Page 57 of Deception and Desire
“Do ye expect me to ramble on like ye always did about yer monthly infatuations?” Lachlan chuckled at his brother’s affronted expression. “So, Kirstine finally claimed yer heart?”
“Aye. I’m still no’ sure how we went from best friends to courting, but I’m no’ complaining. Kirsty kens me so well, it seems right when I pull her close.” He folded his arms, letting the reins fall on the bay gelding’s neck. “She’s the one.”
Lachlan rolled his eyes. “We’ve heard this… How many times before?”
“I canna help it if I’m a passionate man.”
“Fickle is the word that comes tomymind.”
“Weel”—Brodie wagged a finger at his older brother—“at least I fall in love and dinna use a woman for my own lustful purposes. And trust me, I’ve been given the fickle lecture.”
“Och, my widow uses me for the same reason. I’m never dishonest about my intentions.” He didn’t add that those dalliances had ceased since he’d met a certain willowy blonde.
“Ian mentioned some vagabonds stirring unrest in the factories. Said ye gave one a Glasgow Kiss that laid ye up for a week.” He let out a howl that stirred Brownie from the tall grass to add her voice.
“See what ye’ve done now? And it wasna a week, only a few days. I’d have been back sooner if Sorcha would have allowed it.”
“I’d no’ cross Sorcha once she’s put her foot down.”
The men were silent for a while. Lachlan let the view before him soothe his soul. Below them, a meadow stretched down to a loch, the purple buds of heather bending in the wind toward the sparkling water. In the distance, mountain tops jutted like zigzags against the clear blue of the sky, and clumps of tall Scottish pine dotted the hillside. An eagle soared and cawed, its outline emphasized against the puffy clouds floating above them. He wanted to show this country to Fenella, hoped it would fill her with the same kind of peace.
“So did ye decide to give Brigid the mare?” he asked.
“She didna poison us, though it was close a few times.” Brodie chuckled. “I’m a mon of my word, and she kept to the bargain. I also didna see her the least upset when Enid barred her from the kitchen after the week was up.”
“Another clever woman,” agreed Lachlan.
“Enid?” asked Brodie.
“Nay, our sister.”
Chapter Sixteen
A Heated Homecoming
Early August
Glasgow, Scotland
It was abraw day, Lachlan decided as Charlie carried him up the next hill, Brownie loping beside him. They’d made an early start and dawn was almost upon them. An orange and yellow glow just emerging over the mountain peaks. The air was crisp, and he drew in a lungful, smelling the dewy heather and pungent pine.
“I hope Fenella is fond of dogs.” It made him realize how many things he still didn’t know about her. “We’ll soon find out,” he told the hound that wagged a shaggy tail in response.
They reached Glasgow just as the town was waking. Sunshine slowly burned off the early morning fog, the sheen on the cobbled lanes dissipating. A few motivated peddlers emerged onto the streets, their carts laden with fresh bread, salted fish, or fruits and vegetables. A coal wagon passed them by, the horse hooves echoing against the brick and wood structures on each side.
Lachlan stopped in front of the three-story townhouse and dismounted. He gave the chestnut a pat on the neck and dug some oats from his sporran. Letting the gelding eat from his hand, he chuckled at the soft lips rubbing against his palm. He looped the reins through the hitching post, so Charlie would remain at a stand, then strode past the wrought-iron gates and up the stone steps that ran between two large Grecian style columns. Flinging the door open, he startled a groggy-eyed footman.
“Good morning, sir,” the Englishman muttered, then backed away at the sight of the brownish-gray beast.
Brownie sniffed at the man’s waistcoat, her head easily passing his hips.Woof!
The footman jumped and backed up one step toward the first floor.
“Sàmhach!” Lachlan ordered the hound. “She’s just saying hello, Alfred, but I would suggest ye give her a bite or two of sausage to keep her friendly.” He ascended the stairs two at a time, the dog on his heels. “My horse is outside and needs tending. He’s hungry too.”
He peeked into the dining room, found it empty, and yelled down the stairs. “And coffee, if ye wouldna mind.” Then he took the next flight and flung open Ian’s bedroom door.
His brother stood with a straight-edge razor paused in midair as he peered at Lachlan in the mirror. “Ye do like to make an entrance. I almost cut my throat.”
