Meg had taken care of him for years, worrying over him, she knew what he was, what he did, her family had taken care of his since the beginning. Her hair was gray, streaked with white. The lines on her face deeper than he remembered. He blew out a sigh, hated to see those he cared for age and die while he continued on, never changing.
“We’ll make sure the driveway is plowed in the morning so the officer can be on his way. Now let’s have some of your wonderful stew for dinner, there’s some left isn’t there?”
While Worthington took Emily’s bag upstairs and set about getting the rooms ready, Colin introduced Emily to Meg as the housekeeper fussed around them on the way to the kitchen.
Entering the large stone room, Emily looked around, “It feels so nice and warm in here. Oh wow, you could fit three people in the fireplace. The kitchen is very welcoming. I love the old farm table and chintz chairs, reminds me of home.”
“Och, ye know everyone ends up in the kitchen don’t they?” Meg tittered.
Emily returned to admiring the cozy kitchen, starting as she caught sight of Monroe hidden in shadow, sitting in a chair in the corner by the fire.
“Something smells delicious Meg. I’m starved. Officer Monroe. Isn’t this a lovely surprise. What brings you here; do you know Colin?” Emily turned on all of her considerable Southern charm as she watched his face. He looked angry.
Eyes narrowed, Monroe advanced, “Damn woman, I’ve been looking all over bloody Edinburgh for you, thought something had happened to you when you hadn’t been seen at your hotel for days. What’s going on?” Before Monroe could continue yelling at her, he found himself dumped in a chair, facing Colin.
“Speak to Emily in that tone again, and I’ll plant my fist in your face. Have a seat and by all means, explain what is going on.” Colin spoke in a low silky tone, every inch the imperious titled aristocracy. His blood was boiling, wanted to slug this cop hard, put him in his place, as a sense of protectiveness rolled over him, threatening to unleash the beast inside.
Before a fistfight broke out, Emily waded in, “Colin, Monroe, please, sit down. Meg has tea ready. We can all sit and talk like civilized human beings.” Meg bustled around the kitchen, setting out tea while she prepared dinner, spooning stew out of the cauldron bubbling over the fire. Seeing Emily’s look, she laughed, “No worries, dearie, we have modern appliances but there’s something about stew over a fire, brings out the flavor. Relax while I take out the bread—baked it this afternoon.”
“I think we could all use some wine. Might help with all the glaring.” Emily yawned.
“Shall I pour?” Emily and Monroe nodded as Colin served the wine. He wanted this meddling officer gone. Emily was emotionally and physically exhausted from the earlier events of the evening. Watching her, he was afraid she was still in shock, trying to process more men dying in front of her. She needed to eat, take a bath, and get a good night’s sleep. He glared at Monroe while Emily spoke to the officer.
“Monroe, it was a long drive here. I’m afraid I’m a bit out of sorts, not used to driving in snow so forgive me if I seem scattered. Thank you for coming all this way. Does this mean you have a lead on our hotel room or Kat’s accident? By the way, how did you find me? I’m sorry for causing any concern; I didn’t realize anyone would be looking for me. I’ve spoken with Kat. She’s home and healing nicely,” She babbled.
A stern look on his face, Monroe took her questions one at a time while he watched Colin. “It’s rather strange Baron Campbell, but there isn’t much information on you.”
“I prefer a quiet life. Rather a bit of a recluse I suppose.”
Emily choked on her wine, coughing as Colin pounded her on the back. He shot her a stern look before turning his attention back to the cop.
“Right, whatever you say. Emily, the hotel said your room is paid for through the week. I was assured your room and belongings are fine and there have been no further issues. We’re looking into the incident at the hotel but no, we don’t have anything new at this time.”
“I’m very sorry, it was, er, um…spontaneous.” She shrugged, widening her eyes, gesturing with her hands as if to look innocent.
“I don’t have anything specific, but I have to wonder why you are being targeted. You are a visitor here; don’t know anyone, so why would someone target you and your friend Kat? Unless there is some kind of connection to the missing persons and murders taking place in Edinburgh. Would you know anything about that, Lord Campbell?” Monroe said the last with distaste.
