Page 114 of Dark Embrace

“I just got into town,” she said, “and I saw the sign in your window. I’m a history buff.”

“You’re American,” the woman said in delight. “Welcome to the Highlands. I am Mrs. McKay. You must be touring our grand Highland castles. Have you been to Dunstaffnage yet?”

“We were at Loch Awe today.”

“Kilchurn is splendid, is it not?”

“We were at Castle Awe,” Brie said. “I’m doing research into one of your…” She paused, incapable of continuing. “We were at the tomb there.”

“You must have seen the Wolf’s tomb, then. I get shivers whenever I go there. What a grand Highlander, eh?”

Brie managed a grim smile.

“You’ll want this, then, I think. It’s out of print and the last copy we have.” The woman went to a crowded bookcase and pulled out a thin pamphlet. “It was written in 1952 by an Oxford scholar.” She handed the pamphlet to Brie.

Brie took one look at the title and felt faint. “The Legacy of Castle Awe, the Wolf and the earls of Argyll.” She was in disbelief. “I’ll buy it,” she gasped.

The woman smiled, pleased. “He’s very difficult to reach, but you should try to interview the Baron of Awe himself. No one knows the history of Castle Awe better than his lordship.”

“The Baron of Awe?” Brie asked, chills sweeping through her.

“Aye. He’s a descendant of the Wolf’s, or so it’s claimed. He has a fine home on the eastern shore of the loch, built in the eighteenth century. Of course, he’s rarely in residence, as he much prefers city life. I believe he’s in Barcelona, but I know he’s expected back at any time.” Mrs. McKay smiled at her.

Brie wasn’t sure that speaking with one of Aidan’s descendants would help anything, when the woman exclaimed, “Speak of the devil! There’s his lordship now. He’s one of our best customers, of course. In spite of his playboy ways, he is very well educated and an avid reader.”

Brie felt so much white power that it took her breath away. The Baron of Awe was no ordinary man, she somehow thought, and she glanced out of the storefront window.

Her heart exploded. For one second, she thought it was Aidan stepping out of the black Mercedes convertible.

Her heart raced wildly.

But it wasn’t Aidan. He could have been Aidan’s twin, but she simply knew it wasn’t him.

“Ah, well, all the women look at him that way. He’s a handsome fellow, is he not?” She laughed. “I’ll get him for you.”

Brie couldn’t breathe as the proprietress hurried to the front door. “My lord, good afternoon! I hadn’t realized you were back in town.”

Aidan’s double turned and smiled, clad in a navy blue sports coat, a polo T-shirt and tan trousers. He was the epitome of power and old-world elegance, right down to his Cartier watch. “Hello, Mrs. McKay. How is business treatin’ ye?” His dimples were identical to Aidan’s.

“Very well, sir. Can you step in? I’d like you to meet an American tourist who is researching your family.”

The baron glanced past the clerk and saw Brie. His smile vanished. His blue eyes darkened, a perplexed expression crossing his features.

Brie wet her dry lips. Was this a great-great-great-grandson, perhaps?

“His lordship, Ian Maclean, Baron of Awe,” Mrs. McKay said proudly. She stepped back to her register and began taking out the day’s receipts.

Brie closed her eyes, becoming faint. This was a coincidence.

He steadied her. “A pleasure to meet ye,” he said quietly.

She opened her eyes and looked into his blue ones, and felt a jolt of recognition. She thought of Ian, imploring her to comprehend him, his blue eyes bright, intense, in his small, childish face when she had seen him in Awe’s great hall and in Aidan’s tent. She breathed hard and whispered, “Ian? Is it you?”

His expression hardened. “Have we met?”

“I’m Brie. I think…I know your father.”

The cold look on his face was identical to Aidan’s when he was angry. “My father died long ago.” He turned abruptly, stepping out of the store.