The Highlander's Hope - A Contemporary Highland Romance

by MacKay, Cali

  Iain let out a scoff and shook his head, but she pressed on, hoping to convince him. “Truth be told, I can’t do this without your help. Everything leads to your clan—to this home and this land. I can’t take the next step without more information. But I swear, once I’m a bit more certain of what I’ve found, I’ll tell you everything I know.”

  It was as honest as she could be for now. She just hoped it would be enough.

  “Son, I probably should’ve asked ye first, but I’ve already promised the lass our help, and truth is I want to help her. I’d like to know what role our clan played in the uprising.”

  Iain reached out and put a hand on his father’s arm with a sigh, his words still holding onto a hint of his annoyance. “Very well then, if it’ll make you happy.”

  Chapter Two

  Iain wondered what Cat was truly up to. Clearly, she was being less than honest with them, and yet his father seemed smitten, even inviting her to dine with them for the evening.

  At any other time, he wouldn’t have minded helping her, but his brother had gotten himself into a world of trouble and the last thing he needed was a snooping historian. If the tabloids found out the trouble his family was in, they’d have a field day. Though his reputation as a shrewd businessman was never harmed by the string of models he dated, his brother’s troubles could have a real impact on his business dealings.

  Looking across the table at his father and Cat chatting like old friends made him want to curse. He couldn’t deny the old man the pleasure, for there was little to make him happy as of late. It just meant he’d have to keep a sharp eye on her, and try to make the most of it—for his father’s sake.

  With dinner over, he got to his feet to clear the table.

  “Here, let me give you a hand.” Cat gathered the dirty dishes from their meal and followed him to the kitchen, but not before throwing a smile in his father’s direction.

  Curses.

  “I appreciate the help.” Iain put the dishes in the sink, and then took the ones she was carrying. “Listen, about earlier today—on the road. I’m sorry, aye? I’d have been happy to change your flat.”

  She shrugged, tucking a dark curl behind her ear, avoiding his gaze. “I didn’t really give you the chance.”

  “I nearly killed ye. It left me shaken.” By the gods, he’d played it in his head over and over in an endless loop since it happened. Despite not wanting her around, nearly hitting her had left him mortified. “I hope ye’ll be more careful next time. You can’t go parking around blind turns like that.”

  She may have avoided looking at him earlier, but he now had her full attention, her green eyes locked on his, fire raging within them.

  “Really? You want to have that conversation again?” Her cheeks flushed as she cocked her head to the side in question. “I can’t believe you’re still trying to pin this whole thing on me. Maybe if you weren’t driving like a maniac, you’d have seen me.”

  He took a deep breath to keep from yelling and did his best to ignore the throbbing vein at his temple. “I’ve driven down that road a million times and could do it blind—but only if there’s no one in the middle of the road. Anyone with a wee bit of common sense would know you don’t park around a turn where ye’ll not be seen. Even with a flat, you certainly could have driven it another ten feet down the road.”

  “So now I have no common sense and it was all my fault? You really are an arrogant jerk.” With hands on curvy hips and her eyes ablaze, she looked ready to unleash her wrath.

  So why was it his lips could do nothing but quirk into a smile?

  “What are you grinning at? Do you think this is funny? It took me hours to soak the cold and mud from my skin.”

  The girl was furious with him, and yet he could not help himself. Something about her made him want to push her buttons—all of them. “I wouldn’t think ye’d have a hard time heating up with that temper. Yer cheeks have gone so red, yer freckles have gone into hiding.”

  She swore under her breath and then spun on her heels, stalking out of the room. With a quick jaunt, he caught up to her, gently grabbing her arm to stop her, not quite ready to have his fun come to an end. “It’d be a pity to go before you find what ye’re looking for. But please, don’t let me stop ye. I’m sure ye have other ways of finding what ye’re after.”

  “I may need your help for my research, but if you think I’m going to beg and plead, or kiss your wee Scottish arse, then you’re going to be waiting a long time.”

