The Kilted Stranger

by Margaret Pargeter

  CHAPTER SIX

  THE plane from Turnhouse Airport to London seemed to be full of wealthy tourists and business men. Sue subsided quickly into her seat, not because she was glad to sit down -she had been sitting all the way from Glenroden that morning - but because she and Meric were not on their own. Carlotte was with them. They had picked her up at Perth, and now she was sitting in front with Meric, her dark head very near his shoulder.

  Irrationally, the only grain of comfort which Sue could glean from the situation lay in the fact that Meric had not been directly responsible for Carlotte being here. It was only yesterday, when Carlotte had called, that John had innocently mentioned Sue’s pending trip, adding that Meric was going too. Carlotte, quick-witted as usual, had professed to be delighted. It would be an ideal opportunity to visit her mother who lived in Kent, she said. They could all travel together.

  Sue had been surprised to learn that Carlotte had a mother, until she remembered when she had first met her in Edinburgh. Carlotte had been on her way to see her mother then, but it seemed strange that she didn’t live with her all the time. She had asked John

  about it when Carlotte had gone in search of Meric, to arrange to be picked up.

  ‘Her mother married again,’ John told her briefly, ‘years ago, but for some reason or another Carlotte doesn’t get on with her stepfather, so doesn’t live with them. She visits, and her mother comes to Edinburgh, but that’s as far as it goes. Just as well, really,’ he had grunted, ‘as Carlotte likes to rule the roost.’

  Sue hadn’t asked any more questions, content to leave it at that. Carlotte obviously had a legitimate excuse for her journey, she decided, as she fastened her seat belt following the instructions of the charming stewardess. Come to that it might not be fair to call it an excuse at all. Seemingly Carlotte visited her mother quite often. It made sense that she didn’t like to travel on her own.

  All this sweet reasonableness on Sue’s part didn’t stop her glancing wistfully in Meric’s direction as the plane took off. This was her very first flight, although he didn’t know it, and she would have welcomed him by her side. Instead she had a tired-looking tourist, to whom flying was obviously no novelty as she was already half asleep. Rather frightened, as the huge Trident left the ground, Sue closed her eyes, trying to concentrate her thoughts on something else.

  It was actually four days since that morning in the kitchen when Meric had suggested this trip. She hadn’t been easily persuaded, and even now she was wondering if she’d been wise. Quickly opening her eyes, she stared at the back of his dark head and broad shoulders, still uncertain that she was doing the right thing.

  At the time Meric had swept her doubts impatiently to one side. ‘It seems the sensible thing to do,’ he had pointed out emphatically. ‘You might need help of some kind, and your friend Tim Mason might not be available.’ This last with a glint in his eye.

  Sue had found herself protesting hotly without meaning to. ‘I should have to let Tim know ...’

  ‘Know what?’ His question had cut through the sharp morning air.

  ‘That I’m giving up the flat, of course. He’s been keeping an eye on it for me.’

  ‘Which means that he has a key?’ The glint in his eye had deepened, not very pleasantly.

  Sue still remembered the heat in her cheeks as she had flashed him a look. ‘It’s not what you think! There was no one else.’

  ‘So you keep telling me, Susan my darling, but you must be prepared to admit that it rather strains the credulity?’

  The evening before he had called Carlotte ‘my love’! Was there no limit to his arrogance!’ “You must think what you will,’ Sue had replied stiffly. ‘You seem to enjoy putting the worst construction on anything I do.’

  He had stared at her closely for a long tense moment before appearing to shake off his black mood with a mocking twist of his lips which might have been a smile. ‘Put it down to jealousy if it makes you feel better, Sue. Other women have derived much pleasure in doing just that.’

  ‘Where you’re concerned?’ Her raised eyebrows had imbued the question with a fine contempt, and for a split second his brilliant dark gaze had hardened threateningly.

  Then suddenly his dry smile had deepened into a ring of laughter. He was amused and not troubling to hide it. ‘Just when I feel like putting you over my knee, I find myself wanting to do something else! To be on the safe side we’d better get back to our original discussion.’

