Chapter 4

‘Welcome, welcome!’ a lady who was dressed in a smooth blue suit began bellowing as Keira and James pulled up outside what could only be described as a fortress. It looked like it should have had its own royal guard for Christ sake!

Set in aches of ground, they’d already spent the past five minutes driving up and through the gate to pass not only a huge lake and what looked like to be a summer house that could have easily fitted half of her neighbourhood, but a set of stables and an out door swimming pool. The local village was even named after them! Honestly, could she have felt more embarrassed when she asked at the local shop where about the Brent’s residence was, and then having a girl no older than her answer ‘ oh you mean The lady and the lord , at the end of the village, Technically this is their land, and village but I could see how you’d be confused!’.

Confused? Confused didn’t cover half of it. Stepping out of the car remembering to try and hold herself ladylike, she couldn’t help but gasp at the beauty of it. She could see why people fell in love with the Scottish highlands, the blue sky, magnificent brown stoned building , character and long lost forgotten secrets just oozing out of them. It felt just as if she was stepping out of a fairytale and had arrived in a world full of turrets and castles. Shame she couldn’t find her prince.

‘Impressive huh?’ a voice asked behind her causing her to jump. She’d not been focusing too much lately and turned around with a mind to give Croft an ear full but stopped when her eye’s connected with a set of dark emerald ones staring straight at her.

‘erg’ Keira’s mouth hung open like a fish.

And who was this? This tall handsome blonde god who had stepped into her path. Looking up and closing her mouth she could feel his breath against her. They were mere inches away. All she need do was to lean ever so slightly forward and she’d be in his arms. Funny, how she normally would have been firing insults and now somehow, couldn’t seem to string her thoughts together let alone a sentence.

‘It is isn’t it?’ Croft answered giving her a strange look from across the drive.

Oh great, just what she needed ,him to be giving her weird looks again! Pull yourself together Keira she told herself as she broke eye contact and stepped back.

‘Quite’ she managed to mutter still not utterly convinced if she was talking about the castle behind her or the man in front of her. His eyes seemed to be searching hers out and it took all her will power to bring them to his without feeling dizzy.

‘I’m Jonathon’ the mystery god answered reaching out a hand and kissing Keira’s .

Croft managed to stop himself gagging and tried to focuses on the awful looking women who was having trouble keeping still. What was with this family? There was one who obviously thought he was as smooth and slick as the next pop star, and then there was this one, who looked like a girl in a sweet shop who was so excited she couldn’t choose and lost her place in the queue.

Conscious that he was beginning to look like he had nothing to say, he lent towards the offending girl and tried to embrace her in what he hoped was a brotherly hug. However he didn’t get what he bargained for when she squeezed tightly back and let her hands rest just below were they should have.

‘Elizabeth ! My how you’ve grown the last I saw of you , you were ten foot high’ He managed to say recovering her hovering hand in the process.

‘Oh silly you!’ She replied, trying to bat her short brown hair out of the way and still smile at the same time.

‘Jonathon, this is Jamie McCarthy. He went to Eton the same time as you!’ she said quickly as if trying to prove something. ’And this lovely little thing which you can’t seem to take your eyes off, is his fiancée Keira. There going to be staying with us for a while, while they see the “Bonnie Scotland”. Isn’t that right?’

Keira managed to nod, moving over slightly to were Jamie was standing. A look of confusion past across Jonathon’s face, but Keira didn’t seem to understand what it meant. She was normally so good at reading signals but today her head couldn’t seem to concentrate.

‘So your Jamie McCarthy eh?’ Jonathon slapped Croft hard on the back causing Keira to giggle in amusement.

‘The pride and joy of Paul McCarthy? Why I must say I didn’t expect you to be so dashingly handsome. I was told you was rather a dull old thing. In fact, I didn’t really know much about you, until dear old sis here ambushed me into coming out to see you’

‘I’m afraid’ he turned and addressed Keira ’I might have missed you all together if it wasn’t for my spot chance of being off university for a couple of weeks. Time to look after dear Lizzy and the range I suppose. Wouldn’t it have been unfortunate if I did?’ He finished giving a look that gave Keira no chance what so ever to misread.

