Sizzle All Day by Geralyn Dawson Page A

books. He pulled them one by one from the shelves, then flipped through them, searching for something."
    Angus's entire demeanor changed, going from dismissive to suspicious in a heartbeat. "What?" he demanded.
    "That's what I attempted to find out." She outlined how she'd drugged him and led him to the dungeon room a long-ago laird of Rowanclere had furnished for romantic assignations. When she repeated the part about the spiders, his bushy white brows arched and he snorted. "It was a good thought, lass, but I am not certain spiders were the best source of torture. You know one of the storerooms down there is filled with devices designed for such a purpose."
    "I could not actually hurt him," she replied. "Besides, I did convince him to talk. He brought up a name. Uncle. It is why I sent him away, although I wonder now if I might have been a bit hasty in the doing of it. I reacted emotionally." She took a breath, then exhaled in a rush. "You see, he said he was sent here by Lord Bennet."
    "Bennet!" Angus gasped and struggled to sit up. Forty years in Texas drowned the Scotsman in his voice as he spoke through gritted teeth. "This Delaney fellow is in cahoots with Bennet? Holy hell!"
    "You see why I reacted as I did."
    Angus scowled and nodded. "He's used that dog of his to befriend Robbie. That's how the Englishman got what he wanted, befriending the lass. Where's Robbie? Has she sold him our china for a pork roast or two? Has she traded something of value for the price of a two-legged dog? Get me my canes and my gun, Gilly. I got me a varmint to kill."
    Gillian took a seat in the chair beside her grand-uncle's bed. "I spoke with Robyn right away. Jake Delaney didn't ask her for anything and besides, she learned her lesson after the debacle with Lord Bennet. She'll not sell any property of yours ever again, no matter the price. No need to worry over that. Also, now that I've had the opportunity to reflect on matters, I do not believe Jake Delaney is Lord Bennet's minion. I cannot picture the man using that dog to take advantage of Robbie. You should see him with Scooter, Uncle. He is terribly sweet with her, even when he thinks no one is watching."
    "I have seen the bick. Robbie brought her to me. She's a pitiful but brave wee beastie."
    Gillian nodded in agreement. "It speaks to character, does it not? If Delaney were a wicked man like Lord Bennet, would he be so caring of a crippled dog? No, I don't believe he is working for the Englishman. He may, however, be working for himself."
    "What do you mean?"
    "He was looking for something he might expect to find hidden in the pages of a book in the library at Rowanclere castle. He's from Texas and he has had some sort of dealing with Lord Bennet. What is the obvious connection?"
    Angus Brodie's gaze shifted to meet Gillian's, then together they looked toward the framed document hanging on the wall opposite the bed. "Of course," he said. "I should have realized it immediately. The pieces fit together too nicely to ignore."
    Grim faced, he added, "I treasure it, you know. My best friend gave it to me as he lay dying on the San Jacinto battlefield. I was born a Scot and I'll die a Scot, but a part of me will always be Texan."
    "I know, Uncle Angus."
    "Of course you do. It's why you took it upon yourself to go to Bennet's estate and retrieve my treasure for me after he swindled it away from Robbie. You were right to send this Delaney away, love. As much as I'd like to swap stories with another Texan, it's not worth the price of giving up my copy of the Republic of Texas's Declaration of Independence."

 
     
     
    Chapter 5

     
     
    The castle clocks struck three a.m. as the figure stealthily made his way up the servants' staircase. The twisting, narrow passage was pitch black and drafty with cool night air, and the slightest scrape of foot against wood magnified a hundredfold to the intruder's ears. As a result, he took extra care to remain quiet. He hadn't hidden in the cold, damp