Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce Read Free Book Online Page A

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    A plump woman in a domestic's uniform smiled at her, bearing a tray, Allie smelled the coffee and warm bread and realized she was starving. “His lordship didn't leave instructions. I must say, I was surprised to realize we had a guest.” But she smiled very pleasantly. “I am Mrs. Farlane.”
    His lordship, Allie thought, realizing he was titled. A nice little perk. “I’m Allie.” She smiled. “My visit wasn't really planned. I mean, one minute we're at a party in South Hampton, the next, here we are! Thank God for jets,” she added quickly. This woman couldn't possibly know her employer traveled through time and fought the evil monsters of the night.
    Mrs. Farlane placed the tray down on the ottoman by the bed. “Lord Royce doesn't have a jet. I hadn't realized he was in South Hampton. He told me he'd be in Edinburgh for a few days.” She seemed unhappy to be out of the loop.
    His name was Royce! Of course it was, for the demon had called him Ruari, the Gaelic version of such a name. “My dad has an Astra.” How could Royce be in Edinburgh when they'd been at her Long Island summer home last night? Or had she been sleeping for days? “I'm sorry, what day is it?”
    Mrs. Farlane gave her a queer look. “It's the sixth, dear. I didn't see any suitcase.”
    She had only slept for half of a night. ‘It was very spontaneous. I'm afraid everything I have with me is on my back.” Clothes, Allie thought, her heart sinking. “Um, where exactly am I?”
    Mrs. Farlane blinked.
    Allie said quickly, “Royce is a tease! He said he was taking me to the Highlands, and that it was a surprise!”
    “We're at
Carrick
Castle
, my dear; in Morvern—a bit north and west of Glasgow.”
    Allie breathed hard—she had been right. “Iona is to the west.”
    “Yes, and it's a lovely island, just a few hours by car and ferry.”
    Allie's heart raced. She'd make a detour before she went home—whenever that was. “When will Royce be back?”
    “In the early evening.”
    She went still, except for her heart, which now thundered with unbearable excitement. He was coming back and she couldn't wait to see him. “Are there any shops nearby? I am going to need a change of clothes.” She realized she wanted to find an outfit that would knock him senseless. She had never worried over what to wear to impress a man before.
    “The best shopping in Scotland is in Glasgow. Tom can drive you. His lordship pays him a fine wage to be his chauffeur, but then he drives himself everywhere.” She shook her head. “All those cars. How can a man own so many cars? He's got three garages down the hill!”
    “My best friend is that way with shoes," Allie said. She'd have to call Tabby. She turned to the silver pot and poured coffee and took a sip, black. It was heaven—and that night would be heaven, too. Every inch of her quickened. She was as excited—and as nervous—as a teenager. It was absurd. It was wonderful! But she did need a change of clothes and she didn't have her purse. On the other hand, she was very recognizable. Designers often begged her to take their clothes and were always sending her items, like the gown she was wearing now. She refused to spend ridiculous sums on clothes and accessories, not when that money could go to charity. Maybe she could find a new designer and buy what she needed on credit. She’d figure it out, one way or another.
    But there was one more problem.
    Mrs. Farlane, however, solved it. “My daughter is about your size, dear. She's fifteen, but you can borrow some jeans and a T-shirt. Tom will show you the best shops. As his lordship's guest, our merchants will be thrilled to help you.”
    Allie wanted to hug her. “Thank you so much.” Then she gave in and embraced the woman, who started and then smiled.
    IT WAS ALMOST
seven o'clock
, and Allie's stomach was in knots. She was sipping a glass of white wine in the great room, clad in a beautiful shamrock-green jersey dress that skimmed her body,