Elusive

by Linda Rae Blair

  “Since your existence was unknown to the Laird’s son, he, of course, laid claim to the estate. What he did not know was that you are the rightful heir, and he will lose claim to all but the title.” Shaking his head, he continued quietly, “I fear we must assume that he now knows about you.”

  He is a very wealthy and powerful man. He runs a family-owned shipping line…mmm, yes…Black Swan it is—White Star’s primary competitor for the transatlantic business!” he said, almost in awe.

  He didn’t wish to frighten her anymore than she was already, but he owed her the truth. He smiled and continued, “As the only surviving male heir, he would very likely retain the title of Earl of Donnach. You would become the Countess of Donnach, Lady McDonnough, but with the rest of the estate going to you, his would be a mere honorary title at this point. He would have no control over the estate and.therefore, little power or influence at court.”

  “Believe me when I tell you that this man is not accustomed to being without influence or power! You must be very careful, Blair. Now that someone knows of your existence, you are a huge threat to the new Laird’s claim to the estate.” He saw that she understood the danger and moved on.

  “Now lass, did you bring the letters with you?” he asked.

  “Yes, I did. I thought it best to keep them in my possession for safekeeping until we spoke. I knew that they were an important link between Caena and me.”

  “Aye, indeed they are. The courts will want to see them, I’m certain. Would you like me to put them in my safe here?” he offered.

  “No, thank you.” Seeing he was surprised that she would not trust him with the letters, she added, “If someone were to find the link between us, they might try to steal them. I do not want anyone else harmed, Angus—especially a friend of my uncle’s. Do you have any suggestions—ones that would not put anyone in danger?”

  So, he thought, it is not a lack of trust but concern for my safety. What a sweet girl and very practical. “Now that you mention it, yes, I do. But first, there are some additional items we should discuss.” He pulled out paper and pen. “Now, let us plan your next move.”

  ***

  After their plans had been clarified, he instructed her to take up residence in a nearby hotel. “It is the best in Edinburgh. It sits just across from the castle and was once used as a residence for some of the visiting royalty. You deserve to spoil yourself, my dear.”

  “I couldn’t possibly afford such a place,” she said. Almost embarrassed to admit it, she had very little money left, except what she made from the sale of Roddy’s furnishings. It wouldn’t last long. Unfortunately, in her haste to leave Paris she had neglected to contact the French bank to find out how much money was in her account there.

  “My dear, do you have any idea how much you are worth—even without the Scottish estate?” He sat back in his chair and grinned at her. Of course, he thought, she had no idea. Ah, what a pleasure it will be to give her some good news—very good news indeed.

  “Well, no…I do not, but, Angus, it cannot be much. Roddy had not worked in some time, and we lived simply.” Smiling, she added, “The bookstore was his love, but it really did not bring in a large income when he owned it. I am certain that it did not bring in much when he sold it. He really ran the shop more out of his love for books than for revenue. And, of course, he had retired a few years ago, so…” Why was he grinning at her like this? She liked the man, but this cavalier attitude about her finances was beginning to fire up her temper. She found herself squirming in her chair, trying to tamp down her emotions.

  Angus reached into a desk drawer, pulled out a file and, after looking for the appropriate document, placed it on the desk in front of her. “This is the Paris account as of last month.” He picked up another document from the file. Placing it alongside the first, “This is the account in the Royal Bank of Scotland.” He watched as her eyes opened wide. Oh, he was enjoying this. It was about time this bonnie lassie got some good news. “Both accounts are, as you can see, in your name, as they have been since I became aware of Roddy’s death. That would have been covered in his Will. Did you read it, my dear?”

  Blair could not begin to fathom what she was looking at. These were not the accounts of a retired book shop owner. “I…I do not understand.” She looked up at Angus with utter amazement. “Ah, the Will—no, it made me so sad to even think of it that I packed it away to read later. The lawyer had told me that I inherited everything, so I really did not think it necessary to read it right away since I assumed there was so little…” She was stunned! “I had no idea…” She was absolutely speechless.

  “Then let me enlighten you…” and he gave her some very good news, indeed!

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  Chapter 16: Sòlas Plans for the Future

  Donnach Castle, Scotland – 1726

  “Sòlas?” His mother had received word of the child’s death and immediately sought out her youngest son.

  He heard his mother’s voice and had to brace himself. He owed her a personal goodbye. The child and the wet nurse had been taken directly to the ship in Edinburgh. He would be right behind them on horseback as soon as he said his goodbyes.

  “In here, Mother,” he said, as he put the few remaining items of his belongings into his small traveling bag.

  “Sòlas?” She was behind him now. “What are you doing?” Looking around his room she recognized that his personal belongings were all gone.

  He turned and saw before him the woman who had borne him. He was going to break her heart, he knew. But he had to go—quickly. “Mother, please sit.” He led her to the chair near the fire. “I am leaving mother. I will not be back.”

  “Where do you go, Sòlas? And why? Why do you not stay here with me? With those who love you?” she pleaded.

