T is for Temptation

by Jianne Carlo

  “Yes, I think he accepts me for what I am.” Her tremulous smile faded. “He’s real, Dad, not like Tony. I like him a lot.”

  “Jake’s been your support after Tony’s death. Your mother and I realized he must care a great deal for you. Don’t look so surprised, honey. Jake could’ve closed down the Trinidad office without ever stepping foot on the island. When he started showing up once a week and asked you to help him sort things out, well, it doesn’t take a genius IQ to extrapolate. Even before the wedding, I noticed the way he looked at you. I half hoped you’d call the whole thing off.”

  “Do you know that first time I met Jake, my reaction to him scared me. Instead of facing it, I buried it. The old coward in me advised, Go with the flow. I never told you what happened on my honeymoon night because Tony turned me into a coward, and you never asked any questions, even after I refused to move to Greenbriar.”

  “We knew something drastic and horrible had happened. However, you declined to answer questions, and we were so afraid to push you or leave you alone. You seemed on the brink of collapse. When Dee told me you agreed to do an exhibition ride recently, I knew you were coming back to us. Do you realize that from your wedding night to three weeks ago, you hadn’t ridden Cherry? Not even fed him. Your horses have always been more important than most people to you, honey, and the fact you neglected them really scared us.”

  “I think I finally grew up over the last few weeks, Dad. I’m ready to take control of my life.” She hesitated, but pressed on. “Does Tricia know about my special abilities?”

  Henry hesitated. “You must understand your mother will never accept or acknowledge them.”

  “I guess I realized that fact years ago.”

  “She loves you in her own way, honey.”

  “Dad, Mother’s afraid of me. Every so often I catch a glimpse of it in her eyes.”

  “Your mother is not the most reasonable person around, not when it comes to something out of the ordinary. Give her time.” He took out his handkerchief. “I’m so glad we’ve cleared the air, honey. I want you to know you can rely on me. I love you, and I hope I’ve made the right decisions on your behalf.”

  “Oh, Dad.” She collapsed against his chest. “I just wish you’d spoken to me before.”

  “I wanted to.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Now, where’s this Jake of yours?”

  Tee swallowed. “That’s a long story.”

  A knock sounded on the door.

  “Probably those inspectors returning. Dry your eyes, honey.” Henry rose to his feet and gave her a folded white handkerchief.

  She wiped the linen square across her eyes, stood up, and straightened her spine into rigid finishing school posture, but bit her lip.

  “It’s okay, honey.” He chucked her chin up. “I’m the president of a nation. My daughter is immune to all of this.” He grinned. “Blast it, Tee, if I can’t rescue my own daughter, who can I save?”

  The metal door opened, and the two inspectors trailed into the room behind a tall man dressed in an immaculate pinstriped navy suit, starched white shirt, and a dark tie. She waited for the men to react to the stone fireplace gracing the wall behind her, and devilish delight had her almost bursting into loud laughter. Both men stared at the flames dancing and snapping up the flue, mouths open. The cut they gave her proved satisfying as all hell, and she recognized the hint of fear in their eyes.

  “Arthur, how are you?” Henry extended his hand.

  “Henry. So good to see you again. I understand congratulations are in order, president of a nation, no less.” The man pumped her dad’s hand.

  “News travels fast.” Henry draped an arm over her shoulder. “Honey, you remember Sir Arthur Flood. He visited us years ago. Arthur and I were at boarding school and then university together. He’s the assistant commissioner for Specialist Operations here at the Met. Arthur, this is my daughter, Tallulah Trent.”

  “Call me Tee, please.” She glared at her dad.

  “Good, you’re getting your spirits back. That’s my girl.”

  She glanced from Inspector Flood to Sir Arthur. “Are you two related?”

  “Dismissed, gentlemen.” He nodded at the two men. “I’ll take it from here.”

  For long seconds, the gaping men didn’t respond to his command.

  “Dismissed,” Sir Arthur barked. The two men snapped to attention and trudged to the open doorway, glancing from Tee to the fire every step of the way, and closed the door an inch at a time until it clicked shut.

