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“Oh, I’ve been too busy reading my book to notice anything out of the ordinary,” Sabrina replied in a bright voice.
She had no intention of appearing a buttoned-up prude, especially not in front of Graeme.
“You might try to spare my blushes,” Graeme complained to his brother. “You know how shy I am about this sort of thing. A veritable babe in the woods.”
Sabrina started to laugh but bit her tongue when the carriage hit another enormous hole. She almost slid off the seat.
Graeme latched on to her. “Hang on, lass. Don’t want ye hurtin’ yerself.”
“Thank you,” she breathlessly said, righting herself.
He let her go as the coachman slowed down after the horrific bump.
“Best keep hold of her, Graeme dear,” Ainsley said with a twinkle. “These roads are dreadful.”
“I should be happy to hold on to her as long as required,” Graeme said, “but I believe we’re at the gates of Lochnagar Manor.”
“You’re no fun,” Ainsley said.
Graeme snorted. “I am devastated to hear that.”
Ainsley rolled her eyes. “We’re on holiday. Remember?”
“Is that what we’re calling it?”
Sabrina mentally sighed. Graeme’s mood had considerably improved since that exciting interlude in his bedroom, but he’d still not mentioned a word about it. Although, when she’d come down for breakfast, he’d pulled out her chair and given her a wink before fetching her tea and scones. It was a remarkable change from his previous attitude.
The carriage passed under a high stone arch into a spacious courtyard. When they came to a halt, Sabrina tried to get a look at the manor house through the gathering dusk.
Graeme’s smile was encouraging. “Ready to survey your domain, my lady?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I’m ready to sleep in a hut,” Ainsley said, “if it means getting out of this blasted carriage.”
“You in a hut. I’d love to see that,” Graeme said.
When Ainsley stuck her tongue out, Sabrina laughed. And suddenly she was incredibly grateful that Ainsley, Royal, and Graeme had come with her on this mad journey.
“I know this is a dodgy situation,” Sabrina impulsively said, “but I’m so happy you’re all here. Thank you.”
Ainsley patted her knee. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, pet.”
Graeme winked at her. “We’ll get it sorted, lass. Dinna fash yerself.”
She smiled at his teasing, then glanced out the window. “What’s taking so long?”
Royal started to open the door of the carriage. “I don’t—ah, Bobby, there you are,” he said to the groom. “What’s amiss?”
“There’s nary a light on in the place, Mr. Royal. Looks right deserted.”
“That can’t be right,” Sabrina said. “Our Edinburgh business agent sent an express to the housekeeper. They should be expecting us.”
“We’ll check it out,” Graeme said. “You ladies stay here.”
“I refuse to stay in this coach a second longer.” Ainsley squeezed past her husband to take Bobby’s hand and hop down.
Rolling his eyes, Royal followed his wife out of the carriage.
