Unlaced By The Highland Duke. Lara Temple

“I will”, or, more consistently with your latest responses, “I will not...”’

      In the silence the wind whistled in the casement and the clouds cast shifting shadows on the stone floor. The great fireplace was crackling and she was not cold, but she shivered a little. Perhaps it was merely cowardice now that she was determined to strike out on her own, but it would not be so very terrible to stay for a month, would it? She could not deny that she felt drawn to Jamie far more than she had to any of Celia’s children. Both Lochmore men needed her in their own way and, even if she was only a temporary bridge, the thought of turning her back on Lochmore’s offer felt...wrong.

      ‘I will.’

      He shook his head, but it was not a negation. Then he looked around the room, as if surprised to find them there.

      ‘The castle is impossible to heat. I will have Mrs Merry find you a decent cloak for when you go outside. There are a few rules. Do not go to the north bay under any circumstances—the tide and currents there are brutal. Jamie knows never to go there without either myself or Angus. However, you may go to the bay to the south of the castle which is protected and quite calm. The shortest route is through the Sea Gate which is reached through a tunnel from the great staircase, but you mustn’t enter any of the other tunnels or the cellars. They are dank and unwholesome and no longer in use—the kitchens and storerooms are in the keep and the servants are on the top floor. Jamie knows he is never to venture there. Is that absolutely clear?’

      She nodded vigorously.

      ‘Good. We rarely dine formally here as I often return late. So you will most often dine with Jamie or in your parlour. Occasionally, though hopefully rarely, we may be required to dine with my aunt, Lady Morag. Luckily she is highly unsociable and mostly remains in the north tower with her choice of comforts. I suggest you not invade her privacy—she is a...cantankerous person. Other than that you are to remember that you are an Uxmore and my guest and I have made that clear to Mrs Merry and the servants. I won’t have you slinking around here like a governess or a drudge. Understood?’

      Some of her relief was beginning to evaporate at his imperiousness, but she nodded again, a little less vigorously.

      ‘Good. Now go find Jamie and have him show you the castle and the grounds. I have work to do.’

      He stood, casting a look of such blatant loathing at the ledgers she almost laughed.

      ‘If you hate it so, why not have your steward see to the numbers? Is he not trustworthy?’

      ‘Very, but he is getting on and though he doesn’t admit it his eyesight is failing. I must find someone to replace him eventually, poor fellow. Meanwhile I do my best to review his tallies. We are sadly behind because of my trip south.’

      ‘I can help with that, if you wish. I saw to the housekeeping accounts at Uxmore.’

      ‘What else did you do at Uxmore? Did you tend to their gardens as well? Air the sheets?’

      Strangely she wasn’t offended. Perhaps because he sounded offended.

      ‘I did not mind it, truly. It was my quiet time. I had the library to myself then.’

      He hesitated, clearly tempted, but she clasped her hands and carefully refrained from pressing. Finally he gave another of his peculiarly Latin shrugs.

      ‘Perhaps later. But only if you prove you can actually tally and were not secretly siphoning off the Uxmore funds to the local butcher and baker and candlestick maker.’

      ‘If I was, you will never know, I was very discreet.’

      ‘Mrs Langdale...’

      She waited for another list of prohibitions, but after a moment of hesitation he continued.

      ‘I have not been very gracious. Thank you for staying. Jamie will be very happy. If there is anything you need to make your time here more...agreeable, please don’t hesitate to speak.’ He grimaced, as if aware of how stilted he sounded, and she did her best not to smile.

      ‘Thank you, Your Grace. That is very kind.’

      ‘Yes. Well. Where are you headed now?’

      ‘Jamie wants to take me treasure hunting in the bay. With luck I will meet his mermaids.’

      He smiled just as the sun cleaved through the clouds outside the window and the combination made her look down.

      ‘You are being honoured indeed. I have yet to be introduced to them.’

      ‘Jamie did not sound very hopeful. He says I might be lucky because I know Minerva, but usually mermaids think adults are too boring.’

      He laughed and came to open the door for her. ‘I tend to agree with them. I hope your connections with the magical Minerva serve you well. I will tell Angus to keep well back when he accompanies you so he doesn’t ruin your chances with the dwellers of the deep.’

      ‘Surely Angus need not be bothered to accompany us?’ she asked as she stepped into the corridor.

      ‘I do not want you going by the Sea Gate tunnel with only Jamie as guide on your first descent to the bay. The tunnel is... I do not want you wandering around and becoming lost.’

      The shift from laughter to tension was so sudden it jarred her, but she did not wish to upset him again so she nodded.

      ‘If you do not think Angus will mind.’

      ‘I do not think he will mind in the least, Mrs Langdale.’ This time his smile was sardonic and before she could respond he disappeared back into the study.