Page 13 of Laird of Twilight
“You weren’t the new laird then, were you. That’s why. A welcome, is what that was just now. I’ll take you to your rooms.” She led the way up the stairs.
At the top landing, Angus MacKimmie met them, having deposited the satchel. “So you’ve brought out ourban-sith, then.”
“An entertaining idea, though it is possible some hinges or floorboards need repair,” James said. The upper corridor turned a corner at the far end, with several closed doors along cream-colored walls hung with a few paintings. A worn Oriental carpet ran the length of the hall, with a table here, a bench there. He had visited his grandparents here occasionally and had always loved his time at the grand and spooky old place. But his guardian, Lady Rankin, felt he should be schooled and kept busy, and not encouraged to run about like a Highland savage, so she had claimed.
“I always liked it here. It’s a very nice house,” he ventured.
“It is. And naught needs repair here, sir,” MacKimmie said. “But if summat does, I am your factor, caretaker, head groomsman, coachman, and ghillie too, do you care to hunt or fish. Come find me for all of it.”
“I will, thank you. Struan House is quite impressive. A banshee is an old ghostly hag that prophecies death and disaster, is it not?”
“Some are,” Mary MacKimmie replied. “Our Struan banshee is the sort that belongs to a house and a family, a fairy spirit who makes herself known over deaths, births, something of importance to the family and the estate. Now that she’s marked the arrival of the laird, she will stay silent for a while.” She smiled. “Until something else important happens, for instance, when you marry, have a child, and so on, sir.”
“A weather glass for the family,” James said. “I thought fairies were just pleasant, harmless little sorts. Small wings, sitting on flowers, and so on.”
“There are many kinds of fairies in the Highlands. You will learn more when you read Lady Struan’s pages, I expect,” she answered.
Angus MacKimmie departed down the stairs, and the housekeeper led James to the laird’s rooms, which included bedroom, sitting room, dressing room, and bathing room. He walked past the large, carved bed with its embroidered blue hangings to look out the curtained windows. The magnificent view showed far mountain crests against a vast, rainy sky.
“Beautiful vista. And excellent rooms,” he said, turning.
“Oh aye. You’ll want to explore the rest of the house, of course. Downstairs is a library and the study where Lady Struan worked. The parlor is on that level too, along with the dining room. Kitchens are belowstairs and lead out to the back gardens. Normally high tea, our supper here, is at half-five unless you request otherwise.” Mrs. MacKimmie turned toward the door. “I’ll set an early tea in the parlor in twenty minutes for you, as it’s past luncheon now.”
“Thank you, Mrs. MacKimmie. I’m expecting guests from Edinburgh in a fortnight or so. They plan a Highland tour, and will stay at Struan for a few days.”
He planned to work on his grandmother’s manuscript until Lady Rankin and the others, including his siblings, arrived. Once they departed, he meant to finish the work and return to Edinburgh to resume his lectures. There was little time to waste.
“I’ll ready the house for guests, then.” She paused at the door. “Sir, there is summat you should know if your guests will be here in a fortnight. By then we may have very little staff. Only myself and Mr. MacKimmie, a groom, and two housemaids who are local girls. Just yesterday two new girls arrived by post-chaise from Edinburgh, sent here by Lady Rankin.” She stiffened a little. “But—”
“No insult was intended, I am sure. My aunt sent them to be helpful.” Last week, James had assured Lady Rankin that the Highland staff would be capable, but his great-aunt did not trust Highland servants to keep a house the way she preferred it. “I hope that is sufficient staff for Struan House.” He had no idea.
“More than enough, aye, but...well, sir, the Fairy Riding will happen soon.”
“Fairy riding? I am not familiar with that.”
“A tradition in the glen,” she explained. “The fairies go riding this time of year. They ride particular over the lands of Struan. Legend says these lands once belonged to them.”
“Why would the household staff be reduced because of this, uh, festival, is it?”
“No festival, sir, but a time when we must keep away from the hills to allow the fairy riding to take place. Your grandparents would close up the whole house, and no hunting parties could hire it, either, which otherwise might be allowed. Already the glen folk say fairies have been sighted. ‘Tis unlucky indeed to be about when the Good Folk ride over Struan lands.”
“Is it,” he said, feeling bewildered, almost as if he had stepped into a foreign land. “You keep to your homes because of fairies?”What on earth,he thought.
“’Tis how it’s done, sir. The help will leave when it begins, and return after the fairies go back to their own world.”
“Remarkable,” James said. He must be sure to record the custom in his grandmother’s book. “My needs are simple, so a large staff is unnecessary. Whatever you have done in the past for your local holiday, please continue.”
“Hardly a holiday, sir. No one will risk being out during the fairy riding, with them sort about. We close the house for a few days. There is a good hotel in the next glen. You will be comfortable there for a bit, your guests too, if they arrive by then.”
The housekeeper seemed too sensible a woman for this nonsense, he thought. “I can easily stay alone for a few days, Mrs. MacKimmie. I have a good deal of work to do, and the solitude would be useful. My guests will send word before they arrive, so you will know when to be ready.”
“Oh, Lord Struan, sir, none of you want to stay here then. ‘Tis best we all leave.”
“Nonsense. I’m a capable bachelor if there is food in the larder and a few simple comforts. The staff may leave if they like, of course. I do not want to interfere with a local tradition. When will this happen?”
“A week or so, I expect. Very well, sir, but be warned. You must beware the fairy ilk when you walk about on Struan lands now, and at any time of year.” Her glance flickered to the cane he had set against a chair.
“I keep a habit of long walks when I can,” he said quietly, seeing that, “and I will remember your advice.”
