“All I’ve ever heard growing up was about my family in England. The ones with the manor and the town. The ones who never helped when we needed it. Now you stand here and say I’m the one causing problems, when you, in fact, are the reason for these difficulties?” I extended my arm in a low ward, my blade by my knee as I thrusted the sword forward.
Gavin twisted out of my grasp before the blade could make contact, but it grazed the fabric of his gym shorts. The slicing sound whipped through the air around us.
He looked at the offending rip, then his gaze lifted to mine. He held the sword at his side, his chest rising and falling with each breath.
“What do you want, Jacob?” When I didn’t answer, he stepped forward, his voice rising in fury. “What the hell do you really want?”
I gritted my teeth, words escaping me at the moment as I charged forward, sword at the ready. I wasn’t about to kill my cousin, especially in the middle of his own gym. But my adrenaline took over. A tight blow to the back of the knee with the butt of my handle would at least knock him to the floor.
But just as I had armed my stance, Gavin raised his sword, switching so he was on my left side and out of my range. His body stopped with formidable force, the cold metal of his sword against my cheek. One move and there would be a trickle of blood. Another, and he’d have a clear kill shot.
“Drop. Your. Weapon,” he commanded.
My breath came out in shallow puffs as I held steady, gripping the handle.
“Jacob,” he bellowed.
I could have tried for another move. Could have blocked him. Could have done anything.
Gripping onto the handle, a million thoughts rang through my mind, trying to clear the haze of my thoughts.
“I’m not going to hurt you, especially not when my future sister-in-law obviously cares for you,” Gavin said.
At his words, my sword fell from my grip, clanging to the floor. I felt like a heavy boulder was weighing on my chest.
“She doesn’t. I’m only her date for the week,” I grumbled, keeping her secrets close to my heart.
He shook his head slightly. “You and I both know that’s not true. You like her. She likes you.”
“Leave her out of this,” I spat.
“Both sisters are already in this, and the more you push, the more both are going to get hurt. You may have your family’s honor, but do you want to see these women suffer? Do you want Madison never to look at you the same way again?” His words were icy steel that chilled me to the bone.
There was no right response to that.
I could have lied and said I didn’t give a damn what either of the women thought, but even as the words tried to form on my tongue, they were wrong.
“They won’t get hurt in all of this. I promise,” I said, meeting his cold stare.
He held my gaze as if he was assessing for the truth.
Neither one of us moved as if we were in another duel. What could either one of us throw out at this point, though? He’d already offered money, and though that would help my family tremendously, it was also pride at this point.
What would really help my family’s legacy?
“Gavin, did you leave the bedroom so early to come play with swords? Really?”
My cousin’s shoulders softened as he glanced over his shoulder toward the doorway where the soft voice had echoed from. He took a step back, dropping the blade to his side. Natalie walked toward us in a long nightgown, her red hair cascading down her shoulders.
“Jacob.” She nodded, but her words were quipped as her gaze went back to Gavin’s, as if he was going to spill out our entire conversation. By the way he smiled at her, the first time I’d seen a genuine expression from the man, I thought he might.
“Sorry, love. I couldn’t sleep anymore and was coming to the gym, only to find Jacob here admiring the sword collection and thought we’d have a friendly little duel.”
I wouldn’t exactly have called it friendly.
Her eyes widened as she looked down at his pants, the rip noticeable against the blue fabric. “Are you bleeding? Are you okay?” She leaned over, grabbing the material, inspecting the open seam.
“I’m fine. Are you good, Jacob?” His head lifted, that stony expression back on his face as he stared at me.
No.
Not in the least.
I was now more wound up than when I’d come in.
“Grand.”
Natalie stood up, looking between the two of us. “Both of you could probably use a shower before everyone else gets up. Next time you decide to get out the swords, maybe get out the rest of your fencing equipment. Or at least battle in the daytime. Perfect activity for your stag.”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “Still on the stag idea?”
She smiled, putting her arm around his middle, pulling him close so she melted into his side. His entire body seemed to fold into hers as well, as if they belonged exactly together.
That wince of guilt peeled at my gut again, knowing that I could be the one to ruin this for Natalie…and her sister.
“Hugh will be in later today, and I’m sure he’ll back me up on the idea, and if Jacob really does like sword play, I’m sure he’d love fox hunting,” she said.
Just what I needed, to be with more of the Webleys in the forest with weapons.
“You know, I think I will head back to the room and let you two continue your discussion,” I said, placing my weapon back on the rack.
“Aw, you’re not going to back me up?” Natalie called playfully.
“Not today.”
If only she knew how much truth was behind that. But I couldn’t linger anymore in the gym. I had to get out of there. Chase away the adrenaline still surging through me.
I was heading to the bedroom, but I couldn’t just sit there and wait for something to happen. Instead, I went back to the library.
Turning on a small light on the large oak desk, I glanced down at the stacks of papers now askew from the earlier romp. Running my fingers along the parchment, I steadied my breathing, trying to remember why I was here, trying to forget what had happened not long ago on that very desk and what more could have, if I hadn’t stopped it.
