The Seven Sapphires of Mardi Gras (42 page)

“Nicholas—”

The dark fleck sparkled in his eye as he caught me close, twirling me around to invisible music. “Who else did you think it would be, my darling?”

“I love you, Nicholas,” I whispered against his hair.

“Ah, Louise. You’re everything I need to be happy.”

“And the jewels?” I tried to keep my voice light.

One dark brow arched in surprise. “The devil take them! I don’t care if they’re ever found!”

“Nevertheless ...” I said, catching his hand and leading him toward the ruined fountain where my grandfather used to sit.

Up above, the winged creature seemed to grin down at us. He no longer appeared evil now that I knew his secret. I knew now my grandfather had not trusted the jewels with anyone but had hidden them the best he could himself, in a place that reminded him of my mother. The missing letters upon the fountain that used to sit in the gardens of Evangeline made up the single word GARDEYN, the old English spelling of “guardian.” The strange and fierce beast was more than just a gargoyle. Like the brave dragon of a man who had been my grandfather, he was guardian of a treasure. Carefully, I reached for the loose stone. “I know exactly where they can be found.”

To my husband Gary

and son Ed

Copyright © 1991 by Vickie Britton

Originally published by Zebra [ISBN 0821733737]

Electronically published in 2012 by Belgrave House

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.