“THERE YOU ARE.” Jock was coming down the staircase when Jane and Eve entered the castle. “I was just coming after you. MacDuff said you were watching the sunset at the Run.” He looked at Jane quizzically. “I thought it a bit odd. You haven’t been in the mood for staring at scenery lately.”

But she was still feeling that inner peace and serenity that had surrounded her while she was sitting with Eve on the cliff. “I was in the mood today.”

“I can see that.” His gaze shifted to Eve. “Your influence? Good for you. She looks as if she’s been on vacation.”

“We needed a little downtime. We’re both better now.”

“How is Lina?” Jane asked.

“She couldn’t wait to settle in her room and start to work.” His lips quirked mischievously. “I put her in the Laird’s suite. MacDuff doesn’t use it any longer. It’s too formal for his liking. I wanted her to get a taste of grandeur.”

“Why? She made it plain that she likes to live simply.”

“I couldn’t resist. She informed me very curtly that she didn’t like castles, but she’d put up with it until she finished the translations.”

“I like her,” Eve said. “She has thorns, but you’d always know where you were with her.”

“No doubt about that,” Jane said. “Did you get my books, Jock?”

He nodded. “They’re in your room. Two boxes of Bibles and reference books as requested.”

“Good.” She started for the grand staircase. “I’ll shower and hit the Internet first, then dive into the books.”

“You’re in a great hurry,” Eve said quietly. “You’re safe here. Why the frantic pace?”

She grimaced. “I guess I’m still operating under Millet’s countdown. I can’t believe those bastards are going to let me live past April 1. I feel as if the only way to stop it is to stop them.”

“I wish I could disagree with you,” Eve said soberly. “I’d like to tell you to stay here and let Venable and Joe hunt down Millet and Roland.”

Jane shook her head. “And let those murderers go after everyone I care about? Joe would be a target. Anyone I love will be a target. I can’t hide away.”

Eve nodded. “That’s why I’m not arguing with you. They have to be stopped.” She stopped as she saw the housekeeper coming down the steps. “I was just going to call you, Mrs. Dalbrey. I’m hoping you can persuade Jane to eat something before she starts to work. You know each other, don’t you?”

“Of course, we do.” Nora Dalbrey’s smile lit her plump face. She was dressed in a black skirt, sensible shoes, and a white blouse that should have made her appear serious and practical but somehow didn’t. Her light brown hair was pulled back from her face, but rebellious frizzy ringlets had come loose and hung about her temples. “We met the last time she came to the Run. It’s good to see you again, Ms. MacGuire.”

“You’re looking well. How is your son?”

She made a face. “Sixteen and won’t leave those Nintendo games alone.” Then her face softened. “But my Ian’s a good boy and doesn’t give me any trouble.” She turned to Eve. “I’ll take her a tray with that stew I made for dinner. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she doesn’t starve herself. I remember the last time she was here, she didn’t eat as well as she should.” She started down the hall. “You have the same room you had before, Ms. MacGuire. I’ll be up there with your dinner quick as the shake of a lamb’s tail.”

“It seems I’m having dinner,” Jane said as she gazed after the housekeeper. “How quick is the shake of a lamb’s tail?”

“Evidently pretty quick,” Eve said. “I’d hurry with that shower if I were you.”

THE LAIRD’S SUITE WAS THREE doors down from the room Jane had been assigned.

Jane hesitated as she went past it, then stopped and knocked on the door.

“Come.”

Jane opened the door. “I just wanted to make sure that you were comfortable.”

Lina looked up from her pad. “I’m not comfortable. This place is splendid, and splendid is cold. But I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I’m not worrying.” She looked around the room. The huge four-poster bed and other massive furniture dominated the room. “It’s just that this room is a little overpowering. I could have Mrs. Dalbrey switch you.”

“No, thank you.” There was the slightest glimmer of humor in her expression. “That would disappoint Jock. I’m sure he’s enjoying thinking of me here.”

“His mother was housekeeper before Mrs. Dalbrey. He lived in the village, but he practically grew up here. He can’t understand anyone not loving it.”

“I know he can’t.” She looked back down at her pad. “But I think he tries. Now, please leave. I have to get back to work.”

“How is it going?”

“Well,” she said absently.

Lina had already closed her out, Jane realized.

“I’m three doors down, and Eve is in the tower room. If you need us, just call.”

Lina nodded impatiently, not looking up.

Jane shook her head as she quietly left the room. Lina might be prickly as Eve said, but she was displaying signs of vulnerability. Lina had been married to a wealthy man, and she had experienced all the splendor connected with it. She had been a frightened child, and that splendor must have seemed like an ice palace. No wonder she wanted nothing to do with it.

Yet there had been that slight flash of humor when she had been talking about Jock.

Jane opened her door and looked around her high-ceilinged chamber. It looked the same as the last time she had stayed here. Ancient tapestries, large-scaled, comfortable furniture. Lina was wrong. Rich, yes, but there was nothing cold about this room or any other room at MacDuff’s Run.

Cold was generated by the people who lived in a place. The MacDuffs who had lived and loved in this castle had never been cold. Lina would just have to learn that truth.

And Jane would have to stop fretting over Lina and take her shower before Mrs. Dalbrey got here with her meal. As she headed for the bathroom, she noticed the two boxes of books that Jock had mentioned against the far wall. She felt a surge of anticipation.

She had work to do.

CALEB KNOCKED ON EVE’S door a little over an hour later.

Her brows lifted when she opened the door. “To what do I owe this pleasure, Caleb? I thought you were busy sparring with MacDuff over security arrangements.”

“It didn’t take that long. MacDuff isn’t going to listen to anyone’s opinion or suggestions about his castle and his people. I knew that the minute I met him. But I had to know what the setup was, and it was a way we could take each other’s measure.” He shrugged. “But his security appears to be top-notch. You don’t have to be concerned. May I come in?”

She hesitated. “Why? I’m working.”

“I want to talk to you. I thought it was a good opportunity. Jane is busy on the Internet and Lina is barricaded in that Laird’s chamber, translating.” He smiled. “And it doesn’t surprise me that she doesn’t appreciate castle life.”

“It’s really not my cup of tea either.” Eve hesitated, then stepped aside and gestured for him to enter. “But MacDuff has been very gracious… in his way.”

“You bring that quality out in most people,” Caleb said as he came into the room. “Even I feel the stirrings when I’m with you. Amazing.”

“Bullshit. You’re a chameleon. You’re what you want to be. And I don’t mean that freakish gift of yours. You study the situation and adapt. Now sit down and tell me why you’re here.”

“Blunt and insightful.” He grinned as he dropped into a chair. “I’ve missed you, Eve.”

“You barely knew me. We were only together for the short time we were forced to work at finding that serial killer that we were both after. And it was Jane who drew you like a moth to a flame. It worried me.” She stared directly into his eyes. “It still does.”

“Do you want me to reassure you?” He thought about it. “No, I won’t lie. You should be worried. If it’s any comfort, I’m worried about it, too. I don’t like the thought of destroying her, even hurting her.”