Read Online The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

You’d have had a good laugh and pushed it aside.” He took her hand before she could snatch it aside, gave it a playful squeeze. “He’s smitten with you.”
    “He is not smitten.”
    “That he is. A man can see these things in another man. And I had him here for nearly two full days.”
    She did snatch her hand away. “Bribing him.”
    Two could play the interrogation game, Daniel thought. “Did he or did he not do satisfactory work at your house?”
    “How would I know? And I don’t—”
    “He did the work, and a fine job, so that your grandmother and I can rest our minds. Now, if I’ve a mind to want my own home made safer, more secure, why wouldn’t I call on a man who’s proven himself?”
    How had the argument gotten off track? Laura wondered as she rubbed a hand over her temple. She’d had control of it at the beginning. And lost the grip somewhere along the line. “You know very well it’s all a plot.”
    “Well, of course it’s a plot. All of life is.” Daniel grinned at her. “He’s a handsome lad, that Royce Cameron. Comes from good stock, has made something of himself. His grandfather was a fine man.”
    That succeeded in distracting her. “You knew his grandfather?”
    “Oh, in passing only. A policeman, with a strong sense of duty and a good head for Scotch. And his grandmother was a Fitzwilliams, a strong line. Her I knew a bit better.” His brows wiggled. “But that was before your grandmother swept me off my feet. So maybe when I was looking into some small, privately owned companies in the Boston area that a businessman might want to pay heed to, and I sawthe name of Royce Cameron—which was his grandfather’s name, and took me back a few years—I thought, would that be Millie Fitzwilliams’s grandson? And what’s he done with himself?”
    Defeated, Laura tugged the open window closed before the two of them froze to death. “So you made it your business to find out.”
    “To satisfy my curiosity, to see about the grandson of old friends. And if, when I discovered he was a strong man with a good mind and a decent head for business, I tossed a bit of work his way …”
    “And your granddaughter along with it.”
    “As I said, I tossed him your way. Nobody held a gun to your head to make you go out dancing with him.”
    She set her teeth. “How do you know I went out dancing with him?”
    Daniel smiled blandly. “I have my ways, little girl.”
    “I want to choke you.”
    “Kiss me instead.” He took her hand again. “I’ve missed you, Laurie.”
    “Hah,” she said, and made his heart swell with pride. “You never miss anything, you old schemer.” But she kissed him just the same, and it only took the slightest tug on her hand to have her sitting on his lap. “Does he know you tossed him my way?”
    “Come now, little girl, I’m better than that. Just what are you going to do about him?”
    “I’m going to have a mad, torrid affair.”
    “Laura!”
    The shock and horror in his voice was almost payment enough for the embarrassment. “You reap what you sow, Grandpa. And since you’ve put such a fine specimen of man at my disposal, I’ll use him as I choose, until I’m done with him.”
    He jerked her back, stared hard into her eyes. “Ah, you’re joking.”
    “Maybe I am.” She smiled slowly. “And maybe I’m not. So you just think about that the next time you play laird with me, MacGregor.”
    “Now then, Laurie—” He broke off when he heard his wife’s voice.
    “Laura? Daniel, is that Laura’s car outside?”
    “Up here, Grandma.”
    “Ssh!” He gave Laura a quick shake to dislodge her. “Don’t call her up here. The woman’s got a nose like a hound. I only had a few puffs, damn it.”
    “I’ll be right down, Grandma.” Laura angled her head. “You owe me, Grandpa. And if you don’t remember it, I might just let it slip that I saw a couple of Cubans taped to the back of your file drawer. Under
S
for
Sneak.”
    Now he did pale.