by Maggie Way
Alice pushed against his chest, her lips bruised from being thoroughly kissed, her gaze glassy. That was a good look for her, one he planned to see again.
“Should we leave?” Daniel asked, holding up the bag full of groceries that Duncan had asked him to pick up in the text he’d sent about dinner.
Alice cleared her throat. Her brows dipped before she turned toward their guests. “No…we were just….”
Duncan left her fumbling for the reason they’d been caught kissing. “Daniel, why donae you help me start the grill?”
“Aye,” Daniel said, kissing Cassie’s cheek. He set the bag on the bar counter and followed Duncan outside.
“That looked promising,” Cassie said, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Don’t make it into more than it was,” Alice said, peeking into the bag of groceries. Packages of wrapped steaks sat in one bag and fixings for a salad and potatoes sat in the other bag. At least he wasn’t going to let her starve.
“Right, because Duncan and you would never work. Remind me again why that’s a bad thing. Guy, girl, chemistry….I’m not seeing the issue here.”
“I’m leaving after your wedding.”
“You could stay,” Cassie said, poking her lip out like a child. “It could be fun. You and me both living in Scotland.”
“Cass, it was a kiss. That’s all. Drop it.”
“Fine,” Cassie said, taking the bags into the kitchen. “I’ll drop it…for now, but just so you know, we like Duncan; he’s a good man, so I give you my approval.”
“Because I always ask for your approval.” Alice chuckled. Cassie never truly dropped anything. She’d table it until she could either dig deeper or use it to her advantage. “So, let’s change the subject. How are the wedding preparations with your mom going?”
“I came here to get away from all that. Tell me how the ghost hunting is going.”
“She’s making progress,” Duncan answered as Daniel and he walked through the French doors. He went straight into the kitchen and started opening the wrapped steaks. “Regina is dead.”
“What?” Daniel asked, wrapping his arms around Cassie. “We thought she just skipped town.”
“When we to talk to Conell, about what he remembered, she popped up in spirit. It seems she wanted her dad to know she was okay, and that her locket fell behind the furnace.”
“You two better not have run off my groundskeeper.”
“He was freaked, in the beginning, but he came around,” Duncan said, clearing his throat as he sprinkled a mixture, of what looked like several spices, from an unmarked plastic container.
“That poor girl. Did you ask Regina where her body is?” Cassie asked.
“Or who killed Elizabeth?” Daniel asked, in a more serious tone.
“She said when we found her body, we’d find the killer,” Alice said before taking a sip of her wine.
Duncan stopped sprinkling the steaks and looked up. “When did she say that?”
“When I went for my run.”
“Your what?” Cassie asked, her mouth parted. “You don’t run unless you’re emotionally—”
“Charged.” Alice finished for her. “I kind of was today, and I just needed a few minutes alone to clear my head.”
“You saw her in the forest?” Duncan asked. He clenched the counter, until his fingers were turning white, as he turned all of his attention on Alice.
“Of course,” Alice answered. “She warned me that I needed to get out of the forest before nightfall, or I’d suffer the same fate.”
“You dinnae tell me that when I found you. You said you felt someone was in the forest watching you. I thought you meant the trees or birds or some crap.”
“Elizabeth’s killer is in the forest…now?” Daniel asked, sliding his phone from his pocket.
“I don’t know,” Alice answered. “This was an hour ago. Whoever was watching me could be gone, and I don’t know if it was Elizabeth’s killer.”
Cassie rested her palm on Daniel’s arm. “This is too dangerous. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt. We have to postpone the wedding.”
“No,” Alice barked. “You aren’t postponing anything. I can do this. I can find the man or woman who killed Elizabeth and Regina. If there’s one thing I can do, I can talk to the dead. They’ll help me, but for now, we know that the curse is crap, that someone living and breathing killed those two women. And because of that, I think it would be wise for Daniel to stay close to Cassie, at least until I’ve found the remains, and the police can catch who did it. If we had a motive, it would help us know for sure if someone was coming after Cass.” Alice grabbed Cassie’s hands and squeezed. “I will get answers. I’m good at that.”
“What if you get hurt? I’ll never forgive myself.” Cassie’s brows dipped. Concern registered on her face.
“I willnae let her get hurt,” Duncan said and picked up the plate holding the steaks. “Daniel, would you help me outside?”
“Is that man code for we guys have to plan how to keep you two safe?” Alice asked, resting her palm on her hip.
“Aye,” they both barked, at the same time, before walking out the door.
All talk of ghosts and killers subsided as they ate dinner. The conversation had switched to dresses, food, cakes, and all things wedding related, not to mention Cassie telling a few embarrassing tales from their crazy college days.
Alice stayed to help with the dishes after Cassie and Daniel had left. Duncan had promised to give her a ride and see her safely to the door, and just like a gentleman, he did. Only he didn’t stop at the castle door like she assumed. He walked her to the bedroom door.
“This is as far you go,” she teased, resting her body against the door, blocking his entrance.
“You sure you donae want me to check under the bed? You never know what might be lurking inside.”
