Who was this woman who refused to back down or be intimidated and who’d pegged me so quickly and accurately?
“What will it take to keep my secret?”I almost barked rather than fall for her charm.
“Help me find the Jacobite Gold.”
“I already told you it’s not in this castle, and before you bombard me with a million questions asking how I’m sure, I would have smelled it by now.”
“Smelled gold?”Said with a dubious note.
“I’ve dealt with it enough I know its scent.”
“What if it was buried or bricked away?”
“It might be muffled,” I grudgingly admitted.“And before you ask, I am not smashing any walls looking.”I might have said more, but the kitchen door suddenly opened, the gusting wind and rain slamming it against the wall.
Don’t tell me the Red Cap dared?Did I need to grab a knife from the butcher block?The tension in me eased as Astaria strode in, naked but for her long hair, the wet strands plastered to her like a sheet.
Davina ogled her.I didn’t.Not only did I see Astaria as a sister—the pesky kind—she preferred her lovers to be of the feminine variety.So did I.Given our preferences, I expected Astaria to give Davina the once-over.What surprised?How I didn’t like it one bit.
Mine.
Uh-oh.Rather than deal with the oddly possessive feeling, I barked, “Astaria, close the door, please, and put on a robe.We have a guest.”
“I know.Why do you think I came?”she said in a melodic voice.Astaria shut the portal and snared one of the spare robes.
“I didn’t realize you were married,” Davina murmured.
“Us, a couple?”Astaria didn’t have to laugh so hard.“Oh goodness no.We’re just acquaintances.I’m Astaria.”She held out her hand, and Davina shook it.
“Davina Campbell.I’m a professor at the University of Aberdeen.”
“I know.You’re looking for the Jacobite Gold.You won’t find it here in the castle, but rather in a faraway loch.”
“And you know this how?”
“Because I’ve seen it.”
“In person?”
Astaria shook her head.“No.”
“Then how can you be sure of its location?”
I jumped in before Astaria could.“Astaria is rarely wrong.”
“Rarely?Really now, Ali, name one time I haven’t been right,” Astaria demanded.
I couldn’t.
“How did the gold get to this loch?Rumor has it in the Highlands, but a letter I discovered hinted it was at Kinloch Castle.”Davina started her interrogation, but this time, Astaria was her focus.
“You are correct.It was here for a time, but Bullough made a deal.His life in exchange for the treasure.”
“Someone threatened him?”Davina’s eyes widened.“I didn’t see mention of that in any history texts.”
“The Red Caps weren’t happy he built the castle here.Although, they did enjoy the taste of some of his guests.They came for Bullough one night, and he begged for them to not kill him.They agreed to leave him alone in exchange for the gold.”
“If the Red Caps took it, then how did it end up in a distant loch?”Davina questioned as I began drumming my fingers, not liking where this was going.Astaria kept ignoring my warning glares.