“I believe you are the officer here. How would I know what is happening to missing persons? Wouldn’t that be the purview of the police department?” Colin sprawled in the comfy kitchen chair. Interesting. The officer didn’t care for aristocrats, looked at him like he was some rich, idle bastard. If only he knew.
Ignoring Colin’s reply, Monroe addressed Emily. “As to how I found you, I asked around and someone finally remembered seeing you both board a ship, a very distinctive ship. I checked the ports of call and in Inverness, found a waitress who overheard you both talking about coming to Ravensmore, so here I am. By the way. Why…Lord Campbell do you carry daggers? Do you feel a need to be armed?”
Colin interjected before Emily could answer. “One never knows what might happen, I prefer to be prepared for anything. The country roads can be treacherous.”
The officer continued with his line of questioning. “Want to tell me how you two know each other and what’s going on?”
As to Emily, we met in Edinburgh. What’s going on is really none of your concern.” Colin retorted, crossing his arms over his chest. Cheeky Bastard.
Before Monroe could retort, Meg asked if they wanted to eat in the dining room. Colin started to say yes, but upon seeing how tired and spent Emily looked, he didn’t want to make her move. He was afraid she’d fall asleep in her dinner as it was. “No, we’ll stay put, we’re all comfortable.”
Meg quickly set the table, bringing the food over. Emily’s stomach growled loudly as Colin cut his eyes to her. “Now I see why you needed so many road trip snacks. Your stomach is always hungry. Are you sure you don’t have a tapeworm?”
Pointing her nose in the air, she put on an affected air, telling him in a falsetto voice, “Dahling, we southern women—our stomachs do not growl, we do not sweat, we glisten, and we never utter any other bodily noises.” Cringing in mock horror, a tired smile crossed her face.
Monroe roared with laughter as Colin chuckled. “All right then Miss Southern Emily, it must have been Monroe here; he doesn’t seem nearly as refined as you.”
“Let’s eat before you kings and queens decide it’s time to guillotine the peasants, which would be me, I suppose.” Monroe leveled a glare at Colin who merely shrugged.
The room was quiet as each tended to their meal, eating and enjoying, warm against the bitter wind and cold outside. Meg came to check on them. “The rooms have been made ready for ye. Can I get you anything else?”
“It’s so delicious, and the bread is the best I’ve ever tasted.” Meg blushed under Emily’s praise as Colin and Monroe chimed in, accepting heaping seconds.
“Yes, Monroe, you must stay the night. It seems the roads are quite impassable and can be treacherous in the dark to those unfamiliar with them. In the morning, we’ll have the driveway plowed. If the snow has stopped, you can be on your way. I’m guessing the black Mercedes SUV outside is yours? They do quite well in the snow. Nice machine on a cop’s salary.” Colin raised a brow in inquiry.
“Yes it’s mine; she’s great in the snow. And my finances are none of your concern.”
Colin watched Emily while he and Monroe talked automotive wonders. She stared ahead with glassy eyes, half asleep. He stood up bidding Monroe good night and picked Emily up.
“Put me down, I can walk to my room.” The protest came out half-hearted.
“Your nose was in your soup bowl, and I know fine Southern women don’t make ‘noises,’ but I swear I heard snoring. I warne
d Worthington that a bear must have gotten in to the castle to hibernate for winter, we’ll have to look for him in the morning,” he teased her.
Colin didn’t put her down, liked the way she felt in his arms. On the way out of the kitchen, he pointed out the great hall and library. Telling her he’d show her the rest of the castle in the morning. His arm and side were burning where he’d been hit. It was a bitch healing the old-fashioned way. Made him realize how much he enjoyed his powers.
Monroe trailed them, “Must cost a mint to keep this place up and running? What did you say you did again?”
“Didn’t say. There are a number of business ventures I dabble in.”
They followed Worthington up the stairs. He showed Monroe to a guest bedroom on the second floor.
“The lavatory is down the hall. Fresh towels are on the sideboard. Breakfast is served at eight.”
Bidding everyone goodnight, Monroe turned in.
Reaching the third floor, Worthington opened the door as Colin carried Emily into the master bedroom at the end of the hall.
