Dawn Brown - The Witch Of Stonecliff

“What sort of indications ?”

“His belongings were gone from the coach house and his car had gone. There was no evidence that the man hadn’t just moved. When his family lost faith in the police, they went to the media. One reporter in particular wrote a series of articles, none of them true. He filled the articles with gossip and rumors. He was actually the one to come up with the name The Witch of Stonecliff . Life in the village quickly became unbearable. I left first chance I got.”

Kyle’s face had paled, his expression intent. “Did you ever meet him?”

Unease prickled the base of her neck.

She shook her head. “He asked for an interview, but I refused.”

“What happened to him?”

“I’ve no idea. Once the story played itself out, I imagine he moved on to something far more titillating. Alien sightings in the Outer Hebrides maybe. Another royal family conspiracy.” She shrugged. “Who knows?”

He nodded slowly, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. “Maybe he’s one of the men they found in The Devil’s Eye. Maybe that’s why the articles stopped.”

Eleri’s stomach squeezed, and she pushed her plate away. She sincerely hoped not. “Surely, if he’d disappeared, someone would have noticed. You can bet the police would have been at my door the minute the man had been reported missing.”

Kyle stared at her for a long moment without speaking, his expression stony. Something in the conversation had changed. He’d changed. Gone was the mildly flirtatious man who’d arrived. He’d been replaced by a man searching for something.

Had her initial instincts been right all along? Could he be working with the detective like Reece had been? Related to one of the men police had fished out of The Eye?

“What aren’t you telling me?” she asked, softly.

He grinned, all warm charm once more, chilly intensity leaving his light eyes. “It’s not fair how you’ve been treated.”

Was he being sincere, or playing her? And if it was the latter, to what end? What did he want from her?

She stood abruptly. “If you’re finished, I’ll take your plate.”

“Let me help you,” Kyle offered.

“It’s fine,” she told him, snatching up his dishes and hurrying away to the kitchen. Dumping the plates on the counter, she let out a slow breath.

What was she doing? She should never have brought up the murders, reporters or anything else to do with The Devil’s Eye. She shouldn’t have agreed to this dinner. She needed to get Kyle on his way back to the lodge and avoid him for the length of his stay.

“Can I help with the washing up?”

She started at the sound of Kyle’s voice. He leaned against the far wall, arms folded over his chest.

A flutter tickled low inside her. She swallowed hard and shook her head. “I can manage. It’s getting late.

“Have I overstayed my welcome?”

She lifted her shoulder in a noncommittal shrug. “It’s been a long day.”

“Did my questions about that reporter make you uncomfortable?” He straightened and took a step toward her.

“No.” His odd shift in mood made her uneasy. “I’m just tired.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset. I’m…” Her words trailed off, eyes widening as he closed the distance between them. She tried to step back, but bumped into the counter.

He stopped inches away, so close she could feel his body heat radiating from his frame. Her pulse fluttered in her throat.

She didn’t like him so close, yet her fingers itched to grasp his loose shirt and tug him nearer.

Kyle reached out one arm, brushed her shoulder, and she shivered before she could stop herself. His light spicy scent teased her nose. Warm fingers trailed her chin, tilted her head back. Pale green eyes met hers.

“I’m sorry if I made you feel bad.”

She opened her mouth to tell him that he hadn’t, but before she could get the words out, Kyle dipped his head and brushed his lips against hers.

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