“Good to see you, Son.” He hugged Alistair.

“Father.” Alistair hugged Lachlann and stepped back, motioning with his hand, “This is Sophia. And this sleeping beauty is Gabriela.” The little girl dozed peacefully on his broad shoulder as if he provided the perfect place to sleep.

Lachlann pulled Sophia into his embrace and kissed both of her cheeks. “Flàinte. Wel-”

“Tapadh leibh,” she smiled and thanked his welcome greeting in Gaelic before he could translate.

Alistair chuckled and Lachlann’s eyes widened for a second.

“You speak Gaelic?”

“Just a few words,” she beamed at him, happy that she had the correct intonation.

“Come on, let’s go. We still have a forty-minute drive from here and I’ve booked a special treatment for Sophia at the spa.” He winked at Sophia and opened the trunk of the Range Rover so MacDouglas could store their luggage.

“Spa?” Sophia asked puzzled at Alistair.

“Craigdale, Airgeal Caisteal, and Dryad Manor are luxury hotels, but Craigdale’s Spa is one of the best in the world.” He smiled. “You will love it. I told Gabriela to pack your sinful bikinis and workout clothes.” Alistair gave Gabriela to Sophia so he could adjust her car seat on the backseat of Lachlann’s black Range Rover. When he put Gabriela tenderly in Sophia’s arms, the girl nuzzled her breast and sighed happily, smiling in her slumber.

“You don’t know how much I envy her,” Alistair whispered in Sophia’s ear and bit her lobe.

He stepped back for her to put Gabriela into the seat. When Sophia bent inside the car, he pressed his hips onto her butt.

Sophia giggled and said, “Shh! Behave.”

“It’s true.”

“What is true?” asked Lachlann as he entered the car. Alistair smiled broadly and shook his head, his silky bangs swinging around his face.

“Come on, Son, or we won’t make it in time for afternoon tea.”

“Sophia’s dieting,” he said and closed her door.

“Oh.” Lachlann eyed Sophia in the rear mirror. “But you don-”

“He’s teasing,” she interrupted Lachlann and scowled at Alistair as he entered the car, “I love food.”

“She says that, but keeps skipping lunch and who knows what else.”

“Well, then. Let me entreat you to try our delicious food while you’re in Craigdale.” He winked at her in the mirror. “Make sure Alistair Connor gives you a quick tour before tea. We have our private rooms. Basically, on the west wing, the ground floor and the third and fourth floors are ours. The spa is at the back of the ground floor and the entire lower ground.”

“Ah, Father,” Alistair cleared his throat. “What room did you reserve for Sophia?”

Lachlann gazed at Alistair with a surprised look on his face before returning his attention to the windy road. “Aren’t you both staying in your room?”

“Err…” Alistair shifted on the seat to stare at Sophia with a raised eyebrow. She shook her head and he sighed before saying, “I am. She isn’t.”

Lachlann, who followed the exchange from the corner of his eyes, gawked at Alistair for a second in utter disbelief and grinned. “I don’t believe it.”

“And what is so funny?” Alistair gave his father a black look and then at Sophia as she tittered on the front seat.

“I wish your mother could see this,” he chortled, amazed. “Well done, my girl, well done,” Lachlann spoke under his breath before glancing at her in the mirror with a huge smile. “Your daughter is staying with Ariadne on the third floor, near Alice. Alistair’s rooms are on the fourth floor. Soooo,” he peeked at Alistair, a delighted smile on his face, “which room do you think we should give her?”

“Near Alice,” said Sophia at the same time Alistair answered, “Near me in the Empress Catherine Suite.”

“Ah-ah!” He smirked at Alistair. “The Queen Mary Suite, next to Alice. Elena is staying in the Czar Nicholas II on the same floor.” He smiled at her in the mirror, his green eyes gleamed like Alistair’s. “You will like the room, my dear. It’s all done in red and off-white damask with a seventeenth century four-poster bed. It has a very comfortable sitting area with views over the loch. From the bathroom, there are great views over the surrounding mountains. And” his smile broadened, which didn’t seem possible, “it’s at the end of the corridor, after Alice, Elena, and the children’s suites.”

I got you, Your Grace. Far from your son. And with barriers. Lachlann’s pleasure with the situation was so blatant that Sophia felt it fill the car.

“I’m sure I’ll love it,” she concurred and wiggled her brows at Alistair, who scowled and crossed his strong arms over his chest, muttering something unintelligible that made Lachlann chuckle more.


Ardaneaskan, Loch Carron. Craigdale Castle

4.39 p.m.