I sat at the large leather wingback chair and tried to shake the memory out of my head as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and set it on the table. There were at least a dozen missed messages.
Sliding the screen unlocked, I opened the app.
Blair: Could you have gotten a clearer shot of this?
Blair: This handwriting is atrocious. What are they teaching people in England for penmanship?
Blair: I think I may have gotten some idea. Something something, manorial law. Something something heirs. Should I call the solicitor?
Blair: Are you ignoring me?
Blair: Seriously?
Blair: Hello?
Her last message had come in at least a few hours ago. It was too early to call her unless I could find the information we were looking for in these old texts.
I picked up the old book and looked down at the page, finding a curl of auburn hair stretched across the words. Madison’s hair.
This wasn’t just about my family.
This would affect hers, too.
Now how the bloody hell was I going to figure this out?
I picked up the small strand then carefully placed it on the lamp next to me like a reminder.
If it took all day—darn, if it took days—I’d figure out how to make this work for all of us.
I only had to get started.
…
“Hello? Are you alive? Awake? Dead?” The voice pushed through my clouded sleepy haze.
My head pounded as I lifted it from the stack of books, rubbing my eyes as I adjusted to the light.
When had I fallen asleep?
And who the heck was the lad in the blue suit looking at me like I’d just kissed his mother?
“Obviously I’m not dead,” I muttered, raking my fingers through my hair, which now was standing up at all ends from laying on the hard desk. And from running my hands through it in frustration.
I was still no closer to figuring out how to help neither the MacWebleys nor Madison’s family. Even after going through almost every book or ledger I could find. With only a few days until the wedding, this was a ticking time bomb. Sure, if the wedding happened, Madison would get what she wanted, but then what would I tell my family?
My great-grandfather?
That I’d spent every dime on this trip for nothing?
Shite, that made the pounding in my head even worse.
“What are you doing, sleeping in the library?” the man asked, his hands in his pocket as he tilted his head. Same statue-like features with high cheekbones. Light blond hair styled to perfection. Tailored suit. Glaring dark blue eyes.
Definitely a Webley.
“Was doing some research before the wedding,” I said, standing up and stretching out my arms as I smiled at the guy. “What about you, Hugh? Just got in?”
He blinked hard, taking a step back. “I beg your pardon. Have we met?”
So it was the middle brother of the Webley family, and this one had more of a tell than his older brother. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to get to know more about him. Maybe he had more information than Gavin was willing to share.
Rounding the desk, I pushed my hand toward him. “Laird Lachlan Jacob MacWebley the Third, your cousin, I believe. But you can just call me Jacob.”
His body stiffened as he stared at my outstretched palm before grasping it with his own. “Nice to meet you, Jacob. My brother did tell me you would be staying with us. I simply expected to meet you at breakfast, not sleeping in the library.”
I forced a pleasant smile. “I had trouble sleeping, so I thought I’d do a little family research. Guess the stuff was so riveting, it put me right down for a nap.”
He quirked an eyebrow, dropping his hand after we shook. The man obviously knew I wasn’t on the up and up, but he was too much of a gentleman to question it.
“Right.”
“So I’ll see you at breakfast, then? Or were ye looking to start planning the stag that Lady Elizabeth was going on about?” I asked, purposefully poking the bear.
He laughed. “Now I see why my pain-in-the-arse brother isn’t fond of you. You’re too cheery for him.”
“Is that a bad thing? He doesn’t like to smile much, does he?”
He shook his head. “Not unless he’s with Natalie and they’re talking about some history thing or another. Has that woman explained the entire backstory of every wall sconce to you yet?”
“Can’t say that I’ve spent enough time with her to do that yet.”
I made a mental note to do so. Maybe she’d be better than any book to help me get the information I needed on Webley.
“Ah, yes, you’re here with her sister, aren’t you? Haven’t gotten the pleasure to meet her yet.” The smile widened on his face.
“Yes, I’m Miss Madison’s date.” It was on the tip of my tongue to say something more. But what were we?
Friends?
Friends who snogged and thought about the other friend naked?
That, too.
“Well, I look forward to meeting her as well. Maybe we can all get in a round of croquet or something later.”
I shook my head, letting out a single, humorless laugh. “I don’t think she’s much of a croquet girl.”
“So you and I should just head to the veranda and have breakfast over a cigar and a pint of scotch, then? I think there are at least a few in the wine cellar.” He raised an eyebrow.
I glanced at the large clock on the wall. “It’s not even noon.”
“Is that a ‘no’?”
After the night, and technically morning, I’d had, I could use a good drink, and maybe a talk with the cheerier of the brothers.
“If we add it to our coffee, I think it’s considered a breakfast food,” I said.
He laughed, pointing a finger at me. “I knew I’d like you.” With that, he pulled his phone out of his pocket, tapping at the screen. “All right, breakfast ordered, including a good coffee.”
