Page 38 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
She beamed with a genuine smile. “It’s good to see you, Finn.”
“Ye’re radiant, as always,” he said, speaking the truth.
A slight blush spread over her cheeks. “You are too kind.” Her smile widened as she turned to Macie. “This must be Miss Mason. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Please, call me Macie. It’s my pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m afraid I’ve been a bit remiss in sending an invitation to our home,” Amelia said. “In the last few weeks, I’ve been preoccupied with preparing the nursery. I suppose I will be able to relax once Logan and I have settled on a name for our babe. Suffice it to say, we do not see eye to eye on the subject.”
“Ye’ll work it out,” Finn said. “Ye always do.”
“Quite so,” Amelia beamed. “You had faith in us from the very beginning, didn’t you?”
“I had no doubt. From the very first, I could see the way he looked at you.”
Logan turned from the bar. As he headed to their table, his wife’s gaze warmed. “Ah, the king surveying his kingdom,” she said, flashing a cheeky grin.
“King, eh?” Logan cocked a brow at his wife. “Remember that when we are at home tonight, my love.”
“Thisis your kingdom,” she countered. “Our home is not.”
Logan wrapped a possessive arm around her. “Is it any wonder I love this woman?”
“’Tis not a mystery,” Finn said. His cousin had found happiness with a woman he would treasure until his last breath.
“I do hope you’ll join us?” Macie said with a broad smile.
“We would be delighted,” Amelia replied.
After the MacLains settled in at the table, a robust conversation followed, continuing through their meal. Finn had savored his last bite of beef stew before their discussion turned to the intruder at Bennington Manor.
“I understand the man has not yet regained consciousness,” Logan said, direct as ever.
“Word has traveled at the Rogue’s Lair, I take it,” Finn replied.
“The local constable is a talkative gent. Do the detectives have any clue as to the stranger’s identity?”
“I don’t believe so,” Macie spoke up. “He carried no identification.”
“Such an unfortunate situation,” Amelia said.
“I suspect the man was harmless,” Macie went on. “Though my heart was in my throat when I discovered him rummaging through my grandfather’s books.”
“How frightening.” Amelia’s brow furrowed with concern. “And you have no idea of his reasons?”
“He may have been seeking help,” Macie replied. “Inspector Bradley is of the opinion the man poses no threat.”
“Bradley, eh?” Logan’s tone betrayed he shared Finn’s disdain for the man.
“The bloke came to that conclusion with remarkable haste. He presumes the intruder’s presence was merely a random turn of events,” Finn explained. “Blasted convenient, if ye ask me.”
Logan turned to Finn. “Ye’ve secured the house?”
Finn felt a muscle in his jaw tighten. “For now. I’ll do more in the morning.”
“The inspector is confident there is no danger,” Macie said. “I see no reason to worry.”
“Worry serves no point,” Finn agreed. “But we will not let down our guard until we know how a stranger found his way into the place.”
