Steele In The Know4

Part 4

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"Steele," Murphy Michaels said with a smile as he turned to look at the man who had tapped him on the shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"Never mind what I'M doing here, Murphy," Remington countered. "Suppose you explain to me precisely WHY you're lurking about in my flower bushes?"

Murphy glanced at the bright white blooms. "Your- wait a minute. Don't tell me that YOU'RE the new owner?" His grin widened. "Small world, isn't it?"

"Cut the bull, Murphy. I know you met Daniel at O'Flanagan's and that when last seen, the two of you were headed in this direction."

Murphy took a deep breath. "Okay, Steele. You got me. I DID meet Chalmers-," he began.

"Because he had information about my father," Remington finished.

"That's what his note said," Murphy confirmed. "But when I got there, he said he just wanted to try and convince me to back off of my investigation."

"Back off? Why?"

Murphy shrugged, looking out over the late afternoon countryside. "He won't say. But I get the idea that he's afraid of losing you."

"Losing me?" Remington repeated, feeling that he'd somehow lost control of the conversation.

"I think he feels that if you find your father, you won't have a place in your life for him anymore."

"That's ridiculous. Daniel knows better than that. No, there's more to this. What did you find out in Dublin?"

"Umm, I'm- still waiting on a couple of reports to come in," he said. "Should have something pretty soon, though. Where's Laura?"

"Resting. She's a bit lagged," Remington explained. "All this jetting about."

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Laura woke when she heard the door of the bedroom close softly. Smiling, she remained where she was until some sat on the edge of the bed. "Hello, there," she purred, sliding a hand onto the leg closest to her.

Her hand was captured immediately. "Uh, Laura-."

Laura's eyes snapped open, finding Daniel sitting there, holding her hand. "Daniel?!" she said, tugging her hand free to pull the covers up to her neck. "What are you doing here?"

"Here at the castle?" he asked. "Or here, in your room?"

"Both." Her eyes narrowed. "Have you seen Remington?"

"Not yet. I thought it best that you and I have a little chat first."

She tugged at the covers that he was sitting on. "Get up. And turn around so I can put something on."

Daniel rose and went across the room to the window as Laura quickly scampered out of bed and slipped into the silk robe that lay across the foot of the bed. She tied the belt securely. "That's better," she said.

Turning, Daniel looked at her. "Have you put on a few pounds, Laura? Forgive me. Must be the light."

Laura glanced down at herself, then back at Daniel. "Blame it on Remington," she said. "Between his cooking and Swiss chocolate- well-," she managed a smile.

"Harry does know how to cook- I don't know how much time we have, my dear. Remington's downstairs at this moment, talking to Murphy."

"Murphy found out the truth, didn't he, Daniel?"

"What truth?"

"That you're- Harry's father."

Daniel's jaw tightened as he fought an inner battle. "Yes." The realization that she was right sent Laura into a nearby chair. "You weren't at all certain you were right, were you?" he asked. When Laura shook her head, he asked, "Does Harry know?"

"I don't think the thought has occurred to him. Right now, he's too upset that you lied about being the Earl's Chief of Security and that you lured Murphy down here with the promise of information about Remington's father."

"Young Michaels found out the truth. Most of it, anyway. I wanted to stop him before he went to Harry and ruined everything."

"Ruined everything?! Daniel, Remington wants to find his father. You know that. He almost got himself KILLED when he thought that the Earl might be his father."

"It might have been better if Kevin had thought he was Sean James," Daniel said, putting his hands in his pockets

"How can you say such a thing? He needs his REAL father, not a substitute," Laura declared, rising to her feet- and very nearly falling into Daniel's arms as the outer edges of her vision went dark.

"Laura," Daniel said, grabbing her and setting her back into the chair, kneeling beside it. "Are you all right?"

"I- I think so," she said.

Daniel rose and went to the connecting bath to retrieve a cold rag, returning as the door to the bedroom opened and Remington entered.

His blue eyes moved from a still pale Laura to Daniel, to the washcloth in Daniel's hand, then back to Laura. Moving to his wife's side, he knelt. "What's wrong?" he asked gently, his voice filled with concern.

"She almost fainted," Daniel told him, holding out the cloth for him to take, visibly flinching at the anger in Remington's blue eyes as the younger man glanced at him. "I'll leave you two alone-," he decided, starting toward the door.

