“Can I return to my old room and stay until the gathering ends?”
He surveyed her with none of the coolness she’d received from him in the past.Angus gave a faint nod.“They’re about to serve afternoon tea.Why don’t you find your friends?Have tea with them, and by the time you’re finished, I’ll have your belongings in your room for you.”
Suzie nodded.“Which way should I enter the public part of the castle?I don’t want Niall to accuse me of trespassing again.”
“This way, Miss Suzie,” Angus said, his voice softer than usual.
He showed her to an oak door and directed her down a short flight of stairs.When she reached the bottom, she recognized her location.This was the doorway she’d gone through to get to Niall’s private part of the castle.The same sign—private: no entry beyond this pointbarred her way.She stepped over it, and when she turned to say thank you, Angus had already vanished.Suzie sighed.And here she thought they were becoming friends.
She didn’t feel like company or the inevitable questions Scott and Liam would ask if she found them.Instead, she retraced her steps to her old room.Angus was efficient, and her suitcase sat beside the bed.Her handbag rested on the bedcovers, and she plucked up the black leather strap and draped it over her shoulder.She’d walk to the village and purchase stamps for her postcards.If she posted them this week, they’d arrive home before her.Also, she’d get more tablet.The sweet fudge-like squares were addictive.Too bad if they were fattening.Currently, her thoughts were consumed by Niall’s stubbornness, with no concern for anything else.
She stomped down the castle driveway and through the side gate, acknowledging the guard with a glower.Guilt rose in her when he sent her a respectful nod.She sighed and dropped the attitude.
“Thank you,” she said to the guard and continued walking, her pace slower now that the distance between her and Niall had increased.She liked him and had never experienced such ease with another man.She admired his drive and determination.What she didn’t like was the fact she’d given her virginity to her mate, and he’d been as eager as her.Their night together had been better than she’d ever imagined, and now he was accusing her of traitorous acts.
She would never backstab him.
Suzie drew a deep breath, attempting to settle her anger into something productive.His brothers were a sore point with Niall, and from the little she’d learned, she could understand he’d feel betrayed if she’d joined forces with them to take him down.They clearly desired Niall’s life in Scotland.His money and position.Euan hadn’t hidden his avarice.
How had they known Niall was here?Niall had told her he’d left home and hadn’t seen anyone in his family since they hadn’t cared.But what if they’d kept tabs on him and known his location all the time?What if they had waited for the perfect opportunity to use Niall?
Greed was an easy motive, but what if revenge had played a part?
Niall sounded surprised that his brothers had enough money to purchase a plane ticket.Her brow furrowed in deep concentration.Immediately, her mother’s words zapped into her mind, and she smoothed her forehead.No premature lines for her, thank you very much.
Once she entered the village proper, she slowed, her gaze lingering on the storefronts.She stopped at one with a display of scarves.A stack of tartan rugs was visible through the window.Her sisters would love a scarf, and it wouldn’t be too weighty in her luggage.Suzie opened the door and smiled at the bell’s tinkle announcing her presence.It rang in the tune of Scotland the Brave.She spied a rack of tartan skirts.Her eyes widened as her gaze lit on the label.It was a sign—Paisley tartan.
Size was easy enough since she and her mother could be twins.It was a matter of seconds to find the perfect one.She chose scarves for her two younger sisters, which meant she only required something for her father and younger brother.A paisley tie.Perfect.That would please her mother.She’d add a gift box of tablet since she’d acquired her sweet tooth from her father.He’d enjoy the sugary treat.Her younger brother would turn up his nose at clothes, but he loved puzzles.Wow!She should’ve visited this store before.All her shopping completed in one hit.She’d have to tell Liam and Scott since they needed gifts for their families.
With her purchases paid for, she hit the post office for stamps before deciding to have a coffee and plan her next steps.
Niall.
Her mind kept returning to the stubborn bear like a homing pigeon.His lack of trust hurt, and once she proved her innocence, she intended to make him pay.Her brow did that crinkle thing again.She felt it and chided herself even as she smoothed away her frown.He could take her sightseeing in Edinburgh and for a swanky afternoon tea with a glass of bubbles.
Suzie chose the next cafe and walked inside.She settled her parcels on an empty seat and sat at a table by the rear window overlooking a park with dozens of children playing.
A plan.
Despite her bravado, her shoulders drooped because she had no idea what to do next.Niall had coldly kicked her out of his life, his expression resembling a marble statue.There was no trace of the passionate and jovial man from the previous night.He’d treated her callously, as if she’d been a business transaction he wanted completed, then tossed aside.
A shiver ran through her, and those wretched tears flooded her eyes again.She blinked hard, and none too soon because the waitress arrived to take her order.
“I’ll have a pot of tea and a scone with jam and cream, please.”Suzie tacked on a smile and thought she managed a creditable job.
“Yes, miss.”The young woman hustled away, her crisp white apron rustling.
Ten minutes later, when she felt more fortified and relaxed, she paid more attention to her surroundings.Two men dressed in black sat at a table in the cafe while other customers hurriedly departed.They cast anxious glances over their shoulders, and two mothers called their children to them, their voices hoarse with alarm.
The waitress reluctantly approached the men, her steps slow and hesitant.Suzie stiffened and carefully dragged in a lungful of air to test their scent.Human and badly in need of a shower.Those leather jackets were warm for a summer day, even one in Scotland.
“H-hello,” the waitress said, and her hand holding her order pad visibly trembled.
“H-hello,” one man mocked.
The second man laughed, the end of his mirth sounding more like a giggle.
Suzie scowled at the bullies.