  “Flood is my nephew by marriage and currently is on loan to a task force of a combined Europol and Interpol division tasked at investigating drug-related financial fraud. I hope my men treated you well, my dear.”

  “Of course,” she murmured. “Dad, you said the Met. I thought we were at Scotland Yard.” Her forehead creased.

  “Scotland Yard comes under the umbrella of the Met, also known as the Metropolitan Police.”

  “I see.”

  “I had no idea we had such a charming room.” Sir Arthur’s brow furrowed. He surveyed the furniture, the tea service, and the fireplace. “I’m positive the architectural plans don’t mention a fireplace in the building.”

  Heat sizzled her skin, and she knew color stained every inch of exposed flesh.

  “Arthur, where do we stand?” Henry asked.

  “All pending charges against your daughter have been dropped. I’m afraid my man who’s the head of the Europol and Interpol financial division still needs to speak with you, Tallulah.”

  “Tee, please. Why do they want to talk to me, Sir Arthur?”

  “I believe it’s primarily concerning your husband’s movements during the last few months prior to his death. My colleague will meet us at my club for lunch tomorrow. Some simple questions and this will all be behind you.”

  “Is this all about the money in Tony’s account?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid it is, my dear.” Arthur glanced at his watch. “I’m late for a meeting. Where are you two staying, Henry?”

  “At Grosvenor House. I’ve left my mobile number with security and your competent assistant.”

  Tee cleared her throat.

  “Yes, yes. Well, we’ll catch up later, Arthur. I need to take my daughter back to the hotel.”

  The inspectors escorted them out of the building. Flood’s intent stare made her palms grow damp; the man had a way of making her feel guilty.

  “Honey, I have to check in at the embassy. Why don’t I drop you off at the hotel?” He patted her knee. “You look like you could use a nap. Call your mother when you’re settled.”

  “Okay, I’ll be fine.” His worried expression prompted her to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for everything.”

  “It’s the first time I can be your knight in shining armor.” Henry grinned. “I think I like it. Don’t go getting into any more scrapes, though.”

  After showering and dressing, Tee took the Tube to Claridge’s. The gray skies and steady, chill drizzle hastened her movements.

  She counted all the Graham men involved in their lives, Douglas, George Brown, and Tiny. Somehow, a thread connected all these odd coincidences, and maybe George could provide answers.

  Mirror Images

  Footsteps pounded down the hallway. Tiny screeched to a halt in front of them. “Laird Ramsay’s called for the priest. He’s says the handfasting will be held tonight.

  Jake’s eyes crossed.

  “Wonderful.”

  “What’s the plan?”

  “Who the hell knows? Let’s assess the situation firsthand.” Unable to face Tee’s questions, he’d sneaked out of their bed this morning as soon as a hint of sunlight hit the window. “Damn it. Alex, let’s find a quiet spot and try to come up with a solution to this farce.”

  “About time. I’m tired of this century. I want a hot shower and a long, relaxing bout in a steam room.”

  They decided the great outdoors might be the safest bet and headed to the luxuriant line of pine f
orest behind the castle. Finding a couple of tree stumps, they settled down, long legs stretched side by side.

  “Let’s start with Tony. I thought of something from my last security report when you mentioned the caretaker thing. He had six employees listed for the Trinidad operation. Five people clocked in at the Port of Spain office, but one drew a sizable monthly salary, no records of clocking in.”

  “Name?”

  “Only a last name, Charles.”

  “In Trinidad, that’s like Smith in the US. Thousands of them.”

  Smoke curled out of a chimney on the right of the castle, and the smell of roasting meat wafted on a slight breeze.

  “If we had a photo of the man, we could narrow the field. Any chance of procuring one when we get back?”

  “I never checked for personnel files after the burglary. Maybe. You think the caretaker’s connected to us being here?”

  “Heck if I know. I’m doing what I always do when faced with a dilemma, following anything unusual.” Alex scrunched his hair with both hands. “Have to tell you, Jake, I’m beginning to lose my cool. I have a sinking feeling this is not a dream, and I’m not waking up anytime soon.”

