Read Online A Tale of Two Kingdoms by Victoria Danann - Free Book Online Page A

possibly have grown as respectable as you look.”
    His friend scowled. “Of course no’. What do you take me for?”
    After a one-armed embrace during which Peyton Innes never relinquished hold of his whiskey glass, they sat in companionable warmth. Peyton was the older brother, by three years, of one of Duff’s closest friends. He was big and ruddy and redheaded and gave every impression of being fearless. He’d gone into law and had been with an old legacy Edinburgh firm since graduation.
    “Shall I ask how’ve you been or shall I ask what sort of solicitor services you’re in urgent need of?”
    Duff smiled. “For now, let me just ask, how you’ve been?”
    “Fine, Duff. Yourself?”
    “Well. Your mate?”
    “All will be well if I’m home before the clock strikes eight and no’ smellin’ like I’ve been makin’ love to Scotch.”
    Duff laughed and glanced at the tumbler. “Should I be takin’ that from you then?”
    “Only if I begin demandin’ another.”
    After a few seconds of quiet, Duff said, “About the question of respectability…”
    “Aye?”
    “I’m hirin’ you to perform a few services on my behalf. I must know that you will be holdin’ the legal tradition of confidentiality sacred. I’ll be needin’ your word that I can count on that.”
    Innes set his glass down and sat back in his chair as he gave Duff a professional look of appraisal. “Well, Duffy, I must be askin’ you a couple of things first. You know the law as well as I do. There are legal exceptions to confidentiality, as you are aware, and I’m previously bound by a partnership trust that supersedes any vow I would now make to you.
    “Under the circumstances I would normally ask two thin’s, but in your case the first would no’ seem to apply. You are no’ likely to be involved in the pursuit of tax evasion since taxes are paid to you indirectly through your family. As to the second thin’, will any money launderin’ activity be involved?”
    Before Duff could respond, the door opened was held open by the club manager while two servers delivered the mutton and potatoes, cooked and dressed to perfection, and served it on hand-painted pottery plates picturing a red stag leaping through a ring of heather. Duff didn’t need to glance at his watch to know that Aels would have made sure the request for service at six-fifteen was honored.
    When the staff was gone, the room seemed very quiet of a sudden. Not wanting the moment to become awkward, Innes picked up knife and fork and cut into his meat. “Nothin’ like a ripe mutton, eh, Duff? Looks lovely indeed.”
    “Aye. Most appealin’. As to the question put before me just ahead of the lamb’s arrival,” the prince held up his right hand in a mock taking of oath, “the answer is no, Pey. No money launderin’ activity is associated with anythin’ I may be askin’ about.”
    Innes stopped and looked Duff full in the face with the sort of sincerity that Scots are known for. “In that case, my answer is aye. Certainly you have my word, little brother. ‘Twould be yours whether I was bound by the legal profession or not.”
    “Thank you, Pey. When all ‘tis done, I hope you’ll still be callin’ me brother.”
     
     
    When Duff reached the top of the third floor stairwell and turned he could see the light in the outer offices at the end of the hall. He didn’t go out of his way to sneak up on his assistant, but the man was focused on his task to the exclusion of all else.
    “Grieve.”
    As expected, Grieve cleared at least three inches from the seat of his chair when Duff said his name and clutched at his lapel near his heart. “Sir,” he panted.
    “Grieve, are you goin’ deaf, man? I was no’ exactly bein’ stealthy on my approach.”
    “Perhaps, your Highness. I shall look into it.”
    “What are you doin’ here so late?”
    Grieve looked at his watch. “’Tis only eight.”
    “Aye. What time did you arrive this mornin’?”
    “Seven