Chapter 6 Regan #3
Robyn huffed a small laugh.
“Sorry.”
She shook her head, her smile wavering. “Something you mentioned—this guy, this obsessive one. Did he hurt you? Is that why you want to learn self-defense?”
Attempting not to stiffen at the mention of Austin, I lowered my eyes. “He scared me, he didn’t physically hurt me. But yeah, he’s the inspiration for the training.”
“Is he still a problem?”
There was a chance he wanted to be, but I was in Scotland now, and there was no way he could get to me here.
For a start, he didn’t know where I’d gone.
“No,” I said, more out of wishful thinking than wanting to lie to her.
So, okay, I didn’t want my big sister thinking I couldn’t handle myself or that I was a big screwup too.
“You’re sure?”
I nodded. “The training is just so I know how to defend myself. I should have learned long ago.”
“Physical activity isn’t really your thing.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “Depends on the activity.”
“Stop!” She laughed, pushing me away.
And just like that, we felt like Robbie and Ree again.
“I love you,” I said.
Her expression softened. “I love you, too, kid.”
Just like that, a weight lifted from my chest.
“So you were keeping it from me deliberately?” I whispered in pretend aggravation and not-so-pretend awe as Robyn led me into the foyer of Ardnoch Castle. I wasn’t sure you could call it a mere foyer.
“No, not deliberately.” Robyn made a face. “I just had to make sure I had my Regan back. I wasn’t kidding. It’s important to Lachlan that as few nonmembers have access to the estate as possible.”
When she’d said she’d give me the tour I’d been hankering after, I quickly fixed my makeup in case we met anyone famous. There was no hiding my bloodshot eyes, but I was too happy Robyn had forgiven me to fuss about it.
I nodded, my attention dancing from one thing to the next. “Holy cow.”
“Right?” I could hear my sister’s smile in that one word.
The huge entrance had polished parquet flooring that made the space seem like it went on forever.
The décor was very Scottish and traditional, but amped up a million knots on the luxury meter.
A grand staircase descended before us, fitted with a red-and-gray tartan wool runner.
It led to a landing where three floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows spilled a kaleidoscope of light down it.
Then the staircase branched off at either side, twin staircases ascending to the floor above, which I could partially see from the galleried balconies at either end of the reception hall.
There was a huge hearth on the wall adjacent to the entrance and opposite the staircase, but no fire burned within.
I’d love to see it all lit up during the winter months.
Opposite the fire sat two matching suede-and-fabric buttoned sofas with a coffee table in between. More light spilled into the hall from large openings that led to other rooms on this floor. There was a chatter of voices beyond them, and I eyed the doorways in curiosity.
“Members’ lounge rooms,” Robyn offered. “We’ll avoid those because it’s brunch and they’ll be busy.”
Damn. I was not above wanting to see a celebrity!
As usual, my sister read me and laughed. “You’ll spot someone famous at some point. And doesn’t Lachlan count, anyway?”
“Sure.” I shrugged. “But it’s amazing how quickly he just became the guy who’s marrying my sister. And calls her ‘Braveheart.’ Aww, don’t think I didn’t notice that. It’s adorable.”
“Shut up.” She mock scowled and gestured for me to follow her. She led me down a doorway next to the arches, through a wide, exquisitely decorated corridor. “The first room I’m showing you is the room I know you’ll love the most.”
We stopped at a large, solid wooden door that was propped open. Robyn peeked her head in and turned to me with a relaxed smile. “It’s empty.”
Since I was already looking beyond her and could see into the room, I almost bulldozed her to get inside. I grinned at the sound of my sister’s laughter.
Wall-to-wall, dark oak bookshelves, a large, open fireplace, comfortable armchairs, footstools, and sofas made up the library.
A castle library.
I was in heaven.
Floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the fireplace let light in so it didn’t seem too dark. The plethora of table lamps aided in chasing off the gloom too. Luxurious velvet curtains at the windows pooled on the wooden floors, most of which were covered in Aubusson carpets.
And the bookshelves were filled top to bottom with books.
Ladders on rails allowed readers to climb to the top rows to select their reading material.
“It’s happening.” I raised my arms dramatically as I spun in the room. “I’m finally Belle.”
Robyn chuckled. “I knew you’d love this.”
While my big sister wasn’t much of a reader, I had gotten the bookworm gene from Mom. When I wasn’t kissing boys under the bleachers in high school, someone could usually find me there curled up with a good book.
“Can I live here forever?” I climbed a ladder to the top, spread out one arm, and began singing a song from a well-known kid’s movie.
My sister veered between hysterical laughter and trying to shush me. Unfortunately, the harder she laughed, the louder I sang.
Then my eyes moved from her and caught sight of her fiancé leaning against the library doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes locked on Robyn. He wore an expression so fierce with love, it made me want to cry big, fat happy tears for her.
Instead, I abruptly cut off with an “Oops!”
Robyn stopped laughing and looked to the doorway. She gave her fiancé an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. Were we being too loud?”
He pushed up off the jamb with a grin and jerked a thumb toward me. “I could hear you all the way to my stage office.”
I hung on the ladder, suddenly not seeing the funny in it anymore. I didn’t want to get Robyn into trouble. “I’m sorry. My fault.”
