“If you want to know the truth, it’s damned embarrassing to be a penniless duke,” Binky said. “I’d rather be just a plain farmer on a prosperous farm, like our cousins.”

I left him soon after and went to bed. I had always thought of my room as friendly and cozy, but as I lay there and listened to the moan of the wind around the castle walls, I decided I was downright chilly. I’d have given anything for a hot water bottle, but of course it would be letting the family down to admit to being cold and asking for one. Four months of London living had made me soft.

So I curled into a tight little ball and pulled the quilt over my head. But sleep wouldn’t come. I had forgotten the country could be so noisy. The lapping of the loch, the creak of the pine trees in the night wind, the shriek of a rabbit as it was taken by a fox, the baying of a distant hound all kept me from slumber. Those and my racing brain. Somebody had wanted to kill or maim Binky, that was obvious. And he was an heir to the throne—albeit only thirty-second in line. Which would rule out both Murdoch and Lachan. They came from the nonroyal side of our family and all they’d inherit was the dukedom. But they’d have to finish off little Podge first. I shivered. If I did anything at all, it would be to protect him.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Castle Rannoch
August 18, 1932

I woke with first light. Dawn comes early in the Highlands and the slanting rays of sun were painting a bright stripe on my wall. The dawn chorus in the forest was deafening. Falling back to sleep was impossible. Besides, such a morning made one want to be up and out, and I wanted to see for myself where that trap had been set.

I washed and put on my jodhpurs and hacking jacket. Nobody else was stirring in the house, apart from the occasional maid who bobbed a curtsy and shyly whispered, “Welcome home, my lady,” as she went about her early duties. I made my way to the stables and a great surge of happiness shot through me as I saw my horse, Rob Roy, his face poking over the door of the loose box. He gave a whicker of surprise at seeing me. I’d always thought he was particularly intelligent. When I tried to put on his saddle, however, it became obvious that he hadn’t been ridden for some time. He was incredibly skittish and I had to calm him down before he’d let me tighten the girths.