The bloody cheek of it. He was outright flirting with her, in front of her soon to be husband! Did he have no shame? Did he not have any Dignity? And why in the hell did he keep looking at her with those gorgeous eyes!

Suddenly Jamie outreached and pulled Keira towards him, Making it impossible for Jonathon to get near without it seeming rude.

‘Were so glad we could come’ Jamie started ‘It’s not every day that me and Keira have a chance to stay in such grandeur. I suspect we’ll feel quite out of place! Not that we’ll be leaving our room very much…’

Keira accidentally managed to let her foot slip , squashing his in the process. Complete accident of course, and what in the hell was he doing? Firstly, he was cutting off the main reason for gaining information if they were going to be locked up in their room all day, and secondly , what was he playing at by putting that into the conversation? It was hardly likely that they’d be caring what they was doing in their room. They were supposedly soon to be newly weds after all!

‘Jamie! Not in public’ she managed to mutter.

‘Oh you needn’t need to worry! We’re all friends here, nothing you say will leave the castle’ Elizabeth answered sweetly ‘Isn’t that right Jonathon?’

‘Quite right lizzy. If I had such a pretty looking thing I doubt I’d let her out of my room for weeks’

Keira forced herself not to blush while Jonathon turned and walked back in the direction he had arrived.

‘I’m sorry about him’ Elizabeth said in a hushed tone ‘You see he’s rather blunt. Awfully kind and sweet tempered, but a bit to common if you know what I mean. I wouldn’t worry, he’s never out of that crumbling shed by the boat house. He’s often been out in there for days on end. In fact, I doubt we’ll hardly even see him’

Keira, found that she was little disappointed. She’d at least thought he’d be decent company, even a change from sweet little lizzy. Not that their was anything wrong with her. It was just she had the feeling that this sugar coated pill was going to be hard to swallow, especially if she was going to be so dam cheerful and pleasant all the time. It wasn’t normal when people were that happy all the time.

‘I’ll get Geoffrey to show you to your quarters. He’s the head butler around here. There a few other maids, and the cook of course but no one else. And anyway, everyone’s been informed you’re here. I’ve even invited a few guests round for tea later in the week, what fun eh?’ Lizzy finished.

Yeah Keira thought. What fun. She could hardly contain her excitement

Geoffrey was what the British called stale. Old, crusty and with a voice that reminded you of the old man that used to announce the morning trains, Croft thought he’d be more at home in a museum or even cashing his pension. He must have been seventy at least, each step he took causing his joints to groan in protest.

‘Sir, Madam’ he said when they had finally reached the top of a old brown staircase. Bending down he carefully opened a door which lead into a bright sun filled sitting room with three doors leading off it.

‘These are your rooms Sir. The bathrooms to the left, Bedroom to the right and the middle door is just a study. I’d advise you to keep the bedroom door shut at night sir. The maids often pop in to make sure everything’s all in order and you wouldn’t want to be seen in a compromised position with Madam.’

‘No I wouldn’t’ Jamie answered gazing over to Keira. She was slightly fuming as she regarded the bedroom. Let me guess, she thought they’d have separate bedrooms as well?

‘Will that be all Sir?’ Geoffrey asked, making his way towards the door.

‘Yes Geoffrey, good night and see you tomorrow. Make sure we’re not disturbed please’

‘Yes Sir’ he answered closing the door behind him.

‘It’s beautiful up here don’t you think?’ Jamie asked looking out the window towards the green hills.

‘Do you know there’s only one bed in there?’ Keira demanded. ‘I wouldn’t mind if the place wasn’t big enough for more the one room but come on, would it kill them for another bed?’

Jamie banged his head silently on the window. Was she going to be like this the whole time they were here? This was a punishment operation it had to be. Who had he wronged in the past. Let’s see there was Eddie, then maybe Mickey if you counted that….’

