Page 38 of Highland Sword
When they reached the front door, he stopped. “Are we using our real names today?”
Her dark brown eyes rounded with alarm. “Why shouldn’t we?”
“Well, you’re a Drummond, and I’m a Grant.”
“What doesthatmean?”
A serving lass opened the door, interrupting their discussion. She took Aidan’s card as she led them through the entrance hallway into a drawing room. With a curtsy, she disappeared, leaving the door slightly ajar.
“You gave her your card.” She seemed a bit flustered. “With yournameon it.”
He shook his head. “By mistake. I didn’t intend to give her a card.”
“So, we’re using our real names?”
“We’ll have to.”
She let out a frustrated breath. “You argued that accompanying me here was a necessity. Now, please think.Dosomething. Youmusthave a plan.”
“I’m thinking of one now.”
“Mr. Grant!” she scolded.
Aidan was enjoying the game he’d set out to play but knew he couldn’t keep up this pretense of ineptness with her for long.
He put on his most thoughtful look and strode across the bright and well-furnished room. Bookcases lined onewall. A painting over the mantle depicted the estate in a bygone era. The tall windows looked out over the gardens, where an ancient gardener was digging up scarlet flowered plants and placing them in a wheelbarrow.
“I didn’t realize geranium bloomed this late in the year.”
“If you please, sir, either focus on the task at hand or wait by the stables.”
Aidan looked over his shoulder at her. She remained by the door. A panther, ready to spring.
“You like to be in control, Miss Drummond. Don’t you?”
“This isimportant,” she said again, ignoring his question. “I’m no good at pointless social calls. So, if you please, tell me how you intend to proceed. No more idle chitchat about gardens or anything else.”
“We’ll have no idling about today, Miss Drummond.”
“Thank you. But I warn you, unless you come up with a strategy immediately, I’ll proceed the way I’d intended.”
He walked back toward a cluster of chairs by the fireplace and motioned her to join him. She came farther into the room but did not sit.
“Our approach to our hosts is of paramount importance,” he said, infusing a note of gravity into his tone. “You’re visiting Barn Hill for the first time. What do you know about this beautiful estate?”
“I don’t need to know anything about it. I’m not here for a tour of the grounds.”
“If I may, allow me to offer you some advice from a man who spends far more time chasing down and interviewing people than he does standing before the court and arguing his client’s case. Please, have a seat.”
She did sit, but her tight-lipped expression said she was doing so under protest.
Aidan took a seat across from her. “If you’re seekinginformation from a mother, you mention how absolutely charming and well-behaved her children are. If you want answers from a weaver, you speak of unfair pay and long hours. If you—”
“I take your point,” she cut in. “And what would a famous silver-tongued barrister use as an approach today, pray tell?”
“Do I detect a note of sarcasm, Miss Drummond?”
“You do, sir. But please proceed.”
