Page 65 of A Rogue in Twilight
“Greetings, Struan. I see no reason to get out now, with the driver about to take us to the house.” Nicholas MacCarran, Lord Eldin, waved a hand briefly.
“Eldin. Welcome,” James said.
“No doubt you’re surprised to see us,” Cousin Nicholas said. “Sir John and I had business near here—I have a building project near Loch Katrine—so we thought it efficient to travel with Patrick.”
“Of course,” James said. “Will you stay the night?”
“Just for luncheon,” Eldin answered, as if Struan House was an inn. “Our business is in the north, and we must reach our hotel by evening.”
“I see. Go ahead and ride up to the house. I’ll walk and meet you there.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Patrick offered as John Graham climbed back into the coach. Angus and the groom joined the driver above, and they set off.
“Sorry, couldn’t be helped,” Patrick said. “Nick is persistent.”
“True. He talked our uncle into selling the clan seat to him years back.”
Patrick huffed. “He and John are heading north to look at renovations for an old castle near Loch Katrine. Nick intends to open a new hotel there. With more tourists coming to the Highlands, more accommodations are needed. Eldin hired John Graham as an engineer to build private roads and so on.”
“The locals might deem it too much improvement to suit them,” James murmured. “Well, we shall see. I understand Aunt Rankin plans to tour the Highlands.”
“She’s quite enthused about it. She will stay at Struan for a night or two, as she is in a hurry to get going. You know how she can be. She’ll breeze through the Highlands and barely appreciate it, but once home, she will be an expert to impress her friends.”
“Indeed. I am surprised you are with her. You have scant patience for her entourage. Fiona is with her?”
“I could not have borne the company for long without her! Aunt Rankin is dragging along her insufferable nephew, Philip, and Miss Sinclair. The latter for your benefit, I am sure.”
“No doubt,” James muttered.
“I would have begged off entirely, but I wanted to see you. And I have been appointed to a position in the Highlands. Excise Officer in a northern area. I am to work with a local sheriff up here, starting in a few weeks.”
“Splendid! A far better use of your talents than clerking documents in the Signet Courts. And you have a taste for adventure.”
“Smugglers abound in those hills, so it should prove interesting.”
“Just be careful. Smuggling is useful for some, and dangerous to others.” James thought of the elusive MacGregor who made fairy brew and other illicit whiskies.
“I am to assist Mr. Dougal MacGregor, a sheriff there,” Patrick said.
That was Elspeth’s cousin’s name. James masked his surprise. “I am glad Fiona decided to come along.”
“She’s arranging to teach at a Gaelic school, and wanted to see you before she leaves. She has requirements to fulfill as we all do, thanks to Grandmother.” Patrick glanced at James. “Any luck with yours?”
“I am making my way through the fairy book. But I have not married a fairy yet.”
“They are not thick upon the ground, I imagine.”
“More than you’d think,” James drawled. They reached the stone gates leading to the house. “If I cannot meet that requirement—I may have to sell Struan House. We can divide the profit and no longer pursue Grandmother’s fairy nonsense.”
“We must not lose this property, James. Our family loved this place. The house and estate are the true legacy, more than the funds.”
“Fairy brides are—elusive,” James said curtly. And unwilling, he thought. “A sale would help all of our finances.”
“Aye, but we might lose the inheritance to Eldin. Do not forget that.”
“I am aware,” James said.
Ahead, the barouche had reached the house’s formal entrance. Lord Eldin stepped down, drenched in black, turning his haughty, handsome head to assess the place.
