Read Scandal in Scotland for Free Online Page B

narrowed. “ You were the one who suggested lilies.”
    “An excellent suggestion that you both ignored,” he said in a sharp tone. “Lilies would be perfect for—”
    “I hate to interrupt,” William said, “but I must leave very soon. Did you wish to speak to me, or did you just come to use my sitting room for your arguments?”
    “We came to hear how you lost the artifact.” Robert smoothed his lace cuff as if bored. “And to find out how you could be such a lumphead.”
    William shot his younger brother a hard look. “In a mood, are you?”
    Noted for the quickness of his mind, Robert read social nuances and the emotions of those around him effortlessly. His skills had made him rise quickly at the Home Office where he worked for the home secretary.
    William wasn’t sure exactly what Robert’s position was, but it seemed to afford him the right introductions since he moved in the highest circles of the ton with the ease of one born to it.
    The funds for such high living didn’t come from the Home Office, but from Michael’s endeavors. Whenever Michael wished to sell something he sent it to Robert, who was adept at marketing precious items to the members of the ton, who were always looking for conversation pieces for their drawing rooms. Robert kept a portion of the funds from each sale and sent the bulk to Michael, who used the money to fund his explorations. It was a lucrative relationship for both.
    But that was Robert; he’d always had a talent for making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear and a desire to be something bigger and better.
    Robert raised one eyebrow. “ I’m in a mood? I’m not the one snapping at people.”
    “I’m wet, tired, and hungry. What do you want?”
    “You’re definitely wet; you’re soaked through and through.”
    “It’s raining, you fool,” William retorted, going to the fireplace to warm himself.
    “ I didn’t get wet,” Robert returned smugly.
    Mary pulled her skirts back so William’s wet boots wouldn’t brush her hem. “Robert, you arrived hours before the rain began and you know it. Stop being ugly to William.”
    Robert frowned at his practical-minded sister. “Our brother has lost the object we need to rescue Michael, and you say there’s no need to be ugly?”
    “No,” she replied stoutly, “for I’m sure it was an accident, wasn’t it, William?”
    “It was more in the line of a theft.”
    Robert shrugged. “Whatever you wish to call it, it’s a blasted shame that your carelessness will cause us more effort now. Mary had a hell of a time wresting the box from Erroll.”
    The Earl of Erroll, dressed as ever in head-to-toe black, slanted a cold gaze Robert’s way. With his black hair and scarred jaw, he was a menacing sight. “Mary didn’t work hard to regain the onyx box,” he said with his soft Scottish burr. “She worked hard to prove her identity, for I’d no proof of who she was.”
    Mary nodded. “And any of us would have done the same after Michael wrote that letter saying he expected someone to steal the—”
    “Michael was right,” William interrupted. “Someone was out to steal that damned box and they succeeded.” It galled him to say the words aloud.
    “Exactly how did the artifact get stolen?” Caitlyn demanded.
    Caitlyn’s husband, Alexander MacLean, the laird of his clan, placed a hand upon her shoulder. “Patience, my love. I’m sure William will tell us everything.”
    “Indeed I will.” William had always liked MacLean. The man had a dry wit and was able to curb Caitlyn’s high spirits. Though perhaps her newfound temperance lay more in the fact that she was now a mother to her own set of twins, a boy and a girl who were as high spirited and impulsive as their mother.
    William raked a hand through his hair, grimacing as water dripped down his neck. “I’m more than happy to explain what happened. After I got the artifact from Mary and Erroll, I took it straight to my ship. Someone was waiting for me in my