Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 183663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 918(@200wpm)___ 735(@250wpm)___ 612(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 183663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 918(@200wpm)___ 735(@250wpm)___ 612(@300wpm)
“I’ll thank you to think and speak of my staff with respect while you’re here,” I retort, disregarding his taunt. His threat? “Even those I had no idea were working here before I arrived. Whether you believe me or not, I had no idea Holland was employed at the castle, that she was running the education centre, or that she was filling in for Hugh and Archie’s nanny. And by the way, what the hell were you thinking, bringing attention to her as you did last night?”
“I was just pointing out who she was. Introducing her, if you like.”
I shake my head at his bald-faced lie.
“There’s such a difference between your stations, don’t you think? The duke and the nanny. Sounds like something I saw once in a club in Berlin. A spanking scene, I seem to remember.”
“And you think the barrister and the nanny has a better ring to it?”
“Maybe. For a little while, at least. Let’s face it,” he adds, his tone mild. “It’s not like either of us are about to make her a permanent fixture in our lives.”
Callous. Cold. Perhaps even true, though I flatter myself, my reasons are better than his. Maybe that’s just it. Maybe it is self-flattery. He is just like our father, I find myself thinking. I suppose I should feel sorry for him.
But fuck that.
“What you do with your life is up to you. What you do on this estate, that comes down to me. And whatever you think you know, I’m telling you, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I had nothing to do with her being at Kilblair.”
If I say it enough times, I might come to believe it myself. Either way, it sounds so much more plausible than telling Griffin I sent her away from both of us.
God knows she deserves better than either of us.
He appears to consider my explanation as his gaze dips to his shoes.
“If I’d known she’d ended up here, I would’ve—” I halt, though my mind races on. If I’d known, I would have been here sooner. I wouldn’t have dreamt about her all those weeks. I’d have enjoyed her instead, exactly as Griffin plans to do. Which will happen over my dead body.
“You would’ve what? Made sure I wasn’t here?”
“This is not about you.” At least, not now it isn’t.
“You’re sure?”
I sigh and shake my head. So much animosity. He thinks Holland is a toy I resent him having when it isn’t the case at all. Because he hasn’t had her. I have. And I intend to hold on to her.
“It’s almost serendipitous.” For a beat I think he’s still flogging that lame horse; Holland and I, here in the Scottish wilderness. But when he speaks again, I wish he was as my blood runs cold. “I’ve taken a holiday from my chambers,” he says far too carefully as he stares up at the castle battlements, shielding his eyes from the sun. “I thought I might stay here for a while. And well, she’s here. I’m here. Who knows what might happen?”
I grit my teeth as I remind myself that punching your brother in the face isn’t really an advisable redirection tactic.
“And it sounds like I’d better act fast. It seems she’s created a bit of a stir, the way I hear it. She’s a popular girl.”
Is he suggesting she’s promiscuous or trying to lose his teeth?
“In a village of a few hundred inhabitants, that’s hardly surprising,” I say, deliberately misunderstanding. “An American moving here might even make the local newspaper.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he says with a frown.
“Isn’t it? What a surprise.”
“Did you know she had a date with one of the gardeners?”
“What?”
“There are likely others. Like you say, Kilblair is a small pond to fish in. That’s probably why some of the villagers look a bit weird,” the arsehole says meaningfully. “But a barrister has to be a better prospect than a gardener, don’t you think?”
What do I think? I think a gardener I can keep in line and my brother can go to hell.
If a barrister is better than a gardener, then I’m sure a duke trumps a barrister.
But I don’t say any of that. It doesn’t matter who or what I am because it was my bed she spent the night in.
Affecting a bored tone as I reply, “I imagine that all depends on her.”
Her. I can’t quite bring myself to say her name in his presence. Holland. Holly? I know which I prefer.
“I imagine—”
I know exactly what he imagines, and the thought of it has me suddenly stepping into him.
“Keep your thoughts to yourself.”
I know I’ve made a mistake immediately as he steps back, a stupid fucking grin growing on his face.
“I knew there was something going on between you two.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”