Blue Bells of Scotland: Book One of the Blue Bells Trilogy Read Online Free PDF Page A

have her."
    Conrad and Peter nodded thoughtfully. "She's good," Peter said.
    "And I've done some scouting." Dan pulled a folder from his briefcase and dropped it on Conrad's charts. "These trumpet players are real possibilities. This Zach Tyler."
    The men leaned back in, scanning the dossiers of two prominent musicians, pointing, questioning and talking. "We have leverage," Bill said, "if he understands he's replaceable." Nods went around the circle.
    "One way or another," Conrad assured them, "this situation is going to be resolved. He's approaching his last misstep."

    * * *

    Shawn met Amy in the castle's hall, still in her concert black, and pulled her through his suite, to the bedroom. "I can't get over it," she said, surveying the chamber. It could hold several of the smaller rooms. A mahogany four poster dominated everything. A bas-relief carving of a hunting scene adorned its foot board. Deep blue velvet curtains hung all around it, with a matching bedspread. Wallpaper and carpet echoed a palette of blues, a gentle contrast to the dark furniture. An intricately carved mantelpiece framed the fireplace opposite the bed. Evening sunlight poured through diamond-paned windows.
    "Impressed?" He laughed. "This room belonged to the lord of the castle."
    "Of course that's what they'd give you," she said. "It's incredible. And you don't even appreciate it."
    "'Course I appreciate it. Look at that bed!" He gestured, an expansive sweep of his arm. "Who wouldn't appreciate that! You're welcome to join me any time. I wish you would." She glanced at the bed, twisting a ring on her finger. It flashed a spark of deep red.
    "Hey, stop with the ring." Shawn took her hands, separating them. "What's wrong?"
    She pulled away, walking toward the window. Evening sun streaked pink and orange across the sky, casting splendid pastels over the stone-walled gardens below. "There's so much more than that," she said.
    "The bed? Yeah. I'm throwing a great party. Sure you don't want to come?" He pulled off his tuxedo jacket and started on the shirt's tiny buttons.
    "I'm sure." She stared at the floor. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
    "What's with you lately?" He shrugged off the crisp dress shirt. "You're always tired. I thought those antibiotics helped. Come on, look at me."
    She twisted the ring.
    He tried again. A little humor always got her. "Come on, baby, I'm here for the taking. The shirt's off." He turned, arms outspread, showing off his powerful chest, his perfect and unblemished back. "The pants are coming off. We could have our own private party before I go." He dropped his hands on her shoulders.
    She edged away, and boosted herself onto the window seat under the diamond-paned windows, staring out at the gardens. "I don't feel well. I'm going to bed."
    He stared at her for a moment, before turning to dig a shirt from the Victorian bureau. He'd have to find something like that for his own bedroom at home, he thought. He turned back to Amy, trying to guess what had brought this on, or when it had started.
    "You upset about that girl onstage? You know it's just a show."
    "You didn't have to give quite such an enthusiastic show."
    "Look," he said, more subdued, "I've been neglecting you. I know these parties aren't really your thing. I'm kind of committed, you know people already coming and all, but we have the whole day off tomorrow. We could go to that castle."
    "The one on the loch? Glenmirril?" Her eyes brightened a little, then dimmed. "Tomorrow's the last day with the living history actors. It'll be packed."
    "We'll go at night, when everyone's gone."
    "Can we do that?" She slid the ring up and down her finger.
    His lips brushed her ear. "I'm Shawn Kleiner. I can do anything I want. We'll take a six pack up to the tower, look at the stars, make love."
    "Why?" She met his gaze forcefully.
    He glanced away, uncomfortably. "Why? Because it's fun! Making love is always fun." She continued staring at him. He wracked his brain, wondering what