  “Wish I could offer some hope. It’s all too real.”

  “I am not staying in this century,” Alex said through gritted teeth. He closed his eyes. “Right. Let’s concentrate on what we do know. Before I continue, what exactly did this vision of yours entail?”

  “Graziella Leandro and the caretaker with a hostage.”

  “Tee?”

  Jake nodded.

  “Crap. If Tony was involved in drug running.”

  “Caretaker’s the perfect position.”

  “Stick a pin,” Alex said.

  “Stick a pin?”

  “Tee says it, means hold that thought.”

  Jake crushed a few rust-hued leaves in his hand and let the papery remnants dust off a palm. Without looking up, he said, “I asked her to move in with me.”

  Alex’s astonishment proved almost comical, jaw dropped, eyebrows at his hairline, blue eyes dilated.

  “Crap. You’re a goner.”

  A chill wind cooled skin turned fiery in embarrassment, Jake avoided his friend’s gaze, and said, “Back to the situation. We have three Grahams and one trunk. A handfasting ceremony at dusk, which is going to prove difficult to avoid, and parents I’ve never met showing up.”

  “There’s one aspect of this that’s puzzling, and it’s something we have to consider. Everyone accepts you as their laird, except Tiny.”

  “Hell, of course he accepts me. He bought me one day with his deal with the elder Ramsay.”

  “Trust me, he’s watching you and Tee like he’s anticipating victory.”

  “Okay, set him aside for a moment. What’s bugging you about them accepting me as laird?”

  “Why have they?”

  “According to Tiny, I’ve been gone for years. What’s not to accept?”

  “Tiny recognized you, Jake. He identified you, basically he validated you. Why?”

  Patches of blue sky disappeared with mercurial speed as charcoal clouds gathered into tight bunches. Sudden gusts hit the small clearing, whipping pine needles and ashy leaves to a frenzy.

  “Tee seems to trust him, though she says he’s ambitious.”

  “Suppose he has some sort of takeover strategy? Even I can tell this is a rich holding. And we’ve only his word your parents are on the way. And them being away bothers the crap out of me. One, they left on a mysterious journey, and no one seems to know their destination. Two, why would your fiancée and her family come now when they’re gone? Three, Tiny said your father ceded control of Brodick to him.”

  “Points taken. Possibilities?”

  “We hightail it out of here before dusk, preferably within the next hour. And stay away while observing the comings and goings. If your parents arrive, we consider coming back. There are over two hundred warriors on the grounds, and they’re spilling for a fight. We’re outnumbered and outmaneuvered.”

  “Let’s get Tee. I have a feeling we may be doing too little too late,” Jake said as he tugged on his earlobe.

  Silence ruled their return journey, but as they climbed the stairs to the fairy room, Alex asked, “What about the trunk? You seemed intent on finding it.”

  “It’s our only way back to the present as far as I can figure. Tee can’t take us there.”

  They arrived at the attic, and Jake edged open the door. “Are you decent, babe?”

  He didn’t expect a warm welcome, but he never anticipated an empty room.

  “She’s not here. Blast, blast, blast. Where the hell did she go? You don’t think she’d venture outside, do you?”

  “Where would she go? It’s not as if she knows anyone here. Wait a minute, her horse. She asked Tiny about him last night, wanted to feed him, but he said he’d take care of it.” Alex tapped a finger against his chin. “She was pretty insistent.”

  “I should’ve thought of that. Hell and damnation, a woman like her with all those blasted warriors.” He rubbed a circle around the back of his neck. “I’ll take the stables. You find Tiny. Try to avoid raising suspicion.”

  “Yeah, right, as if that’s possible. By the way, where’s Tee? She seems to be missing. And I’m not going to arouse suspicion?” He grabbed Jake’s arm. “Hang on. Take a look at this room. Are the walls blushing like she does?”

  “It must be the light. Where did the shower come from? And isn’t that the bed from her nanna’s cottage?” He opened the glass shower stall door and swiped a finger. “Wet, warm, she was here. Not too long ago. Okay, remember that pulsing I told you about? It’s happening big time. That trunk’s close.”

