Page 48 of The Scot Who Loved Her

The sound of footsteps on stone stopped her from begging him to do just that. Malcolm grabbed her hand and rushed them farther into the maze until they were hidden from whoever approached.

“Olivia? Malcolm?” It was Caroline, calling softly on the wind, so her voice didn’t carry back to the house.

Malcolm and Olivia stepped from where they’d been hiding to face Caroline, who stood with her hand on her hips and looked at them the way Olivia’s governess had. Caught while misbehaving.

“You know, I wanted to kiss Lord Paisley at the opera house, and you wouldn’t let me, brother.” Caroline rolled her eyes, snatched Olivia’s hand from Malcolm’s, and led her back to the house. “You look like you’ve been kissed, but at least your clothes are still in place.”

Olivia’s mouth fell open in shock. Caroline never ceased to surprise her.

Olivia sighed and said, “For what it’s worth, Malcolm doesn’t trust Lord Paisley and only wants to protect you.”

“I know, and I want only to protect him.”

Caroline didn’t explain what she meant by that, and there wasn’t time. They were being called to the dais for their performance. But Olivia couldn’t help wondering if her new friend didn’t trust her and why. It was such a strange comment to make and implied much more than Olivia could decipher.

The crowd awaiting them was overwhelming. All attention and eyes were on them, including those who’d been whispering rumors a moment ago. The champagne she’d drunk previously swirled in her belly uncomfortably. Olivia contemplated fainting to get out of playing, but she supposed she owed Caroline this much, as Caroline seemed overly excited about what was yet to take place.

13

Wellington steepled his fingers beneath his chin as he and Malcolm tried to puzzle over what Marian Aston’s situation had to do with anything.

He’d attempted to dig further into the mystery behind her madness and subsequent removal from the asylum in Edinburgh to Aberdeen. However, numerous people were tight-lipped, save for one young lady who’d been willing to share, on account of her fondness for the family, that she didn’t think Marian was mad at all.

“I suspect if Aston is guilty, then his daughter found out.,” Malcolm said.

“I agree. But there’s been no clues yet as to his involvement, other than circumstantial, and we both know that won’t hold up.”

Malcolm shook his head. “My investigations at the dock have dredged up one dead end after another. I’ve been to damn near every club in Edinburgh, above and below ground. He’s not involved in any of them.”

“That in itself is odd. Every gentleman of worth belongs to a club.”

“According to Olivia, his other daughter, he has a real dislike of all things Scots. But that would no’ keep him from a club, especially since all the lords attend them.”

Wellington grunted. “Then why is he here in Edinburgh, besides the obvious ruse of his daughter’s reputation?”

“Good question.” Malcolm rubbed his hands over his face. “I’ve never had this much difficulty in a case.”

“That is a fact.” Wellington squinted his eyes as he assessed Malcolm. “I think I know why.”

“Enlighten me, please.” Malcolm sat back in the chair, stretching his back as he did so and hearing the crack of his spine.

“There’s a woman involved.” That was all Wellington said as if that bit of already known knowledge was going to change the course of everything.

“There have been many instances in which a woman was involved. I hardly see your point.”

“Not like this one,” Wellington said. “She shot you. And you…like her.”

Malcolm winged a brow as if he were surprised by that, but he knew the truth. He more than liked Olivia. He wanted her. Wanted every part of her. The witty banter, the teasing eyes, the luscious lips, her body.

If his sister had not come upon them in the maze, there was no telling what would have happened. She’d willingly fallen into his arms. Kissed him with as much passion and hunger as he’d felt. He was grateful Caroline had come upon them because Malcolm was fairly certain he’d have bedded Olivia right there.

He wanted things from Olivia that he’d never even dared to want in a woman. Things he’d promised never to want.

Not after learning from his own mother how cruel a woman could be.

But Olivia did not seem anything like his mother. She was genuine, funny, sweet. Cared about people. The way she’d confessed to him how she felt about her sister—the disappointment of a relationship lost, and her worry about her sister’s welfare. Gemma couldn’t care less for the son she’d abandoned, let alone any siblings he wasn’t aware of.

Besides that, he knew from talking with Lorne that Jaime liked Olivia. As discerning as Jaime was, Malcolm was certain she would have picked up on anything resembling a bad seed.

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