  A laugh escaped him, despite it all. “I’m sorry. I was just teasing ye. It’s absolutely true—I’m a total arse.”

  He saw the internal debate going on inside that pretty head of hers. She was still furious with him, and yet there was her research to consider. Or was there more to it? She was putting up with an awful lot.

  His gut told him she was up to something, but what? Maybe it’d be best to string her along until he could get more information. So he tried again to get her to stay and to avoid the tongue lashing he’d get from his father for upsetting a guest, no matter that he was a grown man.

  “I really am sorry. I take full responsibility for the incident. I was in a hurry, and being familiar with the road, I wasn’t paying as much attention as I should’ve been. Truce?”

  She let out a weary sigh. “Truce.”

  ***

  Iain stared at his laptop screen, cursing his brother for making such a mess of things. His email back to Malcolm was harsh, but he’d not mince words when the fool had just put their entire estate in jeopardy. Things were a mess, and it was Malcolm’s fault—and his father’s for being gullible enough to believe whatever lies Malcolm fed him. Neither their father nor sister knew that things now verged on the brink of disaster. He’d try to spare them as long as possible, and with luck, he’d manage to turn things around before anyone found out.

  Cat. It was as if the gods had decided to play a cruel joke on him. She could be trouble—in more ways than one. And though she could prove a pleasant enough distraction from his troubles, she brought out the worst in him. The only other woman he’d ever antagonized like that was his sister when they were still children. Yet tonight, he’d barely been able to resist such games, even though he knew better than to let his guard down.

  He knew there was more to her visit than she was telling him, and with the mess his brother was in, he couldn’t afford to have it leak to the media. His business rivals would pounce, and his clients would second guess his abilities—as if it wasn’t bad enough that he now had to find the funds to bail his brother out of his troubles. It didn’t sound like the men Malcolm had involved himself with were the patient and understanding sort.

  As for Cat’s research... he gave it some thought. His clan had always been small in number, even before Culloden further diminished their numbers. Yet despite their clan size, they’d yielded a fair amount of influence in the highlands, and Iain had studied their history enough to suspect what Cat might be after. She’d mentioned the funds destined for the revolution, and that was enough to tell him she was looking for the jewels.

  Well, best of luck to her. There was no reason to think his family was connected to the jewels, and others had certainly gone looking amongst the highland clans, only to come up empty-handed.

  Finding any information on the necklace would be a long shot, but if she did find it, it might turn out to be the lifeline he needed. If found on their lands, the jewels would belong to his clan, even if it was her find.

  A knock at his office door had him looking up. “Da. Are you off to bed then?”

  “Aye, in just a bit.” He came in and sat down. “Will you be meeting with the lass again?”

  Iain spun his chair around to face his father. “She’s going to come by in the morning to review any information we have from before and after the time of Culloden.”

  His father pinned him with a stern look. “I hope ye’ll be nicer to her this time around. If I hear ye’ve gone and chased her off, I won’t be
happy, Iain. Yer Ma wouldn’t have tolerated you disrespecting any guest of this house, and I won’t put up with it either. Ye hear?”

  “Don’t go worrying yerself, Da. I promise I’ll try to be on my best behavior and not antagonize her.” Iain gave his father a reassuring smile.

  Callum had clearly enjoyed Cat’s company. Too often it was just the two of them knocking about the empty house, and Iain was usually busy with work to be of any real company. Luckily, he could get most of his business conducted from home, even if he did have to travel from time to time.

  Not yet done, Callum pulled him from his thoughts for another scolding. “I hadn’t realized ye’d already met—and by all accounts you weren’t much nicer to her then, either.”

  Iain had to laugh, recalling the state of her covered in mud and dripping wet. “Now that wasn’t entirely my fault, though ye’re right. I could have been nicer.”

  Giving her a bit more thought, Iain continued. “When she spoke to ye… did she say what she was looking for?”

