Not wishing to lose her somewhat precarious self-control, Sue nodded speechlessly. His words affected her strangely as she became aware of the
perceptiveness behind them, a thread of sensitivity which she had found inexplicably lacking in her mother’s make-up. Taking a deep breath, she glanced away from his gently tired face. ‘I might even be able to help you run the estate,’ she said.
‘The estate ...’ His voice went tight, the tenseness returned. His weariness was suddenly, curiously cynical. ‘I have a partner, my dear, a very able man. I don’t somehow think that he would appreciate your help. He takes care of everything nowadays - saves me a lot of time and bother, leaves me time for my own pursuits.’
‘But surely,’ Sue stared at him, her smooth brow creased, ‘you must still have a lot to do. I mean ...’ confused, she groped for the right words, ‘you must have to supervise everything?’
Evasively her father replied, ‘Actually, Susan, I’m writing a thesis of Army manoeuvre from 1745, a bit before your time. There’s a deal of research involved and it keeps me busy. Of course I do get around the estate from time to time. ’
Sue’s smoky-grey eyes were puzzled and, though common sense warned it was irrational to pursue the subject, something tenacious inside her wouldn’t allow her to leave it alone. ‘This house,’ she gazed around her, impressions, ideas piling and merging in her over-taxed mind. ‘I suppose you once lived in the other one which I saw through the trees, and it got too big for you?’
‘Why don’t you tell her to mind her own business, John, instead of standing there looking helpless!’
Sue jumped, literally, in her seat, a wildness invading her eyes as she heard that voice. It thundered with open menace, telling her quite clearly that he was her enemy! How long had he been standing there? Her pulses stopped, then shuddered. She didn’t need to turn around to see that he was the man in the hotel - and the man on the crag. He was Meric Findlay!
‘It’s all right, Meric.’
As she swung around John spoke, confirming her suspicions, although she seemed unable to hear anything clearly above the hammering of her heart. His forcefulness hit her like a blow as his eyes leapt over her full of inexplicable derision. Stunned, she could only stare. Evidently he regarded her as an enemy. It was much worse than his bewildering behaviour the evening before. Then his antagonism hadn’t been quite so obvious.
John Frazer glanced swiftly from one to the other, vaguely puzzled. She could see it in his face as he turned and sat down again in his chair. Pulling herself together with an almost visible effort, she said coldly, ‘I think Mr. Findlay must be jumping to the wrong conclusions. I would even go so far as to say that he could owe me an apology. Unless, of course,’ her chin tilted contemptuously as her smoky eyes met his dark ones, ‘he can produce a logical explanation!’
‘Sue! Just a minute!’ her father interrupted with frank astonishment. ‘I think I’m the one who needs an explanation. You two apparently know each other, although I’m sorry you don’t appear to be on the best of terms.’
Meric Findlay cut in ruthlessly, ‘I met this girl only last night, John, but I knew at once who she was.’
‘She happens to be my daughter. You couldn’t possibly know that.’ John’s eyes flickered with growing perplexity.
With dark eyes narrowed Meric Findlay ignored Sue’s wrathful face. ‘She didn’t say who she was, John. I still don’t know her name, but I could see by her looks that there was some family connection. I was convinced that she would arrive here today, and I haven’t been proved wrong. In fact I saw her coming. If I hadn’t been up on the Crag I might have been here in time to stop her.’
‘You did hear me say she’s my daughter, Meric?’ John broke in with quiet insistence, oddly defensive.
‘I don’t care who she pretends to be,’ Meric Findlay said dryly. ‘Just so long as you don’t believe her without proof. You’re too vulnerable, John, always have been. I don’t care how many odd relations you collect, but don’t ever say that I didn’t warn you!’
