Christa stiffened with surprise and stopped moving, causing them both to stumble. ‘Put Ardenleigh on the market?’ she repeated in amazement. ‘When did he tell you that?’
John looked flustered. ‘Oh, dear. That was most indiscreet and unprofessional of me. I really thought you knew. He came to see me late this morning.’
‘But...why does he want to sell it? I thought...I thought Isobel wanted him to have it?’’
John looked embarrassed. ‘You’ll have to ask him the reason, my dear. I shouldn’t have mentioned it at all.’
She stopped dancing again and looked imploringly at John. ‘It...it’s really important that I know just why he wants to sell Ardenleigh. I thought he loved the place and, of course, wanted to fulfil his mother’s wishes.’
John shook his head and smiled. ‘Christa, I’m not going to say any more. Lachlan’s here—you go and ask him!’
Christa bit her lip. ‘Oh, dear, the thing is, we’ve had a bit of a falling out...I don’t know that he would feel like telling me.’
The elderly man looked at her shrewdly and laughed. ‘Then go and make it up with him. I know this much—he adores you. I know he can’t stop talking about you. That much I am allowed to say. Said he wished he’d met you ages ago!’
‘Did he say that?’ she said in a small voice.
John Davies smiled. ‘He certainly did.’ He looked at her, suddenly concerned by the expression on her face. ‘Is something wrong, Christa?’
‘I think, John, I’ve been very, very silly... Do you mind if I go and find Lachlan? I need to say something to him.’
‘Of course, my dear. I’ll see you later.’ John gave a little bow and wandered off to the bar.
Was she too late? Had Lachlan gone home? Whatever happened, she had to see him that evening, tell him how very, very wrong she’d been. She’d been an impetuous fool, jumping to completely the wrong conclusions.
She dashed outside, hardly noticing as the cold air hit her body. By the wall of the car park stood a solitary figure, gazing out over the moonlit sea, watching the beam on the lighthouse across the firth swing over the water every minute or two.
How lonely and forlorn Lachlan looked in that setting. He’d had sadness in his life, admitted he made mistakes, and she had thrown everything he’d said back in his face.
Would he take her back, give them another chance? She ran up to him and touched his arm. ‘Lachlan...’ she said breathlessly. ‘Lachlan, perhaps you were right. We need to talk...’
He whipped round with a start. ‘What the...? Christa? I didn’t expect to see you again tonight.’
‘I’ve been such a fool. I’ve been speaking to John Davies. He told me you want to sell Ardenleigh! Is that true?’
His amazing blue eyes looked sadly down at her. ‘I began to realise that without you it didn’t matter a toss where I lived—and neither do I want to stay at the practice if I’m not with you.’
‘But it’s what your mother wanted. I thought you would do anything to keep it—sell the land for money...’
‘She wouldn’t want me to be unhappy, I’m sure.’
Christa’s eyes filled with tears and put her hands on his shoulders. ‘Don’t say that, Lachlan—and don’t leave me. I want you to stay.’ She put her arms around his waist, looking up into his eyes, and said in a small voice, ‘Darling Lachlan—I want you to forgive me. I’ve been such an idiot.’
He shrugged, his face shadowed in the moonlight. ‘But no matter what I say, you don’t seem to believe that I love you.’
‘I was wrong,’ she whispered, biting her lip. ‘John Davies made it clear to me that you loved me, and I don’t think I could bear it if you left...’
A flicker of amusement passed over Lachlan’s face. ‘So you’re prepared to believe what John Davies says, even if you didn’t believe me!’
She smiled up at him. ‘Well, he is a solicitor...’
It was as if Lachlan was struck dumb for a moment, then he threw back his head and laughed. ‘Good God. Haven’t I demonstrated it most graphically?’
‘Yes, you have, Lachlan,’ said Christa meekly.
He encircled her with his arm and hugged her to him, cradling her head against his chest, a beaming smile on his face.
‘Is this true, Christa? You finally believe me?’
She nodded, unable to speak.
Lachlan grinned a cheeky schoolboy grin. ‘I didn’t realise I was going out with an idiot, but it looks as if I am! I owe John Davies a lot!’
In sheer happiness he took her hands and whirled her round, then caught her in his arms.
‘Perhaps now we can get on with the rest of our lives, my love. We’ll make a fresh start and buy a new home with our stamp on it—not with the ghosts of previous generations at our backs.’
Lachlan wiped away a tear that rolled down Christa’s face and smiled. ‘Are you beginning to regret coming back to me?’
‘It...it’s because I’m so happy,’ she gulped. ‘A few minutes ago I was beyond sad, and now I just can’t describe how I feel!’
‘I know one thing, you’re freezing,’ he whispered. ‘And I know a very good way to warm you up, and it’s even better than dancing. Let’s go back to your house and I’ll show you!’
He took her hand and they left the sound of the dancing behind them.
EPILOGUE
SPRING HAD COME late to Errin Bridge, but now, looking down the valley from the top of Errin Hill, one could see the fresh green mist of new leaves on the trees and a scattering of daffodils over the village green.
So much had happened in six months, thought Christa, looking around with pride at the old farmhouse that she and Lachlan had just bought. It was only small and a far cry from the grandeur and space of Ardenleigh, but it nestled at the side of the hill and commanded the most beautiful views of the countryside and the little village below. Ardenleigh had been sold and there were plans to make it into a retirement home—something that was desperately needed in the area.
In a few minutes guests for their house-warming party would be arriving, and Christa went into the living room and looked around doubtfully, wondering if all their guests would be able to fit into it!
Lachlan came in from the back, where a little copse of trees grew, and threw some logs on the fire—everywhere looked cosy and neat. He put his arms around her and nuzzled her neck.
‘Glad we moved here, darling, and didn’t stay at Ardenleigh?’ he murmured.
She looked at him with a dimpled smile. ‘This could be too small in a year or two—but of course I love it here!’ she replied.
‘Before everyone arrives, I’ve something for you, actually...a kind of moving-in present!’
‘I like the sound of that!’ She smiled. ‘What is it?’
‘Something to wear...but a little more permanent than a dress!’
Lachlan pulled a little box out of his pocket and gave it to her. ‘Open it quickly before all our friends come,’ he said.
She opened the lid and stared at the sparkling diamond ring that nestled in the white satin box, and then looked up at him in speechless amazement, her lovely eyes wide with disbelief.
He watched her with a wry smile. ‘Well?’ he demanded. ‘Do you like it or not?’
‘Oh, Lachlan...’ she murmured. ‘Of course I like it...it’s beautiful!’
He tilted her chin towards him and his eyes were tender and warm. ‘I think we’ve waited long enough for this, sweetheart. Will you marry me? It’ll make me the happiest man on the earth if you will!’
A startled silence and then Christa gave a burst of laughter. ‘And this from the man who said marriage wasn’t for him!’ she teased. ‘What’s brought this on?’
‘After six months living together I thought you’d realise by now that my mother’s wishes have nothing to do with us getting married! Now we’re in our new home, starting a new life, it seems the perfect time. What do you say, sweetheart—ready for the final leap?’
She put up a
hand and stroked his wonderful face. Strange to think that not so long ago she’d been in the depths of despair, love and marriage seemingly a far-off dream.
‘Of course I’ll marry you!’ she said.
And he slipped the ring onto her finger. ‘To love and to cherish,’ he murmured softly.
Then the guests began arriving and they wondered at first why the hostess was laughing and crying at the same time.
* * * * *
ISBN: 978 1 472 04543 0
RETURN OF DR MAGUIRE
© 2014 Judy Campbell
Published in Great Britain 2014
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited
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