When I entered the dining room, I was relieved to discover Miller was gone and wouldn’t be dining us for dinner. I drew in a deep breath for the first time since his monstrous face had appeared in the study hours ago.

As I walked further into the room, I saw a long dining table draped with a beautiful runner and fresh flowers adorning the middle. The table easily sat over 20 people. The walls in the room were covered with a deep red demasked wallpaper flocked with Victorian style patterns. It looked gothic but expensive.

At the far end of the room stood a huge fireplace, like those in the rest of the castle. Although this one was solid black stone. The space felt medieval and I found myself searching the walls for primitive weaponry.

A wide painting hung above the fireplace. At first sight, the piece looked like an abstract work but upon closer inspection I noticed the detail.

As I studied the wild brush strokes, the Scottish hillside slowly emerged like a hidden treasure, as if the artist wanted you to work for the beauty inside. The longer I stared, the more I could make out—livestock grazing on the green grass, wildflowers blooming bright over the hillside. It was a unique and interesting technique.

I was suddenly struck with an eerie sense of deja vu, as if I’d seen this place before.

“What do you think?”

I jumped at the deep voice behind me, letting out a small shriek before I could cover my mouth.

“I’m sorry,” Mr. Lauchlan said, stepping up beside me, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

I studied him in confusion, my brows furrowed.

He took a step back, misreading my expression.

Not wanting to start trouble again, I decided to play along. His and Callum’s safety depended on me keeping Anders Lauchlan happy. Making him fall in love with me seemed as far-fetched as me sprouting a second head.

“Uh, um, no, you didn’t scare me,” I said.

He laughed. “Liar.”

I noted how different he looked when smiling. “Okay, maybe you scared me a little.” 

“Sorry.”

“It’s all right. I was just marveling at the room, all the artistry, inside this huge dining room. The details in the woodwork, the wallpaper, the artwork.” I pointed to the piece above the mantel. “I could spend days in here going over each nuisance and detail. It’s beautiful.”

His gaze traveled the room. “It’s been a while.”

“A while since what?”

“Since I’ve enjoyed this room and appreciated its beauty. Any room in the castle for that matter,” he added. 

I sensed there was more but I didn’t ask further.

“I’ve grown up here my whole life, Miss Jameson,” he said without prompting. “It never occurred to me to appreciate it the way you do.”

We stood silent, each of us admiring the artistry of the large room.

I cleared my throat. “Mr. Lauchlan, I wanted to say something.”

“Please call me Anders. My father is Mr. Lauchlan, and I have no intentions of—”

I leaned forward, awaiting his next words.

His face was pained as if he were trying to tamp down the demons inside. I knew that look.

“Anders it is,” I said quietly, trying to lighten his mood.

He gave a half-hearted smile. “Thank you.”

“I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry.”

 “Why?”

“I’m sorry about the way I spoke to you in the study earlier.” 

He remained silent, staring at me intently. I guess he was going to make me grovel.

I cleared my throat and clasped my hands together. “I just wanted to apologize for how I spoke to you earlier today.” I was surprised at how genuine my words sounded. 

He tilted his head, studying me as if I were something he’d never seen before, his eyes roaming over my face. Suddenly I felt nervous but I knew I needed to press on. 

“Anyway,” I said, “it’s disrespectful for an employee to speak to her employer the way I spoke to you. It was inconsiderate, especially realizing how much you were trying to help me today.” I swallowed hard, the words rolling off my tongue. “I’m sorry.”

His eyes widened as if shocked by the words.

I held my breath, hoping he’d accept my genuine words. If he didn’t, Miller was right, this mission—whatever it was—would be over, and Mr. Lauchlan and Callum could be in real danger. 

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Miss Jameson,” he said.

“Please, call me Laurel.”

“Yes, Laurel, with an ‘L’, right.” He grinned and the expression changed his entire countenance. He was handsome, bordering on beautiful. Before I could stop myself, I was grinning too.

