She rose and hobbled to the window.Thick walls transformed the area into a cozy window seat, ideal for reading or mountain gazing.Given the incredible view, this must be one of the castle’s towers.Great.Just great.She was a modern Rapunzel, and her hair wasn’t adequate if she wanted to escape.
Despondent, she realized she was truly trapped unless… She hustled to investigate the rest of the room.One door opened to a lavish en suite and dressing room.
She caught a glimpse of her face and groaned on seeing a mad woman with hair sticking in all directions.Suzie smoothed it as best she could and wandered back to the main room to continue exploring.
“You idiot,” she muttered, feeling her pocket for her phone.
It wasn’t there.When had she last seen it?
“Oh,” she muttered, sending another silent curse to the heavens.She’d searched for info on honey thefts and must’ve left it on the desk.
“No phone,” she mumbled.
A few frantic moments of searching confirmed there was no phone.However, she discovered a coffee machine and made herself a caramel-flavored coffee.Although she’d been trying to control her sweet cravings and had dropped a few pounds because of her willpower, she opened a container full of shortbread and practically inhaled the first one.The second piece, she savored, enjoying the buttery goodness, despite her dilemma.
The bear couldn’t keep her here for long.If she were him, she’d investigate her background.He’d see she wasn’t a threat.Her accent had told him she wasn’t local, and Angus would confirm her enrolment at the gathering.It would be simple enough for the bear to contact either Saber or London, and they’d tell him she was no honey thief.While she enjoyed the stuff on toast, she was an equal-opportunity girl and liked Vegemite some mornings.
“Huh!”Suzie jumped to her feet and paced the confines of the tower.It was a beautiful room with a thick carpet in a dove gray underfoot.The curtains and bed covers were in stunning teal and blue-green shades that brought a peacock’s feathers to mind and brightened the room.
Under any other circumstances, she’d call herself lucky and wallow in the luxury.
“He’ll come to his senses,” she muttered, circling the tower again.“Soon.”
But he didn’t.
Hours passed.Day became night.She made another coffee and ate the rest of the shortbread, even as she hurled curses upon his head.
The next time she saw the bear, she’d attack first and not bother with questions later.She was innocent, dammit, and he had no authority to detain her.
3
A Workable Plan
Niallslammedintohisoffice, furious at himself.He’d taken one look at her, or rather his bear had, and his thinking brain had gone AWOL.So, to counteract this, he’d jumped into grumpy mode and barked orders.Because of his impatience to get started he hadn’t given her a chance to explain but had made assumptions.
Now, he had a dilemma.
Yes, she’d signed a non-disclosure document, so he had legal recourse.Yes, she was a damn fine secretary, but none of that mattered if he couldn’t trust her.
He dropped into his office chair, the leather squeaking as his body weight distributed.He drummed his fingers on the desktop and tried to fashion a solution for this newest problem.
Bottom line, he couldn’t keep her a prisoner at Castle Glenkirk.For one, someone was bound to miss her.
A tap came on the door, and Angus entered.“Sir, I have the information you requested.”
“Did she lie about anything?”Niall demanded.
That was a massive no for him.He detested fibs and liars, a remnant from his childhood when his parents and siblings had been economical with the truth.A snarl pushed up his throat, the pain still raw despite the years.
Old history.
He’d escaped the family and their constant taunts.He wasn’t that little runt any longer.A waste of brain space.Niall redirected his focus to the woman.No problem.His mind trotted straight to her like a tame puppy.
His bear chuffed happily, which surprised Niall.He pictured the woman.She bore pleasing curves.She hadn’t been particularly tall, but her green eyes were beautiful.Best of all, she was efficient, confident, and that brain of hers…
Yes, she was an enticing package.
But what did he do with her?
