A Beautiful Knight (The Cursed Kingdom #2)

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

A fter speaking to their mother, Sabrina and Gwen gave up. It was best to speak to Tammie and allow her to decide.

Sabrina wondered if, instead, they should heed their mother’s warning. “If Mom isn’t comfortable with our sister coming, perhaps we need to reconsider asking Tammie to come.”

Gwen sat back, shaking her head. “I suppose if Tammie doesn’t feel any kind of nudge to come, then she may not be part of this.”

Sabrina glanced toward the doorway. Gavin and Tristan had not returned from wherever they’d gone. Almost three hours had passed since they’d left.

“What could they possibly be discussing?” she asked.

“I think Tristan is filling him in on their financial situation.” Gwen replied.

“Imagine coming back to this realm after centuries. Not only will it take time to get used to everything, but they don’t have anything. No identification, no way to make a living. My heart breaks for them.”

Gwen waved a hand in the air as if it were inconsequential. “They have willed themselves here over the years, so they have an idea of the changes. Not just that, but our trips to Edinburgh have been to meet with people who will help with such things as identification and such. Since they will not be living complicated lives, they should be okay for a bit.”

“How will they make a living? They still need money,” Sabrina asked wondering how her sister was taking the issue so lightly.

“They all have plenty of money,” Gwen replied, smiling when Sabrina’s eyes widened. “Tristan said Gavin has even more, his brother, the laird, left a coffer of gold here for him.”

“What about the others?”

This time Gwen stood and stretched. “Tristan hid a coffer for each of them before leaving. Each one is filled with gold that is worth millions now. They won’t ever have to worry about an income.”

“It may be complicated to claim it.” Sabrina considered that the authorities would wonder about coffers found.

“Edith is meeting with lawyers to figure out the best way to do it. The coffers will stay where they are, the location not divulged until it can be done without any chance of losing them.” Gwen took in her expression. “Stop worrying. The lawyer told us that since it is found on McRainey land, every bit of it will be considered Edith’s property. Once the gold is sold, then accounts will be set up for each man.

“Where are the coffers now?”

“There is an area below this house that is accessible by caves. Tristan likes to go there. It reminds him of the past,” Gwen told her, with a faraway look on her face. “I know it will be an adjustment for them. There are times when Tristan is restless with worry about the others.”

Sabrina went to her sister and placed a hand over hers. “He has you, Gwen, and now Gavin.”

“He pushes himself too hard. Sometimes I wake at night to find him pacing or standing by a window. He can’t seem to rest.”

The amount of trauma the damn wizard caused would linger for many years. Each of the men would be facing demons of their own in finding their freedom. And then there was the new life, which would bring a new set of situations.

Sabrina studied her sister. “We need to look at the good parts of this. Like the fact that you are married to a rich hottie and living in this amazing place.”

“What about you?” Gwen asked.

“I’m leaving, of course. I can’t stay here forever. But for now, I’m sleeping with a hunk.” She kept her voice light, ignored the stirring in her chest. “I have a photo shoot coming up. The Japanese company finally approved the models. But hey, the Marc Jacobs photo shoot in a couple of months will be here, in Scotland, so I will be back then.”

Gwen frowned. “What the hell are you talking about Sabrina? What about Gavin? You can’t just walk out on him.”

“What do you want me to do?” Sabrina ran both hands down her face. “Be with a man who can’t be touched? To live in fear that while making love he will snap my neck or something? No matter how much I love someone, how could I deal with that? Besides, I have to get back to my life.”

Before her sister could say anything, she continued. “Not all of us are meant to have your fairy tale ending Gwen. You get to keep the prince. I only got to kiss one.”

“Fine. Go ahead, do what you want. But at least give him a few days to adjust to being here before you break his heart,” Gwen snapped, then stormed from the room.

“What am I supposed to do?” Sabrina called after her.

Sabrina went to her bedroom not waiting for Gavin’s return. To her surprise she woke up the following morning still alone in the bed. He’d not come to join her.

A soft knock sounded, and she called whoever it was to enter. Hannah, one of the maids, entered with tea. “Your sister sends this.”

Since they were young, Gwen would always send her tea if they had any kind of disagreement. It was comforting that some things never changed.

“Thank you,” Sabrina replied. “Are Laird McRainey and the Mr. Campbell awake yet?”

Hannah smiled brightly, her cheeks coloring at the mention of the men. “Oh yes, miss, they’ve left for the stables, had a very early breakfast.”

Sabrina took the sip of tea. Gavin was avoiding her.

If she was to leave and return to work, there was much work to do before she could leave. Whenever Gavin was prepared to speak to her, he’d do so. Sabrina dressed in a pair of jeans and an oversized Georgia University sweatshirt and went downstairs to the library.

Gavin wasn’t present at the noon meal either. Tristan told her he’d decided to take his meal with Miles at the stable.

“Let’s be honest, he is avoiding me. Is it because of the fact he can’t be intimate with me? Or something else?”

Tristan shrugged. “I am not privy to what he is thinking. It could be he needs time to consider things.”

“We don’t have the luxury of time. There are important things to work on, like the other men who are trapped.”

Sabrina pushed back from the table and stalked out of the room and the front door. Once outside, she hurried to one of the golf carts and headed in the direction of the stables.

Once there, she walked through and peered into the stalls. Besides a mare with a bandaged leg, the rest were all empty.

“Is anyone here?” Sabrina called out and Miles appeared holding a broom. “What can I do for you, miss?”

When she asked about Gavin’s whereabouts, Miles instructed her to go around the back through the large opening.

There were two large fenced in areas. In one corral horses grazed, their long tails swishing back and forth. In the other, a horse galloped around the perimeter with Gavin atop it.

She wasn’t sure if he saw her, but Gavin jumped from the horse when it barely slowed and slapped it on the rump allowing the animal to continue on.

Hair wind-tossed and cheeks pinkened from the air, he looked very much like a medieval highlander. His expression was hard to read as he walked with long strides toward her.

“Has something happened?” His amber eyes searched her face.

Sabrina wanted to snap, but she kept her voice neutral. “Nothing new. I didn’t see you last night. Everything ok between us?”

“Tristan and I returned late. I did not wish to disturb you. Came out here early to become familiar with the horses and see how things are done. I work here now, training the horses and handling the breeding program.” His voice so filled with pride, she almost forgave him for avoiding her.

“That’s awesome.”

“What is this word ‘awesome?’” he asked.

“It means great, good.”

He smiled again, his deep dimples melting her knees. Could she handle it? The man was so gorgeous it was almost scary.

“You didn’t come to bed last night.”

He tensed but then shrugged as if nothing was wrong. “Everything is verra well. It was late,” he repeated.

Deciding not to dwell on the subject for now, she looked up at him. “We need to talk.”

He shook his head. “Aye we can, but later. I do not have time now. I have to prepare for people who will arrive soon to discuss breeding. Tristan and Miles want me present. That is what I was going to come and tell you, that I will come to you later, after they take their leave.”

Sabrina shook her head. “You have to learn to speak differently, say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ for starters all right?”

“Yes.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

Seeing Tristan approach, he gave her a second quick peck on the lips and walked away.

“Well, I guess I have to wait for my man to come home after work,” Sabrina mumbled, heading back to the golf cart.