To Catch a Highlander (30 page)

"You're right again!" Fiona exclaimed.

Sir Reginald bowed, looking pleased.

Dougal reached into his pocket to pull out a velvet pouch and handed it to Sir Reginald. "Tell us what you think of these. They are Sophia's."

"
Were
Sophia's," she corrected.

Sir Reginald looked at Sophia, his brows raised.

"I lost them in a card game to Lord MacLean," she explained.

"Ah," Sir Reginald said, the delicacy of his expression making Sophia blush.

"However I obtained them," Dougal said smoothly, "perhaps you can give us an estimate of their true value."

"I would be delighted." Sir Reginald crossed to a nearby table and carefully slid the contents of the velvet bag out onto the surface.

"How lovely!" Fiona exclaimed as the delicate silver and diamond necklace spilled out. A bracelet followed, as well as some diamond hairpins.

"Fascinating," Sir Reginald murmured. He held up the necklace, his brows knitted. "What exquisite workmanship!" He traced a finger over the delicate filigree before he glanced at Sophia. "Would you mind if I took them to the lamp to examine them in a better light?"

She shrugged. "Ask Lord MacLean. They are his."

"No," Dougal said, his dark green gaze burning into hers. "They are yours. I don't take what doesn't belong to me."

Did he mean the diamonds? The deed? Or
her
?

Sir Reginald held the necklace to the light, his expression intent as he looked at each piece. Finally, he returned, a crease between his brows. "Miss MacFarlane, where did you come by these?"

"They were my mother's."

Sir Reginald carefully slid the jewelry back into the bag. "They are exceptional. I've never seen the like." He frowned again, holding the bag cupped against him in a rather possessive manner. "Except…" His gaze narrowed, and he was lost in thought.

Fiona flashed a smile at Sophia. "It appears that you've finally stumped poor Sir Reginald."

He shook his head ruefully. "The workmanship is definitely Italian, but beyond that, I cannot say. They are markedly unusual pieces. In fact, they remind me of a very unusual tiara I once saw at—" Sir Reginald looked at Sophia, his gaze unfocused, as if he saw her and yet didn't.

She raised her brows. "Yes?"

He colored slightly and shook his head. "I'm sorry. That necklace and the way you were standing there with your head tilted just so made me think of a portrait I once saw of… but that couldn't be you, because—" He laughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling."

"Sophia has that effect on people," Dougal said, holding out his hand.

With obvious reluctance, Sir Reginald returned the bag.

"Thank you." Dougal took the jewelry, and, grasping Sophia's wrist, he placed the bag in her hand. "But you won these."

"They are yours. I have very little use for diamonds."

"How gallant," Sir Reginald murmured, looking from Dougal to Sophia and back.

Dougal turned and began to speak to his sister, so Sophia kept the jewelry. Unless she made a scene, there was little else she could do.

As if sensing her unease, Sir Reginald attempted to engage her in conversation.

Sophia barely noticed him; she was far too busy trying not to look at Dougal. Every time he moved or spoke, a tingle raced over Sophia's skin. Though she'd been well sated by their encounter, she found herself growing more restless.

She sent him a glance from beneath her lashes. He was amazingly sensual, from the way his dark blond hair spilled over his forehead to the deep green of his heavy-lidded gaze. She wished they were alone so she could trace his lips with hers once again.

But that was not to be. Just then, Mrs.
Kent
broke away from her obviously sleepy husband, attached herself to Dougal's arm with a determined air, and began to monopolize his conversation.

It was the chance Sophia had been waiting for. She excused herself to Sir Reginald and quietly pleaded a headache to Fiona, who immediately offered a tisane. Sophia refused and said that sleep would be a better curative than anything. Then, with her mother's jewels clutched in one hand, she escaped to the safety of her room.

In the morning, she'd leave. With her, she'd take just the knowledge that at least Dougal wouldn't think of her as a thief now. That was worth something, she told herself as she wiped a single tear from her eye.

Later that night, she heard the footfall of a man's boots as they came down the hallway. They paused at her door. She knew it was Dougal; she could feel his presence as clearly as if she could see him. Sophia held her breath, clenching her eyes closed, hoping he would leave.

She couldn't possibly resist another seduction, but such a thing would only make leaving even harder, and she couldn't chance it.

After a long moment, he walked down the hall to his own room. When she heard his door close, she pulled a pillow over her head and cried herself to sleep.

Morning arrived, and a bleary-eyed Sophia came down the stairs wearing her traveling gown and cloak.

Mary puffed behind her, carrying a portmanteau and a bandbox.

In the front hallway, Fiona was speaking to the housekeeper. She broke off as she saw Sophia and hurried forward. "Miss MacFarlane, you cannot be leaving!"

"I'm afraid I must be going."

"But the roads are nearly impassable."

"I managed to get here; I'm certain I'll manage to make it ho—" But she had no home now, so she amended, "Back to my father."

Fiona looked unconvinced, her green eyes dark with worry. "I can see you're determined, but you must at least stay for breakfast."

Jack came from the breakfast room, pausing when he saw Sophia and her maid.

Fiona gestured for him to join them, which he did. "Jack! Pray tell Miss MacFarlane that the roads are impassable."

"The roads are impassable," he replied immediately.

"And that she should stay at least another day."

"You should stay at least another day," he repeated, a twinkle in his eyes.

Fiona nodded. "And that she is more than welcome here."

"I am certain she knows that."

"And how we'd love to have her for another week, at least, and—"

Jack laughed and took his wife's hand. "Fiona, love, I believe Miss MacFarlane is very aware that we both wish her to stay."

