Page 29 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The trio were soon comfortably settled, a whisky in hand, before the warm hearth in Laird MacIver’s study. Tadhg noted how Blaine seemed right at home there.

“Tadhg, I didnae want tae say it at dinner, but I’d like tae apologize fer gettin’ so wound up this afternoon. I went too far. I’ve nay excuse, but I’m hopin’ ye’ll understand that with me faither still missin’, me temper’s on a short fuse just now. I want ye tae ken, I meant naethin’ by it, and I’m truly sorry if I showed any disrespect tae yer wife. Can we bury the hatchet?” There was such sincerity in Blaine’s voice, Tadhg was inclined to believe he meant what he said. Inclined enough to play along.

“Consider the hatchet buried, but ye cannae take all the blame,” he replied. “Of course, I cannae fully understand what ye must be goin’ through with yer faither and all, but I’m sure if I was in yer shoes, I’d be goin’ out of me mind by now.”

“So, we’re square again, are we?” Blaine asked, giving every appearance of being glad about it

“Of course, nay question. Slàinté mhath,” Tadhg said, raising his glass to Blaine and then sipping his whisky.

“Aye, yer good health,” Blaine agreed with a grin, following suit.

“Any news about yer faither’s whereabouts yet?” Knox asked.

Blaine shook his head mournfully, the picture of a man worried to distraction. “Naethin’. I’ve had men out searchin’ all over fer him, but they’ve nae found so much as a clue as tae where they might be keepin’ him.”

“And who is this ‘they’? Have they communicated with ye at all?” Knox inquired, clearly not his usual jovial self. Tadhg wondered what was troubling his new friend.

“I dinnae ken who they are. They left a note when they took him, but ’tis unsigned. It just said they’d be in touch in due course,” Blaine explained, his voice sounding heavy with worry. “But that was almost a week ago, and still there’s been nae a word.”

“Ach, ’tis a bad situation all round,” Tadhg sympathized. “Ye just have tae hope he’s all right. If money’s all they’re after then they should keep him safe enough.”

“Aye, that’s what I’m hopin’, but if a ransom’s what they want, then why have they nae been in touch tae say how much they want? I’ll gladly pay all we have tae get him back alive,” Blaine said, his knuckles white as his fist closed around his glass.

“I’m sorry ’tis such a bad state of affairs, Blaine. Ye ken I’ll dae all I can tae help ye if ye need me, eh?” Knox said, leaning forward in his seat. “Just say the word.”

Blaine affected a grateful smile. “Thank ye, Knox, I ken I can rely on ye.”

“I’d like tae offer me help too if ye think I can be of any use,” Tadhg volunteered, wondering how Blaine would react.

“Och, that’s a kind offer,” Blaine replied, “but until I have more information, I can dae naethin’ but keep searchin’.” He leaned his elbows on his knees, turning his whisky glass in his fingers, looking downcast.

“Well, be sure tae let us ken if ye hear anythin’,” Stewart said, swallowing the last of his whisky and getting up. He placed the empty glass on the vast stone mantel and declared, “I’m off tae me bed, gentlemen, so I’ll thank ye fer the fine whisky, Blaine, and bid ye both a good night.”

Tadhg saw his cue to leave. He badly wanted to get back to Alana and speak with her. “Aye, I’ll come with ye, Knox. I’m longin’ fer me bed as well.” He glanced at Blaine and added laughingly, “It’s been a busy day.” He finished his whisky and put the glass on a nearby table.

Blaine put his whisky aside and got up as well. “Aye, it has,” he said, giving Tadhg a rueful smile. “Well, I must say, I’ve enjoyed yer company, gentlemen, and I wish ye both a good night’s sleep. I’ll likely stay up a wee bit longer in case any news comes in about Faither.”

“Aye, of course,” Knox said as Blaine walked them to the door and opened it for them, ushering them out before going back inside and shutting the door.

Tadgh and Knox set off down the hallway towards the vestibule and the stairs.

“I cannae help but feel somethin’s amiss,” Knox suddenly said. Surprised by the strange statement, Tadhg glanced over at him curiously.

“What d’ye mean?” he asked as they strode along side by side.

“The way Blaine was actin’ this afternoon on the trainin’ field. I’ve never seen him like that before. It was like he wanted tae provoke ye intae loosin’ yer head or somethin’.” Knox was frowning and seemed genuinely bothered.

“Ye think so?” A tingle ran up Tadhg’s spine. It was exactly what Alana had suggested. Not that he did not think she could be on to something, but having Stewart voice the same concern was intriguing and made the possibility that Blaine had deliberately manipulated events seem a bit more than mere coincidence. “But why would he dae that?”

They came to the vestibule and started up the staircase. “Well, I cannae be certain, but let’s say I have me suspicions.”

“Suspicions?”

“Aye.” They stopped outside Knox’s chamber, a few doors down from Tadhg and Alana’s. The laird looked up and down the hallway as of to ensure no one would hear them talking. Then he said conspiratorially, “Listen, Tadhg, I may be bein’ foolish, but I have the feelin’ ye need tae watch yer back around here.”

Tadhg gave a small chuckle. “Funny ye should mention it. I’ve had the same feelin’ since we got here. But what makes ye say so?”