  While her heart had turned over in her breast he had talked casually of flying to London, of going down one day and coming back the next. Only an hour from Edinburgh, he had said, but he didn’t mention expense! She had had no idea how much it would be, but surely it was much more expensive than going by car or rail? When she had mentioned this tentatively, he had exclaimed:

  ‘If you’re worrying about the cost, then don’t! I think Glenroden can take care of that. You haven’t been exactly idle over the last few weeks. Consider it in lieu of salary, if it will make you feel better. ’

  Sue’s hands clenched angrily on her lap. How he loved to ride roughshod over people’s feelings! His few ambiguous remarks had told her quite clearly that he realized she had little money to spare of her own. She had longed tempestuously to throw his offer back in his face, but something, she knew not what, stopped her, and the moment in which she might have refused came and went, leaving her lips to utter a formal protest, but only weakly, ‘How could we both be away when Father’s so ill?’

  ‘So ill?’ For an instant she had thought Meric looked startled. ‘Yes, I suppose he is,’ he conceded guardedly. ‘But he could go on the way he is for years. His condition isn’t critical. In between attacks he keeps fairly well. I think we might safely leave him for a couple of days with Mrs. Lennox. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s looked after him, and there are plenty of men around the place should she need any help.’

  A hundred doubts had continued to plague her mind, in spite of what Meric said, yet the idea of going with him wasn’t to be resisted. The true reason for Meric’s going might be clouded in obscurity. She had a suspicion, which she tried to discard, that it was to ensure she returned. John, who was obviously relieved that at last she was getting rid of the flat, had possibly asked him to go, and he couldn’ t refuse. Whatever the reason, she had been in the mood to clutch at straws without querying too closely what had prompted them to blow in her direction.

  The plane was comfortable and well heated, for which Sue was grateful. The coat she wore was thin, too thin for October in the Highlands. From the flat she would collect her warmer clothing. At least, if not very up to date, it would see her through until she was in a position to earn some money for replacements. After take-off she found herself enjoying the flight, the thrill of a new experience dissolving some of her previous gloom. The wide vista of the British Isles spread out below them was breathtaking. Viewed from this angle everything looked completely different, and although many landmarks eluded her she found the trip absorbing enough to keep her mind off the two in front.

  All too soon, it seemed, they were at Gatwick. Incredibly it was little after three hours since they had left Glenroden, the flight from Edinburgh having taken just over an hour.

  With the whole day still in front of her, Sue didn’t even feel tired, and within a short time Meric was dropping her off in Kensington outside the flat.

  He told the taxi to wait while he escorted her to the door, refusing her invitation to come in, but staying to insert the key for which she fumbled in her bag. ‘You’ll be all right?’ The question could have been a statement, as his eyes swept her paler face.

  ‘Of course!’ Inadvertently her glance wavered away from his, going past him to where Carlotte sat impatiently in the taxi. It would be senseless to confess that now she was here, a host of misgivings beset her. While she had been away it had seemed possible to put the tragedy of her mother’s death behind her. Now it seemed to be coming back to haunt her, making her curiously
reluctant to enter the flat. But how could she explain all this to Meric especially when he was obviously not disposed to linger, and even finding the right words might be impossible.

  Besides, she had a sudden feeling he was a stranger. For the first time since she had known him he had abandoned his kilt for a dark blue town suit, in which he still looked extraordinarily attractive, but in an entirely different way. With his change of dress came a bewildering sophistication. That he was a man of the world, and of some experience, was quite apparent. It didn’t need the added incentive of well-groomed hair and smoothly shaved skin to confirm it. She could think of nothing to add to her brief observation.

  A slight frown creased his dark brows as she stood waiting for him to go. ‘Don’t forget,’ he said, ‘that you’re staying at the hotel tonight.’ Again he named the well known establishment which he had mentioned earlier. ‘I’ll probably be dining elsewhere, but I’ll check before I turn in to see if you’ve arrived.’

  Numbly Sue nodded as she watched him drive off, a smile, which she hoped appeared grateful, fixed to her lips. She bad no doubt that he would be spending the evening with Carlotte, although he hadn’t actually said so. Neither had Carlotte said anything about hurrying down to Kent! The flatness of unreasonable despair almost overwhelmed Sue as she closed the flat door behind her.

