Read It Happened One Bite for Free Online Page A

it as his house.”
    “Can ye show me?” She dropped the figures into her pocket,
    Brannock nodded. “There’s nothin’ else there, no’ that I could see.”
    Still, she needed to see it. Brannock led her to one of the many bedchambers and opened up an ancient wardrobe. The interior was vast and dark, almost big enough to be a small room of its own. She kicked a tattered pillow from her path, most assuredly the cat’s bed. A fireball sparked to life in Blaire’s hand so she could better see inside. At the back of the large wardrobe, her flame glittered against the brass casings of a dark chest.
    “ Havers! ” Blaire muttered.
    “It’s like a pirate’s treasure chest.” Brannock tugged at her skirts. “Can we open it?”
    Blaire laughed at her adventure-starved brother. Though, truly her excitement mirrored his, if she was completely honest with herself. “Of course.”
    The two of them stepped toward the back of the wardrobe, and Blaire lowered her flame to inspect the chest more thoroughly. The brass lock sparkled shiny, as though it had recently been constructed. In fact, it had the same luster as the key Aiden had received from the solicitor. The one that didn’t fit the front door. “Bran, run back ta my chambers. The key from Mr. MacDonald is on my dressin’ table.”
    Her brother pouted. “Why doona ye just open it with some magic words?”
    She could do that, of course, but doing so wouldn’t answer her question. “Because I want ta ken if it fits the trunk. Now do as I ask.”
    Brannock grumbled, though he started for the entrance of the wardrobe. “Doona open it without me.”
    “Cross my heart.”
    Blaire ran her fingers over the brass casings. How strange that the chest retained its luster when everything else at Briarcraig seemed dusty and dull. The wardrobe must have kept it safe from the elements, but one would still think a little dust would have settled on the chest, especially if that damn cat had been in and out of the space.
    In less than a moment, Brannock was back inside the wardrobe, huffing and puffing as though he’d run a footrace. She never ceased to be surprised at how quick he could be when he wanted something. “Here.” He held out the key for Blaire’s inspection, still trying to catch his breath.
    Blaire bounced the key in her upturned palm, as though testing its weight. “Hmm.” It did indeed appear to be the same brass. She slid it into the lock and smiled when she heard a very satisfying click.

Five
    Blaire gasped.
    “What’s inside?” Brannock complained, bouncing up and down on his feet as he tried to look over her shoulder. “Let me see.”
    Blaire moved to the side, allowing the warm light from her flame to illuminate the contents of the trunk. She couldn’t even speak. Never in her life had she seen so much money. Not shillings nor farthings but real golden guineas filled the trunk to the brim. More than she could ever count, she was sure.
    “It is a treasure chest!” Brannock gushed, awe lacing his voice.
    “Aye,” Blaire barely managed.
    “We’re rich! We’re rich!”
    The lad bolted from the wardrobe and out of the room before Blaire could even call for him to stop.
    “We’re rich! We’re rich!” he bellowed through the corridor and down the stairs, his exuberance bubbling over.
    “Brannock!” she called after him. “Wait.”
    “Aiden!” the boy wailed. “We’re rich!”
    Blaire chased after her younger brother, nearly stumbling on the last stone step in her pursuit. She righted herself just in time to see Brannock dart into the great hall. That lad was going to be the death of her one way or the other.
    “For the love of God, Bran!” Blaire stopped in the threshold of the vast room to find Brannock barreling toward Aiden who was reclined like a king on the settee. Unfortunately, her oldest brother was not alone. Across from him, two golden-haired lasses in cheerful homespun sat in matching high-backed chairs, and an older man of