“Glad to see you’ve still got my rose,” called a cheerful voice.
Rachel sighed when Ryan went rigid. She didn’t need to look up to know Thane was there, bare-chested, looking like a Celtic god. She gazed up into her husband’s furious face, petals of the squashed flower stuck to his chest.
“He gave you that?” he demanded.
“Yes but…”
“Now I know why you took so long.” It was his turn to stomp off into the gardens.
“Ryan, wait.”
“Someone’s touchy,” said Thane in his usual sunny way.
Ignoring him Rachel ran after her husband, letting the rose drop. “Ryan.”
He ignored her, picking up the pace.
“Ryan wait,” she yelled but still he refused to stop. Battler and Bruiser emerged on the path before him on their way back to the castle after their wasted search. “Stop him,” she told them.
They put themselves in Ryan’s path, blocking his way.
“Move,” Ryan said, glaring into their faces.
The brothers slowly shook their big bull heads, folding their arms across their chests, giving Rachel chance to catch up with him.
“Thank you,” she told the brothers who nodded and walked away, leaving them to it.
When Ryan tried to storm off again she grabbed his hand. “Stop being so childish.”
“Childish,” he yelled in her face. “I was going out of my mind with worry and all the time you were alone with that wanker.”
“I wasn’t with him all the time, it was just a couple of minutes at most. He gave me a flower he was planting, reminded me about dinner tonight and that was it.”
“I bet you indulged in some flirting too. No wonder you were so keen to get away from me.”
“Do you honestly think Thane’s a threat? What’s wrong with you? Do you know me at all?”
“You scared the shit out of me Rachel. For a moment I actually thought you’d been taken again. We still have enemies out there and we’re in Scotland, McVay territory.”
“They’re back in Glasgow, they have no influence up here.”
“How the hell do you know? After what Toni said to you only last night…”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t think of it like that.”
“You should have done. Never let your guard down. For all we know Toni is an acquaintance of Thane’s.”
That was why Ryan was so successful, because he thought of absolutely everything.
“Didn’t occur to you, did it?” he pressed.
“No,” she sighed. “I’m so tired of looking out for danger. I want to be normal.”
“We’re not normal. We never can be with our histories. All we can do is guard against any future threat as best we can and that means no wandering off alone with half-naked highlanders.”
“Will you please get over Thane? He’s meaningless to me. I love you, you’re the only man I’m interested in you silly bastard.”
He thrust his face into hers. “What did you call me?”
“A silly bastard,” she said rebelliously.
He ground his mouth against hers, sending her staggering backwards into the bushes.
As Thane wandered back to his garden with a wheelbarrow full of earth an unusual sound caught his attention from the direction of the love garden.
Abandoning his wheelbarrow he decided to investigate. What he spied through the bushes caused his jaw to drop. Rachel had the most impressive set of legs and they were on full display, her lucky bastard husband between them. It seemed they’d made up after their fall out, which was a shame.
Leaving them to it he retrieved his wheelbarrow and returned to his work, knowing he’d be thinking about those legs all day. Still, what was the point in having a love garden if it didn’t get used?
CHAPTER 11
Rachel and Ryan walked back to the castle with their arms around each other’s waists, Rachel’s head resting on his shoulder.
“Thank God you’ve made up,” said Jez when they entered the conservatory to find their little group gathered together, enjoying coffee. Sabine and Daina were finally up and had joined them.
Ryan and Rachel sat down together and Sabine poured them both a cup of coffee.
“Thanks,” said Rachel, gratefully taking her cup.
“You’ve got bits of grass in your hair Rach,” said Jez. She glared at him, willing him to shut up, but his grin only broadened. “Not again. Can’t you two control yourselves? I’ll have to call the police,” he said, making them all snigger, even Battler and Bruiser.
“Jez your wit is astonishing,” said Ryan. “Oscar Wilde reborn.”
“Who?”
Ryan rolled his eyes. “Never mind.” Secretly Ryan was pleased. His little brother was a very powerful man in his own right but he hadn’t let it change him. He was still good-natured without an ounce of arrogance and he prayed he always would be.
“What’s so wrong with a roll in the grass?” said Cathy. “You never do things like that to me.”
“Babe,” Jez exclaimed.
“The most interesting place we’ve done it is Castlefield.”
“You want exciting? Get in that garden right now and I’ll roll you about that grass good and proper.”
“I’d rather you didn’t Sir, it’s not good for the nasturtiums,” said the waiter they’d all failed to notice enter the room carrying a tray.
Jez was furious when the rest of them laughed.
“Listen you…,” began Jez.
“Let it go Jez. We’re here to enjoy ourselves,” said Ryan.
“You’ve been doing plenty of that,” he said sulkily, picking up his cup and draining it before slamming it down on the waiter’s tray, which nearly catapulted across the room before he steadied it. Appeased, the corner of Jez’s mouth lifted into a smile.
Rachel and Ryan spent the rest of the day touring the local area before heading back to their room to prepare for their meal with the laird.
“I’m not looking forward to this,” said Ryan, fastening the cuffs of his black shirt.
“Please behave.”
“I will if he does.”
