“Finally we begin to get somewhere,” Stephen said in satisfaction. He had a final chuckle, no doubt at Nathaniel’s expense, then shook his head. “They don’t know anything about you past what Patrick’s lad Bobby has turned up, if you’re curious. They know just enough to know you aren’t dangerous.”
“How kind.”
Stephen looked at him in obvious amusement. “You don’t have a bloody clue what—or who, rather—you have living next to you, do you?”
“What, a laird from the early fourteenth century?” Nathaniel said with a snort. “His equally medieval brother? His cousin, who you apparently know, who runs a medieval survival school? I hear the rumors down at the pub and consign them to the bin with the rest of the rubbish, as does every other lad with two wits to rub together.”
“I think,” Stephen said slowly, “that you might want to pay a little visit to your laird.”
“He’s not my laird.”
Stephen only smiled briefly. “I’d make sure of that before you offend him. And bring a sword.”
“I am a modern-day businessman,” Nathaniel said, grasping for anything that sounded reasonable. “I drive expensive sports cars, drink expensive wine, and enjoy the company of very rich women—”
“And wide-eyed Americans who get a little breathless at the thought of a perfectly preserved medieval English castle?”
“That as well.” He looked at the lord of Artane. “Where did you learn Gaelic?”
“From Ian MacLeod. I believe I might have picked up a bit more from Patrick as he was teaching me to survive in the wild under very adverse conditions.”
Nathaniel couldn’t help but wish he’d taken that class before his adventures had begun.
Stephen smiled. “You’re welcome at Artane any time you like, you know. Bring your girlfriend. And you might ring me in the future, if you need aid.”
“Very kind, my lord.”
“I once found myself in a place I hadn’t intended to go,doing things I wasn’t at all prepared to do, and I survived only thanks to the aid of a few choice souls I fortuitously claim as family. I’m paying it forward.” He pushed his cup aside. “Go talk to Jamie, Nathaniel. Ring Robert Cameron as well, about the trust. We’re always happy to lighten your purse for a good cause.”
Nathaniel wasn’t going to argue. His head was swimming with things he had never before considered and wasn’t at all sure he cared for. He looked at Stephen.
“Do you know Thomas Campbell, the one with the museum down the way?”
“I do,” Stephen said, looking faintly surprised. “He’s very passionate about steel. I go to him, actually, for all my carbon-dating needs, simply because he doesn’t need to run tests. Why?”
“He has a dagger in his back room,” Nathaniel said carefully. “From the fourteenth century, or so he claims.”
Stephen studied him. “Yours?”
Nathaniel took a deep breath, then nodded.
“And?”
“That dagger is presently also sitting at home in my closet.”
“Under your trainers, no doubt.”
“And a jumper or two.”
Stephen smiled. “That’s a bit of a problem.”
“I think so as well.”
Stephen stood up suddenly. “Ah, Emma, you’ve returned.” He held out her chair for her. “I think Nathaniel will wither away and perish if he doesn’t go up to the castle and hug a few old stones. Since he’s robbing you of the opportunity to see a proper castle down the way, you’ll have to make do with what you have here. Make sure he pays your entrance fee, won’t you?”
Emma slid into her chair and smiled. “I will. I’d like to see Artane at some point.”
“Come see us when you have a chance, and plan to stay for a bit. We have plenty of guest rooms, a wide selection of paranormal experiences, and my wife, who will no doubt love to catch up on Seattle gossip.”
