Heart of the Highland Wolf

“We have no idea why they are truly here. Why would lupus garous work for humans in such a capacity? Risky business to be sure. And that’s what I’m bound to find out.”

Duncan said, “But Maria truly seemed to be with the film crew. The other? The redhead? She has the look of a Highland lass, no doubt about it. But if you wish for me to check into Maria’s background, I will.”

“Do so,” Ian said, “since Guthrie is already checking into the other.”

Duncan motioned to Cearnach. “Since he has nothing better to do, shall he be Cook?”

Usually when Ian gave them a task, they were more than happy to carry it out. Even if they had to make a meal, it was no big deal. Was it that they didn’t want to show how poorly they could cook in front of the female red?

Cearnach frowned at Duncan. “Where’s Cook?”

“Cearnach, you have the job. Dinner in an hour.” Not wishing to discuss dinner with his brothers further, Ian changed the subject. “Earlier today, Guthrie was about to sign a deal to have a gift shop in the great hall after the film is released to sell Highland paraphernalia from the movie. I emphatically said no.”

Duncan snorted. “Like a Jurassic Park gift shop. Only this time selling action figures in the form of brawny Highlanders wearing kilts, replica swords, and all manner of Scots’ relics, no doubt.”

“I have an old sword or two I wouldn’t mind selling off if the price was right,” Cearnach offered.

Ignoring him, Ian asked, “Has Guthrie talked to either of you about serving as extras in the movie? To fight in some of the battle scenes?”

Duncan looked at Cearnach. Cearnach reached down to pet Anlan, but as soon as he did, Dillon raised his head to be petted also. Both his brothers were acting suspiciously enough that Ian assumed the worst. “You did.”

Duncan shrugged. “Most of the men of our staff have signed up. We mock fight all the time. Why not show off the skill of our swordsmanship, something we have done since we were mere lads, unlike the whelps in the film who have been given a few lessons to get by in the movie?”

Ian shook his head.

“We’re getting paid for it, Ian,” Cearnach said. “You might want to join in on the fun also and earn a little pocket change on the side. Although as an earl, you should be the star of the film. I can see it now, though. They’d match you up with the hero of the film, and you’d give him a real fight, none of this fancy, choreographed showmanship like they do in the movies. The women would fall in love with the true Scotsman, and you would be an overnight success. If lupus garou females knew that’s what you were, they’d be climbing our walls to get to you.”

Duncan smiled a little. Ian furrowed his brow, envisioning crazed women attempting to slip through the gatehouse to ravish him. Which again made him think of Julia. And with her, the thought appealed.

His brothers were observing him, smiling, as if they knew just what he’d been thinking.

“Extras,” Ian said, rising from his chair. Both hounds raised their heads and watched him. “At least Guthrie’s got enough sense not to sign up to be one.” His brothers cast each other looks, and Ian frowned. “He said he’s not going to be an extra.”

“He was the one who approached the film crew about us all serving as extras. Although they call us background performers,” Cearnach said proudly. “All we’re going to do is fight our own people, like we would do normally, only we get paid for it this time. And we could use the money. The big-name actors will be fighting each other. But no, technically, Guthrie isn’t performing. He’s the one who got us all involved.”

“You won’t be fighting your own battles like you normally would do, Cearnach. I’m sure they’ll have you fight the way they want the scenes filmed. Hell, next you’ll tell me that if they want a couple of wolves to attack the clansmen, you’ll be volunteering to perform in that capacity.” Ian gave them both a disgruntled look.

Duncan cast him an elusive smile. Cearnach laughed. “If we could get away with it, and we earned good money…” He let his words trail off.

“I’ll see you both later.” Ian patted his leg, and both hounds stood, stretched, and hurried to join him as he headed for his solar to see what Miss Julia Wildthorn was up to now.

“I imagine our laird would not mind if the redheaded lass wished to storm the castle walls to get to him,” Cearnach said, but fortunately Duncan kept his counsel.

Although when Ian cast a glance over his shoulder to give Cearnach a quelling look, his brothers were grinning their fool heads off.

“Which of us will get to keep the fair damsels, Duncan?” Cearnach asked.

Neither, Ian thought to himself. He already had enough trouble running the castle without having an American of the red wolf variety or an American Iberian gray stirring up new difficulties.

