Page 286 of The Defiant Curse

Thank God the cops were already at the table with them, because he would punch a bitch for starting shit.

As they reached the table, the one man was curious.

“Are you the owners of the castle?” he asked.

Elizabeth stared at him.

“What castle?” she asked, playing dumb.

The man looked confused.

“Uh, Ravensmire.”

She shrugged.

“Who wants to know?” she asked. “Because asking random people if they own things is a bit…weird.”

The man laughed.

“Ah, Lassie, this whole thing is weird. We never thought we’d see that castle come back to life. We just wanted to thank ya, that’s all.”

She pointed at Michael and Graham.

“I don’t own it. They do.”

Both men stared at Graham.

The whole time, he was silent. Oh, and Elizabeth knew why. He’d suffered without Michael and made himself a little bit of a reputation.

“You do?” he asked Graham.

He nodded.

“Part of it, and part with silent partners.”

The man looked over at his friend.

“Are they American? Like her?” he asked. “Because we want it to stay protected.”

Graham handled it.

“The other owners have relayed their belief that it should stay true to its origins. They’ve rehabbed it back to what it would have been when Duncan Granndach would have had it—minus actual electricity and a state-of-the-art kitchen.”

The men seemed to look calmer.

“Really?” the one asked.

Graham nodded.

“Yes. My husband and I are overseeing the construction. It has been restored with the stone floors, the tapestries, and all of the artwork has been hung. What wasn’t put in storage will be donated to the local historical society. Ravensmire is going to be open to tours around Christmas.”

The men looked pleased to hear that.

“Thank you, Laddie. Please tell the other owners that we appreciate them respecting our castle.”

He nodded.

“I’ll pass that along,” he offered, knowing he didn’t have to since two of them were sitting right there. “I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear everyone is happy with that decision.”