Sue’s blood boiled as her eyes came alive with a helpless kind of anger. No one had ever spoken to her like this before and she found it totally unacceptable. This man considered her an impostor, but, even if he had been right in his assumptions, it certainly didn’t give him any right to be so rude. She winced almost aloud as she deliberated on his attitude. He had been more than ill-mannered. He had been devastating, clearly bent on destroying a relationship which might as yet be too fragile to withstand the onslaught of his calculated attack. And, if the glint in his eyes was anything to go by, he was obviously enjoying his campaign of destruction! There was a slight tremor in Sue’s voice, but she managed to look straight at him as she retorted hotly, ‘I can assure you, Mr. Findlay, that my visit here was, to begin with, a mere formality. That John Frazer happens to be my father was as great a surprise to me as it obviously is to you. And as to whether I stay or not, that can’t possibly be any of your business! ’
There was complete silence as she finished speaking. His eyes still holding hers, he crossed the room to rest his weight on the edge of the cluttered table. The glint in his eye had developed into a positive glitter, and she could almost physically feel the impact of his unyielding personality. She might have been a fly which he was preparing to swat at his leisure, as his eyes travelled over her from head to foot full of cool derision.
‘But you have decided to stay, have you not, Miss - er - is it to be Frazer?’
‘Of course she’s going to stay, Meric,’ John Frazer injected stoutly. ‘If you’d just hang on a minute until I explain..
‘Of course she’s going to stay,’ Meric Findlay repeated sarcastically, his eyes turning to John Frazer as if Sue didn’t exist. ‘She’ll stay until she decides whether she likes it here. And if not, she’ll be trotting straight back to London.’
‘I would not!’ Stung beyond control, Sue jumped furiously to her feet, ignoring her father’s plea for rationality as indignation bubbled over inside her. She could at least cope with her own enemies, and if she was to stay here, it might be better to start as she meant to go on. Certainly she didn’t intend to be dominated by Meric Findlay. As she stood near to him it didn’t help to see herself reflected in his sardonic dark eyes, or to feel so ridiculously small beside his large bulk. But what she lacked in stature he would find she made up in temper! John Frazer was obviously overruled by this man. Turning to glace at him as he sat anxiously back in his chair, Sue knew a faint prickle of irritation that this should be so. ‘Do you always let your manager dictate to you like this?’ she accused, sparks flying from eyes curiously now more blue than grey.
‘Susan!’ There was a moment’s electrified silence. Sue flushed, her temper suddenly fading. It seemed that she had committed the unforgivable, and must apologize. But before she could do so, her father added, his face paling strangely, ‘I told you before, Susan, that Meric is my partner.’
‘Oh, well,’ Sue’s long lashes blinked uncertainly, ‘it’s all much the same thing, isn’t it? And,’ she added bleakly, still looking at her father, ‘I’m sorry if I’ve seemed rude, especially as I’ve just arrived, but Mr. Findlay hasn’t been exactly pleasant himself. ’
The observation did not go unheeded. Mr. Findlay replied coolly, with a wry twist of his firm lips, ‘She could be right, John. Instead of indulging in a slanging match it might be better if Susan and I agree to a truce, juvenile though it seems. No doubt there’ll be plenty of time for explanations later. I do know that you’ve been married, John, so it seems quite feasible that you should have a daughter. We’ll leave it at that for the time being and concern ourselves with arrangements for tonight. ’
Slightly dazed by his change of tone, Sue stared at him wordlessly for an instant. Why should he worry where she spent the night?
‘I’m afraid I haven’t made any arrangements,’ she admitted tonelessly. ‘But I’m sure it must be possible to find accommodation in the village. I didn’t rea
lize it was so late.’
John Frazer interrupted abruptly. ‘Of course you can’t go to the village, Susan. From now on your home is here, with me. I don’t want to lose you just when I’ve found you.’
Sue’s heart was suddenly heavy with remorse. He looked tired and frail. The news which she had brought here today must have been disturbing, even though he hadn’t seen her mother for many years. She knew a sudden urge to stay to look after him. And surely he must need someone, living here, as he did, all on his own? If only Meric Findlay would disappear instead of towering over them with that superior expression on his face, then perhaps they might get something sorted out.
