Return of the Scot (Scots of Honor #1) - Eliza Knight Page 0,58

then turned back to Lorne. “Ye won. I suppose ye’re under no obligation to tell me why ye were at the docks.”

“I had no’ wanted to until I had more information to give ye, but alas, we are here, and there seems no point in keeping it from ye. Malcolm and I were interviewing the captains and crews because we discovered that my half-brother was on a ship that sailed for Ireland—with his wife—and a wee porter.”

“His wife?” Jaime’s hand flew to her chest, and her brows pinched so close together, she was nearly cross-eyed in shock. “Shanna?”

“Aye. And the wee porter sounds like her son, though I’m no’ certain why they would make him dress in disguise.”

Neither was she. “Perhaps to lead anyone astray who was looking for him. She has to have guessed I would. I did, in fact, send a man looking, and so did ye.”

“Where would they go in Ireland?” Malcolm asked.

“I’ve a minor holding there.”

Lorne cocked his head. “The holding in Shanna’s dowry?”

“Used to be, but it was given to me when my parents disowned her. I never forced the issue, though I know it must have hurt her.”

“And ye gave her Dunrobin, too.”

Jaime smiled sadly and nodded. “’Tis beside the point. My guilt runs deep.”

“And your sister cares no’.” Lorne’s words cut her to the quick, but she knew he was right.

“When did they sail?” she asked.

“About two weeks ago.” Malcolm held out his hand to help her down from the ring.

“So what ye’re saying is my sister was in the city all this time? Hiding?”

Lorne referred to Malcolm.

“At least before they left, miss, but I’m no’ certain for how long.”

Jaime bit her lip, straightening her gown and bodice as discreetly as she could. “Do ye think Shanna accused me and my ships? Perhaps in hopes of keeping me tied up with the business and unable to pursue her?”

Lorne shrugged. “I would no’ put it past her or my brother, considering what we’ve been discovering.”

“Och, poor, sweet Gordie.” Jaime blew a loose lock from her face.

“Ye’ve no reason to believe he would come to harm, do ye?” Malcolm asked her.

Jaime shook her head. “Nay. She was a selfish mother, but no’ cruel.”

“That is good news, at least.” Lorne ran a hand through his mussed hair.

“Aye.” A clock chimed from somewhere within the house. “Oh, how I wish I could stay longer, but I must get going. My aunt will tear apart Edinburgh looking for me. She’s decided that I need a chaperone, but only when it’s convenient for her.” Jaime gave a slight roll of her eyes. “Please let me know if ye find out anything more.”

“Of course.” Lorne led her toward the door but then paused. “Are ye all right leaving this way, or shall we arrange an escape?”

Jaime smiled and let out a short laugh. “I already came in this way. Better for them to see me leave than think me here all night.”

“True.” He lifted her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on her knuckles. “Until next time.”

12

Jaime was preparing to play a game of cards with Aunt Beatrice after dinner when a loud knock sounded at her front door.

“Who could be visiting you at this hour?” Aunt Beatrice gave her a warning look that set Jaime’s nerves on edge as if she’d spent the last two years entertaining gentleman callers or some such.

“I assure ye, I have no idea.”

MacInnes appeared a moment later in the drawing room. “A Mr. Bell here to see ye, miss. I reminded him of the late hour, but he seems to think ye’ll want to see him anyway.”

Aunt Beatrice narrowed her gaze. “Mr. Bell? Who on earth is he?”

“An investigator,” Jaime explained. “I sent him to find Shanna.”

“Shanna? I thought she was at Dunrobin?”

“She never made it, Aunt.” Jaime wasn’t in the mood to tell her aunt the entire story of Shanna’s duplicity, so instead asked MacInnes to show the man in.

Mr. Bell looked thoroughly dusty as if he’d ridden all the night through. He bowed before her and Aunt Beatrice.

“This is my aunt. Feel at ease to speak freely, as I would tell her what has happened anyway.” Which she wouldn’t normally, but since the woman was there, she might as well.

“Very well. It appears your sister has fled to Ireland aboard the Dueling Brothers.”

Jaime nodded, not wanting to confess this was information she already knew, for then she’d have to explain how she came by such evidence, and well, that only made