Her Outlaw Read Online Free PDF Page B

interview behind her, Emma took a moment to savor the pleasure of accomplishment at a pair of successful bits of mischief. While neither the ice cream shenanigans nor today’s effort exactly counted as the escapade she craved, she had dipped her toes back into trouble-making and enjoyed the experience. It reminded her that she’d always relished her stints at being a Menace. Growing up and becoming responsible did have its drawbacks.
    Then, she recalled that look in Dair MacRae’s eyes as he referenced the upcoming weekend.
    Growing up had its advantages, too.
     
    C LOUDS ROLLED IN AND OBSCURED the sun as it sank toward the western horizon. Dair flipped up the collar of his seaman’s jacket as fat raindrops began to splatter against the cobblestones. He took a circuitous route to his destination, intent upon losing anyone who might attempt to follow him. By the time he paused outside the Dog and DuckTavern, rain fell in a steady, chilling sheet, and Dair felt secure that if anyone had begun this journey with him, he finished it alone.
    He sucked in a breath and tried to will away the nagging headache that plagued him almost constantly of late. He couldn’t afford the distraction right now.
    He opened the pub’s door and stepped inside. Tobacco smoke swirled in the air, mixing with the scent of fried fish, spilled ale and unwashed bodies. Dair made his way to the table in the back where a man awaited him.
    “What can I get you, luv?” a buxom barmaid asked.
    “Whiskey.” Dair took his seat and nodded. “Hello, Angus.”
    The grizzled old Scot scowled at him, his bushy eyebrows meeting in the middle. “MacRae. Tis a lousy afternoon for a meet, and I canna say I’m thrilled with the fare, either. The fish is old and the whiskey is watered. The proprietor should be shot.”
    Dair smothered a smile. “My apologies, old friend. I’ll schedule Buckingham Palace next time.”
    Angus Fraser snorted. “I dinna doubt ye could do it.”
    Conversation halted when the barmaid brought Dair’s drink and remained a moment to flirt. Once the two men were alone, Fraser said, “If this is about yer most recent request, I have little information for ye, I fear. I’ve had men on ye for the past three days, but they’ve seen no sign that you’re being watched.” He paused significantly, then added, “Handy, that, considering yer late-night activities.”
    Dair ignored the veiled reference to the Riever, his thoughts on the problem at hand. Had his apprehension of the boy resulted in the end of the surveillance? Perhaps, but he didn’t trust it. Too many pieces of the puzzle remained missing to put together a proper picture. “Stay on it, if you would, Angus. It may well be a suspicious spouse, but I’d like confirmation.”
    “Aye.” The grizzled Scot nodded. “I’ll do me best. Speakin’ of doing me best, I need a wee more time to dispose of yer latest delivery. Emeralds like those require a special client.”
    Dair considered the question. “Take another month. After that, dump them. Now, I have another task for you. I need information about a pair of Americans currently in London on a holiday. The name is McBride. Sisters, Emma and Katrina, from Fort Worth, Texas. I want a thorough report, focused especially upon the widow, Emma. Her married name is Tate.” He added a few more details he’d learned from grilling Jake after his friend confessed to recognizing the sisters despite Katrina’s disguise.
    “Do you want financial and—”
    “I want everything. I want to know the state of her investments, who her lovers are, if she owns any pets. I want you to dig deep enough that you could tell me the color of the lace on her corset if I asked.”
    Fraser rolled his tongue around the inside of his cheek, then spoke in a droll tone. “That’s a detail yer more likely to discover than me.”
    Dair’s lips twisted with a grin. The man did have a point.
    “We’ve a wee bit of a problem, however. I need to leave