his nized the echo of her own earlier set-down Spying her bonnet on the nearby ground, she went to scoop it up She needed to escape his unnerving presence "I’ to the manor," she said over her shoulder "Good day, Mr Swift Enjoy the rest of your walk"

To her dised strides and fell into step beside her "I’ll accompany you"

She refused to look at him "I’d rather you didn’t"

"Why not? We’re headed in the same direction"

"Because I prefer to walk in silence"

"I’ll be silent, then" His pace did not falter