The Highlander's Hope - A Contemporary Highland Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

couldn’t come up with all the specifics, Iain would likely have a case in court.
    She could only appeal to his honor.  “Then I’m begging you, Iain.  Do the right thing and keep it safe.  Promise me you won’t sell the Highlander’s Hope.”
    “Only if ye give me yer word that ye’ll stop being such a pain in my arse.”  He cocked his head, humor glinting in his eyes.
    “Iain, I want your word.   Promise me—or I swear, I won’t be able to think straight.”
    He laughed and shook his head, his gaze locked on hers so her breath caught and her heart raced.  His voice was gentle when he spoke. “Aye, lass.  Whist.  Ye have my word.” 
    Relief overwhelmed her, as a smile tugged at her lips .  “You’re just lucky your clan isn’t bigger.  ‘Cause there’s no way in hell you’d be my first choice for a partner.”
    “Aye, the feeling’ s mutual, lass.  Believe me… the feeling’s mutual.”

 
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Iain leaned in to look at the notes Cat had scribbled in her notebook, curious about what had led her to the MacCraigh clan.  Now that he was less worried about her snooping around his troubles, and he knew it really was the Hope they were looking for, it could very well be the financial lifeline he needed. He’d do his best to keep his promise to her, but he’d also do whatever was needed to keep his family safe. A heavy weight lifted off his chest, and though he was a long way from breathing easy, he could finally relax a bit.
    He looked over at his new partner as she went through her notes.  She was an interesting creature.  Completely unlike any other woman he’d known.  The girl was smart, of that there was no question.  What he hadn’t expected was the passion that sparked in those green eyes or the sarcasm and humor that laced her words—especially now that they’d finally sorted out their differences.  Truth was, she was far too entertaining a distraction from his troubles.  Maybe his father was right after all.
    “It really was she er luck that I found the clue.  I’m sure you know of Lord George Murray, a commander to Prince Charles Stuart.”  When he nodded, she continued.  “Do you know of his trusted friend and lieutenant, Robert Cameron?”
    “Aye, it’s rumored he had the necklace well before Culloden, but after that, the references to its whereabouts stop.  No one knows where it ended up.  There are no references to it, Cat.”  He leaned back, wondering if she’d gotten it all wrong.  Surely others would have figured it out by now if there were clues out in the open.
    “You’re right.  There are no references to it—at least not where one might expect to find them.  My research actually started as a documentation of love letters during the time of the uprising.  Trust me when I tell you, the last thing I expected to find were clues to the Highlander’s Hope.”
    “In a love letter?”  He supposed it was possible.  “But hadn’t historians already looked at the commanders and their families?  One would think it’d show up .”
    She spun in her seat to face him , a knowing smile dancing upon her full lips.  “They did look at their families.  However, our dear Mr. Cameron, though loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie, was a little less loyal to his wife.  The love letter was to Nessa, his mistress.  Very few knew about their relationship back then, and even fewer were aware of it with the passing of time.” 
    Her smile was infectious, for he could now see how it may have all played out.  “Cameron gave her the jewels.”
    “Exactly!   He knew his family would come under scrutiny by the British, and didn’t want the necklace to be found or for his family to be implicated.  Since few knew about his mistress, she seemed the logical choice.”  Her excitement softened, and her eyes seemed distant, as if she’d been transported to a different time.  “He loved her, and she loved him.  Their trust was implicit and