Hoping the steamy water would soothe him, Reginald put the soap to good use. But the anxiety building inside him, wasnae so easily washed away. Something was coming and he was terrified ’twould be Lauren, leaving. He wanted more time wi’ her. Time he dinnae have to steal from her commitment to her aunt, or other her obligations. Time to help her learn and accept who he really was.
He’d tried to tell her the truth last night but had to admit his cowardly relief when she dinnae let him. He’d wanted to give her memories of the glen. Of him. Instead they’d made new ones, together. He’d cherish them, the rest of his days.
After some difficulty smoothing and tying his hair back with the ribbon, he kenned it satisfactory and began the task of layering on Crayton’s formal wear.
Finally, after some fussing, he called it good and walked to the kitchen.
His jaw dropped as Lauren turned to greet him. She was stunning. She literally sparkled in a midnight blue dress. ’Twas as if the night sky had come to hug her. And in all the right places. She took his breath away.
“Oh. My.Reggie!” she gasped, coming to him. “I can’t quite get over how handsome you look!”
She’d tucked her hair up in a mass of curls, leaving her neck bare, ready to be kissed. Only too willing to oblige, he leaned down and pressed his lips to the tender curve. “Mmm. There it is. My favorite scent. Ye’re exquisite, Lauren.”
Phoebe and Julia entered at the same time. They too, looked amazing. He gave them a formal bow. “What is a man tae do with three beauties?” He glanced at each of them. “I dinnae ken how tae choose.”
“Maybe I can help.”
Startled, they all turned to the door.
“Drew. I dinnae hear ye drive up,” Reginald said.
“Forgive me for just walking in. I saw you through the glass and…” he glanced at Julia. “…was overcome by all this beauty.”
“You’re family,” Phoebe stated. “No need to knock.”
“Thank you for making me feel as though I am.” Drew whispered something to Julia that put a lovely pink tinge on her cheeks, before turning to the group. “You’re going to make quite a splash at this party. Everyone ready?”
“We’ll just grab our bags, and maybe something to ward off a chill in case it cools off, later. We’ll be quick,” Phoebe promised, leading her nieces down the hall.
“You clean up rather nice, as well,” Drew said, nodding at Reginald’s attire. “I wanted a chance to talk to you sometime tonight, so while we’re waiting, I’ll fill you in.”
He shook his head, as if puzzled. “I spent almost the entire night, and a good deal of time this morning—much to my parents’ consternation—researching my entire family tree.Everybranch. I found the names and accounted for the general whereabouts of every single relative, clear back to the sixteenth century. I could have gone farther, but there was no need. Not at that point.”
“ ’Tis a good thing, is it no’?” Reginald asked. “That should please ye. Why do I get the feeling it doesnae?”
“Well, it’s your fault, really.” Drew folded his arms and frowned. “Your obsession with Fergus has led to one of my own, over that mysterious, rich American ancestor I supposedly have.”
“Aye. And…?”
“Don’t you see? He can’t possibly exist. Not a single relative of mine has left Scotland for hundreds of years. Not to any country, let alone America, as the paper I found alluded to. So how could he have funded any land purchases?”
“Ye ken ’tis false, then? The story of yer rich relative? But why?”
“I don’t know,” Drew growled. “I tried to talk to my parents about it. My mother brushed me off, using the party as an excuse, and my father said mysteries of the past should stay in the past. Which I found a little cryptic, but no matter how hard I pushed, that’s all he’d say.”
“So now what?” Reginald queried, hearing the ladies voices as they came down the hall. “Where do ye go from here?”
“I’m going to double check my research, verify everything, and if I have to, talk to my parents again. Show them my evidence. The money had to come from somewhere. Although I’ve still got boxes and boxes of family history to go through, so hopefully, something will turn up in them that will explain everything. Or, at least turn up a lead that will help one of us get some answers.”
“I keep sayin’ thank ye, but I dinnae ken what else to say tae express how much I appreciate all ye’ve done for me, already.” Reginald hoped to signify the truth of what he’d said, by offering his hand to Drew.
When they clasped hands, Reginald kenned he’d truly found a brother. His heart swelled with gratitude. When he left the moor, and after that, the rest of the lads behind at Wickham’s, he dinnae ken he’d find this kind of connection, again.
Drew had a firm grip, as a man should. Reginald glanced down to see what had pinched the side of his hand. Och. The ring on Drew’s little finger.
He’d dressed much finer than Reginald, adding jewelry, a dagger and other fine accessories that looked like old family pieces.
But when Drew pulled is hand back and Reginald saw the entire ring, glinting in the light, his breath left his chest.
