Waking the Princess by Susan King

played a part in the discovery of those remarkable pieces, and in the arrangement of the displays as well."
    Christina nodded. "I went with my uncle to the site, and also worked with Sir Edgar Neaves of the museum to identify and catalog the pieces. How kind of you to recall."
    Aedan felt grateful to Meg for helping to make Christina Blackburn feel more comfortable after that raucous introduction to his family. Over Christina's head, he smiled privately at his cousin's wife. The sparkle in her aqua blue eyes told him that she understood.
    "This is a marvelous house, Sir Aedan," John said. "We noticed some work being done as we came through the hallways."
    "We are in the process of refurbishing the place, according to my father's wishes," Aedan answered.
    "Yes, we want to capture Sir Hugh's grand vision for Dundrennan," Amy said. "The house was still unfinished at the time of his death." She rested a hand upon Aedan's shoulder, but he stood so that her hand had to fall.
    "And we have another reason to finish up the house," Lady Balmossie said. "The queen is planning to visit us soon."
    "Oh, how exciting!" Christina said.
    "Och, aye." Lady Balmossie nodded. "Aedan, have ye had word yet when Her Majesty will arrive?"
    "I had a letter from the queen's secretary in this morning's post," Aedan said. "The queen and her consort will preside over the opening of the Glasgow Waterworks on October the sixteenth, and then ride north over the new road—which had best be finished to allow for it," he added. "They will stay here for one night, and tour the Strathclyde hills the next day."
    Lady Balmossie whisked her fan. "Oh, my! Will the house be ready in time? Will the painting and carpeting be done? And we must find an artist soon!"
    "Artist?" John Blackburn asked quickly.
    "For the dining room," Lady Balmossie explained. "My late brother's plans for the house included paintings on the walls."
    "Ah," John said, glancing at his sister.
    Just then Amy leaned toward Aedan. "Cousin, do come around with me later to look at some things. I so value your thoughts, even though you are such a grumphy about the changes. We are planning the house together," she told the Blackburns.
    That sounded uncomfortably matrimonial, Aedan thought. He frowned. "I'm grateful for the help my cousin and my aunt have given with renovations."
    "The house is quite impressive," Christina said. "John and I look forward to seeing more of it."
    "Amy will give you the grand tour," Aedan said.
    "You would especially enjoy the library," Meg told Christina. "Sir Aedan can answer any questions you may have about the book collection. He knows the library best."
    "Are you a writer and a scholar, sir, like your father?" Christina asked.
    "I am an engineer by education and by trade," he answered, "though I helped my father organize the library years ago. Feel free to use it while you are here. As a scholar, you will appreciate the collection." He looked at her for a moment, thinking of her interrupted mission last night.
    She thought of it too—he saw a flicker of awareness in her eyes. "Thank you, sir, though I don't consider myself a true scholar. I assist my uncle, the Reverend Walter Carriston, who is an accomplished antiquarian. I help with research for the museum, and I occasionally help Sir Edgar. He asked me to examine the discovery on the hill near here."
    Aedan nodded. "Reverend Carriston wrote a history of Scotland, I believe?"
    "Yes, his magnum opus, A History of Celtic Scotland, was published in four volumes," she answered.
    "My father thought highly of his work."
    "My sister is a fine antiquarian," John Blackburn added. "She assisted our uncle with his research and writing. Her theories of Arthurian Britain helped shape his conclusions."
    Mrs. Blackburn's cheeks were bright pink now, Aedan noticed. He reminded himself why she had come to Dundrennan. She had the power to ruin his career and lose him this house. He could not afford to forget that, despite her