Heir to Glengyle

by Miriam Macgregor

  Was this his way of indicating he disapproved of her accepting gifts from Amy? she wondered. Then doubt crept in as she recalled that only the day before yesterday he’d advised her to accept graciously whatever Amy wished to offer. And then enlightenment dawned as she realised he could not be expected to admire a Campbell kilt, no matter how beautifully the pleats hung.

  When she least expected it he turned and surveyed her, drawling in a sardonic tone, ‘Very voguish, Miss Campbell.’

  She smiled sweetly. ‘I thought you’d never notice—although I can hardly believe that you really think so—Mr MacGregor.’

  ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘Obviously for you it’s the wrong tartan.’

  He looked at her thoughtfully. ‘I’m afraid you don’t really know much about me. You’re unaware that high-quality woollen goods always please me, no matter what colour of pattern. Just look at the excellence of these rugs.’

  And so her smart appearance was dismissed as he turned his attention back to the shelves and their contents. Nor could she understand why she should feel so disappointed in his lack of interest, especially when it was what she’d expected.

  A short time later they were joined by Amy, who had completed her own shopping, and when Baird examined the contents of the plastic carrier bags he displayed much more interest in the shoulder cape and poncho than he’d given to the new garments Cathie was wearing. ‘Very nice,’ he said. ‘Are you ready to go home now? I suspect Elspeth will be wondering where we are.’

  ‘She will not,’ Amy assured him. ‘She’s out visiting a friend. But in any case I am ready, because I want to wrap a couple of small gifts to take to your mother.’

  He looked pleased as he said, ‘That’s kind of you. May I ask what they are? Something you’ve bought here—?’

  ‘Indeed no. They’re two Royal Doulton figurines I have at home—my own, and not part of the Glengyle Estate,’ she added quickly.

  He laughed. ‘It wouldn’t matter if they were.’

  She went on, ‘I call them my two old dears because they’re both elderly women. One is a sitting figure in a brown skirt and tartan shawl. She holds a bunch of coloured balloons which she hopes to sell. I always feel sorry for her.’

  ‘And the other?’ Baird queried.

  ‘The other wears a blue dress and white apron. She bends forward slightly while holding a jug of milk and a saucer to feed her cat, which squats before her with one paw up. Her expression indicates that she adores the cat.’

  ‘I’ve noticed them,’ Cathie put in. ‘They’re both on the windowsill in the lounge.’

  ‘I’ve always loved them,’ Amy admitted to Baird. ‘I hope your mother will also love them.’

  ‘And you’re sure you’re willing to sacrifice them? Amy, you’re very sweet,’ he said softly.

  ‘Not at all,’ she returned in a brisk manner. ‘It’s just that I wouldn’t take anything to her unless it was something that I myself really liked.’

  When they reached home Amy led the way towards the lounge, but at the doorway an exclamation of dismay escaped her. ‘Oh, dear—they’ve gone!’ she cried. ‘Where can they be? And look—the window has been left slightly open. Do you think they could’ve been lifted through—?’

  ‘That’s hardly likely, in broad daylight,’ Baird pointed out. ‘Perhaps Elspeth has moved them.’ He put his arms about Amy, drawing her close to him in an effort to comfort her, then produced a clean handkerchief to wipe a tear that had appeared on her cheek.

  ‘Do you usually leave windows open when you go out?’ Cathie asked.

  ‘No, never. And Elspeth is always so careful,’ Amy said.

  Watching Baird, Cathie felt moved by his sympathy towards the older woman. The fact that he really cared for Amy became emphasised in her mind, and not for the first time she wished that his underlying antagonism towards herself could be wiped away.

  He looked at her across the top of Amy’s head. ‘I think a cup of tea would be a help. Would you make one while we search in the other rooms?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ She went to the kitchen where the recollection of his attentions to his stepgrandmother remained with her, and as she filled the electric kettle she visualised them walking through the rooms, his arm still about Amy’s shoulders.

  They returned to the living room as Cathie was pouring the tea. ‘You must stop worrying about them,’ Baird declared firmly. ‘They are sure to come back.’

  ‘Back from where?’ Amy demanded.

