The Dog House (Harding's World of Romance) Read Online Free PDF

way. “And the locals might take offense. No, best you go and make a good showing.”
    Colin wrinkled his nose, but concurred. “I suppose you’re right,” he said reluctantly. “In that case, could you please get an invitation for Aiken as well?”
    “Very well,” McTavish agreed. “And will you bring a female companion?”
    Colin scratched his head for a moment. “I suppose Bridget,” he said, weighing his options. “Aiken has taken a fancy to a friend of hers who is visiting. Can you take care of the invitations?”
    “Of course,” his manager said briskly. “Once I send off the letter to the cottage.”
    A shadow darkened Colin’s brow briefly at the reminder of today’s intruder. Still he watched his manager’s efficiency with satisfaction and then stepped out of the office into the grand entry hall, trying to shake off his irritated mood so that he could enjoy the rest of the day.
    He wasn’t used to unwelcome intrusions from the outside world. It seemed to him that one of the advantages that came from being of the privileged class was that you could be protected from these sorts of banal annoyances and hassles that could spoil a perfectly fine afternoon. He was not unkind by nature, but neither could he be expected to put up with everybody else’s problems and the simplest thin g to do was to avoid the masses entirely.
    He didn’t particularly want to cause an eviction, but the threat alone should be enough to make the dog’s master take responsibility for his pet. He certainly couldn’t continue to have his guests being disturbed like this or to have property damaged. In fact, he was being quite kind not to forward the upholsterer’s bill to the new tenant, as it was.
    Feeling better in his conscience, he strode out into the garden to check the sky. Tomorrow he was going boating with a number of friends and he was glad to see a clear horizon. Now he could put all this nuisance behind him and concentrate on enjoying the evening.

Chapter Three
     
    Mackenzie House was a stately old mansion set on spacious grounds. Like most of the historical buildings in the area, it was made of grey stone that had been quarried in the nearby hills several hundred years ago. It had served alternating roles as private residence and public building, depending on local favours and politics, and many historical figures had stayed within its walls.
    Fiona ’s work had been part of a renovation project to reopen the old building as a visitor’s centre and site of historical interest. Before the attic was torn apart to be insulated, she had gone through the old boxes and archives helping to piece together the history of the place, which was now spelt out in neat displays in the main rooms. Tables of drinks and snacks were spread around the main hall, where most of the guests had gathered for the official speeches. A few still wandered through the beautifully landscaped gardens in the early evening light.
    Rhona and Dougal Andrews, the hosts of tonight’s event, had inherited the neglected property several years ago and it had been their idea to turn it into a cultural centre, with a multi-functional room in the grand hall and a new glassed-in atrium overlooking the garden. Now they beamed proudly at the results, welcoming their guests heartily as they mixed and mingled with the well-dressed public.
    Fiona cowered in the corner, seeking solace in finger foods, just as Sarah had described. She wasn’t nervous about the public speaking, feeling confident in her area of expertise, but she had just spotted two unmistakable faces in the crowd and it had completely thrown her off balance.
    Standing out with polished ease among the glitter and perfume were the two handsome men whom Fiona had seen last week beside the muddied convertible. She now knew the blue-eyed, friendly-looking face to be Colin’s, while his friend had a more mysterious, slightly sly air. Despite what Sarah had said about their elitist attitude, they