“That’s right. Nothing. What the hell is going on? Where are we?”
“Well, that’s a bit difficult to explain.” She reached for her hand, the one that had the strange imprint of the lines from the stone. Holding it in one hand, she traced the lines with her fingertip. “The keystone brought you here.”
“The keystone?” Brianna repeated. She fished in the pocket of her jeans and pulled out the small stone. “You mean this?”
When Evie’s gaze landed on it, her eyes widened. Releasing her hand, she reached into the pocket of her gown and brought out a similar piece of stone. She pressed it against Brianna’s. One side fit perfectly. The lines of Evie’s stone matched up with Brianna’s but there was clearly a missing third piece.
“Yes, I mean that.”
Frustration edged through her. She huffed out a breath as she pocketed the stone once again. Evie did the same. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on or what?”
“I am. Let’s go see Chloe.”
A piece of her wanted to refuse. There was friction between her and Chloe, long-standing friction she wasn’t ready to face yet. Evie, though, was easy, more laid back. Though they’d had their differences, she always made a point to get along with her no matter what, even when their parents died and there was so much stress and strife between all of them. When Evie was headed toEdinburgh to join Chloe for her museum gala, she’d called her and begged her to come.
What did she do? She’d refused.
Finally, Brianna said, “I’m not sure Chloe wants to see me.”
“She does,” Evie said. “She’ll be glad you’re here.”
“Are you sure about that? We’ve never gotten along.”
“I’m sure. And we have a lot to share with you. Come on.” Evie took her by the hand again. “For me?”
She could never deny those big brown eyes of hers. Reluctantly, Brianna nodded agreement. They started off again, heading for a curved stone staircase that led up to the next level. It was so narrow they had to go single file.
At the top of the stairs, Evie turned left and headed down a long, drafty hallway lined with the same arched, stained-glass windows as the great hall. Was she in a real medieval castle? She had never actually stepped foot in one, but she’d read enough history to know what one looked like.
At a door, Evie paused and lifted her hand to knock. Before she did, she turned back to Brianna. “Maybe let me do the talking first.”
She wanted to ask why but kept it to herself as Evie knocked on the door. Moments later it opened. A man stood on the other side. He was tall, like the other two, with dark hair and sea-green eyes. His gaze landed first on Evie, then Brianna where he stared at her, openly, for a long silent moment. So long that it made Brianna shift from one foot to the other.
“Hi, Malcolm,” Evie said with a bright voice.
“Ye’ll be wanting Chloe, then,” he said, his voice gruff. “She’s in the garden with Roslyn.”
“Oh,” Evie said on a breath. “We’ll go find her there, then.”
She turned away from the door, but Malcolm remained there, his gaze still fixed on Brianna.
“Is this…?” His words trailed away.
“Brianna,” Evie said, sounding so happy and proud. “Our oldersister.” She practically beamed.
Malcolm looked her over with interest as he took a step out of the bedchamber. “She has the look of Lady Sinclair.”
“Who’s Lady Sinclair?” Brianna asked.
Evie took her hand again. “I’ll explain that later. Thanks, Malcolm.”
She tugged her away from the door and headed once again for the staircase. Brianna had many questions. One of them was to ask who Malcolm was, but Evie was in a hurry.
Back down they went to the great hall where they crossed it. When they entered, there was Jamie again. The moment they stepped foot into the great hall, their eyes locked. A curious swooping went through her gut, which had never happened before.
It went beyond mutual attraction. It was as though there was a sensuous light that passed between them. As though they were meant to find each other. But Brianna shoved that thought away because she didn’t believe in that sort of thing. She’d had many suitors over her single years, but never one that made her feel as though she were the most beautiful woman in the world and the center of his universe.
She pulled her gaze away and followed Evie as they crossed the great hall, through another corridor, and ended up in the kitchen. It was abuzz with activity. Pots boiled on one end over an open fire. A maid chopped vegetables. Another cubed meat. They all looked up as she and Evie passed through, giving her a curious sidelong glance. Evie paid them no mind as she made her way to the open door on the other end.
