Page 65 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

Alana stood up too, secretly staring to panic, knowing that somehow, she had to prevent him from going into the neighboring room. Because if he did, he would discover Tadhg was there, listening to their entire conversation. And whatever happened then, she knew it would not be good.

“There’s nae need tae go in the other room, Blaine,” she said in a voice she knew sounded unnaturally loud, but she could think of no other way to warn Tadhg to hide. “I told ye, dinnae fash yersel’ over it. I can see the document another time. Why d’ye nae get us another drink and come and sit down? I was enjoyin’ our talk.”

Blaine was already halfway to the door, but he stopped and turned around, giving her a quizzical look. “Aye, and I’m still enjoyin’ it. I’m only goin’ next door, Alana.” He jerked his thumb at the adjoining room, “It’ll nae take me a minute tae fetch the paper. I’m sure ye’ll find it interestin’.”

Alana scrambled frantically for some reason to keep him out of the room. She had an idea and quickly tipped the contents of her wine glass into a nearby vase of flowers. “But what about another drink first before ye go in there tae fetch it? I’m thirsty,” she said loudly, holding up the empty glass and silently praying she had given Tadhg enough time to conceal himself somewhere. If I keep on like this, Blaine’s gonnae get suspicious!

Blaine laughed and shook his head, seeming genuinely bemused. “Ye’re a funny lass, Alana. I’ve wanted tae get tae ken ye better, and now I’ve learned how much ye like a tipple. That’s fine with me. I’ll get ye another drink in a moment. Just hang on a wee minute, and I’ll be right back.”

He disappeared into the other room. Alana stood rigidly, her knuckles white as she clenched her hands, expecting an outraged shout to come any second. But it did not, and in a few moments, Blaine returned with a parchment in his hand. She let out the breath she had been holding, relief flooding through her. Tadhg must have found a hiding place. Thank God!

Blaine put the parchment down on the table by the sofa and picked up their

glasses. “If ye’ll wait a moment longer, I’ll get us a refill, and then I’ll show ye the paper. ’Tis written in yer faither’s own hand. Ye’ll find it as fascinatin’ as I dae, I dinnae doubt.”

“Och, aye, of course, fascinatin’. I ken next tae naethin’ about him, and I’ve never seen his handwriting,” she said, sitting back down on the sofa, wondering where a musclebound man of six-feet-two could have secreted himself within the elegant parlor.

“Aye, well, this is a nice opportunity fer me tae tell ye all about him,” Blaine said, bringing back the drinks. Her skin began to prickle when he sat down right next to her, his thigh mere inches from hers.

But this is what ye need tae dae… get close tae him, lull him intae a false sense of security, so he gives somethin’ away.

“Now, have a look at this,” he said, shifting infinitesimally closer and handing her the parchment. “This is a record of a council meeting held years ago when I was still a young boy, written by the laird.” He pointed to a section inscribed in black ink in angular cursive. Already suspicious of him, she had no idea if it was her father’s hand or not, but for the moment, she acted as though she accepted what Blaine told her.

“Here’s the part that refers to his discussion with the council members about his thoughts fer his succession. Read it,” he said.

“Very well,” she replied, trying to ignore his uncomfortable proximity. She looked down at the words on the parchment and began reading what was written there.

“Blaine will take over the lairdship following me death, pending the council’s endorsement. It is me hope that, in time, he will make a good marriage that will bring further prestige, wealth, and might tae our clan. However, as discussed in the meeting, there exists another option that appears tae me tae offer the best basis fer the clan’s future as well as being me greatest desire.

“The search fer me lost daughter and her maither continues but has so far failed tae produce me sole offspring—and remaining family member by blood—albeit being born out of wedlock, by a woman who was nae me wife. I have vowed that the search fer me daughter should continue as long as I live, with the express purpose of bringing her home and elevating her tae her proper place within the family and the clan.

“Me greatest wish is that when she is found and restored tae her rightful position, she will be wed tae me adoptive son Blaine. The bairns they produce will provide the best possible foundation fer all of us fer generations tae come. I cannae think of a better way tae strengthen the clan’s good reputation while at the same time ensuring the survival of the true blood of the MacIver line.”

She sat in silence for a few moments, contemplating the words Blaine attributed to her father. Then she handed the parchment back to him. “Ye were right, it is fascinatin’ indeed. I’m touched by what he writes.” If he wrote it, which I doubt. “It’s good tae ken he’s been looking fer me and Maither fer a long time.” She remained silent for a second and then she continued. “But at the end of the day, it makes nay difference. It is a shame fer him that his wish will never come true, fer I’m already married.”