“This must be your room, very masculine. All the blues and greens match your kilt. I live in the wrong country, these huge fireplaces are fantastic.”
He inclined his head to her. “I’m pleased you like it. I don’t need any of it, but it pleases me to have things as they were.” Showing her to one of the chairs facing the fire, he watched her look over his room. ‘Twas strange to see a woman in his private chambers; no woman had set foot in his domain since Abigail. Emily looked as if she belonged in his room, standing there and warming her hands over the fire. She moved to look at the furnishings, admiring the towering armoire which could hold four people.
“Wow! This has to be the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. Bet ten people could sleep in this thing. I love four poster beds though I’ve never seen one with working curtains. Guess you needed them to keep the cold out?”
“Aye, ‘Tis been my bed since I came of age. The curtains were meant to keep the occupants warm and to shut the world out.”
Colin turned to her, “I shouldn’t have assumed. If you prefer, you can have your own room, but I would like very much for you to stay with me.” He didn’t look at her; instead he faced the fire, couldn’t bear her rejection.
Emily crossed the room to where he was standing, placing her hand on his arm, answering him, “I want to stay with you. I want you.”
His control shattered, his gaze pinned her to the spot as he swept her up in his arms, took three strides to the bed, pressing her into the mattress. “Don’t be gentle, I don’t want gentle and nice. Take me, I need you inside me.”
Swearing in Gaelic, he crushed his mouth to hers Trying to get rid of the barrier of cloth between them; a ripping noise broke the silence of the room as Colin tore his shirt, buttons popping. Emily’s hands found his chest, her hands tracing his nipples, circling them with her tongue. He lifted her shirt off, popping her bra with one hand, tracing a line between her breasts, her nipples puckering as the cold air hit them. He groaned as he bent his head, tongue flashing out to lick her, sending her body arching, desperate with need.
He slid her jeans off, leaving her panties on. Tracing the lace with his finger, she thrashed side to side, spreading her thighs to allow him access.
Colin chuckled, licking his way down her body to put his mouth on her over the lace of her panties, the friction rubbing against her core. He could feel the tension in her body as she edged closer to the cliff, her thighs shaking, ready to explode for him.
Emily moaned, “Please, I want…”
The beast within roared…MINE, as he ripped the flimsy lace off, lowering his head, taking her crashing over the edge.
Chapter 17
Wednesday, November 4th
“Meg, everything tastes wonderful.” Emily was full and content. She’d finished off eggs, fruit, potato pancakes, toast, jam, tea, and amen sister—cold Pepsi. The dining room was ornate with silk wallpaper and wainscoting in the blue and green from Colin’s kilt. The table was gigantic; it must have seated a hundred people easily. The chairs were deeply padded with rich green brocade. The silver gleamed and the china looked like a Rosenthal pattern Emily had seen in an antique shop back home.
She almost giggled, imagining the look on Worthington’s face if she were to roll one of the hardboiled eggs all the way down the table, simply to see if she could, without it falling off. Nope, he’d probably have a heart attack and her grandmother would come back from the dead to scold her.
Meg told her Monroe was up at dawn, had an early breakfast and departed. He wanted her to tell Emily and Colin he’d be in touch, was going to follow up on a couple of leads. Emily liked the irascible man, though she knew she’d never be cut out for a job like his. All the misery, death, and worst side of humanity coming out, she’d turn into a cynical, jaded person. Nope, she made a mental note to make a donation to the police fund here and back home. She wasn’t the volunteering type, more the write-a-check type.
“The driveway has been plowed. Monroe was able to leave, though he may have a time of it on some of the roads leading back to Edinburgh. I’ve spoken to the stable master; he’s getting the sleigh ready. I thought we’d go for a drive around the grounds; show you Ravensmore, dressed up in snow. Would you like that?” He said the last bit as if he wasn’t sure she’d like going out in the snow.
“Oh yes, it sounds like fun.” Emily’s eyes glittered with joy and she decided to have another cup of hot tea before they left.
“Meg packed hot chocolate and road trip goodies for us. I’m assuming one doesn’t have to be in a vehicle to partake of these goodies you’re so fond of?”
