Page 81 of The Highlander's Holiday Wife

Logan snorted. “Either that or I’m losing my touch. In any case, you’re certainly no blockhead.”

“I’m sure that if I didn’t know you, I’d be utterly terrified.”

“In truth, I recallyouintimidating the rest of us into good behavior on more than one occasion. You were excellent at delivering scathing lectures, even as a boy.”

“You provided me with a great deal of useful material.”

“Sad but true. Very well, I shall cease trying to intimidate you. I just want to make sure that you’re not being drawn into anything dodgy or beyond your ken.”

Braden lifted a hand. “That’s why I’m coming to you. I know when I’m in danger of dodgy. Or, at least, not working within my area of expertise.”

“Ah, are we still talking about the books, or about Lady Samantha? You seem to be spending quite a bit of time with her.”

While Logan couldn’t intimidate him, he could certainly be annoying. Shrewd, but annoying.

“The books, idiot. And of course I wish to assist Lady Samantha. Her foundation does excellent work. If someone is taking advantage of her or the foundation, I want to put a stop to it.”

“Entirely reasonable and altruistic. Well done, you.”

“Thank you, but are you going to help me or not?” Braden asked with some asperity.

Logan flashed him a crooked smile. “Just teasing. You’re a little too serious for your own good, lad.”

“This is very serious business, Logan.”

After another shrewd look, his brother nodded. “Tell me what you can, and I’ll do my best to figure out what’s going on.”

As Braden outlined the situation, starting with the disappearing children, Logan’s expression turned grim. He asked a few questions, and then began flipping through the pages again.

“Most of the board members are convinced that the children ran away,” Braden said. “So they’re dead-set against police involvement.”

“Don’t want the scandal,” Logan commented.

“Exactly.”

Logan glanced up with a sympathetic grimace. “Sorry, lad. It’s an awful business, and I’ll do what I can to help. Right now, though, I don’t see the connection between the missing children and issues with the books.”

Braden sighed. “There might not even be a connection, which I know isn’t very helpful.”

“I’ll manage. Is Lady Samantha the only person concerned about this?”

“Blackmore supports her, although, again, it is not his area of expertise. Arthur Baines apparently gave the books a thorough working over at one point but came up empty. While sympathetic, his conclusion was that there’s nothing amiss.”

“Ah, Baines the barrister, correct?”

Braden caught the hint of disapproval in Logan’s voice. “What have you got against Baines?”

“Probably the same thing you’ve got against him.”

“I was trying not to be obvious.”

“Braden, I might not be able to intimidate you, but Icanread you.”

“Then, oh mighty seer, perhaps you can further elucidate your dislike of Baines?”

“He’s slithered up to me at a number of social events, trying to get my business. Bastard even cozied up to Donella. He no doubt hoped that if he flirted with her, she’d fall for his charm and persuade me to engage him as my lawyer.”

“Good God. I’m surprised you didn’t throttle him or toss him out the nearest window. Youarelosing your touch.”

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