“That bairn will have the happiest of lives, lass. We will make sure of it.”
She nodded. “I know.” Reaching up, she palmed his cheek. “You are the greatest man I’ve ever met, outside of my father of course.”
“Of course,” he smiled. “I’ve got big shoes to fill when it comes to him.”
“You are well on your way.”
He clasped her hand and brought it to his mouth, placing a kiss on her soft skin. “Let’s get to Leyson. I do hope ye like it.”
“I’ve no doubt I will.”
“I just need to go in and check one last time with Thomas and Theodore. I’ll be back in just a minute, then we’ll go.”
Inside, he found Thomas pouring a whisky for Smythe.
“A minute?” He gestured for Thomas to join him near the back of the pub. “I ken ye can handle e’erything on your own. I’ve nay doubt in that. I’m no’ that far away if aught comes up. Send for me.”
He didn’t need to expand further on what he was talking about. He’d let Thomas ken that he had suspicions of Theodore only to find out his bartender had thought that for some time.
If he noticed Theodore doing aught out of sorts whilst he was gone, he was going to send for him straightaway. Luckily, today was the last day of his week, and he wasn’t scheduled for next week, so Thomas only had to worry about tonight.
That also meant that when Gunn and his friends went to the pub he was certain Theodore owned, he would be there.
“Dinna fash. I can handle it,” Thomas assured him. “Ye enjoy your time away. ’Tis well deserved.”
He found Theodore near the entrance that led to the inn. “Are ye set for the rest of the day? We’re ready to head to Leyson.”
Theodore nodded as his eyes scanned the pub. “I dinna ken what happened,” he said with disbelief.
Gunn smiled and clapped him on the back. “’Tis great is it no’? A miracle I must say.”
“’Tis indeed. I am glad to see it.”
The man was lying through his teeth, but Gunn let it go. His comeuppance was on its way. And he couldn’t wait to deliver it.
*
When Gunn spokeabout his estate at Leyson, Jocelyn figured it was large considering he was bringing all his friends and their families there, but when the carriage pulled into the long drive that led to Leyson, her mouth dropped open in shock.
Leyson was a castle.
Gunn owned a castle. On the shores of the North Sea, the structure loomed tall and massive. Grey stone stood at least four stories high with turrets at every corner.
“Wow,” she whispered, taking it all in. “You didn’t say Leyson was a castle.”
He squeezed her knee. “Sorry, I ne’er call it Leyson Castle. I always just refer to it as Leyson.”
The way he talked was as if it was just any homestead. That it was something ordinary when it was quite the opposite.
They finally pulled up to the front of the house and staff swarmed outside to greet their laird.
Beside her, he stiffened. Immediately, she understood that he much preferred the laid-back setting of the Thistle & Pig. That was probably why he spent so much time there. It got him away from his duties as laird and not having to be as proper.
What those duties were she had no idea, but she could only assume there were many. She couldn’t imagine how much work it was to maintain a residence of this size.
A footman approached the carriage and opened the door as it rocked to a stop. “My laird, welcome home,” he said with a bow.
Gunn exited and turned to offer her a hand to help her out.