“Nope, you can bring road trip goodies in a car, boat, plane, bike, golf cart, horse, or sleigh, anything that takes you on an adventure.”
They’d visited the orangerie earlier that morning, enjoying the humid air, the orange blossoms filling the air with a wonderful scent. Colin’s kisses left her breathless, laying her down on a chaise, surrounded by flowers, her senses left her when he unzipped her jeans enough to reach inside, rubbing her, thrusting his fingers in, bringing her to the brink before he pulled her jeans down, sucking hungrily on her bud, sending her crashing over the edge, screaming out his name. Pulling herself together, she greedily returned the favor.
Unzipping his fly, freeing his erection, she took the head in her mouth circling it with her tongue before taking him in, sucking, swirling, gently rolling his sac. Feeling his hips buck, she sucked harder, sliding her mouth along his shaft up to the tip, blowing air across the sensitive head and then taking him back in, up and down, circling as she licked and used her other hand to stroke him.
“Gods, you’re amazing.” Colin ground out, coming hard. Grabbing her shoulders to hold her tight to him as she milked him dry, licking her lips.
On the way out to the stables, Colin showed Emily the library and told her she was free to explore to her heart’s content.
“I’ve arranged for the hotel to send your things to Ravensmore. Should be delivered later today.”
“Talk about choices—exploring the library, wandering around the castle and outbuildings or a fairytale-sleigh ride? Let’s go on the sleigh ride. Plenty of time for exploring when we get back.”
Walking across the snowy courtyard, she could almost imagine she’d stepped back in time. The only sounds in the silence were the horses and people working to clear the rest of the snow. The sleigh looked like something out of a fairy tale. It was painted a deep indigo blue with white trim. Inside, the bench seats were covered in the same blue and green wool plaid. A picnic basket was on the floor filled with sandwiches, cookies, and hot chocolate. There was a pile of cozy-looking blankets to wrap up in as the sleigh was open on top. Four horses stood waiting, jet black, huge beasts.
“Aren’t you a beauty.” She cooed to each horse, pulling treats out of her pocket to make friends. “Would you like a tasty carrot? And here’s a sugar cube for each of you.” She bet they cou
ld fly and hoped she would get a chance to ride one when the snow was gone—if it ever melted. Kat would love these magnificent animals. She adored horses. Emily’s throat closed up. She missed her friend, hoped she was healing. Making a mental note to email her when they got back for the day, she admired her surroundings. It was so cold outside; she could see her breath on the air. The weak sun glinted on the icicle laden branches, casting the barren landscape into a magical scene out of a book. She expected to see Jack Frost or the Ice Queen come riding across the rolling hills.
“Colin, the sleigh is amazing. It looks like an antique, so beautiful.”
“Aye, we’ve had it since the mid fifteen-hundreds. ‘Tis a great way to get around the estate during the winters. I’m glad ye like it. We could have taken one of the trucks, but I thought you’d enjoy the crisp, winter day and an old-fashioned ride in the sleigh. There are plenty of blankets to keep warm, of course, I plan to kiss you until you turn pink and steam comes off your lips. You know, when you are in the midst of pleasure, your skin turns a pale shade of pink, the tips of your breasts darken, ‘tis a beautiful sight.” He gave her a look full of longing, promising an erotic ride over the estate.
Turning pink with embarrassment, Emily stammered something unintelligible, hoping the stable boy hadn’t heard. From the grin on his face, he had and was looking at her with a great deal of interest.
“Being at Ravensmore, I feel as if I’ve stepped back in time so I don’t want to take a car to see the estate, the sleigh is perfect…not to mention I smell some of those molasses cookies Meg was making.”
“That’s my Emily, always thinking with her stomach. As much as you eat, I don’t know where you put it, you’re a tiny thing.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she told him waggling her eyebrows, leering at him. Colin chuckled, easily lifting her up into the sleigh. He climbed in beside her, tucking them both in, a warm cocoon, his arm around her. “All right Callum, lead on. Let’s take Emily on a tour.”
Lost in Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Ghost Novel) Page 17
