Page 96 (1/2)

Meg would be worrying

“There, sir” Caluold leaf glowed and silver fittings shone Candelabra were heavy with candle stubs—no one had thought to replace thehter, no shouts of merriment Only a thick, unbroken silence

Gregor frowned The whole castle was silent, e the truth when he said Lorenzo had dismissed most of the servants But how could a place like this run without sufficient staff? And, froor had heard, the Duke of Abercauldy liked his luxury He certainly would never live in an e castle with only Lorenzo as company Not if he had a choice

He began to clirand staircase, and then paused with his boot on the botto?”

Calu up into the still shadows as if he expected to see the duke peering down at him “I shall wait here,” he said firmly

Gregor nodded at Malcolan to cli to be as quick and quiet as possible At the top of the stairs an open door led into a fla painted in rich, jeweled colors, and its grand silver chandelier reflected in the nuor went first to one and then another, but the rooms were empty When he reached the last door, he found it led into a s roo candles, and a fire alight in the hearth

A man sat in one of the chairs

He was before the fire, staring into it He did not look up as Gregor stepped into the rooaze was fixed upon the flahts or he had no intention of acknowledging his unwelcouests

“Your Grace!” Calu at the silent, still shape in the chair as if he expected it to stand up and order hi

“Your Grace?” Gregor said, loud enough to be heard, and e

ntered the room cautiously

But the man in the chair did not turn He wore a brocade coat with a stiffened skirt, the cloth weighed doith decoration There was a sparkle of jewels at his throat and on his fingers, and his shoe buckles were sprinkled with dia was a little crooked upon his head, but other than that he looked normal

Gregor took a step to one side, exah Abercauldy never once looked at hio left the confines of his body In his hands he held a decorated silver locket, which he stroked and ran between his fingers lovingly, as if it were a living thing rather than made of cold metal

“What has that devil done to him?” Calum whispered, shocked “Can he hear us?”

“I dinna know” Gregor bent and, very gently, took the locket from the duke’s hands The man whimpered and clutched at it, like a child who has been deprived of a favorite toy But Gregor was fir with the locket in his own hands He clicked it open