  He made an effort to lift her spirits by talking cheerful nonsense. ‘The balloon seller has probably waddled down the street in search of a customer—and as for the lady in blue, she’ll have taken her cat out to the garden to dig a small hole.’

  But Amy was not amused. She said little as she drank her tea, and she was obviously upset. She also felt weary, and little was needed to persuade her to lie down in her bedroom for a short rest.

  When Cathie took her upstairs she noticed that Elspeth had completed the packing of one suitcase, which stood ready to be carried downstairs, while the other case lay open and waiting for last-minute articles such as the purchases made that afternoon. She laid the poncho and cape on the case, then saw Amy comfortably on the bed before going downstairs to attend to the tea dishes.

  When she reached the living room Baird was gathering the cups and saucers. He placed them on the tray, which he carried towards the kitchen in silence.

  Cathie followed him, her eyes noting the breadth of his shoulders. Even from the back there was an attraction about this man—a magnetism that would make any woman desire to know him better, she realised. Not that she had any intention of allowing herself to respond to it. Just a little less antagonism from him was all she asked. Then she brushed the thought aside and ran hot water into the sink to wash the dishes.

  He lifted a teatowel to wipe the cups then asked thoughtfully, ‘Do you think she could’ve been mistaken about her two old dears being on the windowsill?’

  Cathie had become conscious of his nearness as he stood beside her, but she managed to sound calm. ‘No, I saw them there. But like you I wondered if Elspeth had moved them, although when you mentioned it Amy shook her head as if that was something Elspeth wouldn’t do.’

  ‘Why didn’t you press the point? It would have given her a comforting thought to grasp.’ His tone held a definite reprimand.

  She turned to stare at him, then retorted sharply, ‘Because I couldn’t be sure about it. I hesitated to give her hope that could come crashing down. Do I detect censure coming from you? But of course there’d be nothing new about that would there?’ She began to wipe the bench with more force than was necessary.

  ‘Can’t you understand that I’m upset on Amy’s behalf?’

  ‘And that gives you sufficient excuse to lash out at me?’

  ‘You’re over-reacting,’ he said tersely. ‘Do you always exaggerate to this extent?’

  ‘Only when unwarranted criticism gets under my skin—although I should be accustomed to it by now,’ she added bitterly.

  ‘Has it been so bad?’ he queried softly.

  She avoided his question by asking one of her own. ‘Why didn’t you press the point of it being possible for Elspeth to have moved the figurines? It was you who first mentioned it, if you care to remember.’ There was no censure in her own voice.

  But instead of bringing forth a reason he side-stepped the issue by saying, ‘This bickering is getting us nowhere. Amy would not be amused. She would tell us to kiss and makeup.’ And without waiting to see whether she would agree to this suggestion he drew her into his arms.

  She sighed as she leaned against him, then admitted, ‘In our peculiar situation it’s better to be friends— I suppose.’

  ‘You only suppose? You’re not certain about the question?’

  She gave a shaky laugh. ‘Oh, yes, I’m certain.’

  His arms did not relax their hold, and for several moments they stood in silence until his hand m
oved to tilt her chin. Nor did she make any effort to resist his lips coming to rest upon her own. Again, as in the church, she became conscious of the delicious tremors pulsating through her nerves, and as her blood began to race she decided there was something nice about pushing hostilities aside if this was to be the result.

  As the kiss lengthened his arms tightened about her, and as it deepened she felt herself becoming mesmerised into the state of a hypnotised rabbit, dazzled by car lights. But suddenly it ended, and she opened her eyes as he put her from him with a gentle movement.

  ‘I must finish packing my own case,’ he said in a matter-of-fact tone, then he left the room without a backward glance and as though the kiss had never occurred.

  His departure left her feeling bereft, causing her to turn round and grip the bench almost as if needing support. Then she shook herself mentally, pulled herself together and finished putting the cups and saucers away.

  An hour later everything appeared to be back to normal. Elspeth had returned from visiting her friend and was putting previously prepared dishes in the oven. Amy had come downstairs and Baird was pouring drinks.

  Amy took a few sips of sherry, then broached the subject that was uppermost in her mind. ‘Elspeth, have you seen my two old dears recently?’ she asked in a quiet voice.

