Obsidian Eyes (28 page)

Allie groaned at the thought of tackling the shopping district. She’d hoped Eloise might forget. “Shopping?”

“Yes, shopping. You lost the bet so you owe me a whole day’s worth.” She tackled the ends of her hair with extra vigour. “And we’re taking the brood so my aunt can have some peace and quiet for the day.”

“Better have an extra coffee in the morning, then,” Allie quipped.

Friday, 23
^rd
September.

he private airship to Edinburgh lay tethered in the field next to the school. The large air sack was made of heavy canvas, its deep cream colour offset by the dark wood of the ship hanging underneath. The sun caressed the copper railing, lighting her sides with a ring of fire. The cousins stood on the observation deck as the crew released the tie-off lines and the ship shot into the atmosphere. A dull whirr emitted from the stern when the engines started, guiding them north, to Scotland.

Duncan kept Jared company until two young women walked past. One crooked a finger and he disappeared inside, chasing after them.

Jared found himself alone on the deck, the approaching autumn chill sending passengers to seek the warmth inside. He leaned over the guardrail, watching the patchwork of verdant green sliding past far below. The rush of passing air brushed over him and he hoped it would sort out the turmoil in his mind, or lift it on the wind and carry his problems far away.

He forgot himself earlier, burying his face in Madeline’s neck. He imagined she was another, who smelt of spiced vanilla and heated sand. Then he had to extricate himself from the mistaken situation.

He finally divested himself of Madeline, although he thought he was going to need a blade to slice her off. Only the imminent departure of her London airship galvanised her into action. Airship captains were renowned for not waiting for anybody, no matter how wealthy or highly placed in society. Madeline was loath to miss her flight and delay her arrival in London, where Jared knew she would be the centre of attention.

“Allie,” he murmured her name, making the syllables a caress on the wind. His eyes unfocused, not seeing the lush scenery below as he tried to make sense of the events of the last two months. The thought of a lifetime with Madeline lay like a stone in his gut and filled him with dread. His thoughts drifted more and more to Allie. Because of his station, he was expected to marry a blueblood and his mother had his future career at court mapped out.

Despite the Scottish tradition of sons having to prove their worth, his father strictly forbade a military career since his own brother, Duncan’s father, died in service. He itched to escape the restraints of his position and don the black uniform of the Conri, the elite unit. The autumn he turned twelve his parents allowed him to join KRAC as a cadet along with every other noble lad his age. He had to undertake military training to hold his position as his father’s heir, otherwise they may as well have taught him needlepoint. His parents assumed if he played at soldiers every holiday the urge would leave his blood. Instead it heated further.

His mother made it clear she expected him to make a highly advantageous marriage. For the past twenty years, she had languished in the Scottish highlands. She saw Madeline as the means to ensure her return to the London society she missed so dearly. He knew he would never be able to take Allie home to his family’s estate, nor would she ever be acceptable to his socially conscious mother or her cohorts.

Plus she was born into a guild. A shadowy world, full of rumours and stories, or if he listened to others, a world populated by criminals with no honour. How much could he believe? How far could he trust Allie?

She’s not marked, but when they call she has to answer. Just how deep does the guild’s hold over her go?

Duncan told him to tread carefully, before they lost a friend. Though bound to Madeline, it never stopped him from enjoying other girls. She never seemed to mind, knowing he always went back to her. But this was different. Thoughts of Allie consumed him, seeping into every corner of his brain. He wondered if Madeline suspected; could that be why she was so poisonous about Allie?

He wasn’t proud of his behaviour at the dance. Allie was tightly wrapped in armour and he needed to break through to her. His tactic worked and he shattered her defences. Now she would be more vulnerable and he nearly had her. As long as she didn’t take out her anger on him with a blade again.

Pure joy stabbed through him when she told him to kiss her. It took all his control to touch her lips lightly and pull away. He stared at his palm; faint red indents remained from where he dug his fingernails deep into the flesh, trying to rein in his instinct.

