Page 51 of Return of the Scot
Lorne’s face came within an inch of hers, and he breathed her in, the move so elegant, so sensual, that she was rendered immobile by it. Wanted him to kiss her right then and there. Needed him to kiss her.
“I got ye,” he whispered, his gaze moving to her mouth.
“Aye,” she murmured back.
“Ye’ll get better.” He smiled.
But did she want to? If he were going to end each fight like this, why would she want to beat him? She would happily bungle every single time. Oh, what was she even thinking right now? There could be no next time, let alone more than once.
Lorne righted her, his fingers lingering a little longer on her waist as he pulled off his blindfold with the other hand.
“Well done, Miss Andrewson,” Malcolm clapped. “Ye almost had him.”
Jaime had nearly forgotten about his presence, and she swiveled her head toward him. “Thank ye, my lord, for your good cheer,” she said with a laugh and then turned back to Lorne. “Ye won. I suppose ye’re under no obligation to tell me why ye were at the docks.”
“I had no’ wanted to until I had more information to give ye, but alas, we are here, and there seems no point in keeping it from ye. Malcolm and I were interviewing the captains and crews because we discovered that my half-brother was on a ship that sailed for Ireland—with his wife—and a wee porter.”
“His wife?” Jaime’s hand flew to her chest, and her brows pinched so close together, she was nearly cross-eyed in shock. “Shanna?”
“Aye. And the wee porter sounds like her son, though I’m no’ certain why they would make him dress in disguise.”
Neither was she. “Perhaps to lead anyone astray who was looking for him. She has to have guessed I would. I did, in fact, send a man looking, and so did ye.”
“Where would they go in Ireland?” Malcolm asked.
“I’ve a minor holding there.”
Lorne cocked his head. “The holding in Shanna’s dowry?”
“Used to be, but it was given to me when my parents disowned her. I never forced the issue, though I know it must have hurt her.”
“And ye gave her Dunrobin, too.”
Jaime smiled sadly and nodded. “’Tis beside the point. My guilt runs deep.”
“And your sister cares no’.” Lorne’s words cut her to the quick, but she knew he was right.
“When did they sail?” she asked.
“About two weeks ago.” Malcolm held out his hand to help her down from the ring.
“So what ye’re saying is my sister was in the city all this time? Hiding?”
Lorne referred to Malcolm.
“At least before they left, miss, but I’m no’ certain for how long.”
Jaime bit her lip, straightening her gown and bodice as discreetly as she could. “Do ye think Shanna accused me and my ships? Perhaps in hopes of keeping me tied up with the business and unable to pursue her?”
Lorne shrugged. “I would no’ put it past her or my brother, considering what we’ve been discovering.”
“Och, poor, sweet Gordie.” Jaime blew a loose lock from her face.
“Ye’ve no reason to believe he would come to harm, do ye?” Malcolm asked her.
Jaime shook her head. “Nay. She was a selfish mother, but no’ cruel.”
“That is good news, at least.” Lorne ran a hand through his mussed hair.