  The question surprised Elspeth. ‘You mean the pair you intend taking to Baird’s mother? Yes, I’ve seen them.’ Her hand flew to her mouth as she gave a gasp of dismay. ‘Oh, dear—I believe I left the lounge window open. I pushed it up to let in fresh air.’

  Amy ignored the confession. ‘My two old dears—I can’t find them. I’ve searched everywhere,’ she said in a pathetic voice.

  ‘Have you looked in the suitcase I packed for you?’ Elspeth asked.

  ‘Suitcase? You mean the one that’s already closed?’ Amy’s voice now echoed relief.

  ‘That’s right. I was afraid they might be forgotten, so I packed them this afternoon before I went out,’ Elspeth assured her.

  Amy smiled happily. ‘I’m thankful I know where they are.’

  Cathie also felt happy. The incident had ended well, and had even given her moments in Baird’s arms. But she now discovered him to be scowling at thoughts of his own. Was he now regretting their kiss in the kitchen? she wondered a little dismally.

  * * *

  The next day they drove to Edinburgh in Amy’s car, Elspeth going with them to bring the car back to Crieff. Baird took them for lunch at the Roxburghe hotel in Charlotte Square, and when curiosity caused Cathie to wander up the wide circular stairway to look at the numerous portraits she found that Baird had followed her.

  ‘Are you pleased to be going home—or would you prefer to live on this side of the world?’ he queried casually while examining the likeness of a bewigged gentleman who had lived three hundred years previously.

  She turned to look at him, their eyes almost level because he stood on a step below her. ‘I’ve enjoyed my few weeks in the UK—especially my short stay in Edinburgh. I love its cobbled streets and its tall granite-grey buildings with their grey roofs and windows with white facings. It’s a grey city, but somehow there’s a warm friendliness about it.’

  ‘You were here before going to Crieff? You went up to the castle?’

  She shook her head sadly. ‘No, I’m afraid not.’

  ‘We must do that next time we’re here,’ he said nonchalantly.

  She stared at him in amazement. ‘Next time? What are you talking about?’

  ‘Surely you’ve realised that Amy will have to be shepherded home, when and if she wishes to return. She refused to make the journey without you—therefore you’d better be ready for any eventuality.’

  ‘Such as what?’

  He shrugged. ‘Such as a sudden bout of homesickness. She may even quarrel with her sister. One never knows what can happen. That’s when I’ll take you to see Edinburgh Castle.’

  ‘You mean—you’ll be with us?’

  ‘Of course. Didn’t I have a hand in persuading her to make the trip? I wouldn’t allow you to struggle alone, especially with luggage for the pair of you.’

  She said, ‘To be honest I have wondered about her return trip, but each time I’ve thought of it I’ve pushed it away.’ Then, after a few moments of thoughtful silence, she asked, ‘When we reach New Zealand, shall we need to stay in your house very long, Baird?’

  He sent her a sharp glance. ‘You can count on being there for at least a week. Have you any objection to doing so?’

  ‘Not really.’ She took a few steps further up to examine another portrait, turning away from him before he could read the eagerness in her eyes because, strangely, she was now quite keen to see his home and the way he lived. Why this curiosity should take hold of her she had no idea—nor did she care to look too deeply for its reason.

  His voice held a hard note as he said, ‘If you’re so very anxious to leave my house you may do so at any time. As I told you before, my neighbour, Lola, is more than capable of caring for Amy.’

  ‘Is she indeed? Then hear this: I’ve no intention of deserting Amy by handing her over to your friend. She’d be most upset—while Mother and Gran would be furious with me,’ Cathie responded angrily, justly annoyed by the knowledge that he could dispense with her own services so quickly and easily. In fact it seemed as if he couldn’t care less whether she was there or not, and this irritation filled her with a strong desire to hit him. However, she controlled the impulse.

  He grinned, then said teasingly, ‘I’m sure Amy would soon become accustomed to Lola’s ministrations.’

  ‘Only if necessary—which does not happen to be the case,’ she snapped at him, her irritation becoming obvious.

  ‘Yesterday I thought I’d kissed our differences away—’

  ‘That was just your oversized ego,’ she flung at him, then tried to brush past to make her way down the stairs.

