A Trap So Tender Read Free Page B

complex of buildings, mossy-gray stone in styles that looked
medieval, Tudor, Victorian, even Roman, spread in all directions. “It’s
huge.”
    “It was more or less a town in its heyday. Everyone lived
inside the defended area. Some still do—the estate manager and his staff.”
    “I can see how a person could get lonely here.”
    “You don’t know the half of it. Makes Singapore seem very
welcoming by comparison.”
    Fiona stared at him for a moment, feeling sudden affection for
this man who felt more at home in a bustling, noisy Asian city than in the
baronial halls of his ancestors. He seemed more human all the time.
    Again, not a good thing.
    “You must need a large staff to keep this place alive.”
    “Not really. I know the villagers think I should do more with
it, but as long as someone keeps the roof solid and the windows sealed, it takes
care of itself. Sheep keep the grass down. A stone fortress is very low
maintenance compared to a modern house.”
    Someone must climb on a scaffold almost weekly to keep those
monster hedges at the entrance manicured to perfection. Maybe he had no idea how
much work it took to keep the place running. He probably didn’t care. It was all
pocket change to him.
    The car pulled up in a gravel courtyard the size of a football
field. Not a weed in sight. Two men in dark suits carrying walkie-talkies
appeared from behind more manicured bushes, but stilled at the sight of the
car.
    “The hired security. I don’t know what my cousin was thinking
when she announced a reward for finding the cup.”
    “She knew it would get people interested. Obviously she was
right.” James climbed out of the car, and the driver opened her door and helped
her out. She was starting to feel like a royal dignitary with all this VIP
treatment. It might be hard to go back to ordinary life after this.
    An older man emerged from the house and he and the driver
carried their bags inside after a brief exchange with James. “Is he your
butler?”
    James nodded. “We call Angus the household manager. Sounds more
modern, don’t you think?”
    “Oh, yes.” There was nothing modern about any of this. Which
piqued her curiosity to get more of a glimpse into James Drummond’s rarefied
life. With no bags to carry, she walked across the vast expanse of gravel
feeling rather at a loss. Her cute stiletto heels kept tipping her this way and
that, and James’s bold stride almost left her behind by the time they reached a
veritable cliff of stone steps.
    He turned and extended his arm. She had no choice but to take
it. She tried to ignore the trickle of sensation that crept up her arm and
across her body. You’d think a full day of travel in close proximity to the man
might have killed any spark of sexual attraction. Unfortunately, however, it had
stoked it into a steady flame. Good thing she was ruled by her head and not more
unpredictable parts of her anatomy.
    The doorway into the house looked more suited to a grand
cathedral. She almost expected the smell of incense and the murmur of monks;
instead, she was greeted by an aroma of bacon and the distant barking of
dogs.
    “You have dogs?”
    “Not me. I travel too much. The hounds for the local hunt are
kept on the estate. They gather here to hunt and I join them when I’m around. I
won’t do it when you’re here, of course.”
    “Why not?”
    “It would be rude of me to leave you.”
    “Maybe I could come, too?” She lifted a brow.
    He frowned. “Hunting is done on horseback.”
    She laughed, a loud, ringing sound that bounced off the stone
walls. “I may be American but I’m not an idiot.”
    “You ride?”
    “Of course.” She decided to stride ahead, as if this news were
nothing special. Inside she was glowing with triumph. James Drummond obviously
had no idea what he had on his hands with her. “Where will I sleep?”
    “Upstairs.” He followed her. “I’ll show you myself.”
    Her bedroom looked fit for a queen. Perhaps one about to