Christmas at Draycott Abbey Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    No one would get past him tonight.

Ian’s leg was hurting again, but that was not why he stopped at the base of the long marble staircase. He listened to the howl of the wind, impatient for Izzy Teague to arrive. He was worried about the woman upstairs, and he needed answers.
    More that that, he had to know how to explain the odd sense of connection he had felt between them outside in the rain.
    Angry at his tangled thoughts, Ian muttered under his breath, staring at the black car parked at the base of the abbey’s steps. The men had rung the doorbell twice already.
    Ian could delay no longer. Something was wrong. All his field experience and training urged him to caution.
    Acting on instinct, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed quickly.
    A man answered on the second ring. In the background Ian heard laughter and the click of glasses, along with the sound of caroling voices. “MacKay here.”
    “Sinclair. Sorry to bother you, Calan. It sounds as if you’re busy.”
    “Just a small group of my wife’s friends. The second bottle of champagne is opened, or we wouldn’t dare begin to sing. But you didn’t call to critique our carols, I think.” The man at the other end of the line moved the phone, and Ian heard a door close. The sounds of singing faded away. “That’s better. Now we can talk. I doubt you’ve called for an invitation to Christmas dinner, so how can I help you?”
    Calan was one of Ian’s oldest friends. As boys he and Ian had clattered around Draycott Abbey, dreaming of lion hunting and mountain climbing as they raced across the abbey grounds with their friend, the young viscount.
    But Calan had never discussed his boyhood. Over time, Nicholas and Ian had come to understand that Calan was not like other boys. Not like other men.
    And because of those dark and unusual skills, Ian had to ask a favor of his old friend now. “There’s a problem here. I don’t know exactly what it means, but my instincts are on red alert. I hate to bother you but—“
    “It will only take me a few minutes to get there. You were right to phone me, Ian. Especially now, while the viscount and his family are away.” Calan hesitated. “Am I to assume I should keep a low profile? No noise.”
    “That would be correct.”
    “And I should be prepared for a possible attack?”
    “I’m afraid so. Izzy Teague is on his way. But right now, I have unexpected guests. Somehow they made their way through the security at the main gate. That can hardly be an accident.” Ian chose his words carefully. “Earlier tonight, I found a woman in the rain. She was wounded, disoriented. The pieces still don’t match up, but the fact that I’m having visitors now.…”
    “Understood. I should be there in fifteen minutes. I’ll have a look. Don’t expect to see me until I’m ready to be seen,” Calan said grimly. “Surprise can be a most useful tool. On a night like this, neither man nor beast should be afoot. The hunting should be good.”
    Ian heard the soft laugh. Memories of other nights and other strange things drifted through his mind. He was glad that Calan MacKay was no enemy. Ian was glad too for the hunting skills that his old friend had taught him and Nicholas. That stealth and strength of vision had more than once saved Ian’s life and the life of the royal family he protected.
    “Thank you, Calan.”
    “No need. Keep your eyes to the hill and your face to the wind. You’ll see me before you hear me.”
    The line went dead.
    Calan was gifted with abilities that even now Ian could not completely understand. It was Calan’s skill to blend into the darkness and hunt by stealth and strength, a creature of night itself. Only twice had Ian seen his old friend change. The sight of that dim creature he became had left Ian more than a little unnerved.
    The doorbell rang again.
    Ian smoothed a hand over the outline of his Berretta, tucked in the back of his waistband where it could be easily reached. He