Sophia sucked in a breath when they neared Craigdale Castle. She could only describe it as one of the loveliest and most romantic spots that she had ever seen. Surrounded by tall and broad walls, with its very own loch, it offered one of the most stunning Scottish panoramas.

“Mama, it is beautiful. And huge!” Gabriela, who had been awake and chattering with them for a while, was ecstatic.

“Yes, my angel. It’s more than beautiful. It’s… enchanting.”

Lachlann smiled, “I like that. Enchanting. Yes, Craigdale is enchanting.”

“Do you have fairies here?” Gabriela asked.

The old man smiled widely, “Yes, my dear. I’m going to show them to you. They come out at night and if we’re very quiet, they appear in the garden.”

The little girl clapped her hands, “Oh, I want to see them. I’ll keep quiet, I promise.”

Alistair smiled happily at Sophia as his father and Gabriela made plans for the evening.

Lachlann parked in front of the enormous double doors and immediately a liveried red-haired man came to open the Range Rover door as another took the keys from his hand.

Gabriela hopped on the ground craning her neck to study the high turrets and tugged at Sophia’s hand, “Look, Mama. They have towers.” She eyed Alistair. “Do you keep prisoners in them?”

He crouched by her side and wiggled his brows, “Only people who misbehave. Children included.”

“Oh,” the little girl breathed at the unexpected answer.

“Stop, Alistair Connor. You’re going to scare the girl,” Lachlann admonished.

“I don’t misbehave. I’m very polite and a good girl.” She wound her arms around Sophia’s leg. “Aren’t I, Mama?”

Sophia bent down and picked her up in her arms, “Yes, my love. You are. Just perfect.”

The little girl turned to Lachlann with a broad and confident smile, “See? I don’t need to fear the towers.”

“Indeed,” he nodded at her, smiling.

Alistair took Gabriela from Sophia’s arms, smiling, “Come on, little imp.” And he stretched his free hand to grip Sophia’s. We look like a happy family. He stopped for a second and looked around at his childhood home. A happy family. He scolded at the thought but it didn’t leave his mind.

They climbed the stairs and the double doors opened as if commanded by magic.

“I hope you find everything to your liking, my dear,” Lachlann said. “We place particular emphasis in matching the elegant surroundings and atmosphere of the hotel with a warm welcome and friendly, efficient service. In the evening, you will find a newsletter on your bed, informing you of the exercise classes, swimming, aqua aerobics classes, and outdoor activities offered by the hotel, should you wish to participate.”

“Father, Sophia is mine for the weekend. She is going nowhere without me.” Alistair stared deeply into her eyes. “I’m your private guide.”

Lachlann had a permanent grin stuck on his face. “The spa is a very attractive self-contained complex. We have a semi-Olympic pool, a leisure pool with loungers, a Jacuzzi, and an outdoor heated pool. There’s a gymnasium, an aerobics dance studio, steam baths, and saunas.” He beamed at her. “Feel free to use the beauty parlor also.”

“Thank you, Your Grace, but I don’t usually go to hairdressers. Although, I am sure I’ll love the massages.”

“No need for formality with me, my girl. Lachlann is fine. I’m sure we’re going to be great friends. I’ll leave you in Alistair Connor’s hands.” He patted her shoulder, smiled, and strolled to the desk in the corner of the hall to give some orders to a man dressed in a suit.


After tea, Alistair ushered Sophia and Gabriela through a quick tour and directed them to Sophia’s suite. Gabriela entered the room to explore it.

“As soon as you’re ready for dinner, come meet me in the Laird Library.” He looked at his watch. “Around eight thirty, I think. Do you remember where it is?”

“Sure. What are you going to do?”

“Workout a bit and swim. Then chat in the sauna with Leo. They should arrive in thirty minutes or so. I’ll stay with Gabriela in the game room waiting for them because Ariadne expressly stated that she wants to see her when she arrives.” His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her flush to his body and he warned her, his lips brushing hers, “Don’t you dare flaunt yourself in those skimpy bikinis when I’m not at your side.”

“I’m going to work out for half an hour. Then, I’m going to relax with the Thai treatment your father booked for me. I promise: no bikinis,” Sophia smiled mischievously at him, “today.”

Chapter 16

8.18 p.m.

Sophia chose a navy column-like wool dress, with a tight bodice and long sleeves. Turquoise-and-coral jewelry adorned her ears and right wrist. Her marine belt had a silver clasp and her feet were encased in marine leather pumps. As she braided her hair, she looked in the mirror.