Down the Rabbit Hole
Page 39
She was so caught up in grief, she could barely recall the events of the day. It had been Jamie who had found her, lying beside the laird on Stag’s Head Peak, her arms locked around his still body, her face buried in his neck. The lad had to pry her arms free. Wrapping her in a dry woolen cloak, he’d helped her up to the saddle of his mount before draping the laird’s body across the back of his favorite stallion.
Taking up the reins of the laird’s horse, the lad pulled himself up behind Beth and was forced to hold tightly to her or she would have surely fallen, she was so limp and weakened by her grief and pain.
As they’d made their way back to the lodge, people in the village came out of their houses and stood in silence, watching the sad procession. All had known about the curse, and all had kept the laird’s secret, out of love and devotion to him.
When they’d reached the courtyard of the lodge, every member of the laird’s staff stood in a straight column, heads bowed, faces somber.
An old man hobbled forward and helped Jamie remove the laird’s body from the horse. At once old Maura appeared with a length of ivory linen in which to wrap the body.
When that was done, Jamie indicated Beth. “The lady needs tending.”
“No.” She slid from the saddle and knelt on the stone paving to place a hand on the linen shroud. “My needs are not important now. First we must see to the laird, and give him a proper burial.”
“Aye.” Maura, grateful for the chance to do something, took charge. “We’ll summon the old friar and send word to the village that the laird’s funeral will be before dusk.”
And so it had been done. Right now the villagers and the members of the laird’s household retreated to the great hall, eating a meal in Colin’s honor, and talking quietly among themselves about the good man they had lost, and what would happen to Stag’s Head Lodge going forward. There was word that the old laird’s brother had a son, a cousin near the age of Colin, whose quiet dignity and calm demeanor would continue the course set by his predecessors.
And now, Beth thought, her own future stretched out before her, empty and meaningless. She had found the great love of her life. And, just as quickly, had lost him.
Was it possible for her, after all this, to return to the life she’d known before Colin?
The thought of returning to the city, of struggling daily to please her stern, demanding aunt, of pretending that the work she did, the business she conducted, meant anything at all to her, was unimaginable.
How could she possibly go on?
Even though I must die, I will never leave you.
“But you have, Colin. Why did you make that impossible promise?” Her whispered words caused a fresh round of tears. “You’ve left me, and nothing will ever be the same.”
She wished with all her heart that the world would just go away and leave her to this all-encompassing grief.
Drained beyond belief, she closed her eyes.
* * *
“Here, now. What’s this? What’s happened?”
When Beth heard that much-loved voice, her eyes opened and she found herself staring into the familiar eyes of her beloved.
“Colin?”
“Aye. I’m Colin Gordon. And you’d be . . . ?”
“Beth. Beth Campbell.” She struggled to sit up. “But you’re . . .”
She blinked, and realized that this man, with Colin’s face, was wearing corduroy slacks and a fisherman’s knit sweater with patches at the elbows. His hair, though dark as midnight, was cut short. His voice was cultured, with the merest hint of a Scottish burr to it.
And then she realized that she was wearing her charcoal silk business suit and designer shoes, and lying along the side of the road.
“I was . . .” She swallowed. What was going on here? Had she actually lived in that other time and place? Or had she been having a hallucination, brought about by the bump to her head?
“I was on my way to Stag’s Head Lodge when my car stalled, and when I started walking I fell and hit my head . . .”
“Indeed you did. And I can see why, wearing shoes with those stiletto heels.” He put up his hands. “Wait. You musn’t try to stand. Let me carry you.”
He lifted her easily in his arms and started toward a waiting Rolls-Royce, where a handsome youth was seated behind the wheel. Beside him, setting up a chorus of barking, were several beautifully-groomed hounds.
“Hush now.” At that single command, the dogs sat back, tongues lolling, as he settled her in the backseat before sitting beside her.
“Let’s get our guest to the lodge, Jamie.”
“Aye, m’lord.”
As the car began rolling toward the lodge, Beth’s host took her hand in his, sending the most delicious curls of heat along her spine. “I hope you don’t mind that, after receiving your letter, I took the liberty of asking my stepsiblings to stay home this weekend.”
“You did?”
He nodded. “I don’t want any distractions while I show you around. There’s so much to see. The lovely loch, where I’ve been fishing since I was a lad. All the quaint shops in the village.”
“I stopped in Stag’s Head Village on my way, and it was lovely. The old gentleman in the bake shop couldn’t say enough good things about you.”
“That would be Hanley. A sweet friend and a fine tenant.” He smiled, and Beth felt her heart doing a strange dance in her chest.
“Not to mention an outstanding baker. I thoroughly enjoyed his scones.”
“Wait until you taste Mrs. MacKay’s bread pudding. There’s no one around here who can match it.”
Beth sighed. “I can’t wait.”
He continued holding her hand. “I hope this doesn’t sound too presumptuous of me, but if I were to ask you to stay on for an extended visit, would you think me too bold?” Before she could respond, he added, “Though I suppose, if you did stay on, you would probably miss New York too much.”
She gave a quick shake of her head. “At the moment, New York seems so very far away. I doubt I’ll miss it at all. In fact, I don’t know how anyone could ever bear to leave all this beauty to live in the city.”
“Do you know how much it pleases me to hear you say that?” He lowered his voice. “I know you’ve come to negotiate the sale of my ancestral estate, but I should warn you that no amount of money will tempt me. It isn’t for sale at any price.”
“Then why did you agree to see me?”
“Why indeed? I think you know, sweet Bethany. I’ve been waiting for you for a very long time. It feels like hundreds of years, in fact.”
She felt a quick hitch around her heart. “It’s true, then? I didn’t dream it?”
He squeezed her hand and stared at their joined hands before looking up into her eyes. “I hope you’re prepared for a very long stay.”
“How long?”
He caught a stray strand of her hair and watched as it sifted through his fingers. “I think you know.”
As they pulled into a paved courtyard, she heard the pealing of bells, and caught a glimpse of a small chapel to one side of a lovely rose garden.
“Tomorrow I’ll show you where my ancestors are buried.”
“I’d like that very much. And I want you to know that I understand why you will never part with this estate. This is hallowed ground.”
“Exactly. Our hearts and minds are in sync, Bethany. Come.”
She accepted his hand and slid from the car to see a plump, gray-haired woman standing in the doorway, smiling in welcome.
Instead of merely leading the way, he dropped an arm around her shoulders, and she felt the warmth of his touch all the way to her toes. “It’s time you say hello to old Maura. She’s been on pins and needles ever since she learned you were on your way.”
She paused to look up into his eyes. “Tell me the truth. Is this really happ
ening? Or is it more magic?”
His smile was quick and easy. “Who can say what is real and what is magic? Instant attraction? Love at first sight? How to explain them? Many have tried. But only those who’ve experienced it can know for certain.” He paused before adding, “This much I know, Bethany. You and I are real. And I do believe we’re both ready to accept whatever . . . magic the Fates decree.”
Beth looked around at the ancient castle, the beautifully tended gardens, the little chapel, with its cherubs and stone markers standing guard over the graves of Colin’s ancestors.
Though this was her first trip to Scotland, she knew this place intimately. And whether she had lived here in ancient times, or it had all been a strange dream brought on by a fall, she knew, without a doubt, that her lonely heart had, at long last, found its home.
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