“Oh, but it is,” The Raven said. “I know precisely where it is.”
“Yes, I know there was one at Westminster, one believed to be true, but it was a counterfeit. A trick the Scots played on the English long ago. The real one has been here in Scotland the whole time,” Dougal said.
Fanciful thoughts no doubt brought on by his foolish brother. “And how do you know this?” The Raven crossed his arms over his chest, ready to enjoy an entertaining tale.
“Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Dougal said defiantly. “Graeme found it last night. I saw it just this morning sitting on his desk.”
* * *
“Vanessa,” Graeme yelled as he stormed from his study into the main hall of the house. He started toward the bedchambers. “Gather your belongings,” he said. “We’re leaving immediately.”
“What the devil are you hollering about?” his mother asked. She wore an apron tied around her waist and wiped her hands on its worn calico fabric. “I could hear you all the way to the kitchen, boy.”
He stopped and eyed his mother. “Dougal.” Graeme shook his head. “Vanessa and I are leaving. We’ll be staying in Inverness for the duration of our stay.”
“Don’t be foolish.” Moira frowned and shook her head. “Your brother is a child. Whatever he’s said, I’m certain he doesn’t mean it,” Moira said.
Graeme didn’t see a reason to tell his mother what Dougal had done. “You didn’t hear him, and he did mean it.” Graeme took a deep breath and put his hand on his mother’s shoulder. “I think he’s gotten himself tangled with some people, dangerous individuals he has no business dealing with. Still, I cannot and will not stay in this house considering his attitude toward my wife.”
“He spoke ill of Vanessa, then?” Moira placed both hands on her hips. “I’ll box his ears, I will.”
“No, Mother.” Graeme took several deep breaths, trying to rein in his anger. “This is his house. He’s the man here. I can make no claims on this house, nor would I take that from him,” Graeme said.
“This is my house,” Moira argued, placing a hand on her chest. “And you’ll stay if I say you’ll say.”
“I’m not discussing this, Mother.”
“Neither am I. Don’t test me on this, Graeme. You know you will not win.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you think you boys come about your stubbornness by accident?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “You should protect your wife, but don’t you forget that you have a brother who loves and admires you. He might have rocks for brains, but he’s a good boy.”
That was it. He’d had about as much as he could stand, and protecting Dougal no longer seemed important. “Mother, he’s the one who shot Vanessa. Do you still think he’s a good boy?”
“What are you saying?” she asked, wrapping her arms across her body.
Graeme shoved his hand through his hair. “I told you I think he’s gotten involved with some dangerous people.”
His mother wrung her hands on the apron. Worry etched lines into her face. “You think the boy is in serious trouble, then?”
“I do.”
Moira set her mouth and nodded, her mind already made up. “Still, you will stay here until you leave for London.” She held up a hand to prevent him from arguing. “This is my home, Graeme, and I will say who stays and who goes.”
Graeme nodded. “Keep in mind it is best if I don’t see the little bugger anytime soon, so don’t be planning any kind of family discussions.” With that, Graeme continued toward Vanessa’s bedchamber. He entered the room and found her sitting on the bed looking rather forlorn. “You heard?”
“I did.” She looked up at him, her blue eyes large. “But I knew you were talking with your mother, and I didn’t want to intrude.” Then she paused for a moment. “Your brother truly does not care for me?”
“My brother is an idiot.” He came toward her. She was upset. Her feelings were hurt, and he could sense that, but he didn’t know what to do or say to make it go away.
He lifted her chin. “He’ll come around. Don’t fret, Duchess.”
* * *
The Raven stood in the darkness waiting for the boy. He hated having to rely on inferior assistants, but here in this Scottish wasteland, he had very little choice. Niall was busy in the caves setting up the dynamite for the explosion tomorrow. The fool had said he’d finally discovered the location of the Loch Ness Treasure, but the tunnel had been destroyed and he needed to create a new one to reach it.
The Raven lit a cigar and took a slow, deep drag, allowing his lungs to fill with the sweet smoke. Damned if he wouldn’t have preferred to walk into that house, shoot everyone, and then steal the Stone of Destiny. But his new plan required that Graeme stay alive, at least for a little while longer. The Raven planned to leave tonight without the damned Loch Ness Treasure. Niall was close, and Graeme would see to it that The Raven got the final stone, and then the Kingmaker would be complete.
Finally, the boy slid out the back door and ran down the dirt path toward The Raven.
“Did you get it?” he asked.