Page 62 of Taming the Heiress
"I agree. I hoped you might like it."
Legan paged through the book for a while, then glanced up. "Is this the completed work?"
"There is another one that she is finishing now. Both treat the flora and fauna, weather, the geological character of the island and its adjacent reef, and so on. She has a particular gift, I think, for capturing the beauty and variety of life on the island, and the moods of the sea and the seasons, all with these elegant, precise drawings. I can assure you that the other journal is equal in merit to this one. She plans a third journal as well."
"Might she allow me to see the other one?" Logan paused to exclaim his admiration for a sensitively rendered drawing of seals sunning themselves on Sgeir Caran.
"I believe so, sir. She has spent years on her journals for the pure joy of the work, but I think she also dreams of sharing them as books for others to enjoy."
"We may be able to arrange that for her. This is remarkable, really." Logan nodded. "There is a great deal of interest in the Highland culture just now. People are mad for Scotland, sir, for its history and its culture. Mad to tour the Highlands and purchase any souvenir that links them to Scotland. Some think we are wrong to perpetuate the romance of plaids and pipes and heather, when our country is so very different from that, but I say all this interest helps our economy and our reputation for romanticism and mystery. The queen herself writes Highland journals, did you know?"
"I had heard something of it."
"A Hebridean journal like this one, written and illustrated by a Scotswoman, would be highly popular. They would be beautiful volumes... aye, more than one." He tapped the desk with his fingers, thinking.
"Of course, we would send the drawings to the best engraver in the city for exact reproduction of the details. We could add hand-colored, tipped-in illustrations. Possibly we could also produce a smaller edition with line engravings at a lower cost."
"Perhaps," Dougal said, "they would look well as a set with green leather covers and a tooled design of flowers on the front. The gold lettering on the spines could read 'A Hebridean Journal,by M. MacNeill.'" Logan considered him for a moment. "I like that very much. I shall remember it." He nodded. "Aye, people would be mad to own such a lovely set of books. A naturalist's view of the Isles. Brilliant! Do you think your authoress would agree to allow us to publish them for her?" Dougal smiled. "I believe she would, sir."
"Mr. Stewart, thank you for bringing this to me. How may I contact Miss MacNeill?"
"I met her through some of her kinfolk on Caransay. Since I'll be returning there soon, I'd be happy to deliver a letter to her through them."
"Good." Logan handed the journal back to Dougal, then took up a sheet of paper, dipped a pen, and began to write.
While Logan was occupied, Dougal flipped pages in the little book, pausing to glance at careful studies of seashells, their spirals touched lightly with washed color. Along the side of the page were some notes in Meg's small, rounded handwriting.
Periwinkles and large and small whelks found on the western Shore, Innish Bay. The whorls hold the soft, delicate colors of a dawn sky. Within the pink-shadowed spiral of the whelk, the sea sings its ancient song.
A shiver ran through him, deep and secret, as if Meg herself had whispered in his ear.
On other pages, Sgeir Caran emerged in clean lines and hatched shadowings, its shape unaltered by black powder blasts. Images of the rock filled three more pages, combined with studies of birds, including the eagles that nested on the rock.
Eagles mate for life,she had written beside a sketch of two birds in flight above the majestic rock,and this pair has been together many years. Their loyalty is transcendent. To see them soar over the great sea rock in perfect unison is to realize the profound poetry of their devotion. Theirs is the pure love of two dedicated souls who, once joined, will never part.
He closed the book quietly.
Logan sealed an envelope and handed it to Dougal. "I have taken the liberty of enclosing a cheque with my letter in the amount of one hundred pounds. I can offer the lady a little more once I have discussed the matter with my partners. Until then, I hope this will secure the privilege of publishing her journals. I assume that a sum of money would be welcome to her."
"Thank you, Mr. Logan. Very welcome, I imagine. And it is a generous gesture of faith."
"You may wish to act as her adviser, Mr. Stewart, since you have some experience in publishing yourself."
"Small experience, but I would be glad to be of assistance."
"If her journals become as popular as I expect, thousands of readers will soon know her name, and her bank account will benefit. Assure her of that." Logan smiled. "Please take the book and the cheque to her. I hope to meet with her soon."
Nodding, Dougal slid the envelope and the little book into his pocket. "I am sure the lady will be pleased."
Logan looked at him keenly. "But you do not know for certain, do you, sir."
"I admit I took something of a risk in coming here."
"You are a loyal friend, sir. Convince the young lady that this is her golden opportunity. I hope her own dreams are the equal of your dreams for her."
Dougal stood. "Believe me, sir. I hope so, too."
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