Page 78 of A Rogue in Twilight
“There are many stories in the glen,” Elspeth said. “Tradition says the fairies ride across Struan lands at this time every year for one or more nights. Lord Struan and I saw them the other evening,” she added. “Or we thought we did.”
Blast, James thought. That was a bit too honest. He wondered if Elspeth meant to shock Charlotte in particular,though he knew his siblings would be more than interested, given their grandmother’s odd will.
“You…and Lord Struan did what?” Charlotte asked.
“Saw the fairies,” Elspeth said. “Or at least we thought so.”
“You and Lord Struan were together at night?” Charlotte squeaked out.
“We were outside and saw something quite eerie.”
“Alone?” Charlotte asked. The rest of them were silent.
James blew out a breath. “Alone for a bit,” he said, taking the chance. “Miss MacArthur was in a bit of a kerfuffle and I came to her assistance. But I cannot vouch for seeing fairies. It was probably mist.”
“Lord Struan kindly helped me when I was caught in a storm,” Elspeth said. “And perhaps I was the only one who saw fairies riding through.”
“Good God,” Philip said. “I was just out there but saw nothing so good as that!”
“Alone,” Charlotte repeated. “Here. At night.”
“What did the fairies look like?” Fiona asked, head tilted in curiosity.
“Just a thick mist,” James reassured her.
“Beautiful young people on pretty horses,” Elspeth said.
“Shapes in the mist,” James clarified.
“Och,and what a storm that was,” Mrs. MacKimmie said, holding the tea tray, in no hurry to depart. “A fierce storm, rain for days. The roads flooded and the bridge broke. It was kind of Struan to rescue Miss MacArthur.”
“Are you finished clearing, Mrs. MacKimmie?” Lady Rankin asked.
“So you were here, too, Mrs. MacKimmie,” Fiona said.
“Struan House is my home, Miss MacCarran,” the housekeeper replied.
With a sigh of relief, James nodded his gratitude to the housekeeper, who smiled, tray clattering as she went to the door.
“James, do enlighten us,” Lady Rankin said. “I am confused.”
“Miss MacArthur was stranded here in a devilish Highland gale. Just for a bit until the weather cleared.”
“I see,” Charlotte said coldly.
“I suppose it could not be helped,” Lady Rankin decided, “and you had a capable chaperone in Mrs. MacKimmie, even if her manners are quite forward.”
“She is an excellent housekeeper. A treasure,” James replied.
“An excellent woman,” Elspeth said.
“And the fairies?” Patrick asked. “They were beautiful, you say?”
“So lovely,” Elspeth said. “Lord Struan insists it was imagination, but I saw them as clear as I see you now.”
Fiona touched Elspeth’s shoulder. “How wonderful!”
“How frightening,” Charlotte said sourly.
