The Presence Read Online Free Page B

going to blindly believe this man, or even the local-yokel constable, when she had brought the agreement to an attorney, and he had read over the deal.
    â€œWe do have an attorney!” she murmured.
    â€œSolicitor,” Thayer murmured to her softly. “We have solicitors here.”
    â€œI get the feeling he knows what an attorney is,” Toni murmured back softly.
    Jonathan Tavish cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m truly sorry now that I didn’t try to stop you. As I said, I didn’t know for certain that Bruce hadn’t decided to rent out the old ancestral place. But I am afraid that someone knew about the castle—and howmuch Bruce traveled—and took you for a soaking.” He cleared his throat and looked at Bruce with an uncomfortable shrug.
    â€œShould I take those papers now? Not much I can do on this till Monday, though. Law enforcement spends the weekends goin’ after the dangerous fellows running around out there, I’m afraid. All the law offices are closed.”
    â€œWe’ll keep the papers until Monday,” Toni said. Gina stared at her, but the papers were all that they had. She wasn’t letting them out of their own keeping.
    â€œFine,” Tavish said. “When you come in Monday, bring all your papers.” He cleared his throat. “If you say that everything is in order for the night, Bruce, I’ll be going.”
    Bruce MacNiall inclined his head toward the constable, as if he weren’t just the laird here, but world royalty. “Thanks, Jon,” he said. “Come Monday morning, we’ll get these papers they’re talking about into the hands of the proper authorities. Hopefully they’ll be able to track down the frauds who soaked them for their money.”
    â€œHopefully,” Jonathan Tavish agreed. He gave a smile that seemed to offer some sympathy to the group. “Don’t feel too badly. Won’t be the first time Americans have been taken in. And it won’t be the last. We’ll see what we can do.”
    â€œThank you,” Thayer said.
    Jonathan Tavish gave them all a nod.
    â€œGood night!” Gina called cheerfully.
    â€œAnd thank you,” Kevin added.
    â€œI’ll be movin’ along, too, then, lest y’be needin’ me,” Eban Douglas said, looking at Bruce MacNiall.
    â€œI think I can manage, Eban,” MacNiall said.
    Eban turned and left. He didn’t have a hunched back, nor did he limp, but he somehow gave the appearance of both.
    â€œDo you, uh, stay here when you’re in town?” Ryan asked politely.
    The answer was a little slow. An ironic smile seemed to twitch MacNiall’s lips. “With the ancestral home filled with unbelievers? Indeed.”
    â€œWant me to see to the horse? I did some work in the stables. He isn’t usually there, is he?” Ryan asked. “I only ask because the stables were in serious disrepair, and this fellow is so obviously well tended.”
    â€œHe was boarded in my absence.”
    â€œHow long were you gone? Twenty years?” Toni muttered.
    Once again Gina jabbed her fiercely in the ribs.
    â€œI’ll take him out, bed him down,” Ryan offered.
    Toni wanted to knock him in the head for the offer, but she knew that he wasn’t being subservient. Ryan simply loved horses. And she had to admit that the animal was magnificent.
    â€œSure,” MacNiall said. “Thanks. His name is Shaunessy.”
    â€œShaunessy?” Toni couldn’t quite help herself. “Not Thor, Thunder or King?” Gina’s third strike against her rib cage nearly caused her to cry out. She winced. “Shaunessy,” she said. “Great name.”
    Ryan came to lead the horse out. “I’ll give you a hand!” Kevin offered quickly, and they departed.
    â€œThere’s tea!” David said suddenly into the awkward silence. “And scones. Great little