A Highland Werewolf Wedding - By Terry Spear Page 0,87
them in future. For this other matter, your cousins are.”
“My cousins,” she said.
Cearnach was about to rise from his chair to force the solicitor to say what he had wished to say, but Elaine stayed him, a hand on Cearnach’s arm. “If you can’t share the information, it really doesn’t matter,” Elaine said. “I want to see each of these places. Would it be possible?”
“Aye. The occupants of the two manors are human. I’ve told everyone that you have arrived in Scotland and might wish to see your properties. One of the buildings is an ancient keep. One of our kind lives there.”
“A kinsman of mine?” she asked, her brows furrowing.
The solicitor hesitated to say, then shook his head. Lying? Hiding some truth?
“Can I see them today?”
“They’re spread out over Scotland. One of the properties is located about three hours from here.” He pointed to one of the manor houses on the sheet of paper Ian was looking at. Mr. Hoover closed up his laptop. “I’ll see about changing the names on the deeds.” He rose from the chair.
Cearnach and Elaine stood.
Mr. Hoover bowed his head a little, looking like he wished nothing more than to leave immediately. Why? Because of the news about Elaine and Cearnach’s mating?
Cearnach suspected her kin would be furious, and the little man did not wish to be the bearer of ill tidings.
“Aye. Good day, ma’am, sir, my laird.”
“Will you show him out, Cearnach?” Ian asked.
Cearnach felt torn. He didn’t want to leave Elaine alone with Ian, afraid of what he might say to her while he was gone.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Elaine promised Cearnach, giving his hand a squeeze, her smile a promise that everything would be okay.
He kissed her cheek. “All right.” Then he gave Ian a warning look, which made his brother give him a raised brow in return. Cearnach reluctantly escorted the solicitor out of Ian’s office and shut the door.
Elaine retook her seat.
“My mother didn’t force this on you, did she?” Ian asked, his eyes narrowed as he studied her response.
“No. Not Flynn, either. Cearnach said I forced it upon him.”
Ian didn’t say anything for a moment as if he was taking that in, then nodded as if he agreed. She’d expected him to laugh or smile or something. Not just seriously agree.
“You were the one we were trying to track down for weeks in the St. Andrews area. Cearnach was certain someone evil had taken you hostage, and he needed to rescue you.”
“I’m sorry he worried about me for so long.”
“We all did.” Ian leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “What do you think the Kilpatricks and McKinleys want with you?”
“If no merchandise is hidden anywhere, or if it was discovered years ago, then I don’t know why they would want to have anything further to do with me.”
Ian shook his head. “They wouldn’t want you to be mated to one of us. Certainly not to Cearnach, of all people.”
“Why him?”
“His friendship with Calla. Now she’s called off the wedding between her and Baird. They wished to speak with you about some matter, and now you’re here and siding with us.”
She made an annoyed little huff under her breath. “That was easy to do after all they’d done to Cearnach and me.”
“Aye, but they won’t see it that way. They’ll feel justified in everything they’ve done.”
Cearnach stalked into the solar. “Was anything important discussed while I was gone?” He took a seat next to Elaine again and put his arm around her shoulders.
Ian laughed. “You must have run the solicitor out of the building.”
“Duncan met me on the stairs and is giving him the royal escort out.”
“Not only have you created ill will with Elaine’s clan over Calla but now also concerning Elaine,” Ian said.
Cearnach shrugged. “Couldn’t be helped. That clan is bad news.”
Ian nodded. “I’ll ask Guthrie and Duncan to see if they can learn anything about what the solicitor alluded to. I suspect we will have more trouble.”
“They won’t give back my ID and the rental car and all,” Elaine said.
“I suspect not. But we have our ways,” Ian assured her.
“By force, you mean?” she asked.
“If we have to, aye.”
“What do you think this is all about, Ian?” Cearnach asked.
“I believe that Elaine’s kin know where more of the stolen goods are hidden. Or maybe not exactly where, as they would have already procured them. Somehow Elaine is the key.”
“Just because of the clues I have. When Robert tells me what he knows, hopefully