Page 66 of A Rogue in Twilight
“Perhaps Mr. Browne can more liberally interpret the will,” James said.
“We can ask,” Patrick said. “I spent several hours in a coach with Lord Raven over there. He is cold as ice, as if someone plucked the heart out of him. I recall him being pleasant enough when were lads. I wonder what happened.”
“He was. I wonder too.” James had nearly forgotten that Cousin Nick had been a good companion in boyhood. But he had heard rumors of betrayal and scandal since, though he knew little about it. He strode forward, ready to act as host and laird to uphold the Highland hospitality that dictated courtesy no matter the guest.
As they entered the house together, James thought of what Patrick had said.It’s as if someone plucked the heart out of him.That came from hurt, he thought, and wondered again why the Earl of Eldin would have turned so unfeeling, if indeed that was the case. Perhaps it was a protective ruse.
A shout from Angus MacKimmie caught his attention, and James turned to see a landau entering the earthen drive. He walked forward to meet it. As the driver opened the door, Sir Philip stepped out first with a mumbled greeting. Then James and Patrick assisted the ladies to the ground.
“James! Lord Struan, rather!” Lady Rankin exclaimed. “How good to see you. What absolutely dreadful roads you have up here. Look who I brought with me.”
Fiona stepped out, her smile quick and bright, her kiss for James light on his cheek. Smoothing the creases from her gray skirt and short jacket, she moved aside as Charlotte Sinclair stepped out.
She twitched the ivory skirts spilling gracefully beneath a red velvet spencer, and patted her blond hair under a straw hat looped with crimson ribbons. She stretched out her hand. “Dear James, how I’ve missed you!”
“Miss Sinclair,” he said, his voice cool. He overlooked her move to offer her gloved hand for a kiss. As Charlotte tucked her arm in his, he could only think of Elspeth.
“It is good to see everyone,” he said to all. “Welcome to Struan House.”
Later, while theyenjoyed Mrs. MacKimmie’s excellent luncheon of cold mutton, mashed turnips, and more, James listened as his aunt talked of her touring plans in great detail. The woman scarcely took a breath despite attempts by others to talk as well.
“Miss Sinclair has the headache and has gone to her room,” Lady Rankin told Mrs. MacKimmie for the third time. “Send a tray up to her, please.”
“Aye, madam, we’ve seen to it,” Mrs. MacKimmie answered.
“James, you must find us a local guide,” Lady Rankin said next. He nodded, pushing around a piece of lamb and a spoonful of rowan jelly. “Sir Walter planned to join us on our trip, but hewas unable at the last moment. I am so disappointed. He would have been a superb guide on our journey through the Trossachs. His poem is set there, you know,The Lady of the Lake.”
“I know it well, Aunt,” James said.
“Although he gave us a most excellent travelogue for the area, written out in his very own hand. Fiona has it. Did you remember to bring it?”
“I did, Aunt.” Fiona reached into a pocket to produce a folded letter, opening it to show James, seated beside her, a page densely covered with handwritten suggestions.
“We are excited to see Loch Katrine, so beautifully described in his poem,” Lady Rankin went on. “Lady Murray told me last week at tea that the views are breathtaking there. Fiona, do bring your sketchbook so that later we may enjoy pictures of our trip.”
“I will, Aunt.”
“The area is popular with tourists,” Eldin commented. “In fact, I plan to open an establishment near there. Recently I purchased an old castle to refurbish into a hotel.”
“How nice that will be!” Lady Rankin said.
Silent, James noticed that Patrick and Fiona applied themselves to the meal, as did John Graham, while Philip and Lady Rankin expressed interest in Eldin’s project.
“You should all visit when the place is ready for guests,” Eldin said. “We would extend a reasonable price to family.” Patrick looked at Fiona and rolled his eyes.
“Thank you, dear Nicholas,” Lady Rankin said. “Fiona, do consider his new hotel for your accommodations if your teaching assignment is near there.”
“Cousin Fiona would be more than welcome,” Eldin said.
“I will be teaching in a glen there long before the place is done,” Fiona said flatly.
After Lady Rankin and Fiona retired to their rooms to rest, James stayed with the gentlemen to have coffee at the table, amore casual choice than retiring to the parlor. When Graham asked about local Highland whisky, James fetched a bottle from a stock that Lady Struan had acquired. Eldin held up a hand in curt refusal—the man had Spartan tastes—while the others accepted drams. James drank only coffee, spooning a little sugar in the hot, bitter liquid. He was reminded of Elspeth and her sweet tooth for sugar in her tea. She was never far from his mind.
They discussed engineering efforts throughout Scotland, which James found quite interesting. John Graham had much to say, while Eldin brusquely commented, though he seemed keen to learn about plans near Loch Katrine.
“However, the roads in your little glen here are in very poor condition,” Eldin told James. “I hope you have plans to repair them, as viscount here.”
“Recent storms did some damage. I will ask Mr. MacKimmie to hire a few men to repair the bridge near here. And repairs are needed elsewhere, I know.”
