Return of the Scot (Scots of Honor #1) - Eliza Knight Page 0,67

over the deed? If that were the case, then their legal matters became more difficult.

“Let’s wager on billiards,” Lorne said. He needed a distraction from his brother and Jaime. And while he would have rather taken his friends back to Sutherland Gate for a round in the ring or on the planche, they had to wait for Malcolm to return. Because part of that churning in his stomach was a hunch that something had been discovered, and he didn’t want to miss out on whatever that was.

Just as Alec was pocketing yet another sovereign of Lorne’s money, Malcolm returned and nodded for him to join him in a private corner of the club.

“Well, ’tis a good thing the two of ye did no’ go to Ireland.”

“I’m listening.”

“Word has come to me that our subjects were intending to leave Ireland on a ship bound for Scotland. My man was able to delay that ship’s leaving to return here first—and he partnered with Miss Andrewson’s investigator, who remained behind to follow them on the ship and the road. He overheard them saying they planned to go to Dunrobin and hole up there. No’ allow anyone in. They’re planning to hold the lad for ransom.”

“What? Their own child.”

“Gille was saying he would no’ be going to prison over it. But my man wondered if they maybe meant something else. It sounded more dramatic than the scam they put on.”

Lorne shook his head. This was not the truth he wanted to hear. Somewhere deep inside, he’d been hoping all this time that his brother hadn’t betrayed him. That this was all a misunderstanding. “So they are going to be at Dunrobin?”

“Aye. If I were ye, I’d make haste to leave tonight and get there well ahead of them.”

14

Jaime stared at Lorne, who sat across from her in his carriage on their way to the wharf. They were alone inside. Alison—her maid, tasked with keeping her reputation intact per MacInnes—rode perch outside with Mungo at the rear of the carriage, while their coachman took the front.

Lorne had an elbow propped by the window, a finger on his cheek, while his chin rested in his hand. That had been his position since they’d climbed in and sat down. He considered the outside as he likely considered what would happen once they boarded the ship, and if luck were on their side, when they arrived at Dunrobin later tonight. Jaime had tried her best not to look at him, to stare out the window as well, but it was a task she found most grueling, and he a subject far more interesting.

Earlier this morning, at an incredibly indecent hour, Lorne had knocked on the door of her residence and told her the news of Gille and Shanna’s movements and that they had to travel north as quickly as possible to beat the two criminals at their own game.

One of her ships required a good scrubbing and happened to be free for the next two days, so they decided to take it north—an expensive way to travel but much faster than taking a carriage. Even if they rode at a fast clip by coach, it would be a week before they arrived, considering the terrain and given they’d need to change the horses and drivers frequently. Her ship could see them there in as little as a day since it was able to travel at a top speed of nearly 20-knots an hour, and then be returned to Edinburgh ready for business. And so it had been decided.

Emilia had been more than happy to take on her duties at Andrewson Shipping while Jaime was away, and MacInnes had nearly climbed inside her trunk upon learning she was traveling. It had only been with an explicit promise from Lorne that he would allow the older man to slit his throat if any harm befell Jaime that allowed her to leave without the butler at all.

And once more, she was glad her aunt had returned to London to look after the interests of her daughters rather than remain behind to meddle in hers, as she would never have allowed Jaime to take this long trip north with Lorne alone. It was unsuitable. Of course, Jaime didn’t care.

For a woman she was already the quintessential example of all things unsuitable.

“What is our plan?” she asked Lorne, breaking the silence.

Lorne turned toward her, his hand falling into his lap, and she tried to avoid following the path but her eyes disobeyed her.