  “Those who love me?” He sneered, “There are only two who love me here, Mother. One I cannot have. The other will mourn the loss of me but will have others to console her.” He saw the look of utter devastation on her face and knew he should not be loosing his anger on her.

  He knelt before her and held her hand. “I am sorry, Mother. I leave because I must. I cannot live here and watch her with my brother—watch what he is doing to her.”

  “Do you think my loss of you will so easily be dismissed, Sòlas?”

  “No, I was wrong to say that to you. Please forgive me.” He kissed her cheek softly. She had no idea how much he would miss her.

  “You are forgiven,” she responded somewhat petulantly. Then smiling at him, “Now won’t you tell me why it is you really leave, Sòlas? I know there is more to it than that.”

  “Is it the loss of the child?” She noticed that he barely controlled his smile at the mention of the child. Ah, it is as I suspected, she thought. “Caena’s maid told mine that the babe was stillborn.” She watched his face carefully. “Sòlas, I have never asked you until now. I have watched you when you were watching her. Was…is the child yours?”

  He thought his heart would break. She was so clever, this mother of his. What a wonderful example she would have been for his child. “Mother, do not ask what you should not know.”

  She understood completely. If Macrath ever found out the truth, his wrath would rain down on all of them. And she knew it would be murderous!

  Standing, he took her hands and helped her rise from the chair. “Now, say goodbye to your son and wish him well. I must leave quickly.” He kissed her cheek, wet from her tears.

  “Take this.” She pulled her hand from her skirt pocket and placed the heavy, little bag she carried into his hand. She had guarded it by carrying it with her everywhere she went. It was never entrusted out of her possession.

  When he saw the gold and gems inside, he looked at her in amazement. “Mother, where did you get this?”

  “Ah, Sòlas. We women are so easily dismissed and ignored. I have watched you, watched Caena, for months. What others do not see, I do. Let us just say that some of the things that belong to
me have somehow been misplaced. Use this for the child.” She held him close for one last time. “I wondered how long your love for her could be shoved aside, and feared this day might come.”

  “Go now. Do not stand here with an old woman any longer. Your future is out there with your child,” she said, looking toward the doorway.

  She humbled him. Without a word from him, Meadhbh McDonnough had figured out everything. He could only pray that Macrath was not so bright. Looking at the bag he held, he thought that, with what he had stashed away in the trunk already on its way to Edinburgh, this would make a lovely addition to what he hoped would keep his child and her children safe for a good long time. “Goodbye, Mother, and thank you!” He walked backward watching her face, then turned and left quickly, never to see her again.

  His mother sat again near the fire, looking at what had been her son’s room since he was just a small boy. She knew she would never see him again. She wiped the last tear she would permit herself to shed for the son who was so very brave and strong. He needed no tears, this brave son of hers. She knew that somehow Macrath, and to some extent Mordag, had been responsible for her loss.

  How did a mother choose between her sons? No, she had not chosen. The choice had been forced upon her.

  She would keep her knowledge to herself for the rest of her days. Perhaps she could give him even more help. She remembered hearing about the islands south of the American colonies. Many were going there, as well as the American colonies, for a new start. It would not harm him, if they thought he had gone there. Yes, that sounded good. After all, she had always been a very good story teller.

  She sighed heavily. Men really do not give us enough credit, she smiled. She would go to Caena, she thought. Caena could read and write. Together they would do what they could to protect him.

  Then she rose and left his room for the last time.

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  Chapter 17: The History of Money

  Edinburgh, Scotland – July 1912

  Angus continued telling Blair the story as he knew it. “Sòlas made certain that, when the time came, the proper heir of the estate would have…shall we call it a nest egg?” He sat back in his chair and watched her as he continued. “He recognized that fighting for the estate in court could cost a small fortune, as would the upkeep on the castle—even if the estate had not been misused. So he assured that the heir could act when the time was right.”

  He watched it all registering on her face. Oh, he really liked this girl. “When he left Scotland for France, Sòlas took a lovely little amount of gold and silver with him—all of it was his to take, mind you. He left a note for the family, telling them that he was unhappy, and he intended to emigrate from Scotland to one of the sugar producing islands south of the American colonies.”

  “So many Scots did emigrate over the last two-hundred years…no one questioned it.” Angus reached over and refreshed her tea and continued his story. “He was very vague about his plans or destination, so they were unable to track him. All their efforts to find and eliminate him or his heirs over the years were to no avail.”

  Angus let out a hearty laugh. “Of course, we now know that he never went to the islands at all. He had gone straight to France. It really was quite a smart little bit of misdirection.”

  “Once Macrath was dead, of course, the family’s efforts increased, but they were never able to find Sòlas. Settled in France under the cover of the French name of Delamare, he invested what he had and lived modestly, as have his subsequent generations. He was able to purchase art, more gold and silver, and, with Caena’s wishes in mind, passed the accounts on to the next generation.”

  “Of course, Sòlas’s life there is much better documented than his years in Scotland—he saw to it! He didn’t marry until after he received word that Caena was dead. I think he always hoped she would somehow break free of Macrath and join him in France. It must have been a horrible blow to him to find out about her death…so young!” he said sadly.

