Read Online A Midsummer Night's Romp by Katie MacAlister - Free Book Online Page A

baron to Hollywood?”
    The smiling face of Alice, Gunner’s new sister-in-law, broke into a laugh before making a little moue. “I wish. Hollywood doesn’t seem to be interested in his fabulous spy books, which is just stupid beyond words, given that they are such fabulous best sellers. Plus Elliott’s books are much better than a lot of what makes it into movies these days. How’s your foot? You’re staying off it, aren’t you?”
    â€œYes, Mum,” he said, making a face of his own at her.
    She laughed again, the picture of her on the videoconferencing software glitching for a moment before it settled down. “Sorry, Gunner, I didn’t mean to mother you, but as your mom is in Africa, I figured it was up to me as second lady in command to make sure you’re OK.”
    â€œYou’re the first lady in command in my book,” hesaid gallantly, never above a little light flirtation with Alice.
    The screen suddenly jerked, and Alice disappeared to be replaced by Elliott, his look so pointed that it was quite clear even from halfway across the world. “Still trying to seduce my wife, Gunner?”
    â€œOnly when you’re not around,” he said smoothly. “Besides, I have to have something to look forward to. It’s been so quiet around here with you two gallivanting all over the States. Book tour going all right?”
    Elliott shrugged. “I suppose so, although I’m not best suited to this life. I’d much rather be home. Is everything there all right? You’re not having any trouble keeping the tourists away from the tower?”
    â€œNo, it’s suitably fenced off. No one but the dig crew will have access to it, and they have all sorts of insurance, so if a falling brick hits one of them on the head, it won’t be our fault.”
    Elliott made a face, and absently rubbed his shoulder where he’d broken a bone by being hit by one of the bricks falling from the decrepit tower himself a few months before. “I’d rather we not have any more accidents. How is the archaeology going?”
    â€œAll right so far.” Gunner gave his brother a rundown of the details of the show, adding, “They’ve asked me to be a presenter, and do an on-air thing with some neophyte. They’ll film me explaining how the dig process works, that sort of thing.”
    â€œYou? I thought you were just going to dig when the cast comes off your leg.”
    Gunner shrugged one shoulder. “The producer seems to think that a nonprofessional will reach the viewing audience better than an academic.”
    â€œBetter you than me,” Elliott said with a sour look that made Gunner smile.
    â€œThat’s because you’re an introvert. Extroverts like me enjoy such things, not to mention having a zillion brothers and sisters around us.”
    â€œIt only seems like a zillion when you’re all together,” Alice said in the background, pushing Elliott a little to the side. “It must be nice to have the castle to yourself while they’re all out doing vacations and whatnot.”
    â€œTo be honest, it’s a bit lonely,” Gunner admitted. He’d been battling a sense of loss with his siblings scattered hither and yon on various trips and visits to other family members, or off at assorted universities.
    He even missed his mother, who had taken the two youngest boys on her annual trek to Kenya to check up on the charities she endowed there.
    â€œIt’s damned quiet here,” Gunner said apropos of those thoughts. “Just the tourists twice a week, and the dig crew, and they’re all housed down by the old barn and stables.”
    â€œAlice and I will be home in a week; I’m sure you’ll survive just fine until then what with all your nascent TV stardom.”
    â€œI don’t think there’s much stardom to be had with an archaeology show, but the money they’re paying the