“I don’t remember any rudeness on your part, Miss Jameson.” I raised a brown. “Sorry, I mean, Laurel,” he corrected.

“Well, I remember my disrespectful attitude, sir, and I just wanted to say that I’m sorry.”

“I believe it was actually me who was to blame this afternoon.”

I shook my head but he held up a finger.

“As I recall I asked you a very personal question, believing I was amusing you. It’s I who should beg for forgiveness from you.”

Wait, what had he just said?

“I hope you’ll extend it to me.” He held out his hand.

I stared at his outstretched palm in complete shock. He was technically my employer, not to mention very wealthy and powerful, and now he was apologizing, to me?  This man did have an alter-ego. Thankfully tonight I was seeing a lighter side of Anders Lauchlan.

“Maybe we could start over?” He extended his arm further.

I slipped my hand into his, gripping it tight. A sense of security washed over me as he squeezed my hand. “I would like that,” I said, smiling, truly meaning it.

When he finally released my hand, I glanced up at the painting behind him.

He followed my gaze. “That’s the Lauchlan Coat of Arms,” he said, answering my silent question. 

“It’s a beautiful.” I stepped closer. The picture was solid yellow with a red shield in the center. The armor was divided into four parts, each section containing a different picture. “Do the symbols stand for something?” I asked.

“Every symbol in our Coat of Arms stands for something,” he said. “I wouldn’t have painted it otherwise.”

I jerked my head and stared up at him. “You painted this?”

“Well, don’t look so surprised, Miss Jameson.” I opened my mouth to correct him but he held up a hand. “Sorry, Laurel I mean.” Another beautiful smile spread across his face. God, the man was stunning when he was happy. With his broad shoulders, blonde hair and sea-green eyes, I was surprised he wasn’t married.

“Sorry, it’s just…” What could I say? The man definitely didn’t strike me as a painter.

He clasped his hands behind his back, looking very debonair. “A man has to find some way to relax, doesn’t he?” He waggled his brows and I held back a laugh.

“I just never dreamed you could paint.”

“I guess we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, should we?”

I stood silent, realizing he wasn’t accusing me, he was talking about both of us being judgmental.

“Come,” he said, holding out his hand to allow me to pass, “dinner is ready, and yours is getting cold.”

“But what about the Coat of Arms,” I said, glancing over my shoulder.

“I’ll tell you that story another time. Come,” he waved toward the table, “eat.” His eyes roamed my body. “You look like you could use a good meal.” 

“You’re probably right,” I said, conceding. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Callum bounce into the room.

Anders suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back, twisting me to face him. “Good Lord, what happened to your face?”

Oh no. Miller. Instinctively I touched my cheek. My face still throbbed but not as much as earlier. “I don’t know. I must have hit it on something when I fainted.”

“Fiona,” Anders shouted, “bring some ice please.” 

“It’s nothing, really,” I said, trying to push out of his hold.

He reached out and touched my face, his fingertips warm and soft. “It’s definitely something.”

“What is it?” Fiona asked, stepping beside us, carrying an ice pack and dish cloth. She gasped when she saw my face. “Dear me, when did this happen? I just came to fetch you not ten minutes ago and I didn’t notice the swelling.”

I gave him a pleading look. I couldn’t explain myself, not now.

Thankfully understanding my silent plea, Anders grabbed the ice pack and waved Fiona away. “Well, never mind now, let’s just get some ice on it.” Gently he laid the pack against my cheek, searching my face before finally settling his green eyes on mine. He quirked one brow and I understood his silent warning. He wouldn’t push me further tonight but he would demand an explanation, eventually.

“Thank you, Mr. Lau—”

His brows went high.

“Sorry,” I smiled. “Thank you, Anders.”

His lips tipped up in another crooked grin. This time I returned the expression, feeling myself exhale for the first time all day. I didn’t’ know what I was doing but one thing was clear to me. Ruining this man would destroy me.