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W hen Thea tapped on the door to the MacLains’ home she was cast back to that day when she’d shown up there running for her life, and they’d helped her acquire a carriage so she could set off for Scotland.

Mr. MacLain opened the door and offered a big smile for her before ushering her and Frannie inside.

“Oh, the missus will be so pleased to see ye, lass. We’d worried over you so. Daph! Come see who has shown up at our door,” he shouted louder than would have been needed for the small home. “Our boy is here for a visit as well,” he added.

“And how is Robert?”

“Well enough. He’s been signed on to be the solicitor for the Westbrook Estate, thanks to ye and you providing him such a fine education.”

Anything Thea might have said to that was cut off as Mrs. MacLain came into the room and squealed her excitement.

“’Tis so good to see you healthy, lass. We’ve worried over ye.”

“I am well. In fact, I’m not sure you’ve heard, but I’m the Marchioness of Flemming now.”

All three of the MacLains blinked at Thea.

“You’ve married?”

“Yes. But not to worry, he knows all about me.” Thea cast a glance at Frannie who didn’t know quite everything about Thea, but Frannie was busy eyeing Robert and he was… doing the same to Frannie. Interesting.

“Sit. I’ll get us tea and biscuits so we can catch up.”

“You sit too, Mama. I will see to it so you can speak with Miss Thea—uh, I mean Lady Flemming,” Robert winced.

“I’ll help you,” Frannie offered following after the young man.

“Such a good boy he is,” Mr. MacLain said as he led Thea and his wife to a seat in their small drawing room.

“Please tell us what happened after you arrived in Scotland.”

“I will, but first I must apologize for any discomfort my brother made for you while he was looking for me. I hope he didn’t threaten you or harm you in anyway.”

The MacLains looked at each other with matching expressions of confusion.

“Your brother didn’t come here looking for you. And we surely never said anything as to where you were that it would have gotten back to him. Why we didn’t even share the details with Robert. He knew well enough we helped you out of the city, but he didn’t know where you went.

It was Thea’s turn to look confused.

“But Stephen showed up at Cawdor Castle. He knew I was there. I worried he’d tortured it out of you and I wouldn’t have judged you if you’d told him to save yourselves.”

They shook their heads.

“There’s nothing that little gnat could have done to me to give up your whereabouts,” Mr. MacLain promised.

“Then how did he know?” she wondered to herself even as she knew they didn’t have the answers she needed.

Perhaps there was only one person who could tell her the truth of the matter, though she’d hoped to avoid him. Turning to Mrs. MacLain she frowned.

“I wonder if you might accompany me to see my brother. I’m not willing to subject Frannie to him after she had to protect me from him.” Thea wouldn’t speak of what had happened to Frannie last year.

“Of course. And Arthur will see us there in case we need him.”

Thea chuckled. “I would wager on you any day against my brother, Mrs. MacLain.”

Thea explained to Frannie about their outing and Robert agreed rather quickly to stay and keep her company until they’d returned.

“It seems my son has a sweetness for your maid, Lady Flemming,” Mrs. MacLain said with a grin.

“I was just noticing that myself. She is a kind young woman. It would please me to see her settled with such a fine man as your Robert. I’ve no experience with matchmaking, but I’d be curious to give it a try if you are.”

They laughed in a somewhat evil way as the carriage pulled up to Percival House. Mr. MacLain helped them down and escorted them to door where he knocked.

“Good lord, even the brass door knocker is gone,” Thea whispered to Mrs. MacLain.

After a second loud knock, Thea heard mumbling before the door opened and Stephen stood there himself in the foyer in only his shirtsleeves.

“What do you want?” he asked looking rather bleary-eyed. But his speech had not been slurred, and he didn’t reek of gin. So she didn’t think he was in his cups.

“I have a few questions for you if you will see me. And then with my answers you and I will never have to see each other ever again.”

Stephen shrugged and walked toward his study.

Mrs. MacLain went with her while Mr. MacLain stood by the front door.

“I expected you to be dressed in finer gowns, marchioness ,” he said. That last word had a bit of a sneer to it, but she just ignored him.

“I do not need much.”

“That’s what people of means say.”

“How did you know I was in Scotland?”

He smiled slowly. And then leaned forward resting his arms on her father’s desk.

“I will answer your question if first you answer mine. Where did you get all that money to hire a fancy private coach?”

“I owe you nothing, but I will say I earned it myself. Now, tell me who told you I was there?”

He shrugged. “In truth, I don’t know. I received a letter.”

As if he already knew she wouldn’t believe him without seeing proof, he opened a drawer and dug around before pulling out a parchment and handing it over.

Thea unfolded the missive and her gaze went immediately to the bottom to see it had not been signed. Moving to the top she read…

Lord Percival,

I believe you are looking for your sister, Miss Thea Rockledge. She is staying at Cawdor Castle.

She didn’t recognize the writing as Shay’s, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have written it. Often the villains in her books disguised their handwriting when they were up to something nefarious.

“How much money do you owe my husband, Stephen?”

Mrs. MacLain sucked in a quick breath but said nothing. Thea had not been prepared to ask about her husband’s business, but suddenly it seemed very important.

He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t realize when you married off I would still need to hear your scolds, sister.”

“I am only asking. It is your business, not mine. I have a roof over my head, food in my belly, and a safe place to sleep regardless, so what you do is no longer my concern. Not that you were so very concerned about me. Still, I wish to know.”

“He came here the first night you were back in town and told me specifically that I wasn’t to speak to you, or even look at you. He made it clear I wasn’t to bring up his business. He said he would make it worth my while. I guess he made good on that promise, for instead of being hunted, I was merely forced into service for Flint. To work down the debt I owe him, I’m made to clean up after the hell closes each night. I’ve become a common servant for a ruthless man. But at least he hasn’t pulled a blade across my throat and tossed me into the Thames.”

Thea shuddered. Despite not wanting to care what her brother got himself into she was pleased to hear the risk of harm had been resolved. Truthfully some work would do her brother well.

“He negotiated with Flint on your behalf. Why would he do that?”

Stephen looked at Thea as if she were daft.

“Because he thought it would win him favor with you. But how could it if he never mentioned it?”

She had no answer. Unless he hadn’t negotiated the labor for her but for himself.

“How much do you owe him?”

“Nothing.”

“I saw the vows, Stephen. There is no sense in lying.” Perhaps there had been no sense in coming here either.

“I’m not lying. He cleared my debts.” He held out his hands and glanced away as if admitting as much caused him shame in some way. Though she didn’t think her brother still had the ability to feel shame. This lack of honor in paying his debts impacted him more than offering his sister up apparently.

“When?” she asked, wanting to move this along so she could leave.

“After you married him.”

Thea swallowed, but it did nothing to remove the lump in her throat.

Had her husband written to Stephen telling him where she was so Stephen would come to Scotland looking for her? With no other options, she would have had to marry Shay, giving him full access to her funds. He’d said he would never touch them, but legally her money belonged to him. Just as she herself did.

Had everything between them been a lie?