Page 116 of Tempting the Highland Spy
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Three Months Later
Harrison brushed the back of his hand against his brow, wiping away the beads of sweat. The noonday sun was high in the sky, the heat more oppressive than usual. Squinting at a figure in the distance, he scowled. Why in blazes was Simon here? Didn’t he have better things to do than to survey Harrison’s progress at Raibert Castle?
Hiking up his shirtsleeves, he studied the map his team had recovered from Raibert’s papers. The crudely drawn document indicated the cur had hidden something beyond one of the small crofter’s cottages on the grounds. But what? Had Raibert buried the dagger to ensure no one could claim it? Or had he intended to conceal a purloined jewel or some other valuable relic from his partners in crime?
With any luck, Simon had gleaned something—anything—from Raibert they could use in their search. Since his arrest, the bastard had offered little more than rambling, infuriatingly vague testimony. With his neck firmly on the line, had he finally bartered the location of the MacKendrick dagger for his life?
“Damned shame I didn’t bring a photographer to document this moment,” Simon said coolly. “I never thought I’d see the day when you, of all people, would be up to his elbows in dirt.”
Harrison scowled at his brother. “Why are you here? I’d think you’d rather be in your office in the city.”
“Not much of a welcome.” Simon glanced down at his impeccably tailored suit, brushing a bit of dirt off his jacket.
“I take it this is not a social call,” Harrison replied. “If you’ve brought information regarding the dagger, just tell me what it is.”
“God above, it’s hot as Hades out here.” Simon fished a neatly folded rectangle of paper from his vest pocket. “I’ve come bearing news, but it has nothing to do with the dagger.”
“Has Raibert stashed another treasure in this place?”
“Probably, but that’s not what this is about. I received a telegram from Connor.”
“What’s going on? I can see from that smirk on your face that nothing is wrong.”
Simon unfolded the paper. A thin smile played on his mouth. “We’ve received an invitation. There is to be a wedding at Dunnhaven in little more than a week.”
“A blasted wedding? I’ve no time for something so trivial. You should know that.”
“Actually, it’s more of a command performance than an invitation. Connor implied there will be no living with our mother if we do not show our faces.”
“Did he say why this is so important to her?” Harrison pictured his younger sisters. “Surely Serena has not decided to marry. Or Maggie, for that matter. No one informed me of an engagement.”
“Serena is still in America, studying with the Egyptologist, Sara Yorke Stevenson. As for Maggie…well, she’s not interested in any of the young men who’ve been tripping over themselves to get her attention.”
“Thenwhois getting married?”
Simon seemed to bite back a chuckle. “You’ll never believe it. It seems, after all these years, our old friend Fergus is ready to take another bride.”
If Simon had declared that Fergus Royce had become Her Majesty’s personal driver, Harrison might’ve been less shocked.
“Good God. Did he convince one of the barmaids at the pub he had a fortune hidden away? I wouldn’t put it past the old scoundrel.”
Simon shook his head. “Fergus and his bride are well matched. She certainly won’t be cowed by him.”
“Who is it?”
“The Untamed Shrew.”
Harrison stared at his brother. “I’ve no patience for foolish jests.”
“I’m telling you the truth…all of it. Evidently, their mutual loathing concealed…tender feelings.” With that, the laughter Simon had tried to repress escaped his careful reserve.
“Good God, they’ll kill each other.”
“That is a distinct possibility.” Simon laughed again. “They say the ways of love are a mystery. This match is proof positive.”
…