Sophia had to smile. "I am very flattered, but we really must go. There've been so many unexpected storms that the roads could easily get worse."

Jack snorted a laugh while Fiona glanced up the stairs. "Haven't there been," she said grimly before returning her gaze to Sophia. "I am so disappointed you are leaving."

There was genuine warmth in Fiona's voice. "I am, too, but I must get back to my father, who has been ill. I was only to be gone one day, and he'll worry if I don't return immediately."

"I suppose you can't—"

"She's not going anywhere."

Sophia closed her eyes at the deep voice from the top of the stairs. Her entire body had tightened at the sound, traitor that it was.

Dougal came down the stairs to stand before Sophia, his expression guarded and tense. "Fiona, Jack, would you mind giving me a few moments' private speech with Miss MacFarlane?"

"Will you attempt to persuade her to stay?" Fiona asked in a hopeful tone.

"Absolutely." His dark gaze never left Sophia.

"Very well," his sister said, taking her husband's arm. "Come, Jack. I'm famished."

He sent a stern glance at Dougal. "We will be in the breakfast room if we're needed."

"You won't be needed," Dougal snapped.

"Jack, stop it," Fiona hissed. She tugged him into the breakfast room and closed the door.

Dougal stepped forward to say in a low tone, "We must speak.
Now
."

Sophia sighed. "Mary, wait for me here." She turned toward the sitting room. The door was open, though the room was dark. She went to the curtains and threw them open, then turned to face Dougal.

He closed the door. "It's gone."

"Gone? What's gone?"

"The deed."

She blinked, struggling to wrap her brain around this information. "But… you had it!"

"I know. It was in my room, spread out on a chair before the fire."

"On a chair? But… why?"

His lips twitched. "Somehow it had gotten quite wet."

Her cheeks warmed. "Oh."

"Yes." His gaze flickered over her, hot and possessive. "We must find the deed."

She pressed a trembling hand to her forehead, wishing she'd been able to sleep last night, the entire world seemed engulfed in a fog. "When did you discover it missing?"

"This morning. It was there last night before dinner. I didn't think to look for it afterward, but it must have been gone then. I'm a light sleeper and would have heard anyone who came into the room while I was there."

"I can't believe it." She rubbed her temple, pacing, her mind jolted into action.

"I think it had to be someone here in the house, either a servant or a guest. I don't know which, although…"

She looked at him curiously. "What?"

"I had left a bag of coins on the dresser, and it wasn't touched."

"So it's probably not a servant."

"I wouldn't think so. Which leaves the other guests. You
must
stay until we discover who has the deed."

"Of course," she said with an impatient wave of her hand. "We'll need to talk to all of the servants and find out who they might have seen in the hallways last night, and—" She blinked.

"What is it?"

She yanked open her reticule. "I wonder if my jewels are missing, too."

"They were in two separate rooms. It's not very likely that—"

She turned the reticule upside down above her hand, and marbles rolled out onto her palm. "They're gone, Dougal. They're all gone."

Sophia sent Mary back to the room with their luggage. She was not going to leave until she'd solved this mystery.

When Dougal suggested they not make the loss of the deed and the jewels known to the other guests yet, Jack had concurred, and Fiona had reluctantly agreed, protesting that none of her guests or servants was capable of theft, Sophia wasn't so certain.

Breakfast was a tense affair. Everyone who knew of the missing items was preoccupied, none more than Sophia. She surreptitiously watched the other guests. Sir Reginald was his usual bland self, but he had seemed interested in her jewelry the night before. That made him a prime suspect for that, but what of the deed? Who would want that?

Mrs.
Kent
laughed at something Dougal said, and Sophia's attention went to the judge's flirtatious wife.

Had she taken the deed in an effort to gain Dougal's attention? She certainly seemed unscrupulous enough to try such a thing.

Miss Stanton was speaking to Sir Reginald, planning an outing of some sort, involving a ride to a nearby lake. Fiona sent Sophia a significant look before saying how lovely it would be if
everyone
were to get some fresh air this afternoon.

Naturally, the judge decided to take a nap instead, while Mrs.
Kent
did her best to discover if Dougal planned on riding before she committed herself.

When Sophia caught Dougal's gaze, he tilted his head toward the garden. She gave him a tiny nod, and for an instant, a smile shimmered in his green gaze.

Sophia shivered, thinking of their interlude in the tub. Dougal was an incredible lover, and his pursuit of her was flattering. Would he have paid as much attention to her in
London
, where there were more available women? Or would she have been just one among a number?

The thought made her lips tighten, and she heard Miss Stanton ask, "Miss MacFarlane, is something wrong? You look a bit upset."

Miss Stanton's loud voice halted all conversation, and all eyes turned to Sophia.

"You
do
look ill, my dear Miss MacFarlane," Mrs.
Kent
said in a rather waspish voice.

"I'm fine, thank you. I was simply thinking about… about my lack of a riding habit! I didn't think to bring one, so I won't be able to ride out today." If
everyone
would go for a ride, then the way would be clear for her to search the house. She glanced at Fiona, hoping her message was received.

Fiona clapped her hands together. "I know a pretty stream that is only a few miles off."

"How few?" Sir Reginald asked. "I don't wish to be too far from the house, in case it rains again."

"Oh, not far," Fiona said evasively. "It's a lovely path, too. There's a good deal of shade, and the vistas are breathtaking."

"That sounds like just the thing," Miss Stanton said. "Who else is going?"

Sir Reginald smiled. "If you think you can do it, Miss Stanton, then of course, I shall attempt it."