“I could use it,” I said as we started out of the library then down the hallway.
I couldn’t help but let my gaze wander around, looking for a certain brush of auburn hair. But something else caught my eye as I stopped at one of the oil paintings. One I’d recognized being similar to one that used to hang in Great-Grandfather’s chambers.
Most of the oil paintings I’d seen had been frescos or portraits of family members, but this was the first landscape I’d seen.
And not just any landscape, but Loch MacWebley. I’d recognize it anywhere with the highland backdrop, the row of hearty trees and the little rock island where my brother and I would play that we were king of the mountain before dunking the other into the water.
This was the exact view from the front of MacWebley Manor.
“Ah, so you have seen a bit of Miss Natalie’s touches,” Hugh called over my shoulder.
I glanced at him. “Natalie hung this up?”
He nodded. “She found this amongst Aunt Sarah’s things and did some research, I guess, saying it was a loch of our ancestors in Scotland.”
“Loch MacWebley,” I said softly.
“So you do know this place, I take it?”
“Aye. I know it well.”
“You’ll have to ask Natalie if there are any other pieces. She’s been adding little touches of our Scottish heritage. Her and Gavin. Much to our mother’s dismay, but I can’t say that I mind her getting her feathers ruffled a bit.”
I wanted to ask more about my dear auntie who wasn’t interested in me. What she knew about my family. But as I stared at the painting, all I could think about was my great-grandfather back home. How much he would have wanted to see all of this.
“Do you mind if I take a photo of it to send to my family?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, go right ahead. Would you like me to take it so you can be in it?”
“No. That’s fine. Just the photo here should be enough.”
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and snapped a quick photo, reminding myself to send it to Blair later, when my dear cousin couldn’t see my phone.
“Now about that coffee and scotch. Tell me, is it as good as your brother delivered the other day?”
Hugh blew a raspberry. “Pft, my brother and good scotch? Please, he probably looked for the fanciest bottle. Now I specifically remembered a bottle of the Dalmore 64 Trinitas, only three bottles made of it in the world, and it’s supposed to have a nose of bitter orange and Columbian coffee. Perfect with bangers and eggs.”
I didn’t even want to think about the price tag on the bottle, but if the Webleys were dishing it out, I’d take it.
“Glad someone knows his scotch.”
Chapter Thirteen
Madison
The morning horse ride with my sister and the rest of the ladies was going well enough. At least I hadn’t startled the horse into a gallop or fallen off it. Yet.
We were heading back to the manor, and even though I was sitting on top of a giant beast, I still felt like I had run a marathon. My legs were like gelatin and my entire body ached. Although some of it might be because I’d slept like shit and wanted nothing more than another hot shower and a nap before whatever next hen party expedition we had.
Just as I thought about hopefully going to an empty room and soaking in a tub, a raucous laugh echoed over the landscape. Cecily, Mom, and Natalie must have heard it, too, because they all stopped before we crested the hill.
“Someone�
��s having a good time,” Cecily sing-songed.
“This better not be another sword fight,” Natalie replied.
“What? Sword fight?” I asked, whipping my head toward my sister.
“Don’t ask. Let’s just see what’s going on,” Natalie muttered as she and Cecily pulled ahead.
I followed them, stopping as soon as I caught sight of the two silhouettes lounging on the veranda, a huddle of dogs around them as the two kept tilting back their heads, chugging something from mugs that I wondered if it was really coffee.
As we got closer, the silhouettes became clearer.
One was a man in a tailored suit with a dimpled chin and the same blue eyes as Gavin and Cecily. The other with the wrinkled shirt and hair sticking all over the place was the last person I wanted to see, but he smiled at me anyway.
“Madison, look who finally decided to join us.” Jacob stood up, wobbling a bit as he zig-zagged around some of the Great Pyrenees around him.
As if we just hadn’t gotten into a terrible fight, he threw his arms around me, enveloping me against his warm chest as the faint smell of coffee and alcohol filled my nostrils.
“Ah, so this is the fair Madison,” the other man called.
Jacob’s hands fumbled as he turned, keeping his arm around me as if this was the most normal thing in the world. Or because he was still swaying and needed something to hold on to.
“Cousin Hugh, meet my girlfriend, Madison. Madison, this is Cousin Hugh.”
Girlfriend?
“Girlfriend?” Natalie asked, her voice raising so high, I thought it might break glass.
Hugh stood up, not as wobbly as my date or whatever he was. But his grin was just as wide as he put his hand out to me. “So glad to meet you. Your boyfriend has not shut up about you.”
Boyfriend?
Okay, now things were really getting out of hand.
“Will you excuse us? I need a shower, and I’m thinking my boyfriend here might need some aspirin,” I gritted, patting Jacob’s side.
“You heard the boss, cousin. But I’ll see you later, right?” Jacob called over his shoulder as I practically dragged him into the manor and down the hall toward what I hoped was the way to our bedroom.
Heirly Ever After Page 15
