Chapter 33

Ran had never seen Niall so calm. The mask was gone and he nodded absently and his legs were stretched and crossed as he read an ancient almanac in the study. He absorbed the plan quickly and was remarkably relaxed at the house party. We’re definitely keeping the mask, Ran decided then groaned under his breath as he shifted against the wall. They wouldn’t be alone for hours, Simon and Isla were still unconscious and looked precious as they spooned at Niall’s feet.

“Miss Catriona,” Mr. Bishop announced and Niall jumped out of his seat as she waded into the room cautiously.

“Catriona!” He said as he stepped around Isla and Simon and her brows rose as she noticed them.

“That’s not disturbing at all,” she muttered and Niall gave her an apologetic look

“Lord Lachlan doesn’t want to hurt them,” he promised and she waved it off.

“Not that! It’s not my business, is it? They’re just a little too cozy over there, that’s all,” she said and Ran and Roman exchanged winks. She was a gem. “I just wanted to thank you for sending Mr. Bishop to get me,” she said as she turned and curtsied at Ran. “And I thought you should know they’ve been through here the last few days and have been taking things out since you went missing. They’ve been acting like they own the place.”

“Thank you,” Ran said as he pressed his hand against his chest and lowered his head. “You’ve been brave and I’m very grateful,” he added and she shrugged then looked at Niall.

“It was all his lordship,” she said as she pointed at him.

“Stop, I’m not…” He started.

“But you are!” She argued then looked around the room. “He says he’s not much of a lord but he never let Lady Isla mistreat us and he never raised a hand to her no matter how terrible she was to him. And she was so terrible!” She exclaimed and Roman nodded.

“Indeed. I’ve met my share of lords and most of them were useless. Lord Brewarden is an excellent lord,” he agreed then winked at Niall before he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “I’ve been looking for a nurse, for a nurse,” he said and Quinn coughed into his fist to cover his laugh.

“She’s perfect,” he stated and she was wary as she looked back and forth between them.

“A nurse for a nurse?” She repeated carefully and Roman’s lips curved.

“My cousin’s wife is pregnant and they’re moving into Carlton House,” he said and she became interested.

“You need me to care for a nurse’s baby?” She clarified and Roman shook his head quickly.

“She’s more than capable of caring for her own baby but we need someone to…mind her. She’s become quite a handful lately,” he whispered conspiratorially and Quinn smirked happily as he hugged his arms and rocked on his heels.

“Darius is pulling his hair out!” He told Ran and Roman hissed.

“He’s quite mad at me and I’m hoping he’ll get over it if I find someone to keep Jenna company and out of trouble,” he said and Ran waved his hand in front of his face as his eyes started to water. Darius was one of the most feared criminals in the London underworld and it was absurd to imagine him being tormented by a small pregnant woman.

“Your cousin’s wife sounds like a fine woman,” Catriona said but her lips twisted and she looked doubtful.

“I have a feeling your plan could backfire,” Niall warned and her eyes swung to his and she looked concerned. “She might make a better accomplice than a babysitter,” he said and Roman held his hands up.

“Assistant/accomplice, as long as Darius forgives me, I’m not opposed to making his life more difficult later,” he stated then pointed at her. “You should come clean now. We won’t judge you and your secrets are safe with us. We take care of each other,” he said firmly and all the air left her in a soft whoosh as she looked around. Her eyes settled on Ran’s before they dropped and she scratched at her thumbnail as she panicked. “Out with it,” Roman ordered and she nodded quickly.

“She knows that I had a relationship in the past with one of the other maids,” she said quickly then cringed and Ran made a dismissive sound.

“Brundy would have made me aware if there was a problem,” he said gently and she nodded again.

“She would, my lord. She’s the best that I’ve ever worked for. She’s tough but she’s fair and she’s always kind when you have to have a word with her,” she insisted and Ran chuckled.

“She’s the heart of Gallahide,” he admitted readily. “I don’t know how we’ll survive if she doesn’t live forever.”
“Who’s the thief?” Roman asked and Catriona’s eyes almost fell out of her head.

“Sir!” She cried and she looked dizzy.

“It’s fine,” Ran promised and she swallowed hard as she stared at Roman.

“How did you know?” She whispered and he tapped his brow.

“Admitting you were queer was an easy opener and we’re obviously going to be sympathetic. What’s a girl like you going to hide with that kind of moral compass? You’re covering for someone very close but you wouldn’t cover for them if they were a danger to others. You won’t see too much harm in covering for a thief,” he predicted.

“You’re a bit spooky, sir,” she said quietly then squeezed an eye shut as she turned back to Ran. “Let’s say that maybe there was an elderly gentleman who worked in a very distinguished and kind lord’s stud and maybe said gentleman got taken by a lovely young lady on the internet for a lot of money and then, in a moment of extreme weakness, agreed to take some pictures while he was working at that very kind lord’s stud…” She offered quickly and Ran’s brows rose. Isla was sitting on a power move. She knew there was a conspiracy involving at least one of Ran’s competitors and smelled money. A bloody lot of money. She was keeping it a secret for her own gain and manipulating Catriona.

“What did this gentleman do with the pictures?” Ran asked as he rubbed his lip with his thumb.

“He destroyed most of them and only sold the ones he knew were worthless,” Catriona swore and Ran made a dismissive gesture.

“We all do stupid things when we’re in love. As long as he’s learned his lesson,” he said and she clapped her hand over her mouth as she laughed in relief.

“Yes, my lord! My da’s been slowing down for years and he knows he’s just been kept on there because he’s been around for so long. It just about broke his heart to do it but we were going to lose our home and it’s not that much to begin with. I changed all his passwords and I made him join a support group,” she said and Ran pulled in his lips and fought to keep them straight.

“Please, don’t think anything of it,” he choked and she beamed at him and Niall gratefully.

“If that’s all, you should probably be getting back to Carlton House. I think they’ll be waking soon,” Roman said and she frowned.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about, sir,” she said then smiled warmly at Niall. “Thank you, Lord Brewarden,” she declared firmly then lowered her head as she backed out of the room.

“She’ll do quite well,” Roman declared as she left and Ran chuckled in agreement.

“I think so. She’ll be missed at Gallahide but she’d be a better fit at Carlton now,” he said then glanced at Niall. He looked pleased as he sank onto the arm of a chair and watched as Isla stirred. Ran wasn’t sure if he liked how relaxed and pleased Niall looked. He’d keep a close eye on him.