He was interrupted by Keira marching up to him and grabbing his shoulder.

‘Are you listening to a world I’m saying? You could have Jeopardised the whole operation down there with your smart crack on ‘How you doubted we’d leave the bedroom’

‘Oh and you were much better were you? From the way I saw it, if you had bothered to even act like the lovesick women instead of gaping at Jonathon all the time they might have bought the story better!’

‘Yeah’ She answered flinging herself on the battered sofa that lay in front of the fireplace ‘because Elizabeth’s hands had a bit of a rooming device all to there own didn’t they?’

Jamie moved closer to the window keeping calm. He could see her in the reflection of the window getting more and more worked up. There was nothing like a huge row to get the tension out in the air was there? And certainly not when he had her to deal with.

‘What exactly is your problem Keira?’ he asked making his way towards the bedroom, were they had left the suitcases.

‘My problem? I thought it would be obvious. It’s all the stupid remarks you make! I feel like I’m back in nursery school again!

‘What happened to make you so cold hearted eh? To make you so defensive all the time?’

‘Nothing’ she muttered unpacking her case into a near by dresser. ‘I just like to play by the book. That way there’s no mistakes’

‘Mistakes? There no bloody book on how to do something Keira! You just follow your heart and go with your gut feelings’

‘No we’ll do it my way, play by the rules. First thing tomorrow I’ll question Jonathon and you have a chat with Elizabeth. There’s got to be something that there not telling people. Maybe you can gain her confidence’ she slipped a sweater over her head, and when she immerged Jamie was standing right in front of her.

‘And why, pray tell, can’t I talk to Jonathon? Surely you’ll be better at girl talk than I will and let’s face it having a crush on a suspect is hardly good for business.’

‘Crush? Me? You’ve got the wrong undercover cop. I’m just using my female assets to my advantage’ she answered sweetly, weary for the second time toady that another member of the opposites sex was getting closer to her.

‘Is that so?’ he asked his lips moving closer. She could feel his breath on her face. Every breath he took made him gain just that little bit closer. If he wanted to play with the big boys than fine. She could be a sultry and seductive just as much as he could.

‘mm, ‘ She answered her fingers resting on her lips. ‘It just all this bent up aggression I’ve got in my system , I need to release it somehow and you know…’

‘I know…’ Oh God was he going to make her do all the hard work? Maybe she could get something out of this. There was only one bed after all and there was no way she was sharing it with him, fiancé or no fiancé. If she could just get him out of the door …

‘Would you mind awfully if I you turn around while I get undressed for bed? Maybe if you just stood over there..’ she pointed towards the sitting room .

Jamie didn’t believe it. What in hell was she playing at? She turned into some sulky seductive women in the past few minutes and for what. She wasn’t doing it for real, that much he knew for sure. He wouldn’t say no if she was offering what he thought she was offering, but somehow he didn’t think he was right.

Turning round to glance at her, he saw her bare legs and a red slinky rob being put on. She must have felt his gaze, because she turned around and ushered him further out into the sitting room. Turning his head round Jamie contemplated how he could be wrong. After all, why would she bother to get dressed in that and nothing else if she was just stringing him along? Maybe he was in with a chance? Maybe he’d conquered her feelings in less than three days. Wait until the boys back at the station heard about this. It beat his personal record by days and no one in a million ears would believe it possible from DCI Keira.

‘Oh lover boy?’ He heard Keira’s voice murmur.

Straightening his shirt , he turned to face the bedroom, only to be greeted by a slammed door.

‘Night night, hope the bed bugs don’t bite!’ she laughed as he heard a loud flop onto the bed.

No she didn’t. No way did she just lock him out of his own bedroom! And no way was he even contemplating the thought of sleeping on that down trodden sofa when there was a perfectly good four poster bed in the room next door.