  “Nae. Nothing more than what she said tonight. Why? What are ye thinking, lad?”

  Iain shrugged. “Nothing. I was just curious is all.”

  Callum got to his feet. “Just make sure ye keep yer curiosity honorable, aye? I may be old, and ye may have been rude, but I’m not blind. There’s heat between the two of ye, so be sure to behave yerself.”

  “She’s pretty, but definitely not my type. Far too uptight and… scholarly.” Iain waved away his father’s concerns, thinking of the proper sweater, her hair tamed up and out of the way with some fancy twist when it was desperate to escape and go wild. All she needed was a pair of glasses and a string of pearls, and she could pass for a librarian.

  His father scowled at him, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Aye, ye wouldn’t want someone smart and pretty. Ye’ve clearly chosen far more wisely in the past.”

  Iain shook his head with a smile. “Good night to ye, Da.”

  With thoughts of highland treasure and pretty librarians bouncing around his head, Iain headed off to the library with Duncan lazily trailing behind him. With two levels of books, a catwalk for ease of use, a comfortable sofa and a large stone fireplace, this room was easily Iain’s favorite.

  Duncan sat in front of the fireplace, and looked at him in question.

  “No, Duncan. I’m not building a fire this late at night.”

  Duncan responded with a noise that sounded like a cross between a yawn and yelp, followed by a cock of his head as his sad brown eyes attempted to guilt Iain into doing his bidding.

  Iain ignored him and wandered to the shelf where they kept the oldest books.

  Duncan barked, and then barked again, the noise deafening when backed by the lungs tucked in that massive chest.

  “Seriously, dog?”

  He got a rapid thwapping of tail in response. Fully aware the pup would keep bugging him until a fire was lit, Iain quickly got one going with the knowledge he too would enjoy it. The nights were cold this far north, even if it was only October.

  With the dog content, Iain wandered back to the bookshelf housing dozens of books dating back ages and generations. It had been years since he last went through them, and though they were in decent shape, he tried not to handle them too often. When he’d gone through them in the past it wasn’t with an eye for finding anything in particular. Now, however, he’d take another look, keeping a keen eye out for any clues that might give up their mystery.

  It would likely lead nowhere, but Cat had his curiosity going, and if he was stuck with her snooping around, then he might as well make the most of it. The stories he’d heard regarding the bejeweled necklace had never mentioned his family. So why did she think his clan had been somehow involved? He supposed it could be true—or was she looking for something else.

  His ancestors had been loyal Jacobites. Then again, nearly every highland clan had supported the cause of Bonnie Prince Charlie and had wanted him to take back the throne. She had found something—but what? And could the information be trusted? Could she be trusted?

  Time would tell.

  Chapter Three

  Despite the impending excitement of looking for the jewels, Cat would still need a cup of coffee to wake her up. The anticipation of what she’d find had kept her up most of the night, and she’d only managed to drift off to sleep mere hours before her wakeup call. Her head was in a fog, and if she didn’t get some caffeine quickly, she’d fall asleep on the way to her appointment with Iain.

  Iain. She cursed the smile that tugged at her lips, and reminded herself just how infuriating the man had been. Absolutely, without a doubt, the most frustrating man she’d met in a very long time. At least he was willing to help her. That was huge—and for that, she wouldn’t write him off as a complete jerk.

  Needing that cup of coffee and some breakfast, Cat quickly showered and got dressed, twisting her hair up and out of the way with a pretty clip, before wandering downstairs.

  “Morning. If ye’re looking for yer friend, he’s having a bite to eat in the dining room.” Mrs. Gordon gave her a smile while tidying the papers behind the counter. “It’s a buffet, so help yerself. And if ye need anything, just let me know.”

  Cat was confused. She thought she was meeting with Iain at his home. “Iain’s here?”

  “Iain? Iain MacCraigh? Och, no. He was an Englishman.” She shook her head and tapped at the computer. “Says here his name is Dr. James Tanner.”

