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Now to hear her father had returned to the castle on occasions unbeknownst to her? How many more lies had he fed her?
She had never even met her grandmother. Her father had said she was a hateful woman who despised having to raise a couple of kids. He had never said anything about Grant or his brothers. She would ask Grant more about her grandmother later, feeling bad she hadn’t gotten to know her before she died.
How had her father acted toward Grant and his brothers when he came to live here for a year and a day? She had been away at college and couldn’t take time off to visit. Not that she would have. She had avoided her father as soon as she was old enough to do so.
Her father’s relationship with Grant put a whole different spin on the situation. Her gaze steady on his, she said, “I take it when my father came to stay here, the experience was rather…tense.”
“Aye.” Grant didn’t expound.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear all that had gone on. She suspected her father had been awful to live with. Just as he had been while she had to live with him. Mainly because of the drinking. Since he already held bad feelings toward Grant and his brothers, she could only imagine how well that had gone over.
He wasn’t one of those happy drunks, either. No. When he’d had too much, he’d been surly and mean.
Was that why Grant had been wary of her staying with them? She had to dispel any notion that she was anything like her father. She was more like her mother—even-tempered, cautious, and to her way of thinking, great about considering both sides of an equation before she made any decisions. She did appreciate that though she owned the place, she didn’t live here. She certainly had no intention of making a bunch of changes at the castle unless they would improve its financial state or conditions for the people who lived here.
Still, she didn’t understand why Grant had taken such an aversion to Archibald.
“I understand why you would have a lot of animosity against Archibald’s grandfather since he murdered yours, but why Archibald? He’s just the grandson.”
“Like grandfather, like father, like son,” Grant said simply.
“How so?” she asked. What Grant revealed said nothing.
“You know why he shows interest in you?” Grant asked.
She thought about what Grant had remarked on. It all had to do with running the estates. Like grandfather, like father, like son. So they had all wanted the job and would do anything to get the position?
She stiffened at the insinuation that Archibald wouldn’t be intrigued with her just because she was…intriguing. She didn’t believe he was up to no good. Grant was projecting that Archibald would be just like Uilleam Borthwick because they were related. When it could be the furthest thing from the truth.
Guys liked her. Normally. They became interested in her if she showed any interest back. She had to admit Archibald’s attention had flattered her. She didn’t believe in love at first sight, but something might develop between them. Given time.
Though she had to admit when she saw Grant fighting Ian in the inner bailey, working that hot body of his, she did believe in lust at first sight.
She sighed. She could never be accused of being gullible. “Of course, I know why Archibald is interested in me. He wants me to have his babies.”
Enrick choked on whatever he was drinking with his breakfast.
Lachlan glowered at her. Grant stared at her as if she’d turned into the Loch Ness monster on a bad day.
“Well, in truth, I didn’t tell him that I owned the castle. Just that I was visiting for a year.”
“You don’t think he knew who you were? That he was there only to meet you and attempt to win you over?”
No, she hadn’t suspected any of that. “So you think he believes he might get his hands on the castle, even if he has to mate with me to do it.” She smiled, amused at the notion. But that changed the rules a bit where Archibald was concerned. She would be more careful with regard to dating him, having fun but ensuring he understood she was leaving in a year. And not mating a Highland wolf who would lay claim to her properties and stay here while she returned to Maryland.
“You can’t be serious,” Grant said, his face red with anger.
“What? That I’d go along with such a farce? Or that he intends this charade?” She noted the hall was completely silent.
“Then you realize what he’s up to,” Grant growled.
She smiled. “I think it’s too early to say about anything.”
“Why did you have him come here?”
“I didn’t have him come here. He took it upon himself to see me here. But I would like to know why you think he’s such a problem.” She still didn’t see the correlation between Uilleam killing her grandfather and the grandson.
“Archibald tried to tell your father what a poor job my clan and I were doing. He hoped to get rid of me when your dad stayed here before.”
“Ah.” Though she was surprised to learn that Archibald had latched on to her father. Maybe there was some truth to him having a motive for why he was now so friendly with her.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You believe I will be just like my father.” She wouldn’t tell Grant otherwise. She wouldn’t expect him or anyone else to take her word for it. She’d have to prove it by showing just who she was.
He grunted.
“Well, suffice it to say, you have nothing to worry about—for the moment. I am really easy to get along with and don’t intend to make any changes for the present without seeking your consideration. So, do you have someone in mind who can show me the properties today?” she asked.
“I will,” Grant quickly said.
Truly surprised that he would offer, she wondered why Grant hadn’t thought of trying to seduce her. If they mated, he and his family would never have to give up their home. If he hadn’t tried so far, she didn’t think he was interested. And yet she swore from the way he was looking at her now, he wasn’t acting just as her manager, but like a Highland wolf desiring a wild and sexy romp with a she-wolf.
In her dreams.
Chapter 8
Grant wasn’t sure what to think of the lass. He had thought she would be just like her father. That she would have the same superior attitude and the same disagreeable personality, and hold the same grudges. But she didn’t seem to be anything like him.