"Daniel," Remington said, turning to meet his mentor's eyes in warning. "Don't even think about taking off, mate. You and I need to have a long talk."

Daniel left the room as Remington turned back to Laura. "What happened?"

"I don't know," she said, as he placed the cool cloth on her wrists. "I started to stand up and everything went dark. I'm sure it's nothing. Probably just stood up too fast."

Remington gave her a look that revealed his disbelief and worry. "Laura, in all the time I've known you, you have NEVER fainted. I've seen you examine dead bodies, examine all kinds of things that would have sent a less strong woman into a swoon. If you felt faint, there had to be some reason for it."

"Maybe I'm just hungry," she suggested, her dark eyes searching his features carefully. "It's been some time since we ate on the plane."

"I'll go ask Mickeleen to have something brought up," he told her.

"Nonsense," Laura insisted, touching his cheek. "I'll get dressed and go downstairs. After all, we have company, remember?"

Remington's face tightened as he recalled the discussion awaiting him. "Murphy and Daniel. Yes."

"Murphy's here?" Laura asked, rising slowly, making sure that the dizziness didn't return, then heading toward the suitcases on the floor near the door.

"What was Daniel doing up here?" he asked at the same time, picking up her case to place it on the bed.

"You first," Laura said, concentrating on finding something to wear that wasn't too terribly wrinkled. "You've talked to Murphy?"

"Hmm. Found him lurking in the flowers," he told her, following her to the bathroom. "He said that Daniel had lured him up here under false pretences to try and talk him out of continuing his investigation."

Laura slid the silk robe from her shoulders and turned away. "Why would he do that?"

"According Murphy because he's worried about my not needing him anymore if I find out who my real father is," Remington said, coming up behind her to slide an arm around her waist and pull her against him, placing a series of kisses along her shoulder. "Hmm."

Laura laid her head back against his shoulder, then turned in his arms, placing her hands on his chest. "Why don't we just forget about something to eat for the time being?" she suggested, loosening his tie.

Remington stood there, looking at her for a long moment, then slowly lowered his head to place a kiss on her soft lips. "Why did Daniel come to see you?" he asked when the kiss ended. "I would think that you would be the last person he'd involve in this little conspiracy."

Laura's eyes widened as she turned back to her clothes. "Don't you think you're sounding just a LITTLE paranoid?" she suggested.

"Then why was he here?"

"He wanted to let us know he was here- I suppose he thought you were in the room."

"Laura, he's been here since yesterday. Murphy said that he paid Mickeleen and the others a handsome amount to keep quiet about it."

"Then why didn't Mildred say something?"

"That's something I'll have to ask her." He placed a hand on her arm as she moved past him. "You haven't answered my question, Laura."

"I think you need to talk to Daniel, Remington," she said, looking at him. "This is something that the two of you have to settle." Going to the door, she opened it, then looked back to where he was standing. "Coming, Mr. Steele?"

Mickeleen met them at the bottom of the stairs. "Cook has prepared a small repast for you in the main dining room, your Lordship."

"Ah, thank you, Mickeleen," Remington said. "You must have read our minds."

Mildred, Daniel and Murphy were all sitting around the long table when they entered. Remington saw Laura seated at one end, then went to the other. "How are you, Laura, my dear?" Daniel asked.

"I'm fine," Laura assured him. "Hello, Murphy."

He examined her face. "You're sure you're okay? You look kinda pale."

"The lighting in here is terrible," she said with a smile in Remington's direction. "Washes a person out, right, dear?"

"Hmm," he replied noncommittally.

"Are you ready to be served, your Lordship?" Mickeleen asked from where he stood near the kitchen door.

Remington nodded, his hooded gaze on Daniel, who was pretending an inordinate amount of interest in the silver. Five waiters appeared, all carrying silver domed trays, and walked around the table until each was behind one of the diners. Placing the trays on the table, the stepped back as the stewards lifted the domes to reveal the food.

Remington frowned at the single, tiny boiled potato on the plate before him, then glanced around the table to find that the others were just as confused.

"He said a small repast," Laura commented.

"Must be the appetizer," Mildred said hopefully. But Remington turned to glance at Mickeleen, who shook his head negatively.