  For the next hour she tried desperately to adjust her feelings, but somehow the flat didn’t seem like home any more and she felt unable to associate herself with the place where she had spent a greater part of her life. Wandering aimlessly from room to room she couldn’t attach to any of it much reality. The brief apprehension she had known when she had first arrived faded quickly, and she felt no familiar stirring of distress. At Glenroden she had imagined the different environment accountable for her swiftly diminishing pain, but it was almost as if the life which she and her mother had led together had never been and, as before, Sue searched for some flaw in her own character which might explain her apparent heartlessness.

  In the end she gave up trying to analyse her reactions and set to work. The rooms were small, but on closer inspection, in spite of what she had told Meric, the furniture was comfortable and of excellent quality. All of which, she saw bitterly, reflected the generosity of her father’s allowance, if she had but known it. It seemed a shame to let it go with the flat for probably next to nothing. Eventually, after collecting and packing her few personal belongings, she decided to ring Tim and ask if there was anything he would like. Perhaps it would be a nice way of saying thank you for all that he’d done.

  She had been going to ring Tim in any case to let him know she was here, only she had forgotten that both the telephone and electricity had been cut off while she was away. It seemed more feasible to wait until nearer lunch time, as now she must go to the kiosk at the end of the street. When she was out she would find a cafe and have something to eat.

  Tim was delighted but surprised to hear from her, and immediately insisted on taking her to lunch. ‘You should have let me know,’ he reproached her indignantly. ‘I’ve been waiting daily for all the details of your remarkable adventure, and then you turn up! I’ve been trying desperately to get extra leave. I might have passed you on my way to Scotland, which wouldn’t have been much good!’

  Sue stared at him, aware of a flicker of dismay. Tim had brought her to the same restaurant where they had last had a meal together on that August day before she had gone to see her mother’s solicitor. When he had asked her to marry him, and she had refused. Or at least — she tried to remember with painful honesty - she had put him off because she hadn’t been enthusiastic, which probably wasn’t quite the same thing. Strange that she had almost forgotten such a momentous event. At the moment she could only feel disturbed that he had considered following her to Glenroden, ‘I don’t think it would be a good idea. Not now. ’

  Tim finished ordering before he replied, and a quick glance told Sue that her words had offended. Without much perception it was possible to read Tim like a book. He said now, his mouth pursed, ‘Surely it would be a good idea for me to come and check up? A wealthy father with a weak heart could need careful handling. Someone should be there to look after your interests!’

  ‘I didn’t ever say he was wealthy, Tim!’ Sue started at the casual mundanity of his remarks. ‘That is ... Well, I suppose he is quite well off, but I don’t know any details.’ ‘There you are!’ Tim’s voice was laced with triumph. ‘So easily deceived, my dear Sue. This manager fellow you talk about. In a situation such as you describe, that’s the type to watch!’

  ‘But I haven’t described anything, Tim. You’re making it up. I’ve only given you the bare facts. My father’s ill. I haven’t pried.’

  ‘Then you should have done, darling, for your own good. I’m only giving you the benefit of my experience. I’m used to reading between the lines. It’s part of my job.’

  Tim must be indispensable to his tax office! ‘Please,’ she tried to stem the self-righteous flow.

  He brushed her weak protest aside, his brown eyes sullen, ‘You tell me that you’re giving up the flat, leaving London for good What am I to think - or do?’

  ‘Tim,’ Sue stared at him unhappily, ‘you said when I first went to Scotland that I might find an elderly relation in need of care and attention. Well, my father had this long before I arrived, but I think he does need my companionship, and I intend to stay, just so long as he wants me. It’s probably irrelevant that I happen to like Glenroden, but I do. I’m only giving up the flat because it isn’t practical to keep it on. It doesn’t mean I won’t come back one day.’

  ‘But it’s highly unlikely. This manager fellow —’

  ‘I wish you wouldn’t go on about him!’ Sue interrupted sharply. ‘He does a splendid job. I don’t think he has any designs on my father’s property, and as a matter of fact, he came down with me today. ’

  ‘Good heavens!’ Tim pushed away his soup as if his appetite had gone. ‘See what I mean? He obviously can’t let you out of his sight. Maybe he thinks he’ll have you along with the estate when the old man goes.’

