Page 41 of Highlander’s Mercenary Lass

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"Enter!"

Paton's voice called out into the castle corridor, echoing through the chamber and down along the hall. He was seated in his chambers and attending to the documents in his possession.

The fire in the chamber was roaring and bright, and Paton drew his seat closer to the crackling flames. In his hand was his quill, adding his signature to some of the documents of the clan.

There was a shuffling of parchments, as one by one, footsteps came into the chamber. Paton did not immediately turn to look. Instead, his attention was focused on the sheet in his hand.

Looking at it more closely, he brought the parchment nearer. The ink was faded and blotted in places, but he could still make out the words.

...therefore it is important for the missing heir to be found, and dealt with in due course. This way will lead the succession of the Duncans to only those who bear the name. And the illegitimate progeny should be removed by any means necessary...

The last three words were underlined. Rereading them, Paton traced their outline with his finger, then stopped and smiled.

Behind him, the footsteps came nearer. Swiftly, Paton straightened the papers, packing them away into the wooden bureau in the room. He smiled and was about to turn to greet the visitor when, with no warning, the world went dark.

For a moment, there was panic. Someone's hands were around him, cool and pressing into his eyes. He was about to push away when, suddenly, they spoke.

"Guess..."

Paton smirked. He pushed the hands off his face and then pulled them over. He brought the woman toward him, holding her close.

"Ye!" he said, sounding content. But then he looked up, seeing the door to the chamber open, and became serious. "But next time, shut the door. Someone could see!"

Paton strode to the door, pushing it shut with a soft bump. Then he turned to look at the woman.

"Anabelle," he said, appraising her briskly. "So what brings ye up here?"

Anabelle took a few steps around the chamber, poking interestedly at the books and papers that lay around the bureau. Then, she picked up a goblet from the other side of the chamber and took a quick sip.

Drily, she glanced at Paton. Then, noticing the sheath of papers below his hand, she nodded.

"An' what's that?" she inquired nosily. Paton just grinned, showing more of his wrinkles than he would have cared to, as she walked toward him.

It was late at night, but even at this hour, Anabelle was fresh and alluring.

"The missing piece," said Paton, handing her the parchment. "It's what they searched for when looking for Annis's things."

Anabelle's eyes opened wide. "My sister?" she said, smiling unsurely. She took the letter, unfurling it fully. Her eyes scrolled quickly down the parchment, settling on the last line by any means necessary.

Then, she looked at Paton.

"An' the date, over ten years ago, shortly afore she passed away. It says it all. She kent everything about the lassie, an' wanted her gone," Paton surmised. He waited for Anabelle's reaction.

"I see," was all she said as she handed the parchment back to Paton. He filed it away, replacing it in the bureau, and then turned to her.

"It says everything, I think," said Paton, regarding her carefully. He got up from the desk and took her hand. Staring into her clear eyes, he smiled coolly.

Anabelle nodded, a little stiffly, as she appeared to think. "Aye, it does, I think. The only question is, are ye going tae carry out the last wishes o' my sister?"

Paton's eyes twinkled. He had been waiting for her to ask this. Patting Anabelle's hand lightly, he led her to sit on the bench before them. There, in the orange candlelight of the room, he fixed her with his gaze.

Then, his thin lips upturned in a sly smirk.

"I was going tae, but then I thought o' something better..."

Birds were singing loudly in the rafters above her, and the sun shone very brightly when Grace finally opened the drapes around her four-poster bed that morning.