  A thread of restless agitation swirled up Jake’s spine. The hair at the nape of his neck bristled. When a search of the four stables turned up nothing, he checked Brandy to see if the horse had been groomed. Tee had a habit of braiding the stallion’s mane or tail, creating a different pattern every day. It amused him to watch her frown and carry on a conversation with the animal, speaking to him as if he could answer.

  Yesterday, the creature’s tail swished a long waterfall. Today, an intricate plait spiraled the dark hair. About to leave, he spied scarlet dotting the strawed floor. A black scrunchie lay next to the spot, and his chest caved, and he imagined the worst.

  Fear rose hot and wild in his throat. Cold sweat trickled down his temple, swathing panic with every slow drizzle. He studied the scuffed straw and dirt identifying several sets of shoe prints. All the evidence pointed to a struggle. Further exploration revealed a bloodstained poker.

  Cold dread settled low in Jake’s belly, and murderous rage overthrew any logical thinking. He saw everything through a crimson swathe.

  On his way back to the hidden entrance, every effort centered on Tee’s safety, he almost collided with the Ramsay brothers, ducking into the forest to avoid them.

  By the time he made it back to the attic, anxiety-frazzled nerves had taken their toll, and when he saw Alex’s damp hair and smelled shampoo, he snapped. “You showered? At a time like this, you blasted well took the time to shower?”

  “Christ, Jake. Panicking is not going to help. We need cool heads.”

  “She was in the stables. I found a bloody poker.”

  “Let’s not jump to conclusions. There could be another explanation.”

  “What? She braided Brandy’s tail sometime today, yesterday she’d one his mane, not his tail. And I found this.” He held up the scrunchie.

  “Crap. I saw her conjure that myself.” Alex sat up straight. “Who’d attack her? And what would they do with her? Christ, don’t answer that. I couldn’t find Tiny. And those Ramsays are looking for you. We have to leave now, Jake, or risk them grabbing you.”

  “Not without her. They could be raping her right now. You think I could leave? I’m blasted well searching this damned castle from top to bottom. She has to be here somewhere.”

  “We can’t risk t
hem seeing you. Wait here. Let me find Tiny. I’ll bring him here. Caveman instincts won’t win the day. I’ll check the kitchen. One of the kitchen maids said Tee was there before she left to go to the attic.”

  “I’m coming with you. I can’t sit here and stew. They get me—they get me. Let them try to force me to consummate the handfasting. Not about to happen.”

  “I’ll go first.” Alex opened the door and poked his head out. He snapped it back inside, slammed the door shut, and leaned against the rough wood, his mouth opening and closing like the fish in a koi pond.

  Alex’s ashen face made Jake’s pulse race, and the dazed panic in those cobalt eyes sent rivulets of cold sweat dripping down his spine.

  “What?”

  His friend’s jaw dropped open. It closed and opened again. No words came out.

  “Is it Tee?”

  Alex shook his head. “Uh-uh. Not.”

  “What’s beyond that door? The LochNess Monster?”

  “Uh-uh.”

  “Damn it, what the hell’s wrong with you? You’re never speechless. No, you make up a duke for a father.”

  “Yeah, well this is retribution time. I know why everyone accepted you as the laird,” he said and took a wheezy inhale. “Look.” His voice cracked, but he opened the door.

  Jake glared at him and stuck his head out the narrow opening.

  Stunned, he stepped into the hallway, propelled forward on autopilot, brain and body in disconnect.

  A man with his features confronted him.

  Everything happened in slow motion.

  Jake’s mind reeled. He gulped, held out his hand, palm outwards, and grazed the man’s brown coat. Rough wool scraped his fingertips. The other man’s fierce scrutiny seemed as intent as Jake’s, but he remained silent.

  A mirror trick, it had to be.

  He circled.

  His mirror image moved with him.

  Alex seemed to recover from his initial shock, and he took an investigative position on the wall, leaning one shoulder into it, and crossing one ankle over the other. “Right in front of my eyes and I didn’t get it.”