As he slid an arm around Robyn, cuddling her into his side, Lachlan looked up at me and shook his head with a small smile. “It’s fine. You have a lovely voice.”
I beamed. “Why, thank you.” Relieved he was cool with my antics, I turned back to the shelves to caress the row of classics before me.
“Ree loves your library. I told you she would.”
“The song and the way she’s making love to the shelves gives her away.”
I lifted my cheek from the wood. “Hmm?” I turned on the ladder and clutched at my chest dramatically. “Can you fall in love at first sight?”
“I’m starting to see what you mean about her.” I heard him say.
That drew my attention. “What does that mean?”
As I climbed down the ladder, Robyn said, “I told Lachlan you could charm the pants off a Russian dictator. I blame the dimples.”
At her fond teasing, a rush of warmth filled my chest and I jumped off the last rung to face her with a big grin. “What, these?” I pointed to my dimples. “It is not my fault fairies put fairy dust pockets in my cheeks.”
Her eyes widened. “You remember that?”
I shrugged. “Of course.”
Robyn turned to Lachlan. “Is Dad here?”
He shook his head. “Mac’s at home, getting ready for his flight.”
“Oh, shit, yeah. I said I’d stop by before he goes.” Robyn looked at me. “Dad’s got a meeting with a guy in California about some new security tech for the estate. I want to say goodbye before he leaves. Is that okay?”
“Oh, you should do that alone.” I didn’t want to intrude on their farewell, especially since I felt weird about Mac.
“I can give Regan a tour of the rest of the estate and make sure she gets home okay.”
Robyn frowned at me. “I don’t know. Would that be okay?”
Realizing her anxiety came from the fact that we’d just found some clarity with one another, I waved away her concerns. “I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at home.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She turned into Lachlan, reaching up to clasp his face in her hands. “Thank you. And … things are good now,” she said meaningfully.
“Yeah?”
Robyn nodded. “Yeah.”
I chuckled. “You are as subtle as an elephant at a mouse party. Robbie and I had a good chat. We cleared the air. Apologies were made. Begging was exacted on knees. And voilà! We’re loved up again.”
The couple stared at each other for a beat, then Robyn said dryly, “And now she’s back to being a facetious pain in my ass.”
Rolling my eyes at Lachlan’s answering grin, I walked away to study more of the library’s collection while Robyn and her fiancé moved toward the door.
I tried to ignore the sound of kissing, which was easy when I spotted a copy of Gulliver’s Travels.
It was a favorite of mine, a satirical adventure that was so much more than any movie adaptation had ever made it out to be.
Many of the classics bored me to tears. But not Gulliver’s Travels.
The leather-bound book looked old and a little fragile. Handling it with care, I opened it to the copyright page and nearly dropped the thing in heart failure.
“Is this a first edition?” I practically shrieked, holding the book away from me as I turned to see my sister and Lachlan frowning. “Gulliver’s Travels.”
Lachlan’s expression cleared. “Aye. It was my great-grandfather’s.”
“Shouldn’t this be protected in bubble wrap and locked in a safe somewhere?”
He grinned. “Where no one can enjoy it?”
“It’s a first edition. This is the Hope Diamond of books.”
Lachlan chuckled. “Not quite. It’s not worth what you think it is.”
“But it’s worth more than a hundred dollars, right?”
“A fair bit more, yes.”
“And you just have it sitting on a shelf where any Neanderthal can pick it up?”
My soon-to-be brother-in-law seemed to find my horror hilarious. “I assure you my guests know how to treat rare books, Regan.”
I harrumphed, gently putting the book back on its shelf.
“Gulliver’s Travels is one of Regan’s favorites,” Robyn offered.
“Is that so? You can borrow it if you like.”
I stepped away from the bookshelf, my eyes round with terror. “And accidentally lose it or spill coffee on its pages? No thanks.”
My sister, lips pursed with amusement, stepped out into the hall. “I need to go. I’ll see you both back at the house.”
Lachlan reached for her again, like he couldn’t help himself, and pressed another quick kiss to her lips before he finally released her.
Once she’d departed, he turned to me.
I grinned at him. “You may be keeping my sister in Scotland, an entire ocean away from Boston, but … I’ve reluctantly decided to like you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Lucky me.”
At that, I grinned harder.
Footsteps rushing back down the corridor distracted us. Robyn was suddenly there, hurrying over to me as she held out her phone. “It’s Thane. I told him he needs to be quick.”
Pulse racing with anticipation, I took my sister’s cell and answered cheerily, “Hello, Mr. Adair!”
There was silence and then the sound of choked laughter before his deep voice rumbled through the phone. “You can call me Thane.”
“Oh, I know. I was just being professional since I’m pretty sure you’re about to offer me a job.”
I ignored my sister’s exasperated look and smirked.
“I could change my mind,” Thane teased.
“I don’t think you will. And I accept.”
He chuckled. “Good. I’ll send over a contract. You start tomorrow bright and early at 6:30 a.m. That work?”
“Perfect!” Grateful, I dropped my teasing and said, “I really appreciate this, Thane.”
“No problem.”
He hung up, and I handed the phone back to Robyn. “I got the job!”