“So he’s as stiff-necked and stubborn as you are.” But Chloe’s heart broke for him. He’d built something spectacular, and his father wouldn’t acknowledge it with his presence. “But you’ll never convince me he’s not proud of you.”
Nathan made a sound of repudiation. She hoped that the loan of the sword would soften the general’s attitude toward his son. The man must be an idiot if he couldn’t see how magnificent the child he’d raised had become.
“What’s the story behind the sword?” she asked.
“Family lore claims the sword was given to General Nathanael Greene by a British officer who served under Cornwallis in the Revolutionary War.”
“Is that who you’re named after?”
He shook his head. “My name comes from a Confederate general, Nathan Bedford Forrest, whose career my father particularly admires. He was a brilliant tactician, his men loved him, and his name struck fear in his enemies’ hearts.”
“He sounds like a good namesake. But tell me the rest of the sword’s history.”
“The officer gave Nathanael Greene his sword because he was impressed with the superb strategy General Greene displayed in retreating.” Nathan gave a bitter laugh. “Greene presented the sword to one of his subordinates for bravery on the battlefield. That subordinate happened to be my ancestor, William Trainor.”
“Did they actually use it, or is it one of those dressy swords for show?”
“It was used in battle. You can see the nicks and scratches and dents. It’s called a three-quarter basket hilt sword, made by Samuel Harvey.”
She was impressed. “So it must be valuable even apart from your family’s connection.”
“More than you know,” he said with an odd note in his voice.
He swung the car onto an access road that led to a manned gate, showing his ID to the guard who waved them through. They drove around a hangar, and there was the now-familiar black-and-silver Trainor Electronics jet standing on the tarmac. Nathan slotted the car into a marked space along the hangar’s wall and twisted toward her in his seat. “Would you humor me with something today?”
She didn’t trust his too-guileless smile. “That depends.”
He reached into his pocket and brought out two Tiffany boxes. “I would like you to accept these as a loan just for today. Then you can return them to me.”
“Forgive me for being suspicious,” Chloe said, not moving to take the proffered packages, “but I still have a whole pile of Saks Fifth Avenue boxes in my closet that haven’t been returned.”
“I’ll have everything picked up on Monday. You have my word.” He continued to hold the blue boxes out to her. “I’d like to see if my choices suit you. Just for my own satisfaction.”
“I’m on to your tricks,” Chloe said. But it seemed ungracious and even unkind to refuse when he was so on edge. “But I’ll pretend you fooled me this time.”
She put one of the boxes in her lap and untied the white satin ribbon from the other one. Inside lay the sapphire-and-diamond bangle from the auction. Chloe touched the sparkling stones with her fingertip. “Your bid won.”
He took the open box from her. “Now the other one.”
She tugged the ribbon free and lifted the lid to reveal the matching earrings. “I have to admit, these are perfect for this dress.”
Gratification lit his eyes. “My thought exactly. However, if you prefer to wear your pearls, please don’t feel obligated to wear these.”
The cultured pearl studs she wore were no match for Nathan’s gift. She removed them and hooked the Tiffany earrings through her lobes.
“Let me help you with the bracelet,” Nathan said. He deftly flicked it open before fitting it around her wrist and snapping it closed. He held her wrist to admire the bangle, his long fingers warm where they lay against her skin. With a swift movement, he lifted her arm to brush a kiss on the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist, his breath tickling across her hand. “Thank you for indulging me.”
As she watched the bracelet send a confetti of light dancing around the car’s interior, Chloe knew it was herself she was indulging, and in more ways than wearing expensive jewelry.
CHAPTER 27
As the jet had gotten closer to landing, Nathan had become increasingly withdrawn, his gaze fixed on the blue sky outside the plane’s window. When he no longer responded, his friends had stopped the friendly ribbing that was meant to relax him while it kept Chloe in a ripple of laughter all during the flight southward. Once they touched down, Nathan had collected the sword and escorted the group to the waiting limo, his shoulders held rigid.