“I’ll manage.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“For what, dinner? I would have cooked anyway.”
She shook her head and leaned forward, resting her palm on his chest. “For helping me find a way to visit with Cass, without her mom being around. I didn’t realize until tonight how much I’ve missed just talking to her.”
“Well.” Duncan rested his hands on her hips. “I know how you can repay me.”
“How’s that?”
He lowered his head. The heat from his breath hovered near her lips as he stared into her eyes. The way he looked at her, with such desire in his eyes, made her heart flutter and breath quicken. Would he or wouldn’t he take what they so obviously both wanted to give?
“Take her into the bed chamber, or just kiss her already, so I can pass,” Riley said, breaking the moment. Dirt and mud covered his clothes and face. A rifle was hanging by a strap on his shoulder, a sword strapped to his waist.
“What in the world were you doing tonight?”
“I was in the forest,” Riley growled. “Looking for Elizabeth’s killer.”
“Alone?” Duncan asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’m no’ a fool.” Riley sighed. “Rowan was with me.”
Like that sounded any safer. Alice refrained from rolling her eyes. “Did you find anything?”
“No’ yet.” Riley’s brows dipped. “Next time you feel watched, donae wait for an hour to tell someone. I found two sets of tracks near the creek. Did you guys go that far in?”
“No,” Duncan answered.
“I did,” Alice said, earning her another disapprovingly look from Duncan. “It’s where I talked to Regina. It’s the same place she told me to get out of the forest.”
Riley glanced down at Alice’s feet. “You wear around a size six?”
“Six and a half,” she corrected, proud of that extra half inch.
“That explains one set.”
“What was the other size?” she asked.
“Around a ten. The impressions looked to be the tread from a boot.”
Duncan dropped his arms to his side.
“Ten? We’re dealing with a man.”
“That’s what it’s looking like.”
“All this time I thought it was a jealous woman who might have pushed Elizabeth. Maybe one of your exes had found a way into the castle.” The muscle in Duncan’s arms twitched.
“I’m going out again at first light to see if I missed anything.” Riley glanced at Alice. “All of the castle staff has been ordered to stay out of the woods.”
“Good thing I’m not staff,” Alice said, opening the bedroom door. “Good night, guys. I’ve got a busy day tomorrow tracking down Regina’s remains.”
Alice tried to close the door but Duncan’s hand stopped her. “You arenae to leave this castle without one of us with you.”
Alice patted his chest. “Aw, that’s sweet, dad, but I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.” She smiled. “Thanks again for dinner.”
She tried again to shut the door, but he pushed it open further and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
“Alice…”
“Duncan…”
He slowly advanced on her, like a predator ready to pounce. With each step he took, she took one backwards until she was stopped by the bed. Alice slid around him, trying to regain her space.
“Promise me you willnae do anything stupid.”
“I promise you I won’t do anything that I think is stupid.”
His jaw ticked, his eyes trying as they might to read her thoughts, to know if she was telling the truth. She’d never tell him if she was. She lifted her chin and raised her brow in challenge.
“Okay.”
His concession confused her. “Okay?”
He nodded and stepped forward, resting his palm on her cheek. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers in that kiss she’d been expecting in the hall. Although this time it wasn’t hot and bothered. There wouldn’t be any of him picking her up and pegging her against the door or a wall. It was nothing more than a quick peck. Long enough to feel the warmth of his lips before he moved away and headed for the door. “Get some rest.”
Yeah, like rest was going to come easy. “You too.”
Chapter Eight
Alice woke with a start again, like she had the first morning after arriving in the castle. Someone was in her room again, and this time, much more quiet than the two maids who’d been milling around the morning before. She lay still, blinking as her ears strained to hear.
“Do you know that you snore like a freight train when you sleep?” Rowan asked.
Alice rolled in the bed and sighed, spotting the Highlander in her chair. His long legs were stretched out before him and his elbows were resting on the arms of the chair, his hands clasped on his stomach.
“My old roommate said the same thing.” She pushed the haze from her mind. “I thought locking my door would keep the maids out. Why are you in my room?”
“You succeeded with the maids but no’ with me. Although Mrs. Smythe knows the passageways, so she could have gotten in. She and her ancestors have been with our family since the castle was built.”
“And why again are you acting all stalker-ish and watching me sleep?”
“I thought it would be hospitable of me if I gave you a tour of the castle.”
Alice sat up in the bed and wiped the sleep from her eyes. “In other words, you’re on babysitting duty?”
His lips twitched, confirming her suspicions.
She slid out of the bed and grabbed two wrapped apple Danish pastries out of her suitcase, along with some clothes. She tossed one of the pastries to him and opened the other. Taking a bite, she walked to the window. The trees swayed in the distance, dancing on the wind. Her answers weren’t in the castle. She was going to have to find a way out if she wanted to explore.
“Where is Daniel so I can thank him properly for giving me another shadow?”
Rowan started laughing as he tore into the package. “That would be a sight I’d pay to see, had it been Daniel who asked me to stay close.”
“Duncan?”
