Page 124 of The Devil of Clan Sinclair
He’d picked a place not far from Drumvagen to have the carriage and coachman wait, but the day was too lovely not to take advantage of the sun and the solitude.
He leaned back against the trunk, closed his eyes and let himself drift off on a cloud of thought. He was waiting for William to return, and until he did, he would simply enjoy the sunny Scottish day.
“Begging your pardon, sir,” William said, waking him from his semidoze.
He blinked open his eyes to find the younger man standing there, twisting his hat between his hands.
“Ah, you’re back. What have you discovered? Any signs of the grotto?”
From what he’d learned in Kinloch Village, the grotto led directly into Drumvagen.
“No, sir. I couldn’t get close enough to the beach. There were people around.”
He nodded, not showing his surprise or displeasure.
Difficulty did not deter him.
Paul was under no illusion Virginia would want to come with him. He’d been right in front of her and she’d never seen him. After a month or two at sea, however, she’d understand he was the right man for her. At first she wouldn’t be so compliant.
William looked away, his mouth twisting. “There’s something, sir.”
He stood. “Well, what is it?”
“The lady?”
“What about her?” Paul asked, adopting a disinterested air as he brushed the leaves from his trousers. He glanced at the younger man, surprised to see William’s face was flushed.
“Well, what is it? If you have something to say, say it.”
“I saw a lady like you talked about. Strange blue eyes and black hair.”
“Yes?”
“She’s a bit of an itch, isn’t she?”
Paul stared at him. “Why would you say that?’
“She’s dabbing it up with the toff, ain’t she? Acting like a Judy, she was, out in the open and all.”
“Was she?”
William’s speech took Paul back to his youth and a host of unpleasant memories.
“Him putting his Nebuchadnezzar out to grass right there where anyone could see.”
“Where was this?”
“In the woods. They’ve got a little building there and I saw ’em.”
“Thank you, William,” he said, keeping his voice calm.
“You still set on her, sir?”
He was still set on her. But if it was Virginia who William had seen, she’d have to be taught she didn’t cheat on him. Not with the Scotsman. Not with anyone.
“We’ll come back tomorrow,” he said. He would return every day for the rest of his life if he needed. He’d find this damn grotto and a way into Drumvagen. He’d find a way to get to her.
She was his, and he’d prove it to her.