“Then prove you’re the better man by not rising to the bait if he winds you up.”
“I don’t know why we’re bothering.”
“Because it’s a novel experience. Now come on grumpy, we’re going to be late.”
“Wouldn’t that be a tragedy.”
She whacked him on the backside, making him grin.
Jez and Cathy were already waiting in the bar when they descended.
“Where’s Battler and Bruiser?” said Rachel.
“They’ve taken Sabine and Daina to a restaurant in the village. We arranged to meet them back here later for drinks,” replied Jez.
“Oh Christ,” Rachel heard Ryan mutter.
“What is it?”
He nodded in the direction of the door, which Thane was walking through in full evening dress complete with dark green kilt, sporran, black Prince Charlie kilt jacket and bow tie.
“Wow,” said Cathy, earning herself a glare from Jez.
“I didn’t realise we were going to a transvestite club,” said Ryan.
“Don’t start,” whispered Rachel, trying not to smile.
“Good evening, so glad you could make it,” smiled Thane graciously. “If you’d care to follow me.”
The four of them let him lead them out of the bar and through the castle, Thane chatting pleasantly the entire way about the house and its history. Rachel could tell Ryan was very interested and would have liked to learn more but he was too proud to ask.
Cathy’s eyes kept slipping to Thane’s muscular calves. “Do you think it’s true?” she whispered to Rachel, taking her arm.
“Is what true?” she whispered back.
“That Scotsmen wear nothing under their kilts?”
“Why don’t you ask him?” Rachel replied mischievously.
“No way. Jez would hit the roof.” She eyed up her
husband. “He’s got good legs. Do you think he’d wear one?”
“No way am I even commenting on that. I’ve never seen his legs.”
“Ryan would suit one.”
“Probably,” she smiled.
Sensing he was being talked about, Ryan glanced back over his shoulder at them with a raised eyebrow and they both gave him sweet smiles in response.
“Here we are,” said Thane, pushing open a huge wooden door.
They walked into a vast stone room, the floor bare except for a huge rug on which sat a large oak dining table, six chairs ranged around it. Two imposing silver candelabras were the centre pieces of the table, accompanied by silver wine goblets, plate and cutlery. The walls were covered in ancient tapestries and old oil paintings. The lighting was subdued, just the wall sconces lit.
“I can picture Henry the Eighth eating here,” grinned Cathy. “Are we going to be tucking into a medieval feast?”
“Actually the chef is French so I’m afraid not,” smiled Thane, pulling out a chair for her to sit on, which she accepted with a delighted smile.
“Mr Law, if you would sit there,” said Thane, gesturing to the chair on the opposite side of the table to Cathy’s.
“We’re both called Mr Law,” replied Ryan flatly.
“Err, Jez is it?” said Thane.
“Yes, that’s me,” he replied, sitting opposite his wife.
“Ryan, may I call you Ryan?”
He glanced at Rachel, who glowered at him. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“If you sit at the end of the table there.”
Rachel was relieved when Ryan obediently took his place.
“Rachel you’re here, next to me,” smiled Thane, taking his place at the head of the table, leaving Rachel with the chair closest to his, on the same side of the table as Jez.
Ryan sat bolt upright in his seat. Thane had seated him the furthest away from his own wife, the sly bastard.
“This way we go boy, girl, boy, girl and Ryan,” Thane explained with a charming smile.
“Listen you…” began Ryan.
The look Rachel shot him silenced him. He didn’t want to fall out with her twice in one day. Besides he trusted his wife. It was the kilted Scotsman he didn’t trust.
“Drink anyone? Rachel?” said Thane.
“White wine please.”
“Very well. What would everyone else like?”
After they’d placed their orders Thane clicked his fingers and a white coated waiter appeared. Thane gave him their orders and he vanished again.
“I hope you all enjoyed the wedding,” said Thane, reclining back in his seat.
“It was perfect,” smiled Cathy.
“Yeah, Mikey and Amber were well made up,” added Jez.
“There was one guest I was very surprised to see,” he continued, crossing one leg over the other, Cathy’s eyes covertly studying his exposed knees. “Toni McVay.”
Ryan and Rachel glanced at each other, both equally worried.
“You know Toni?” said Ryan as casually as he could.
“Oh yes.”
Ryan looked to his brother, who’d gone rigid in his seat. When the door opened their heads snapped round, expecting to see Toni and her barmy uncle enter the room fully armed, but it was only the waiter with their drinks.
“How do you know her?” Rachel asked Thane as her wine was placed before her. “Are you friends?”
Ryan wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her, he was so impressed by the way she casually took a sip of wine and reclined back in her chair, not in the least bit perturbed.
“No I’m glad to say, but she is quite infamous in Scotland. Her brother was one of the most violent criminals our country’s ever known. Toni’s been in the papers a lot, she’s dated a few celebrities. Word is she’s taken over her brother’s empire. I was curious as to why she was here. Friend of yours?” he replied, taking a sip of the whisky his white coated waiter put before him.
“No,” replied Ryan, willing him to shut up.
Thane waited for him to elaborate, but when it became apparent he wasn’t going to he gave him a doubtful look.