  Cat’s face flushed with anger, as she wondered if he’d followed her up from Cambridge. There was no way in hell she’d let him swoop in and find the jewels when she’d been the one to find the clues. Cursing under her breath, she stalked into the dining room, immediately spotting him amongst the other few guests.

  “What the hell are you doing here, James?”

  He looked up from his paper, a pretty porcelain cup held daintily between his two fingers. “Cat. What a surprise to see you here. Will you not join me?”

  “You’re a real bastard. I can’t believe you actually followed me here. Only you would stoop so low. Not that it surprises me after you stole my find and took credit for my work.” Did he know about the jewels? Or did he suspect she was onto something and was hoping he could figure out enough to beat her to the punch.

  “My dear, your recollection of events seems to be different from what actually happened.” His smug smile only angered her further.

  People were starting to stare—and it probably didn’t help that she looked intent on committing murder.

  “You keep telling yourself that, but people are starting to see past your lies. Before long, you’ll only have the undergrads to con and seduce into your bed.”

  He leaned towards her, closing the distance between them so he was infuriatingly close. “It was a bed you were more than happy to share with me, my dear. Or have you forgotten all those lovely nights together?”

  Her skin crawled at the memory. She had been stupid and naïve, but she was seldom a fool twice. “Why are you here? Or are you going to try and tell me it’s just a coincidence that you’ve shown up in the same town I’m in—the same hotel—when you’re a day’s drive from home.”

  “I cannot help where my research takes me. Perhaps it is you who’s following me? Why are you here?” He perked an eyebrow in question, making her want to wring his neck.

  In her desperation to throw him off her track, the words were out of her mouth before she’d thought them through. “I’m here to visit my boyfriend, if you really must know. So don’t waste your time, James. Go. Home.”

  She pulled herself upright, scoffed, and then walked away without another glance. By the time she got outside, her heart was pounding a deafening beat, and her body was shaking.

  How the hell had he tracked her to Dunmuir? The only ones she’d told were the MacCraighs, since she was meeting with them, and Tansy, who’d nearly murdered James herself when that nastiness went down with her previous research project. He must have followed her when
she first came up. Damn it!

  And now that he’d caught whiff of a find? She’d never get rid of him—unless he actually believed she was here on a romantic getaway. What had come over her, she didn’t know, but with luck, he might actually believe her and go back to Cambridge. In the meantime, she’d channel her anger into finding the necklace.

  Before he got the chance to follow her to Iain’s, she got in her car and headed off, going for a bit of a drive first to make sure he hadn’t caught up to her. She’d need to find another place to stay too, though that would have to wait until after her meeting with Iain. It’d be impossible to avoid James if they were staying in the same inn. Problem was, in a place as small as Dunmuir and with the closest city nearly two hours away, she might be hard pressed to find a different place. Perhaps she could grab a room at a bed and breakfast, though she suspected many of them might not be available in the off season.

  When she pulled down the drive to the MacCraigh castle—for what else could it really be called—she found Iain hanging around outside with Duncan, the two of them playing fetch. She pulled up next to his car and got out as Duncan rushed to her side in a full body wiggle. She gave his head a good scratch before turning to Iain, whose attention was elsewhere.

  He tilted his head in the direction of her small spare tire. “Ye shouldn’t be driving around on that thing. Ye’ll only end up breaking down again.”

  “Yeah, I’ve got to get it fixed. Anyplace you’d recommend where they might be able to get it done quickly?”

  Iain shrugged. “Guess that’d depend on whether he’s got yer size tire in stock. If he has to order it, it could take a few days.”

  “I’ll have to take my chances on the spare then. I have no other way of getting here.”

  “If that’s all, I could always come and get ye.” As if that settled the matter, he moved onto the next topic of conversation. “I went through some of our books last night—the old ones. Don’t know what ye’re looking for, but I set aside a few interesting things pertaining to the time period.”