He’d hoped he could get close to his office and overhear more of Julia’s conversation with Maria, as much as he was intrigued by her comments about having a tumble with him. But with the dogs tromping together behind him like a couple of horses and the floorboards creaking in one spot, there was no chance at that.

When he reached the solar, he thought her expression seemed animated and content. Julia looked like she belonged there. If he hadn’t heard her strange expressions and American accent, she could have been Scottish. But that wasn’t what was making him feel strangely at odds when he entered his solar.

She was sitting in his chair, which no one—not even his brothers—ever sat in, warming his seat and bringing to mind the thought of her sitting in his lap. His loins tightening, he decided then on taking a more secluded walk with her.

“Ready for our walk?” Ian asked Julia, startling her from speaking to her friend over the phone in his office. He was surprised that she hadn’t anticipated his appearance, but she seemed to be listening intently to whatever her friend was saying and turned abruptly to see him.

The dogs came into the room with him and stood by his side. Her brows rose to see them, and he took a seat on one of the guest chairs, which oddly made him feel as though he’d given up the castle. He realized then just how important his chair was. The unofficial seat of power, the place where his da had sat and his da before him—not on that particular chair, but an earlier one—giving counsel, advising on war, settling disputes among his people. And now, an American, a female red wolf, was sitting in that seat.

He told himself it was foolish. That it meant nothing. Yet the situation reminded him of something that had occurred in their past. But he couldn’t recall what exactly; he’d have to ask his Aunt Agnes, the repository for all their history.

“Have to go, Maria,” Julia finally said. “See you later.”

“Tonight, right?” Maria asked loudly, as if she was afraid Julia had already pulled the phone away from her ear and was going to hang up before her friend knew the answer. Because of that, Ian heard her words.

“Of course. See you later.” Julia signed off and rose from the chair. “The gardens, right?” She came around the desk and began petting Dillon, then Anlan. “Irish wolfhounds. What an odd choice of dog for lupus garous to have.”

He hadn’t even considered she might be afraid of the dogs. Not everyone loved them like his family did. So he was glad to see her approach them with confidence like an alpha would, and with obvious interest in them, the way she smiled at them and continued to stroke their heads as they vied for more of her attention. Hell, not only were his men and he besotted with the lass, but his dogs now, too.

“The one with the darker face is Dillon. The other is Anlan. They love us whether we’re in our wolf forms or as humans. They wouldn’t bite the hand that feeds them.” He watched the way she smiled at the dogs, a genuinely affectionate smile.

With the way they seemed to hit it off, he had another idea. “They need to run. Would you mind if I took you to the falls? Instead of the gardens?” He felt devious for asking the question. Sure, the dogs needed to run, and the gardens wouldn’t do. But anyone could have taken the dogs out while he walked with Julia in the gardens. He wanted to get her alone, away from his people, just the two of them. He needed some answers. Sometimes the castle seemed too large to locate anyone, but at other times, like now, it seemed too small for real privacy.

Her expression brightened. “Falls? Oh, I’d love to see them.”

But then recalling the way she’d been limping earlier, he reconsidered. “Your ankle is no longer hurting? The falls are quite a distance from here.”

“No, my boots are giving me enough support. I’ll be fine. The car accident and tromping over the rocky ground in heels caused all the trouble.”

He wanted to take hold of her arm, wanted to walk with her through the castle to see if she leaned against him at all. Her enthusiasm made him have no doubt as to her sincerity about desiring to see the falls. Whether her ankle was up to the hike was what concerned him now.

“We could wait until tomorrow.” Although he didn’t want to.

She smiled dazzlingly up at him. “No, no, I’m just fine. A walk to the falls with someone who knows the lay of the land will be fun.”

The implication that anyone who could act as guide would do deflated his ego a bit.

In silence, they walked down the two flights of stairs and then through the great room where Cearnach, Duncan, and now Guthrie lounged. Each gave him a furtive smile. He wondered what was going on with dinner. And he wondered why Duncan wasn’t researching anything he could about the Iberian wolf. And more than anything, what Guthrie might have learned about Julia Wildthorn.

Smiling, Guthrie said, “I have some news for you, Ian.” He glanced at Julia.

Ian bet the news was about the little red wolf. “You can tell me the news later.” Although he was dying to know what his brother had learned since he seemed in such good spirits. “We’re going to the falls. Be back before dinner.”