Fishing in his pockets for anything that could be remotely useful ,he found an old piece of chewing gum squashed up and ten pence. Hardly a Robber’s master tools. Moving around the room he noticed a metal hanger that had been left out while Keira must have been hanging up her clothes. Now that would do nicely, all he needed to do was get into the right shape and with any luck….

Keira lay back on the bed feeling herself sink slowly into the layers of covers. Oh if this wasn’t the lap of luxury, a whole four poster bed to herself! She even had enough room to stretch her legs right to the bottom of the bed and they still didn’t poke out. Now this was what she needed at home. Although on second thoughts it probably wouldn’t fit in her tiny one bedroom flat. Well, a girl could dream couldn’t she?

Snuggling further down into the warmth of the covers, she closed her eyes imagining the look on Jamie’s face at the other side of the door. He shouldn’t have been so bloody foolish, then maybe she’d have thrown him a pillow or two to prod up that dreary looking sofa in the sitting room. She would have tossed for the bed, but somehow she had a feeling she’d have lost. Cops weren’t normally the best people to gamble with, they always had this unnerving quality of getting it right all the time.

As she was drifting off to sleep she noticed a glimmer of light from the corner of the room and a squeak of a floorboard. Glancing towards the door she saw that is was still as firmly shut as ever, and that nothing in the room had moved. Must have been a cat or something she told herself. There was bound to be a creaky floorboard or to two in a castle this size. And plus, said the little voice in the back of her mind she’d have noticed if anyone had even got through the door let alone even in the room. Rolling over she stretching out her arms to greeted by a large flat cool surface. That was funny. Moving her hands further along she felt it rise and deflate before a hand grabbed her arm.

‘Like what you feel?’ Jamie asked her.

‘How , what?’ Keira stuttered opening her eyes to be confronted by Jamie lying just as comfortably as she had been a few minutes ago.

‘Cat got your tongue?’ he asked releasing her arms and pulling the cover towards him. ‘Did you think you’d get away with it? I’m a cop not some ordinary bloke you can kick out of the bedroom whenever you like.’

‘Get out now!’ Keira screamed pulling the cover back towards her. ‘You have no right to be in here with me, come on I didn’t sleep a wink last night!’

‘No?’

‘No I didn’t! And how in god’s name did you manage to get in..’ Keira voice trailed off at the end. Her mind was just relaying something. She’d felt cool hard uncovered flesh. Did that mean that beneath the covers….

‘Have you not get your clothes on? Oh my god Jamie out now!’

‘You’d kick your soon to be husband out of bed? Hardly a good start to a marriage is it darling?’ he answered rolling over to her side. ‘And for your information, I have a pair of bottoms on you know’

Keira looked at him questionably and then at the floor. There was no way she was going to sleep in the bed with him and yet, the floor didn’t exactly look that inviting. Didn’t they say that sleeping on floor boards was good for the posture of your back or something? Or would they hear her creeping about if she lay on the floor. Perhaps the bathroom? She’d slept in a bathtub once at a friends house warming party yet she vaguely remembered she’d woken up with a bad back that had taken her all week to unravel..

‘You could always just grin and bear it and forget I was here’ A voice murmured form across the side of the bed.

Looking across she was greeted by the sight of Jamie’s eyes closed him chest slowey going in and out.

‘I’m a gentlemen I promise, I just need to have a goodnight’s sleep as much as you do’ he continued rolling over.

Keria looked at the watch lying on her bed side table and decided maybe half eleven at night wasn’t the best time to argue.

‘Fine!’ she answered caving in. Not that is seemed she had much choice in the matter. After all he hardly looked as if he was going anywhere. ‘If any wandering hands cross the middle of the bed they’ll be hell to pay understand?’

‘Fine Keira whatever you say. Now can you please just shut up? I need my beauty sleep you know’

Beauty sleep? For whom exactly? Keria sighned as she tuged the cover back over her and tried to ingore the fact that was a half naked man lying beside her. Closing her eys she was amzed at how easily she felt sleepy. Tomorrow was another day. And anyone who could manage to open a locked door without her noticing had to be worth it right? At least he was on her side of the team.