“Oh, what a place.” She was pleased to wander along the aisle with him. It seemed otherworldly, all the sellers and buyers haggling over the price of ruby necklaces and sapphire rings. What a story she’d have to tell when she got back to Clare.

She stopped with Gray by a display case and chuckled. “I doubt very much I’ll find my souvenirs in here.”

“I will. Pearls, I think.” He wagged a finger at the saleswoman to hold her off and studied the wares himself. “Pearls would suit.”

“Are you buying a gift?”

“Exactly. This one.” He gestured to the clerk. He’d already had an image in his mind, and the three strands of milky pearls fit it perfectly.

He listened with half an ear as the clerk touted the beauty and worth of the necklace. Traditional, she said, simple and elegant. An heirloom. And, of course, a bargain.

Gray took the necklace himself, tested the weight, studied the glowing orbs. “What do you think, Brianna?”

“It’s stunning.”

“Of course it is,” the clerk said, sensing a sale rather than a browse. “You won’t find another to compare with it, certainly not at this price. A classic look like this, you can wear with anything, evening dress, day wear. A little cashmere sweater, silk blouse. Simple little black dress.”

“Black wouldn’t suit her,” Gray said, looking at Brianna. “Midnight blue, pastels, moss green maybe.”

Brianna stomach began to jitter as the clerk picked up the theme. “You know you’re right. With her coloring, you want jewel tones or pastels. Not every woman can wear both. Try it on. You’ll see for yourself how beautifully they drape.”

“Gray, no.” Brianna took a step back, bumped solidly into another shopper. “You can’t. It’s ridiculous.”

“Dearie,” the clerk broke in. “When a man wants to buy you a necklace like this, it’s ridiculous to quibble. At forty percent off retail, too.”

“Oh, I think you can do better than that,” Gray said off-handedly. It wasn’t the money, he’d hardly glanced at the tiny ticket tagged discreetly to the pave diamond clasp. It was the sport. “Let’s see how they look.”

Brianna stood, her eyes filled with distress, as Gray fastened the necklace around her. It lay like a miracle against her plain cotton blouse. “You can’t buy me something like this.” She refused, however much her fingers itched, to reach up and stroke the pearls.

“Sure I can.” He leaned over, gave her a casual kiss. “Let me enjoy myself.” Straightening, he studied her through narrowed eyes. “I think it’s pretty much what I’m looking for.” He shot the clerk a look. “Do better.”

“Dearie, I’m practically giving it away now. Those pearls are perfectly matched, you know.”

“Mmm-hmm.” He turned the little tabletop mirror toward Brianna. “Take a look,” he suggested. “Live with them for a minute. Let me see that pin there, the diamond heart.”

“Oh, that’s a nice piece. You’ve got a good eye.” Revved, the clerk reached for it, lay it on the counter on a black velvet pad. “Twenty-four brilliant cut stones. Top quality.”

“Pretty. Brie, don’t you think Maggie would like it? A new mom present.”

“Ah.” She was having a hard time keeping her mouth from hanging open. First the sight of herself in the mirror with pearls around her neck, then the idea that Gray would buy diamonds for her sister. “She’d adore it, how couldn’t she? But you can’t—”

“What kind of deal are you going to make me for both?”

“Well . . .” the clerk drummed her fingers on her breast. As if pained, she picked up a calculator and started running figures. She wrote an amount on a pad that had Brianna’s heart stopping.

“Gray, please.”

He just waved her to silence. “I think you can do better than that.”

“You’re killing me here,” the woman said.

“See if you can stand a little more pain.”

She grumbled, muttering about profit margins and the quality of her merchandise. But she juggled figures, sliced a bit, then patted a hand over her heart. “I’m cutting my own throat.”

Gray winked at her, took out his wallet. “Box them up. Send them to the Plaza.”

“Gray, no.”

“Sorry.” He unclasped the pearls, handed them negligently to the delighted clerk. “You’ll have them by tonight. It’s not smart to walk around with them.”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

“You have such a lovely voice,” the clerk said to distract her. “Are you Irish?”

“I am, yes. You see—”

“It’s her first trip to the States. I want her to have something special to remember it by.” He took Brianna’s hand, kissing her fingers in a way that made even the clerk’s cynical heart sigh. “I want that very much.”

“You don’t have to buy me things.”

“That’s part of the beauty of it. You never ask.”

“And what part of Ireland are you from, dearie?”

“County Clare,” Brianna murmured, knowing she’d lost again. “It’s in the west.”

“I’m sure it’s lovely. And you’re going to . . .” After taking Gray’s credit card, the clerk read the name and yelped. “Grayson Thane. God, I read all your books. I’m your biggest fan. Wait until I tell my husband. He’s your biggest fan, too. We’re going to see your movie next week. Can’t wait. Can I have your autograph? Milt’s just not going to believe it.”

“Sure.” He took the pad she shoved at him. “This you, Marcia?” He tapped the business card displayed on the counter.

“That’s me. Do you live in New York? It never says where on the back of your books.”

“No, I don’t.” He smiled at her, handing her back the pad to distract her from asking more questions.

“ “To Marcia,’ ” she read, “ “a gem among gems. Fondly, Grayson Thane.’ ” She beamed at him now, but not so brightly she forgot to have him sign the credit slip. “You come back any time you’re looking for something special. And don’t you worry, Mr. Thane. I’ll have these sent out to your hotel right away. You enjoy your necklace, dearie. And you enjoy New York.”