But it was not to be, although for a moment, as he stalked to the window and stood there framed against the sunset sky, she thought he was about to depart and leave them in peace. Instead, after a brief contemplation of the weather, he turned back, his eyes narrowed over them.
‘There’s no room here, John, for Susan to stay, and you well know it, but there is plenty of space up at the house. Your own room will still be aired from last week, and if we go now we might just catch Mrs. Lennox. She’ll soon fix something up for Susan.’
‘Please.’ She looked at him uneasily with troubled grey eyes, but his hard, handsome face didn’t soften. Instinctively she was aware that he was used to getting his own way and, when he dictated, men usually ran to do his bidding. Well, here was one person who would not! She glanced away a little wildly from his dark, taunting eyes, but not because she was frightened of him; If he wanted a fight then she was more than prepared to give him one. He certainly wouldn’t find her as docile as her father.
She drew a long quivering breath. ‘If this cottage has to be good enough for my father, then it’s good enough for me. I’m sure I’ll be able to find somewhere to sleep without troubling your Mrs. Lennox.’
‘John!’ Impatience tightening his voice, Meric Findlay swung grimly to his partner. ‘Won’t you please tell this girl that I have enough to do without wasting further time! The rooms upstairs are used as attics, junk rooms, stuffed full of your things, and your one bedroom across the hall isn’t much better. It would take a month to clear them out, and I haven’t time to stand here arguing!’
It annoyed Susan that her father did exactly as he was told. ‘It would be better, I think, my dear. To stay here wouldn’t be very feasible. You see, I use this house more as a retreat while I’m busy writing. Since my last housekeeper went I haven’t bothered much. I’m afraid I rely too much on Meric.’
Which was very obvious! Sue fumed inwardly. He was clearly under this man’s thumb, but was it necessary to be so humble? Surely as owner of the estate it was he who ought to be giving the orders? Maybe it was her duty, if only for a short while, to stay, to help him reassert himself against this self-proclaimed dictator. And maybe in the big house she might be in a better position to put Mr. Findlay properly in his place before she left!
She looked at him quickly, her voice silky soft, her cheeks defensively pink. ‘If it pleases my father, then I’ll do as you suggest. But just so long as we can come back here eventually. I shouldn’t like to be beholden to you for too long, Mr. Findlay!’
CHAPTER THREE
AWAKENING in her huge canopied bed next morning, Sue allowed herself the luxury of an extra ten minutes to lie and think. The weariness of the previous evening had disappeared, and her eyes were wide as she gazed around the large, well furnished room, feeling that she might almost have to pinch herself to believe that she was here at all.
Her bedroom was truly mediaeval, or so it seemed to Sue, used as she was to modern apartments with their slick, built-in cupboards. The furniture around her couldn’t have been changed in a hundred years! Huge dark wardrobes, a wide, brass-handled dressing table; even a washhand-stand complete with china basin and jug, all edging the faded square of unwear-outable carpet, all made to last another hundred years at least! Sue had never seen such furniture outside the country houses which she had occasionally visited - after paying the requisite fee. She had certainly never envisaged staying in one, if only for a few nights.
Curiously she wondered if the rest of the house would be like this. She had only seen the kitchen the night before. Before leaving the cottage, while John Frazer collected a few things together, Meric Findlay had rung the big house, and when they arrived Mrs. Lennox had supper already waiting. Then she had gone to get Sue’s room ready. Sue had actually eaten by herself on a corner of the kitchen table. Her father, complaining that his ankle was extremely painful, had decided he would go straight to bed, if Sue would excuse him. Meric Findlay had disappeared with him, not returning until Sue, having finished her meal, had left the kitchen in search of Mrs. Lennox. Half dazed with tiredness, she had stood uncertainly outside the door, not knowing which way to go. She had scarcely been aware of someone striding into the hall until he stood beside her.
He had given her a steady look, his dark eyes watchful. ‘John’s room is along the hall,’ he had told her smoothly, ‘Third door on the right. Do you want to see him before you go upstairs?’