  But she had forgotten the narrowness of one side of the curving stairway. Her foot slid off the edge of a step and a gasp escaped her as her hand shot out to clutch at the banister. She would have fallen had it not been for the swiftness of Baird’s arms, which caught and held her against him in a tight grip.

  He looked down into her face to drawl mockingly, ‘Let that be a lesson to you to watch your step.’ Then, still holding her firmly, he placed light kisses on her brow, cheeks and lips.

  As he did so a man who was probably a hotel guest came up the stairs. He grinned broadly as he said, ‘Tut, tut, laddie—there are bedrooms for those who have more than looking at the portraits in mind—’

  Cathie’s face went scarlet as she wrenched herself free, and again she found it necessary to grab at the banister. Then she spoke coldly to the stranger. ‘Actually, I had just fallen—’

  The man’s grin became even broader. ‘You mean for this young fellow? Felicitations. He’s a fine specimen—not bald yet and no doubt still has his own teeth.’ Laughter escaped him as he continued on his way up the stairs.

  Cathie felt shaken. ‘Why didn’t you tell him I’d just slipped?’ she hissed at Baird.

  The brown eyes twinkled. ‘Do you think he’d have believed me?’

  ‘Why shouldn’t he have believed you?’ she demanded indignantly.

  ‘Because you look like a girl a man would most definitely want to kiss,’ he responded in a serious manner.

  The unexpected compliment caused her to gape at him, but at the same time she felt secretly pleased, and as they went down the stairs the atmosphere between them became lighter. However, Cathie still felt shaky and was deeply conscious of the fact that Baird had kissed her again. Did it mean he was beginning to like her just a little? Or did it mean that he had temporarily forgotten she was a Campbell?

  When they reached the lower floor they found that Amy and Elspeth were beginning to say their farewells. ‘Don’t worry about the house,’ Elspeth was saying. ‘We’ll take care of everything and give the car an occasional run. Just let me know when you’re due
home again and I’ll meet you at the Edinburgh airport.’ She turned to look at Baird and Cathie. ‘The house will seem to be so empty without you.’ Then she added significantly, ‘But you will come back? I trust that my dear Amy won’t be allowed to travel home alone.’

  ‘Not a chance of it,’ Baird assured her while guiding them towards the hotel dining room.

  Later they drove to the airport, where they boarded a plane for the flight from Edinburgh to Heathrow, and on reaching there Cathie was glad to have Baird’s assistance in guiding Amy through the luggage and ticket formalities of the large airport where crowds stood in queues while making their way to destinations across the world.

  Eventually it was late evening before they were ushered to their seats in the Raffles-class cabin of the Singapore Airlines jumbo jet, and by that time Amy was showing signs of weariness. However, she revived sufficiently to enjoy the meal and champagne served by the efficient and sweetly smiling almond-eyed hostess who looked so attractive in her closely fitting long paisley-patterned dress.

  Conditions were not cramped, and as she sat between Amy and Baird Cathie felt herself being wafted into a state of comfortable contentment. The reason for this, she told herself, was that her great-aunt and her grandmother would soon be united after so many years. It had nothing to do with the fact that the devastating man on her right would be sitting beside her for hours and hours.

  Would she know him any better by the end of the flight? Would their relationship be just a little closer? She closed her eyes, wondering what could be sending her thoughts in such a direction—unless it had been the tall, slim glass of pale gold champagne, and the refill she’d enjoyed. Had it had the same effect upon Baird?

  She flicked a swift glance to her right, but he was engrossed in the magazine retrieved from the pocket of the seat in front. And then a glance to the left showed that Amy had fallen asleep, her head resting against the seat-back which had been adjusted by the hostess, who had also covered her with a light, warm rug.

  Cathie had no wish to read, therefore she leaned her head against the back of her own seat and, closing her eyes again, tried to doze. But a short time later the aircraft began to shudder and rock violently. Her eyes flew open as she sat bolt upright, clutching at the arms of the seat in sudden panic while turning to Amy. But the older woman scarcely stirred, and Cathie realised she’d taken a sleeping pill. ‘Please fasten seat belts,’ ordered a voice.