Rowan put his finger to his nose and winked. That little admission made things much easier. If it weren’t her host demanding that she be accompanied like a child, then she didn’t have to oblige, especially with someone who had no vested interest in her well-being. “Well then, since he has no say on rules regarding me, then I guess we don’t have a problem. You’re relieved of duty.”
Alice nodded and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. “Have a great day and don’t let the door hit you in the ass when you leave.”
“Afraid things donae work like that, lass.”
“Sure they do,” she hollered back. “He’s not here, and I won’t tell. So, you can run along and play with your pet pig, Princess. I’m sure you two can find a mud puddle or two to get into.”
“You donae understand, Alice. I like you, and I’d normally agree, but Duncan asked me to keep an eye on you.”
“I don’t care if it was the Queen of Scotland, or do you guys have a minister of some sort?” Alice turned on the shower before she opened the door again. “Regardless, I’m the boss of me, not you, not him, not anyone. If Daniel or Cassie had asked, I’d have acquiesced, because they’re my hosts. I don’t take orders from a guy who runs the town pub…especially one I can beat at darts.” She shrugged and shut the door, “Sorry.”
“He warned me you were stubborn.”
Alice took her time in the shower and getting ready for the day, which consisted of her hair in a ponytail, jeans, a couple layers for her top, and boots that she could get muddy. She had no intention on staying indoors when potential clues might be outside. She’d just brushed her teeth when she stepped out of the bathroom to find Rowan still in the same chair, waiting.
“You’re still here?”
“Aye,” he said while standing and stretching his arms over his head. “Since you dinnae assign my task, I’m afraid you cannae relieve me of duty.”
“Is that so?” she asked, tossing her night clothes into her suitcase.
“That’s so, lass.” He slapped his hands together and rubbed them. Poor, delusional Highlander thought he’d won the argument. She had all day to ditch his ass.
Alice pressed her lips together and walked out of the room. Rowan’s big-ass boots clomped behind her down the hall and paused on the landing. Men and women of all kinds and professions were walking through the grand hall. Maids were rushing and pointing the way while tables and chairs were being carried directly through the castle and disappearing into what she thought might be a ballroom. The wedding. Crap. If she descended the stairs, the Barracuda downstairs would bare her sharp teeth and start barking orders.
“And that’s why I’m sticking with you today,” Rowan said, resting his arms on the banister. “No way am I getting sucked into that whirlwind.”
“Chicken,” Alice said and headed back down the hall toward her room. No way was she descending those stairs anywhere near the dictator. “Which tower did Elizabeth fall from?”
“Ghost hunting again?”
“Something like that,” she answered vaguely.
“Follow me. I’ll show you.”
She followed him down the corridor and up another staircase that led to two more floors. Down another hall and to a narrow staircase, where only one person could pass at a time. She climbed first, with Rowan at her rear. He whistled as loudly as a construction worker.
“Perv.”
“I enjoy the finer things in life. Remind me to punch Duncan for beating me to the chase.”
Alice stepped into the tower. The room was dusty and dirty. Old paintings and furniture were pushed against the walls and covered with sheets. The room was like a sun room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that opened up to a circular stone terrace.
“You guys use this place as storage?”
“Aye, one of many, although the staff willnae come up here anymore. They claim it’s haunted.”
There was nothing wrong with the space besides the du
st making her nose twitch. It was well lit with numerous windows that surrounded the walls of the room. “Where did you guys find Elizabeth?”
Rowan unlocked some of the floor to ceiling windows that doubled as sliding doors and pushed them aside, giving Alice access to the terrace outside. Fresh air from the wind swirled into the room, blowing the dust, and she followed him out onto the balcony. He pointed to the ground below.
“She was found there.”
Alice held on to the thick barrier wall and had to jump and lie on the thick, huge, concrete block just to see over the edge.
Rowan’s hands were quickly at her waist as if he alone was going to keep her from falling over. She could barely see over the edge; the concrete block was so thick it could double as a bed and her feet still would never touch the end. A hard bed, but still, it was wide enough there was no way she would just fall off.
She glanced back and rolled her eyes. “I’m not suicidal. You don’t have to hold me.” She glanced back at the ground below. “How tall was Elizabeth?”
“A couple inches taller than you.”
Alice hopped down and glanced behind her. “Well, we can rule out an accident. You saw what effort it took me just to look over the edge. Even if someone pushed her, she wouldn’t have accidently toppled over. Her ending up down there was deliberate.”
“Even so,” Rowan said, resting his arms on the barrier, “none of the staff saw anyone coming off this floor.”
Alice scanned the horizon and the trees. It was a stunning view from the tower. She couldn’t imagine what it was like growing up here. She glanced toward the barn to find two men watching them, the same men who had watched when she arrived. “What’s up with those guys? I always catch them watching. I bet they know more.”
Rowan turned around and followed her gaze. “Oh, that’s Regina’s boyfriend, Stanley, and his brother, Kent. By now, they’ve probably heard, from her father, that you believe she’s dead.”
“The quiet one and the weird duck,” she mumbled to herself, remembering how the seamstress had described them.