‘Yes, of course,’ she had stammered, unnerved by his steely glance, and quite unable to meet it fully. In spite of all that had been said she had known that she was still a stranger. She might have found a father, but as yet knew no great affection for him in her heart, and the thought of going with Meric Findlay to say good night filled her with an incomprehensible dismay,
‘It’s not so easy, is it, Miss Susan?’ His stare had been as disconcerting as his words. Words which he had used bluntly, with little sympathy for her newly discovered uncertainty,
‘How could it be easy?’ she had flung at him with tired indignation. ‘If you were aware of the facts, then perhaps you might understand.’
‘Oh, John did explain quite a lot as I helped him settle in,’ he assured her mockingly. ‘It’s not beyond comprehension. But you’re beginning to find, are you not, that facts and emotions are two different things?’
‘You could be right.’ Reluctant as she was to concede him even this one point, Sue’s voice had been little above a whisper.
His eyes had narrowed sharply on her tense face. ‘If I were you,’ he’d suggested, ‘I’d look at the situation through the eyes of a child viewing a
foster-parent for the first time. Then you might not feel so distracted.’
‘But with foster-parents there are usually no - well, blood ties.’
‘Which doesn’t always count half as much as we like to think. It’s often the associating ties which are more important. You and your father haven’t any of these as yet. Maybe you never will.’
She had stumbled away from him then without replying, hating him a little for his cruel remarks while unable to deny the veracity of them. He might have succeeded in clearing a degree of confusion from her mind, but she didn’t like him any the better for it. ‘Say good night to him for me, please,’ she had whispered, half over her shoulder as she had run clumsily upstairs. This morning she couldn’t somehow remember whether he had answered her or not.
She could scarcely remember getting into bed. Dimly she did recall how Mrs. Lennox had whipped off her clothes with seemingly practised hands, having her between the sheets in minutes. ‘You’ll feel better tomorrow, dear,’ she had smiled, glancing intently at Sue’s tired face. ‘I’ve been a nurse and I should know. Mr. Frazer has been telling me the news and I’m delighted. Delighted, too, that you’re so pretty. I’ve often wondered what you would be like. ’
Strange words, now that she came to consider them, totally inexplicable. Sue frowned, then shrugged her bare shoulders impatiently. Mrs. Lennox must have a lot to do, and had probably just phrased her thoughts wrongly. Anyway, she could ask her later, after she had had a cup of tea. An unfamiliar longing for one made Sue wonder about the time, and as she groped around for her watch, she remembered also that Mrs. Lennox had added before she went that she wouldn’t be here today. Whatever else that might mean it certainly seemed cle
ar that she wouldn’t be around with any early morning tea. In any case it was after seven and she must get up and see how John Frazer was feeling.
But before she could move there came a knock on the door, and before she had time to even acknowledge it the door opened and Meric Findlay strode into the room. Utterly surprised, Sue had barely time to pull a sheet up to her chin before he seemed to be towering over her, thrusting a cup of tea on to her bedside table.
Vaguely, in the midst of turmoil, Sue heard herself thanking him as his eyes raked over her stunned face. His glance was compelling, impaling her against her pillows as unmercifully as a butterfly on a pin. Hardily he disregarded her tentative thanks, not beating about the bush as
his eyes met her dilating ones. ‘You’d better drink that quickly. Mrs. Lennox isn’t here, and your father isn’t well. And, as you’re partly responsible, I’m afraid you’ll have to help look after him.’
Unnoticed, the edge of the sheet escaped Sue’s nerveless fingers as his words jerked her upright, exposing the taut lines of her slim young figure beneath the thin silk of her nightdress. ‘How do you mean, not well?’ Her voice managed to be almost as sharp as his as she stared back at him in consternation. She ignored her tea.
He picked it up again, forcing her to take it. ‘Get it down,’ he said curtly. ‘You still look washed out. I don’t want two invalids on my hands. I do lead a fairly busy life, and all this feminine dithering is tune-consuming.’
The Kilted Stranger Page 4