Page 67 of Laird of Twilight
“How nice that will be. We must all return for a visit!” Lady Rankin said.
James noticed that Patrick and Fiona quietly and silently applied themselves to the meal, as did Sir John Graham, while Sir Philip and Lady Rankin went on asking about Eldin’s project.
“I would be honored if you would stay there when it is ready for guests,” Eldin was saying. “A reasonable price would be extended to family and friends.” Patrick looked at Fiona and James and rolled his eyes.
“Thank you, dear Eldin,” Lady Rankin said. “Fiona, you must consider Lord Eldin’s hotel for your accommodations if your teaching assignment is near there.”
“Cousin Fiona would be more than welcome,” Eldin said.
“Perhaps,” Fiona said flatly.
* * *
With the ladies retired to their rooms to rest, James stayed with the men to have coffee at the table, a more casual choice than the parlor. As a housemaid filled china cups from a silver server of steaming coffee, Sir John Graham asked if James had tried any local Highland whisky yet. When James fetched a bottle—his grandmother had kept a good stock of various bottles, he had found—Eldin held up a hand in curt refusal, while the others accepted small drams. James drank only the coffee, dark and bitter, even with a spoonful of sugar. That reminded him of Elspeth and her taste for sweets. She was never far from his mind.
As they discussed engineering improvements in Scotland, James felt aware of the glowering presence of Lord Eldin. Though his cousin said little, he brusquely ended one topic, declaring boredom, and brought up another. The man was cool, polite, enigmatic, and seemed keen to know plans for building in the Highlands.
“The roads in your glen are in very poor condition,” he told James. “I hope you have plans to repair them.”
“Recent storms did a good deal of damage. I have asked Mr. MacKimmie to hire a few men to repair a local bridge. The work should be completed soon,” James answered. “But long term repairs are needed there and along the main road.”
“The roads that the Highland Commission planned several years ago are nearly complete,” John Graham said. “The work of Telford, and others like him, will make a real difference all over the Highlands. Between the new roads and the older ones created under General Wade for the British campaign near a hundred years ago, the Highlands are more accessible than ever before. Though I do not know if this glen was included in any of the plans.”
“I have not heard of it, if so. There is a good deal of work needed. The cost would be considerable.”
“You should submit a report on the condition of the area to the Commissioners for Roads and Bridges in the Highlands,” Graham said. “It would require an engineer to assess the problems, and I would be happy to help. Though it takes time to gain the commission’s approval, and find funds, hire teams, and acquire materials.”
“You might better pay for it yourself, Struan,” Sir Philip suggested, “as the road and the bridge are on your estate. Get the thing designed and hire the laborers and workmen yourself.”
“Others have done so, finding it unwise and unsafe to wait,” Graham agreed.
“Perhaps Struan lacks the funds for repairs,” Eldin said.
“If it needs to be done, I will do it,” James said curtly.
“Allow me to offer a donation for the work to be done,” Eldin responded.
“Why would you do that?” James asked, wary.
His cousin shrugged. “It is a pretty glen, from what I have seen of it. I hear it is a place of fairy legends, too. I’m partial to fairies,” he murmured.
Was he mocking? James narrowed his eyes. “There are interesting legends here, like many Highland areas. As for the work to be done, I appreciate the offer, but it is not your concern.”
“I do not offer out of the goodness of my heart,” Eldin said. “I intend to open a hotel at the head of Loch Katrine, and this glen would provide access for travelers coming north. I would prefer the roads and bridges to be in good repair.”
“Ah,” said James, tight-lipped.
“How is your research going, Struan?” Philip Rankin asked. “I understand you are doing some geological exploration here, and a bit of folklore research as well.”
“My work is progressing, thank you. My grandmother requested that I complete her last book, and that’s going well also.”
“A while ago,” Eldin began, “I heard a tale of lost fairy gold in this glen. Have you encountered anything about it?”
“In passing. A curious tale. No truth to it, I think. My grandmother does not mention it in her notes.”
“She was a thorough scholar of folklore,” Eldin said. “I had great respect for the lady. I am sure she entrusted her work to you in good faith.”
James inclined his head. “I am doing my best.”
