PENETRATE (The Portals of Time Book 1) by Jackie Ivie Read Free Book Online

that had been meandering along the hill below them on the right. The view beyond it was of more water, making an inlet with a high cliff of more dark rock on the opposite side. The scene was beyond impressive. It was breathtaking. Absolutely majestic.
    Someone had an exact idea of the impression they’d wanted to make when they’d chosen this location. Neal was experiencing it. Perhaps he needed to rethink the relocation plan. Heating and venting options could always be installed. Foundations could be shored up. He’d have to check into construction techniques. He wasn’t even sure if the Roman Empire’s use of concrete had been rediscovered yet. If not, he’d figure it out. He could use steel-reinforced cement on his castle. He knew for certain he was on the cusp of the industrial revolution. That’s why iron and then steel were at the top of his investment list.
    Neal pulled on the reins. Thundercloud stopped. Rory joined him within moments.
    “Your grace?”
    “Who owns that land? Right...there?”  He pointed toward the headland across the bay and swept his arm outward to encompass all of it.
    “I believe...’tis Straith land.”
    “I own it?”
    “Now that, I...can na’ exactly say.”
    “Why not?”
    “I’m na’ entirely certain...I should speak.”
    Neal considered the lad for a moment longer before speaking. “Rory. I had a bad spill. I can’t think clearly. I don’t remember...much. Can’t you just tell me?”
    “’Tis na’ wise to speak ill of the dead, your grace.”
    “Who died?”
    “Your uncle, may God rest his soul.”
    “The late duke?”
    “Aye.”
    “Recently?”
    “Eight months past. Almost nine.”
    “Nine months! And I just managed to get here?”
    “Aye. Two days past.”
    “Hmm. Sounds like I need to invest in transportation. Stat.”
    “Your grace?”
    “Oh. Um. Never mind me, Rory. I’ve...suffered a head injury.”  He put his hand to his temple and tenderly dabbed at the spot. “But, tell me. Why did it take me so long to claim my inheritance? Surely travel doesn’t take that long.”
    “They say you were...powerfully hard to persuade.”
    “Really? Why is that?”
    The lad flushed. “Well, the gossips say—uh.”
    The kid’s voice stopped. Neal lifted his brows. “Yes?”
    “I...should na’ have said anything.”
    “How about I fill in blanks? You just nod.”
    “I do na’ ken—”
    “I was found in London? Isn’t that what you said?”
    The lad nodded. His skin reddened even more. Neal barely caught the chuckle.
    “Well. London must have quite a lot of enticements for a young man on the prowl. I must have been having a very good time. Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”
    Rory nodded again. Thundercloud shifted beneath Neal. He clamped his thighs on the horse’s sides. Thundercloud stopped fidgeting. Neal managed to stifle displaying the rush of pleasure at the horse’s obedience, as well as the amusement at Rory’s discomfiture.
    “Did my uncle own that land?”
    Rory nodded.
    “Isn’t it part of the inheritance?”
    The lad nodded. And the shook his head.
    “All right. Forget nodding. Just explain.”
    “’Tis na’ my place, your grace.”
    “Then, whose is it?”
    “Uh.”
    “If you can’t answer my questions, who am I supposed to ask?”
    “You have a steward.”
    “I do?”
    Rory nodded.
    “Well. He’s not here with us now, is he?”
    The lad shook his head. Neal sighed heavily. Thundercloud shifted again. Neal tightened his legs. The horse stopped moving.
    “Can’t you just tell me? I won’t say anything about where I got my information. You have my word.”
    “Well...rumor is your uncle was na’ right in the head. He lingered on a long time after his attack. Visited with all manner of solicitor fellows and lawyers, and the like.”
    “And that means...?”
    “I am na’ privy to the...contents of the will, your grace. Truly. All I have is rumor.”
    Uh oh.
    This could involve the little sprite who’d