Drew’s sympathetic sigh filled the air between them. “I’m sorry, Reginald. That doesn’t prove Fergus is guilty, but it doesn’t prove his innocence either.”
“Nae. It doesnae,” Reginald whispered.
“Don’t throw in the towel just yet.” Drew laid a hand on Reginald’s arm. “I’m going to keep searching. I’ve only just started, remember? Besides, I’m interested to find more on that rich American ancestor I didn’t know I had. Hopefully digging deeper will reveal answers to both our families’ mysteries.”
Only half listening, Reginald replayed Drew’s information in his head. “Thank ye.” He worked up a smile he dinnae feel. “ ’Tis appreciated.”
“I want to help.” Drew slid off the wall and dusted off his pants. “No man should have to bear the burden of his ancestors.”
Reginald couldnae find the right words to respond. How did a man describe the weight of shame, brought on by betrayal?
“I’ve got to get back,” Drew said, regretfully. “Phillip is waiting at my place. I promised him a ride to Inverness.”
“Of course,” Reginald stood, still trying to sort through everything Drew told him. “I’m through here. I’ll walk back wi’ ye.”
* * *
Reginald slipped through the house,into his room, showered, and put on fresh clothes. The scent of morning chores wasnae the experience he wanted Lauren to remember, of their afternoon together.
Trying very hard to shove Drew’s revelations to the back of his mind, he stepped into the empty kitchen. After a moment, he cleared his throat and rattled a few things, but still, no one responded.
Mayhap if he yelled, instead of rattled?
“I’ve come tae claim a comely lass for a long walk in the afternoon sunshine. But she must be bonny, indeed, and she must be willin’ tae feed a starvin’ Scotsman who’s missed his lunch.”
Still nothing.
Och! Had she forgotten? Changed her mind?
“Here I am.” Large, floppy sunhat in one hand, picnic basket in the other, Phoebe came from the hall and handed him the basket. “This thing is heavy. Your appetite better be as good as you claim.”
He took the wicker vessel and tried valiantly, to cover his shock with a smile. He feared he wasnae very successful. “I’m, uh, proud tae, uh… Ready then?” he managed, moving to the door to hold it open for her.
“Oh. Darn.” Phoebe scowled, trying to fit the hat this way, then that. “I’ve grabbed the wrong bonnet. Just a minute.”
While Reginald tried to get his bearings enough to hide his disappointment, Phoebe disappeared back into the hall.
Puzzled by the hushed giggles, he stepped closer. Seconds later, both Phoebe and Lauren came into the kitchen. This time, Lauren was wearing the hat. “I dinnae ken,” he managed.
“It wasn’t the wrong hat, after all,” Phoebe grinned. “It was the wronglassbeneath it.”
Both she and Lauren laughed while heat stained his neck and ears.
“Ye are a wily pair.” He fought to contain his own laugh, sure they’d already seen the relief, painted shamefully across his face. “Ye both bear watchin’. But dinnae fash, I’ll get even wi’ ye.”
“Get out of here,” Phoebe said fluttering her hands. “Stop cluttering up my kitchen and go enjoy some of that sunshine.”
Reginald waited until they were off the porch and well on their way to the croft before he spoke. “Ye’ll need tae be punished for yer trickery, ye ken.” He tried to sound as stern as possible.
“Really?” She peeked up at him beneath the brim of Phoebe’s monstrous hat. “How?”
“I’ve been pondering the options. I could turn ye over my knee, which ye deserve. Or, I could lecture ye on the pitfalls of deceit. Or,” he stopped and set the basket on the ground. “I could do this…” He removed her hat, tossed it toward the basket and slipped his arms around her, pulling her close.
He studied her face, memorizing the way her brows arched over her wide, expressive eyes. And her mouth, that opened just the tiniest bit in what he wanted to believe was anticipation. How her full, bottom lip always drew his attention.
Lauren slid her hands up his chest and around his neck, as she pressed her body close, kicking his heartbeat even higher. When she raised up on her toes and lifted her face to close the distance between them, he barely had time to see her eyes flutter shut before he claimed her mouth.
Trying to temper his sense of desperation, he softened the kiss, then trailed his lips across her cheek to nuzzle the tender skin below her ear, where her special scent teased his senses.Would he ever think of her wi’out remembering the sweet summery fragrance she always wore?
