Page 87 of Undercover Savior

“He would do. As with most people.”

“I assured her you wouldn’t mind. I hope I didn’t overstep.”

“Of course you didn’t. So, um, here?” He motioned with his hand. “At Thistle Gate?”

“Actually, I suggested Primrose Croft.”

He let out the breath he’d been holding. “Yes. Absolutely. She’s more than welcome. Although I have a feeling Con will not be happy about it.”

“That’s his problem.”

David smiled. “Precisely.”

23

SAVIOR

There were several ways I thought to broach the subject of who Mairi and Gus were to me once we reached the castle, but as soon as we walked in the door, my mind went blank.

“David?” Sullivan whispered when I stood, frozen, in the entryway.

“I…I can’t…” I stammered.

“We can. Come, we’ll do it together.”

God, I loved her for saying we instead of me alone. While I’d been able to rely on Con, Tag, and especially my cousin, Gus, the support I felt from Sullivan was different. It was almost like she was an extension of me. One I had no idea how I’d lived this long without.

“Yes. We can do this,” I repeated.

“Ask her to meet us in the library. Tell her there’s something I want to ask her about.”

“Yes. Good. I like that idea.”

“I’ll go make sure Fallon isn’t still in there.”

“Again, good. Thanks.”

Before she walked away, Sullivan squeezed my hand, leaned up, and kissed me. “I love you,” she whispered.

I squared my shoulders and marched into the largest of the two kitchens, where I knew Christmas dinner was being prepared. Then, in my most duke-like tone of voice, said, “Mrs. Drummond? A word?”

She looked about the room at those fast at work, then wiped her hands on the apron she wore. “Of course, my lord.”

“In the library, if you will. Sullivan has something, err, to ask about.”

“Sir, can it wait?—”

“It cannot.”

Her eyes widened at my tone, but I had no choice. If she didn’t walk out of the kitchen with me right now, I might lose my nerve, and that wasn’t something I could do. There was no way I’d be able to sit at the table, enjoying Christmas dinner, and hide my unease. Especially from Gus. He’d pick up on it and perhaps make the wrong assumptions. Like I had with Brose all these years.

I led the way, and thankfully, she followed. Once inside, I closed the two large doors that likely hadn’t been shut in years, based on how they creaked. Sullivan was seated by the fireplace, where I noticed there were three chairs rather than two. All had been scooted so they were within inches of the others.

“Please take a seat,” I said to Mairi, motioning to the middle chair.

“Sir? What is this about?” She’d gone ghostly white.

“There’s something I need to ask you about.”

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