A Necessary Sin by Georgia Cates Page A

make that happen.”
    Claimed. I remember reading about this in one of the files. The Fellowship has this bizarre practice of laying claim on women they aren’t married to. “I don’t understand what you mean by claimed.”
    “You don’t understand because you aren’t like them. And I like that very much.”
    “I want you to tell me what it means. Is it a Scottish thing?”
    “Another time, Bonny Bleu.”

Chapter Six
Sinclair Breckenridge
    B leu and I will be dining in the finest restaurant in Edinburgh. It’s a place I visit often, but never with a companion. I know the owner and manager well so I’ve called ahead and confirmed our seating at the table I desire–the one for two hidden in the back corner where lighting is low and foot traffic minimal. I’ve chosen this with an ulterior in mind. I want to talk to her with as few interruptions as possible. I want to find out who Bleu MacAllister is. I know the basics but those things aren’t enough to satisfy my curiosity. I want to learn what makes her tick. What—or who—has made her so sexually demanding? Most importantly, I want to confirm that what I’m working toward will be worth my effort.
    I wait until our dinner is ordered and drinks are served before I begin digging. “What made you want to be a photographer?”
    “It’s sort of strange so you can’t laugh.”
    “I won’t.”
    She grins. “I love to capture feelings.”
    It sounds like an art-minded response.
    “People don’t realize the things they say without uttering a word. Something as simple as the lift in the corner of one’s mouth can reveal thoughts and emotions better than any voice. Body language—it’s nature’s crafty trick, second only to falling in love.”
    “Aye. It’s a shan.”
    “A shan?”
    “Americans would probably use the word shame.”
    “Oh. You sound like you know from experience.”
    I have no experience. I’m far too intelligent for such nonsense. “When one falls in love, that person makes the decision to become vulnerable. It’s not a path I’d ever willingly choose so, no. What about you? Has Bonny Bleu ever been in love?”
    “I’ve tried dating but it never matters what I do. I’m always what’s wrong.” She’s nervously twisting the ring on her thumb. “I’m able to capture other’s emotions in photos yet I can’t get a grip on my own. I avoid connecting with people. I make myself an island so it gives me an excuse to remain alone.” She sighs and looks embarrassed. “Wow. That sounded like a psychological profile … or something.”
    She’s sharing intimate details. I didn’t expect that. “What about brothers and sisters?”
    “One sister. Ellison. She’s an ER nurse. What about you? Any siblings?”
    “One younger brother, Mitch. He’s still in college. And then there’s the two numpties, Leith and Jamie. We’re as close as brothers.”
    “The whole thing at the bar is sort of confusing. Everyone knows one another. It feels more like a private club than a public bar.” That’s a pretty accurate description. “It sometimes feels like there’s a secret everyone’s privy to except me.”
    This girl has it all—brains and beauty. I hope she isn’t too smart for her own good. “How long do you think you’ll stay?”
    “Not sure. I’m trying to get everything finished up as soon as possible. The business at home waits.”
    Basing my judgment on the flat where Bleu is staying, her aunt wasn’t a wealthy woman, so she can probably be done within the next couple of weeks. “I believe that should be doable.”
    “Tell me about your parents.”
    This is where my story can go sideways quickly. “My mum and father are still married. I guess you could call Dad an entrepreneur. He owns a few businesses. Mum doesn’t work. What about yours?”
    “My mom passed away two years ago. My dad won’t even consider dating. He says he loved her too much to be with another woman.”
    I can’t imagine having parents who