Heir Untamed - By Danielle Bourdon Page 0,31

out to be a failure on all fronts.

“You're starting to make suspects of everyone,” she muttered under her breath.

“Pardon, Miss Sinclair?” Urmas paused on the stairs to glance back.

Chey met his eyes. Realizing he'd heard, she said, “Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself. I do that sometimes.”

No she didn't. She needed a cover for her muttering, however, and the excuse was a handy one.

He held her gaze before continuing. At the juncture of the hallway to her bedroom, Chey paused when Urmas detailed her schedule.

“You'll have the next three days to shoot the castle and the grounds. Then we have a session scheduled for an outdoor event with the young Royals. When you're out and about, see what setting looks good to you. Find a few choice locations that capture the fall foliage and some of the landscape. Let me know if you'd like an escort to drive you deeper into the property.” Urmas glanced up from his phone.

Chey inclined her head. “I'll let you know. Thank you, Mister Urmas.”

“I'll be by to collect the photos you took today in the morning, as usual. Enjoy your day.” He departed, walking with a brisk stride back toward the stairs leading to the third floor.

“Good day.” Chey watched him only for a moment. Then she headed down the hall to her room, ready to change and get some fresh air.

Donning a pair of kelly green khakis and a thin ribbed sweater in peach to combat any chill in the air, Chey scooped her dark hair back and secured it into a messy knot atop her head. A few stray wisps tickled her jaw and throat. When she stepped in front of the bathroom mirror to make sure it didn't look too messy, she gasped to see how dark the bruise had become at her temple and the corner of her eye. Blue and purple now, the mark definitely looked like more of a backhand than any encounter with a cabinet door.

There was nothing she could do about the lie now.

Collecting a smaller, more portable camera, she laid the strap around her neck and went to the door, swinging it wide. There stood Mattias with his hand raised like he was just about to knock.

“Miss Sinclair, I--” He paused when he got a look at her temple. His dark eyes darkened further. “What happened?” he demanded.

Surprised to see him, she blustered over an answer. “I...well it was silly, really. I misjudged one of the cabinet doors. In the bathroom.”

Mattias, wearing black slacks and a crisp white button down with tiny black pinstripes, frowned. “You did that on a cabinet door?”

Why didn't anyone believe her? Because it's a piss poor lie. “Yes. Urmas has already urged me to be more careful.”

Mattias took a step forward. Using just his fingertips, he whispered a touch across the edge of the bruise. Then he met her eyes. “You would tell me if a guard got out of line or something like that, wouldn't you?”

Chey stared up at Mattias, close enough now to catch a scent of his masculine cologne. “Of course. Are you here to inquire about Viia's pictures? I haven't finished editing them yet.”

A subject change was in order. Chey hurried to distract him. She pinned her gaze on his throat and left it there for the time being, diffusing the heat and friction they were starting to generate between them. It bothered her for more than the threat she received about spending time in Mattias's company. After Scrabble with Sander, and their upcoming canoe trip, Chey wanted to squelch any attraction she had to Mattias. Not that she'd egged it on by any means. What woman wouldn't be affected by his easy charisma and charm? Only daft, blind, really old women on their deathbed, she assured herself.

Mattias eased his touch away from her temple. “No, actually. I am not here about Viia's photos.”

“You're not?” Chey risked a glance at his eyes.

“I thought to take you into the city. Shopping, lunch, sight seeing. It will be a prime opportunity for you to take aerial pictures as well as those of the city. Are you interested?” he asked.

Was he kidding? Chey would have chopped off her little toe for the opportunity to shop, sight see and take photos in such an exotic location. She wasn't sure any city trips were on her agenda—though she could be mistaken. Urmas didn't tell her anything that far in advance.

Then she remembered the threat. Her expression waned from a gleam of