Free Into Thin Air by Cindy Miles

one."
    Chapter Six
    Ellie peered around Gawan and stared at the large leather-bound book: Titled Nobles of Northumberland, Past and Present.
    Why would she want to read that? Bor-ing!
    Gawan gave Ellie a quick glance, then turned to Mrs. MacGillery. "Did she by chance leave a name? Or where she was lodging?"
    Mrs. MacGillery waved a hand. "No, no, I never take names, love. If the books aren't picked up, I simply slip them onto my own shelves and sell them to another. Of course, I allow plenty o' time for the book to be retrieved first."
    "Ask about her bloody appearance! And how bloody long she planned to stay! Come on, boy!"
    Godfrey said.
    Gawan shot him a frown. "Be quiet!"
    "Pardon?" Mrs. MacGillery said, one eyebrow raised as she glanced in the direction of Godfrey.
    Christian of Arrick-by-the-Sea simply chuckled.
    Gawan cleared his throat. "Mae'n flin 'da fi, lady. I'm sorry. I've a, er"—he coughed—"frog in my throat."
    Ellie giggled. It was like watching the Three Stooges. Hey! At least I remember Curly, Larry, and Moe!

    "So it seems. Now, let me see," Mrs. MacGillery said. "She did mention that she was here on a research mission of sorts. Genealogy, I think." She winked at Gawan. "You know how those Americans love burrowing into their medieval roots. I believe she claimed to be staying in the area for at least a month, which is why she ordered the book." She shook her head, clacked across the floor, and resumed her perch at the podium. "And as I said, she had striking eyes, and a lovely shade of auburn hair." She giggled. "Although she wore a baggy jumper and denims, she couldn't quite hide that darling figure."
    Ellie looked at Gawan and wiggled her brows. "Definitely me."
    A twinkle lit Gawan's eye, but he didn't say a word.
    Mrs. MacGillery patted her hair. "Reminds me of a younger me, actually." She winked at Gawan.
    "Quite the dish, I was. Scrumptious, even."
    Godfrey snorted and said something under his breath that was very medieval and probably extremely naughty, because Christian laughed. Loudly.
    Gawan coughed again, but Ellie could see he was trying his best not to laugh, too. "I've no doubt there, Mrs. MacGillery. Is there anything else you can recall?"
    "Ask her for any minute details—anything I may have said to give away where I was staying," Ellie said.
    "Er, anything in regards to her lodgings? A general area, mayhap? Or a name? Possibly a B&B?"
    Mrs. MacGillery tilted her head down and peered at Gawan over the rim of her glasses. She grinned, a lazy, all-knowing kind of womanly smile. "She did mention something about freezing her butt off in the drafty old cottage she'd let. Claimed the brisk sea wind all but took off a layer of skin." She laughed and shook her head. "Quite witty, that one. She didn't say where such a blustery cottage was, I'm afraid. But if I recall anything else, I'll be sure to ring you." Her smile widened. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were smitten."
    Godfrey and Christian snickered.
    Gawan strode to the podium, lifted Mrs. MacGillery's hand, and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
    "Thank you, my good lady, for the information and pleasantries. I am more than obliged."
    "Blimey! Would ye take a look at her face! 'Tis the reddest I've seen it yet!" Godfrey said.
    "You make my own heart flutter, Grimm," said Christian.
    Ellie rolled her eyes. "I think I'm going to hurl."
    The guys laughed.
    "Quite all right, young sir." Mrs. MacGillery fanned herself. "No charge for the volume, as long as you send Nicklesby round with it on return." She batted her eyes.
    Gawan gave a nod. "I'll see that he does."
    With that, they all piled out of the bookstore.
    Once outside, Ellie gave Gawan a grin. "I think she has the hots for you and Nicklesby."
    Gawan blew out a breath. "I daresay you're right. Quite tenacious, that one."
    "More than you can handle, I'll warrant," Christian said.
    Gawan grinned. "No doubt."
    "We're off to Grimm, then," said Godfrey. "All this detective work