Enraptured Read Online Free Page B

help, but immediately assumed a battle face. “I cannot imagine why you would have.”
    â€œBecause wherever you go, there’s trouble.”
    â€œNo doubt you fancy yourself witty, but I have had quite enough Scottish humor for the day.”
    â€œAye, I can see that. Why don’t you tell me what the problem is?”
    â€œPrecisely who are you?” She lifted her chin.
    â€œI might ask you the same thing.”
    â€œI am Lady Violet Thornhill, but I can’t see why this is any of your concern. First you are out patrolling the roads and now you are taking care of the earl’s business? Are you in charge of everything that takes place in this village?”
    â€œNo, but I am in charge of Mardoun’s business.” He felt a little lick of pleasure at seeing that he had managed to shake her, at least a little. “My name is Coll Munro; I manage Duncally. And one might think you would be gratefulthat I was ‘patrolling the roads.’ Oh, but I forget—you dinna need my help, did you?”
    A flush rose in her cheeks at his words. “It’s no surprise you throw that up to me. Of course you have my thanks for coming to my aid—though I believe you already took that.”
    Coll could not hold back a slow, knowing smile. “Indeed, you repaid me most . . . satisfactorily. Still, ’tis pleasing to hear you say it. Now, it seems, I can assist you again. What is the problem?”
    Mrs. Ferguson jumped in before Lady Violet could respond. “The problem is that she came here without a word of warning, expecting us to put her up for the night.”
    â€œI did not just drop in, looking for a place to sleep.”
    â€œShe claims she’s a lady.” Mrs. Ferguson’s voice was laced with suspicion. “She says she’s a friend of his lordship. But why would she come visiting while he is gone?”
    â€œI said that I am an acquaintance of Lord Mardoun,” Violet countered. “And I did not come here for a ‘visit.’ I am here to study the ruins Lord Mardoun discovered. I am an antiquarian.”
    â€œAn antiquarian!” Coll blurted. “But you are a woman.”
    Violet’s dark eyes iced over. “Despite that grievous liability, I have studied antiquities and ancient sites under the tutelage of one of the foremost authorities of our age, Dr. Lionel Overton. Lord Mardoun invited Dr. Overton to study the ruins on his estate.”
    â€œAye, Mardoun mentioned it.” Coll glanced around. “Where is Dr. Overton? He wasn’t in the post chaise.”
    â€œNo. He—Uncle Lionel—” Violet suppressed the quiver in her voice. “Dr. Overton passed on a month ago.”
    â€œMy condolences. But . . . well . . . why are you here?”
    â€œExactly what I said.” Mrs. Ferguson gave a triumphant nod of her head. “What’s she doing gallivanting about the countryside by herself?”
    â€œI am hardly ‘gallivanting.’ I am here in Dr. Overton’s stead. I told you: I intend to study the ruins. Here.” She stepped forward, proffering the folded paper in her hand. “Lord Mardoun’s letter to Dr. Overton. You will see that I’m telling the truth. The earl invited Uncle Lionel to dig at the site he’d discovered.” Her voice lifted a little with excitement. “Lord Mardoun thinks it could be ancient, given that no one in recent times seems to have known of its existence.”
    â€œIt was a surprise, true enough.” Coll took the note from her hand. The broken red seal of wax was his brother-in-law’s, and Coll was unsurprised to see Damon’s handwriting on the inside. He glanced over the letter. “This says nothing about you.”
    Coll intended to let Violet remain; there was no way he would allow Mrs. Ferguson to turn out any woman into the cold night, much less this one. But he could not resist