Page 23 of A Scottish Love Story
‘Of course I will, if that’s what you want, Ciaran. Anyway, you forget I shall not know anyone else except you and Donald.’
Ciaran gave a crow of laughter. ‘Looking as gorgeous as you do, most of the fellows will be queuing for a dance regardless.’ Roxie blushed. Ciaran chuckled. ‘I do love that delightful flush.’ Returning his eyes to the road, he asked, ‘Did you have a serious boyfriend down in Derbyshire?’
‘How serious is “serious”?’
‘Someone you considered as a husband, seriously considered, I mean?’
‘No, not seriously. I knew lots of pleasant men, but...’ She frowned. ‘Sometimes, in retrospect, I think I was subconsciously looking for someone modelled on my father.’
‘From what you have told me about him, I don’t think that’s a bad thing, is it?’
‘Maybe not, but not many men are as dedicated as he was to his farming and his animals, and I found I shared his interests. He was devoted to his family too. He missed my mother dreadfully when she died. Fortunately sharing his interest meant we were never lost for things to discuss, or to plan.’
‘I reckon that’s the best kind of relationship to have. Too many young folks disparage their parents, especially if they can’t get their own way. I was lucky with mine. They truly cared about each other and they cared about me. I know my mother must have grieved terribly over my sisters, but she never made me feel I was less loved. They always welcomed my friends. Jenny is actually my second cousin, but Mum has always treated her like her own well-loved niece. Jenny’s father and mine were cousins. Ah, we’re here already. Now to search for a parking space...’ It was a large car park, but there were a lot of people already there. They circled slowly down one side and back up another.
‘There’s one over there, beside that wall, under the trees.’ Roxie pointed.
‘It’s a bit dark over there. Are you sure you don’t mind?’
‘Of course not. That’s probably why there’s a space and it looks fairly wide so I shouldn’t have too much trouble getting out to come home.’ She gave a little cough. ‘Ahem, especially if you’re drunk as a lord and can’t remember where we parked!’
‘I shall remember that cheeky remark — expect comeback before the night is over,’ Ciaran said with a chuckle. ‘I will reverse in while there is plenty of room, though. That will make it easier to get away.’
Ciaran came round to the passenger door to help her out, then tucked her into his side, holding her close, not that Roxie minded. She felt warm and safe. She knew she was getting far too aware of Ciaran’s charms.
‘Are you still sure you don’t mind driving us home?’ he asked, so close his breath tickled her ear.
‘I’m quite sure. I feel honoured to be here at all, and my ticket paid too.’
Ciaran switched on the torch on his phone so they could see where they were putting their feet. ‘It’s a long while since I’ve been out and about, so I haven’t seen most of the old crowd for a bit. I hope I don’t get offered too many drinks to make up for lost time, even though I know I can rely on you to get me safely home, Roxie.’
‘Presumably you had your reasons for not socialising?’ she murmured thoughtfully, wondering if it was due to losing Amanda.
‘Not really. I have known them all well enough for years, but it was not the same after Don got married. I suppose he was always more sociable than I was. He made arrangements and I usually went along with them, the same as he bought the tickets for tonight. We’ve been friends since we were at the academy — school — together. We joined the Young Farmers’ when we were old enough and went to most events. That was until I invited Don to stay at Oaklands for a weekend when he was home from university. Jenny happened to be staying too. The rest is history, but they do seem happy together.’
‘They’re a lovely couple. You can’t regret bringing them together?’
‘No, I don’t, not a bit. We’re still good friends.’
As they emerged from the shadows into the lights from the hotel, Ciaran switched off the torch and put his phone away. Someone called his name and he half turned, but kept her firmlyat his side. They were surrounded by a group of laughing people around Ciaran’s age, all wanting to know where he had been for the past year or more. Three persistent young men, all in kilts and already a little merry, wanted to know the name of the lovely lady and why he was keeping her so close.
Laughing good-naturedly, Ciaran parried their questions but told them nothing about his partner, except to keep their hands off.
The dinner was delicious and the company lively, with a great deal of repartee. A few couples and several single men swapped tables between the courses, often confusing the smiling servers. It was obvious to Roxanne that both Donald and Ciaran were popular, and that their company at some of the gatherings had been missed. Jenny knew a lot of people, but not all of them because she had been away at university and a member of a different Young Farmers’ Club before she’d met Donald.
Eventually the band started tuning up in the ballroom and people began to drift through for the dancing. There were banquettes around the large room, with small drinks tables and odd chairs here and there along both sides. As soon as the dancing began, Ciaran claimed her for his partner and Donald drew Jenny to her feet.
Although Ciaran was tall and broad-shouldered, he was surprisingly light on his feet. Roxie enjoyed dancing and she remarked on his expertise.
‘Don and I were members of the Scottish country dancing team for a couple of years in our early teens,’ he said with a grin. ‘Do you know any Scottish reels?’
‘No, I don’t. I shall enjoy sitting down to watch you all in your kilts demonstrating the various moves.’
‘Don’t you believe it.’ He laughed. ‘You will not get the chance to sit out, but don’t worry — there are plenty of fellows only too eager to show you the moves, and don’t be surprised ifone or two tuck you under their arm and lift you sometimes if the moves are complicated.’
‘I doubt if any of them would manage that. I’m neither small nor skinny.’
‘You wait and see.’ Ciaran grinned. ‘Do you know how to do the Gay Gordons?’