  “Only Caena’s maid, Ròs, had known the entire plan. She was faithful to her mistress to the very end. After Caena’s death, she and her entire family disappeared from Scotland. We know now that they went to Sòlas seeking their own freedom from Macrath.”

  “They managed, with Sòlas’s help, to buy a little piece of land where they grew fantastic grapes. Their descendents now have quite a nice little winery where some of the best wine grapes grow. They have been very wealthy themselves for several generations now.” He sat silently for a moment, then sighed and continued.

  “Each male guardian since Sòlas has held these accounts on the female heir’s behalf. Two-hundred years, Blair, these accounts have been growing to include land—here in Scotland, in the United States, France, and England. All of these are now in your name. And, of course, they do not include the estate in Donnach, for obvious reasons!”

  “Oh, my God!” Her face flushed, and he rushed to her side fearing she would faint.

  “There, there, lassie,” he said, as he patted her on the hand and used his other hand to push her head down until she could regain her strength. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, I…it’s just so hard to take in.”

  “Well, I’m sure a little champagne, a nice bubble bath, a fine meal, and a good night’s sleep will help you get a grasp on it,” he smiled. “Pamper yourself, my dear. Go shopping tomorrow. Buy some pretty things to wear. You’ll feel better right off!”

  When he saw her color improve, he continued. “As to the letters, my dear, I suggest that you purchase a safe deposit box for their safekeeping.”

  “Oh, that is a good idea!” she agreed.

  “The Royal Bank is on the way to the hotel. I’ll have Taog take your bags to the hotel while you stop at the bank to deposit those letters into their safekeeping. Ask for Mr. Dougall McPherson,” he said, as he wrote down the banker’s name for her. “He’s my sister’s husband and is familiar with your accounts. He will take good care of you.”

  “Oh, yes…have him give you some cash, while you’re at it. Taog will give the hotel the necessary information to cover your bill there. Now go along, my dear. Stay at the hotel as long as you wish.”

  As she slowly made her way to the office door, he stopped her. “My goodness, I almost forgot…your name at the hotel will be Rachel Wallace. You should also use that name when contacting the bank for funds once you leave Edinburgh. Dougall will watch for such transactions and cover them from your account under the name of Blair McDonnough. I contacted him as soon as I heard of your uncle’s death, so he has taken care of everything at the bank for you. Can you remember that?” he asked.

  “Yes, I can remember that. Thank you, Angus,” she said, in a voice that told him that the shock of her finances had not subsided. Well, he thought, it will take some time, I suppose. He thought of his old friend and promised him, in his mind, that he would look out for his lass as his own.

  “Be careful, Rachel! These are very dangerous people indeed,” he added as she walked away.

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  Chapter 18: Macrath Moves On

  Donnach – 1729

  Macrath didn’t wait to put his plan into action. He didn’t need time to mourn Caena, and he took none.

  The week after Caena’s fall, the castle was full of friends and family who had come to mourn her loss. Macrath never missed an opportunity to have Seonaid close enough to romp in his bed. So, he went along with the farce of mourning his good wife.

  He had enjoyed Seonaid before but now his time with her had new…depth. Despising any weakness, he staunchly refused to permit himself to actually love her. His interest in Seonaid had always been very practical. She was comely to look at, did anything he could imagine in his bed, and never made demands. Now there were other possibilities…she had proven herself not to be barren.

  As he rolled off of the comely Seonaid, instead of dropping off into sleep he weighed his options. He did want her, and what Macr
ath McDonnough wanted, he would damned well have.

  “What has your mind so occupied so soon after we have pleasured ourselves?” she asked him.

  “Matters of business…nothing to worry that pretty head of yours about, Seonaid,” he said, dismissing her concerns.

  After sending Seonaid on her way, he sent for William Aitkin. His family was linked to Macrath’s by marriage, and the two had grown up together in the castle. Since William did not have the advantage of having the Laird as his uncle, he had calculated early in their youth that Macrath was the dark horse on which he would place his bets. He never turned down an offer from Macrath to line his purse with some extra coin.

  “You called for me, Macrath?” William said, as he entered Macrath’s parlor. He wasn’t as handsome as Macrath by a long shot. But he had a way with the ladies and was often paired up with Macrath on a night of debauchery.

  “Yes, William. I have a little something I need taken care of, and I would prefer that it be resolved within a fortnight,” Macrath told him.

  “Certainly! I’m always at your service, you know that, Macrath! Who…what do you need done?” he asked, as he smiled and took the pewter goblet Macrath handed him.

  “I want you to arrange a little hunting trip. You will need to invite young Allan MacDiarmid to join you,” Macrath advised him. “You’ll want to be careful though, William. I understand Allan has a rather poor seat and has been known to fall from that sweet little row-jumper of his,” Macrath smiled.

  “Too bad! Allan and Seonaid have a small son. He really should be careful not to leave a pretty young widow and child without a protector, don’t you think?” William all but licked his lips in anticipation of what this would earn for him.