  ‘Tim!’ This time Sue’s voice was cold as she stared at him as if he had struck her. ‘You’ve no right to say such things. If you must think them then kindly keep such thoughts to yourself. I’ve explained the whole situation. If you can’t accept it ...’

  ‘Oh, hell, I know that!’ Tim shrugged elaborately. ‘And being a fool I’m deliberately bungling my chances.’ Remorsefully he leant across the table to engulf her hand with his, his expression pleading forgiveness. ‘It’s you I’m thinking about, Sue. You know I’ve loved you for a long time.’

  Which was news to Sue, although she didn’t actually say so. True, he had asked her to marry him, but partly she suspected with a view to settling in a comfortable flat. He had made no bones about the fact that he found her home attractive. Also attractive might be a wife with a small income of her own, plus the training and ability to earn a good salary. Besides, wasn’t his boss often hinting that the right wife could give a man

  the kind of stability he needed to put him in line for promotion?

  She knew an extra start of dismay when he added smoothly, ‘If you’re heiress to a Highland estate, any kind of estate for that matter, you need someone to look after your interests. This manager ...’

  ‘Meric Findlay is not interested in me personally, if that’s what you’re getting at,’ Sue broke in heatedly. Bleakly the truth of her statement paled her hot cheeks. As she stared back at Tim her grey eyes clouded with inner distress, grateful only that he couldn’t guess the true state of her feelings.

  ‘And you expect me to believe that?’ Speculatively his eyes swept the fine, clear outline of her face, the heavy, swinging hair which seemed to have acquired an extra polish from its weeks of freedom, the sensitive, curved mouth.

  Sue bit back an angry answer, not wishing to quarrel with him. It seemed senseless to spend the short time they had together in this way. ‘We did
n’t come down here alone.’ The words fell colourlessly from her taut lips. ‘There’s another girl with us whom Meric likes very much.’

  ‘Oh, I see!’ Visibly, a knowing smile on his lips, Tim began to relax, finding nothing to doubt in Sue’s forced indifference. “Well, that’s okay, but you know how things are. One can’t be too careful, and you never have been very worldly.’ He broke off abruptly and looked at his watch. ‘The darned time, Sue! I really must go. I’ll call for you this evening and we’ll have dinner somewhere. It’s too bad you didn’t let me know you were coming. You put me in quite a spot.’

  ‘Never mind, Tim,’ This time she ignored his air of reproach. ‘Remember you promised to look over the furniture?’

  He nodded, as he struggled into his coat. ‘I’d really like to take over your flat completely. It’s a lot more comfortable than my place, but according to your lease, subletting is out. Anyway, in my case, as a new tenant, they’d probably bump up the rent out of all proportion, and I couldn’t afford it just now.’

  Tim’s mind ran in circles, Sue grimaced with a wry smile as she watched him depart. It always returned to himself. Still, he was someone she knew and for the first time that she could remember in London she felt lonely. It would have been nice to have spent the afternoon with him. However, there was still plenty to do. Most of the things she wanted to keep were packed. Meric would arrange for these to go by rail, but there were some bits and pieces, old books and such-like which nobody would want. She must ask someone to dispose of those. Maybe the old man with the junk shop in Queen Street would help?

  The man said he would, and could call in an hour. Thankful, Sue started back to the flat. It was imperative she should have everything finished so that she could hand over the key to the solicitor tomorrow. In a way, especially if Tim didn’t want much, the sale from the furniture might cover the solicitor’s fees.

  Then at a small boutique on a corner she was sidetracked. It was the display in the large plate-glass window which stopped her so suddenly. Cleverly arranged over a raised pedestal was a chiffon nightgown with a matching negligee in a wonderful rose pink. Entranced, Sue gazed. She could imagine it toning beautifully with her fair hair and grey eyes. Apart from one thin nylon nightie which she had worn during the summer, all her night attire had consisted of pyjamas, usually boys’ pyjamas which her mother used to pick up cheaply at sales, which she had always insisted were better value than anything else. Not that Sue hadn’t been quite happy to wear them, but this in the window was something special. Not bridal exactly, but very, very nice.