“Is that what this dinner’s about?” said Jez. “So you could ask us about Toni?”
Thane shook his head. “Just curious. Like I say she is quite a celebrity, even way up here in Aberdeenshire. Ah, here we are.”
They were all relieved when the door opened and the food was brought in.
“I hope you all like pheasant, I shot it myself,” said Thane. “And the vegetables are home grown too.”
“In your private garden?” said Rachel.
“Yes, my private area,” he grinned, making her smile. “You enjoyed my love garden too, I believe?”
Ryan’s head snapped up. “Love garden?” He realised what Thane was referring to and cleared his throat. “It was very…nice.”
“I bet it was you lucky man.”
Rachel looked down at her plate and smiled into her pheasant.
“So tell me Rachel,” began Thane as he tucked into his food. “Have you had any mysterious visitors to your room in the middle of the night?”
Ryan threw down his fork. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I was referring to the ghost of one of my ancestors who’s supposed to haunt the Blue Room. Why, what do you think I mean?” he smiled.
Ryan picked up his fork. “Nothing.” His eyes slid sideways to Cathy, who was desperately trying not to laugh.
“We’ve heard about the ghost but no, nothing thankfully,” said Rachel.
“He doesn’t make an appearance very often, maybe once every few years.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” she smiled.
Everyone lapsed into silence as they enjoyed their food before Thane said, “there was something I wanted to discuss with you all.” He put down his knife and fork, as though he’d suddenly lost his appetite.
They all looked up from their plates expectantly.
“The estate’s losing money,” he began.
“I don’t see how at the prices you charge,” retorted Ryan.
“It’s since the recession hit. Not many people have the cash for big fancy weddings anymore. I own a distillery too, the profits of which have been supporting the running of the castle for two years now, but it can’t go on for much longer. If it does I’ll lose both businesses and the castle has been in my family for four hundred years. I will not be the laird who lost it,” he growled, thumping his fist down on the table.
“So that’s what this meal is all about,” said Ryan. “You want us to invest?”
“Yes.”
It was the first time Rachel had seen Thane serious. “That’s why you were working in the gardens yourself?”
“It wasn’t entirely a lie, it is a hobby of mine. I do still employ gardeners but not as many as I would like.”
“What would we be investing in? The business or the building?” she said.
“The business. The castle remains entirely mine.”
“Why would we want to invest in a failing business?” said Ryan.
“It won’t fail if I get more capital.”
“How can we be sure of that?”
“My proposal is you invest in a new venture on the estate. The Steadings. The old stables and barn have been left empty for years because I’ve never had enough spare cash to convert them. Now I want to do them up and let them out to businesses - a whisky shop, book shop, antiques, café, that sort of thing. There’s so much spare land on this estate I’m sure I can make it into an outdoor pursuits centre too and the river is great for salmon fishing. I also want to set up a petting zoo and adventure playground for the kids. Hopefully it’ll draw in the visitors and they might take the time to look at the castle too.”
“Perhaps run promotions for the castle with the shopkeepers?” said Rachel, getting into the swing of the conversation.
“Exactly. Both businesses could support each other.”
“Sounds
like an exciting venture,” she replied.
“And how much exactly would you want from us?” said Ryan from the other end of the table, interrupting the pair of them. The figure Thane rhymed off raised a humourless smile from Ryan. “That seems excessive.”
“It’s what’s required to get it off the ground,” countered Thane.
“And what do we get in return?”
“A forty nine percent share in the business with the option for me to buy you out after ten years.”
“So you’d remain majority shareholder?” said Ryan.
“It’s only right, I am the laird after all.” He looked to Jez. “You’d be welcome too.”
“Thanks but it’s not really my thing,” he replied, holding up his hands.
“To sweeten the pot I’ll throw in free access to the castle all year round whenever you want,” pressed Thane, addressing Ryan. “I have a suite of four rooms I normally keep reserved for special visitors but it would be entirely yours. If you have kids there’s plenty of room for them too. A little piece of Scotland just for your family,” he smiled.
“That’s not enough for the money you’re asking from us,” said Ryan.
“I knew you’d drive a hard bargain,” said Thane. “As an added incentive I’ll give you a ten percent stake in the distillery and all the free whisky you can drink.”
“We’d want to see your accounts and business plan first, just to make sure we’re not going to invest in a failure,” said Ryan.
“Naturally,” Thane replied confidently. “I have the business plan all drawn up.”
“You do know they live in Devon?” said Cathy. “Wouldn’t it be better to have someone more local invest?”
“He wants investors who won’t be constantly poking their noses in, don’t you Your Lordship?” said Ryan, reclining back in his chair and steepling his fingers together. “It’s hard to be much of a nuisance when you’re six hundred miles away.”
“You’ve got me there. So, what do you say?”
Ryan looked to Rachel.
“There’s no harm in taking a look,” she said.
“I’ll arrange that after dinner,” said Thane looking more cheerful. “First of all, let’s eat.”
Rachel glanced down the table at Ryan and smiled, whose only response was a raised eyebrow.
Aftermath (Dividing Line #6) Page 9