Down the Rabbit Hole

Feeling foolish, Beth washed herself in a basin of rose water she found on a nightstand and dressed in the costume the old woman had provided, then pulled on a pair of soft kid boots. She crossed to a mirror and couldn’t help laughing at the sight that greeted her. She looked like one of those characters in the fairy tales her grandmother had enjoyed reading to her. It was a far cry from the chic image she’d learned to project at work.

Without hairspray and pins, she wasn’t able to fasten her hair in its usual no-nonsense knot at the back of her head. Instead she was forced to run her fingers through it and let it fall long and loose to spill past her shoulders.

“All right, all you lords and ladies,” she said to her reflection in the mirror. “Two can play this game.”

She stepped out of her room.

A youth was lounging against the wall. At the sound of her door opening he straightened, while his hand went to the sword at his waist.

Beth tried to cover her surprise. “Good morning. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone up at this hour. And in full costume, too.”

The boy looked around rather wide-eyed before saying, “The laird’s belowstairs. He said I was to report to him as soon as ye showed yerself.”

“Fine. I’ll let you lead the way.”

Instead of walking in front of her, he waited until she reached the staircase before falling into step beside her, darting quick glances as they walked.

“And just where is the . . . laird?”

“In the library, m’lady.” As they reached the lower level he indicated a hallway, and Beth moved along at his side until they came to huge, intricately carved double doors.

The lad knocked and the voice from within called, “Come.”

“The lady is here, m’laird.” The youth stood aside, allowing Beth to precede him.

“Thank you, Jamie.” Colin Gordon appeared distracted, staring out a window and frowning.

In the dancing light from the fire on the hearth he was even more darkly handsome than he’d seemed the previous night. He wore the same length of plaid over some sort of full-sleeved, saffron shirt. His long hair was tied back with a narrow strip of hide.

His eyes reflected the firelight, gleaming like a cat’s as he turned to study Beth. He looked, she thought, exactly like a Highland warrior about to do battle. He was perfectly suited to play the role of lord of the manor.

“Shall I wait, m’laird?” Jamie stood just inside the door, his hand at his sword, shooting nervous glances at the young woman beside him.

“Nay. I’ll summon you when we’ve finished.”

When the door closed behind the lad, Colin Gordon watched in silence as Beth crossed the room to stand in front of him.

He was wearing the same frown he’d worn last night every time he looked at her. Still, with so many guests here, this may be the only time she would have his undivided attention. She seized the opportunity.

“Thank you for the clothes.”

“You may thank old Maura.”

“I will, when I see her. I’m sorry for that awkward scene last night.” She managed a smile, though her heart was racing. “I fell and hit my head on my way here, and I’m afraid it left me a bit muddled. But now, after a good night’s sleep, I’m feeling much better. I’d like to fill you in on the offer my firm is prepared to make.”

“Offer? Firm? I know not these words.”

Oh, the man was good. His face had gone deliberately blank, as though he hadn’t a care in the world about the offer. Or maybe millions of dollars didn’t matter to an already wealthy man. Still, since he’d been alerted to her arrival, and the reason for her visit, he had to be aware of what her firm was planning.

Beth realized that Colin Gordon wasn’t going to make this easy for her. If she wanted to seal this deal, she would have to be every bit as cagey as he.

She pasted on her best professional smile and held out the packet of documents she’d prepared before leaving New York. “Maybe we could sit and go over these point by point.”

He led the way to a massive hand-carved desk.

Before either of them could take a seat, the door was opened and a pack of hounds burst into the room, barking, howling, and slathering as they formed a circle around their host and his guest.

Beth let out a cry of terror and cowered against the desk.