Noticing a slip of paper beside his plate, Remington picked it up and rose. "I'll see to this," he said, leaving the room, Mickeleen close behind. In the entry way, Remington opened the bill. "Eighty seven thousand pounds for groceries?"

"Lot of stomachs in the castle," Mickeleen told him.

Remington nodded. "Mickeleen-," he began, then shook his head in surrender and went back to the dining room and sat down, picking up his fork.

Mildred frowned. "When do we chow down, Boss?"

"We just did," he told her.

"A boiled potato?"

"Nouvelle cuisine," Remington said, "Speciality of the house. Mustn't overload the palette," he told her.

"But-," Mildred began, as Laura picked up her fork, cut a piece of potato and ate it.

"Well, I'm stuffed," she decided, placing her napkin beside the plate. Remington smiled at her, but she could see the worry in his eyes.

"Mickeleen," he called.

"Yes, Your Lordship?"

"I want you to send someone into town- open a new account in my name and get some groceries into this place."

"Aye, your Lordship," Mickeleen said. "Consider it done. I'll take care of it meself."

"Go with him, Mildred," Remington said.

Mildred glanced across at Daniel and Murphy. "But, Mr. Steele-, don't you think I should stay here?"

"We'll talk later, Mildred," he told her. "At the moment, your talents are needed elsewhere."

Mildred sighed heavily as she rose from the table and accompanied Mickeleen from the room, leaving an uneasy silence to fill the void. Remington fidgeted with his fork, his blue gaze focused on the table as he asked, "So, Daniel, why did you find it necessary to lie to me about the job as the Earl's Chief of Security?"

Daniel glanced at Laura before answering. "I had some - personal matters that I needed to attend to. He and I discussed the matter, and he understood my reasons for turning down the position."

"That doesn't answer my question, Daniel," Remington said, looking at him, to all appearances relaxed, amiable. Only someone who knew him as well as Daniel and Laura could see the anger in him. "Why lie to me? Why not simply tell me that you'd decided not to take the job?"

"I didn't want you to worry about me. I knew that you fully expected me to take the position when it was offered- I saw no reason to-."

"To tell me the truth? Just as you saw no reason to tell me that you've known who my real father is for years and haven't bothered to tell me?"

"Where did you get an idea like that?" Daniel asked.

"No more lies, Daniel," Remington said, his voice rough as he rose to his feet. "No more."

Murphy put his napkin on the table. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go for a walk-," he began.

"Good idea, Murphy. Take Laura with you, will you?"

"Now just a minute," Laura protested. "I'm not going anywhere."

Remington looked as if he were about to say something, but Daniel spoke first in a soft voice. "It might be the wisest move, Laura," he said. "This is something that Harry and I need to straighten out between ourselves."

Murphy pulled Laura's chair out, extended an arm. "Shall we?"

Laura rose and took Murphy's arm. As they passed the spot where Remington stood, she paused to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "We'll be right outside," she told him, glancing at Daniel to include him in her assurance.

Remington gave her a small smile, patting her hand on his arm, then she and Murphy left the room.

"Is this really a good idea, Murphy?" Laura asked. "I mean, Remington isn't going to be pleased to hear the truth."

"You and I would just get in the way of what Daniel needs to tell him. "Come on." He glanced down at her. "What's this about your fainting earlier?"

"I didn't faint. I ALMOST fainted. There's a difference."

"Not much of one."

"I'm sure that once Remington and I get home and settled into a routine I'll be fine."

"Laura, you're not a person who faints. Have you thought about seeing a doctor?"

"A doctor? Because I got a little light headed when I stood up too quickly?" she asked, smiling at him. "No. I wish everyone would stop making such a big deal over this. It was an isolated incident. I doubt it will happen again."

"You are still a stubborn woman, Laura Holt," he said, shaking his head.

"That's Laura Holt-Steele," she reminded him. "And yes, I am." Her gaze strayed back to the castle, where a light had come on in the study. "Maybe we should go back," she told him. "Just in case."

"They'll be fine, Laura. Steele's a big boy. Finding out that Daniel Chalmers is his father isn't going to be easy, but it's something he has to know- and that he'll handle. If nothing else, the man's resilient."

"I hope you're right, Murphy," she said, still frowning. "I hope you're right."

To Be Continued . . .

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Original content ©1999 by Nancy Eddy