He couldn’t explain how being near her raised the hairs on his body. He had his own secrets. The men who found the Stone of Coulags decades ago discovered it altered more than their pocket watches. It changed
them
. Years later, they discovered the changes passed to their sons and then their sons, changed them in ways kept secret amongst that tight band of men and they ensured no one else ever exposed their bare flesh to the stone.

He shook his head into the wind, seeking answers on the swirling currents. If he took the path he craved, was it fair to Allie? What future could there be for them? He knew what he wanted to do and it had nothing to do with honour or family expectations. He wanted to follow his gut for once in his life and let the consequences flow.

The Lithgow family carriage waited for the airship when it docked. With their luggage loaded, it conveyed Jared and Duncan through the streets of Edinburgh, out towards New Town.

Zeb’s family home in Eton Terrace was a huge old rambling house with grounds running down to the Water of Leith. The house façade of faded rose-coloured brick was echoed in the walled gardens, adjourning stables and carriage house. It was ideally situated, an easy half hour ride to the military base and on the edge of town for when nocturnal entertainment beckoned.

Zeb’s mother emerged from the house in a palpable state of agitation as she hurried down the wide stairs. She was tall and slender with sandy hair like her son’s, contained in a neat bun at the nape of her neck. Age only lightly touched her and showed in the laughter lines around her eyes and the slight greying at her temples.

“What is to be done?” she cried on seeing them and before they had a chance to say any word of greeting. “KRAC won’t tell me a thing except he’s deep in research and can’t be disturbed. What rubbish if they think I’m swallowing that, it’s never stopped Hamish getting a message home before. And now they have Zebidiah locked up as well.”

Lady Lithgow wrung her hands, and then remembering herself, she gave Jared and Duncan a quick kiss on the cheek. Looking somewhat sheepish at her outburst, she led them up the wide front stairs and into the house. They crossed through the cream and dark green chequered marble entranceway, to the private reception room.

“Have you seen Zeb?” Jared enquired, concerned for his friend’s wellbeing.

“Oh yes.” She breathed a slight sigh of relief. “The soldiers bring him home for dinner every night. General Galloway has some respect for social niceties, even if he won’t tell me what has happened to my Hamish.”

She swept her skirts to one side as she sat on a pale rose patterned chaise. Jared threw himself on one of the deep green sofas, glad of the distraction from his own problems. Duncan joined him, crossed his booted ankles and laced his hands behind his head in a languid stretch.

“We’ll head over to the base tomorrow, Lady Lithgow,” Jared said. “And we’ll see Zeb and find out if he has unearthed anything over the last week.”

Mentally he hoped Allie could wring some information from Le Foy, but didn’t want to worry Lady Lithgow by mentioning the underworld involvement. The fact KRAC had failed to find Lord Lithgow preyed on his mind.

Jared drifted off into his own thoughts and Duncan spoke up. “Our friends Allie and Eloise will join us later in the week. Hopefully Zeb remembered to tell you. So you will have a full house these holidays.”

“Lovely,” she said. “Zeb has never brought girls home before. It will be nice to have some feminine company. Not that I ever mind seeing you handsome lads, but the conversation is quite different.”

Duncan snorted and even Jared smiled at the image. He couldn’t see Allie having a quiet cup of tea and a chat about fashion. Eloise would be a much better distraction for poor Zeb’s mother.

Lady Lithgow stood and Jared and Duncan quickly rose to their feet. “I’ll go find Matisse and tell him to expect further guests this week. I’ll also check the cook has a hearty meal ready for you boys. You must be hungry after your flight up.” She started to head out the door, but paused with her hand on the frame. “Thank you for looking out for my boy. I am grateful he has friends such as you.”

Jared nodded at the compliment.

“Come on.” He tapped Duncan once she left the room. “Let’s see if the horses arrived safely.”