Page 440 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Iain glanced up when Thomas entered the library.

“You asked to see me,” Thomas said.

Iain nodded, and Thomas threw himself into the high backed wing chair that sat opposite the desk.

“What have you there?” Thomas nodded to the parchment Iain held in front of him.

“See for yourself.” He handed it to his cousin.

Thomas showed no emotion when his eyes fell on the letter written in his own hand. He laid it on the desk.

“I wondered how Hockley discovered she was here.” Iain studied him. “Do you deny the letter was written by you?”

“Nay.”

Iain picked up the letter that was addressed to England’s King Henry and read it aloud.

Be it known, sire, that, though word may have reached you to the contrary, the Countess of Landsbury of her own accord, sought out the safety of one Iain MacPherson, chief protector of the MacPherson clan.

Rest easy knowing she is in the best of health and enjoys every luxury available within the MacPherson home.

Your Most Obedient Servant,

A Friend

“This goes too far, even for you,” Iain said.

“Aye,” Thomas agreed.

“I am in no mood for games,” Iain shot back.

“Forgive me, mon ami. I understand how you feel, and I agree. I wrote the letter, but I did not send it.” Iain frowned. “But the letter.”

“Until you found it, it remained where I left it,” he said, regret in his voice.

“You regret not having sent it?”

“I regret having left it there. While writing it, I…well, you know how I love French brandy. When I awoke the next morning, I thought I had done away with the evidence. Where did you find it?”

“Behind the sideboard.”

Thomas shrugged. “As I said, you know how I love French brandy.”

“If you did not send it, then who contacted

Hockley?”

“There was only the one copy.”

“A mystery.”

“Indeed.” Thomas’s lips drew together thoughtfully.

“It was not, by chance, your cohort?”

A flash of surprise crossed Thomas’s face. “Cohort? Jesu, Iain, are you sure you are not gifted with second sight?”