Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,83
new mission is getting those two together. Oh, and to find someone for Tony.
But the footman was stepping up just then, and laughing simply wouldn’t do. Not on such a solemn occasion.
“This way, please.” The man gestured to the meeting room on the right.
Lachlan took Holly’s hand, while Penelope walked at Holly’s left in a show of solidarity.
Penelope’s father, Fergus MacGregor, met them at the door to the meeting room wearing full Guardian regalia — kilt, family brooch securing the tartan over his shoulder, and the heavy gold necklace worn by the head of Scotland’s unicorns.
“My dear boy. Miss Jennings.” He gave a little bow, making his gold chain swing. “On behalf of all unicorns, the Guardians, and my own family, I offer my deepest apologies.”
Lachlan took his hand. For Fergus, as for Penelope, words came from the heart, and every one was genuine. It was Angus, his brother, who was at fault. But even Angus’s thinking made sense in a twisted way.
It had all come out the previous day through the Guardians’ investigation and Angus’s own confession, recorded in a suicide note. For years, Angus had been hypersensitive to what he viewed as a dangerous tipping of Scotland’s balance of power from unicorns to dragons. Somehow, he’d discovered Trevor’s secret relation to Holly. Knowing she stood to inherit all of Trevor’s wealth and be recognized as a Fire Maiden, Angus had arranged for her to meet an “unfortunate accident.” That, he’d hoped, would establish a unicorn majority among the leading shifters of Scotland. Luckily, each attempt had failed, if only by a hair.
Lachlan squeezed Holly’s hand, counting his luck for the hundredth time. Or was it destiny?
“Indeed, it is a dark day for all unicorns,” Lady Montgomery, one of the senior Guardians, sighed and folded her dainty hands. “Please. Have a seat. We have much to discuss.”
Holly looked around, a little lost, then brightened when Gemma waved from one side. Gemma and Liam had been invited as witnesses to the events on Gleninnis. Holly all but skipped over to her new friend, and Lachlan gave Liam a quick man-hug. Lord, it was good to have old friends to count on.
He and Holly took the seats Gemma had saved, and he scanned the faces of those gathered around the massive oval table. Venerable old shifters — mostly dragons and unicorns, but also lions and Highland cattle — took up most of the remaining seats, all nodding sadly.
“Suffice to say, we have launched a full investigation,” Lady Montgomery began. “But at this point, it appears Angus acted alone.”
Penelope sniffled quietly.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Holly murmured.
Lady Montgomery’s expression didn’t give much away, but Lachlan caught her tiny nod of respect. Scotland’s old-timers honored traditional values, and Holly had just hit the bull’s-eye when it came to gracious.
“We’re all sorry. More than words can ever express. But we must move forward,” Fergus agreed.
He reached into his pocket, and Lachlan tensed. Please, not a poem.
But all Fergus drew out was a handkerchief to blow his nose in, thank God.
“Let us turn our attention to another pressing matter,” Lady Montgomery said. “Enzo Lombardi.”
Every face in the room soured, Lachlan’s most of all. He ought to have felt relief, knowing the dragon warlord was dead. But all he felt was anger. Why hadn’t he killed Enzo the first time he’d had a chance?
Holly squeezed his hand. Who knows? We might not have gotten together if it weren’t for all that.
As always, Holly managed to find the silver lining.
“As far as we know,” Lady Montgomery continued, “Angus didn’t have anything to do with Enzo Lombardi’s escape attempt. But please — tell us what you observed.”
Lachlan had already submitted a full report, but he went over the details again — everything from security arrangements on Gleninnis to the surprise attack.
“But how did Enzo contact outside forces?” Fergus demanded. “He was completely isolated.”
Lachlan looked to Liam, who grimaced. “Enzo was isolated, but his French chef wasn’t. Jacqueline d’Girnay.” He all but spat out the name.
“Who?”
“A she-dragon of noble birth from France. She instigated the attacks in Paris that targeted Natalie, the city’s Fire Maiden.”
Lachlan had never met Natalie, but Tristan, her mate, was another close comrade. Lachlan couldn’t wait to visit and let Holly meet another key ally.
“How on earth did this woman slip through our security checks?” Roger Birch-Thompson, England’s lion shifter envoy, thumped the table.
Lachlan chimed in, relating what he’d learned from Henry. “Jacqueline used a false name. One so watertight, no one picked up on