Edwina (10 page)

“Sir, I thank you for your generous offer,
but I do not think that I am suitable for such a position and as I
said I have a job back home.”

The man’s dark green eyes held hers
captive.

Edwina felt the inward groan of her heart.
Why in the world did he have to look at her like that? The man with
the deep voice and tall frame also contained a serious, almost sad
side.

She was free, could always
get another job, and this would be an
adventure
. A big adventure, she
reminded herself.

“It is a large request, but I am in need
almost immediately. I do not have time to interview and besides...
I cannot trust those here that I know.”

Why couldn’t he trust his friends? There must
be some sinister reason, she began to worry again.

“There are questions you may have that I
cannot answer at this time. I only know that you are trustworthy. I
will also pay your travel expenses and you will live free of room
and board at the farm on a small estate. The house will be yours
while I am away.”

Edwina was trying to wrap
her mind around the idea. It was an opportunity. One she knew would
never come to her again. She
could
stay and write her story here in the midst of the
Scottish mists and hear the brogue of the locals while she wrote.
Kill two birds with one stone, per se.

The Scot finished his food, even eating his
chips with his fingers. Edwina thought him rather cute, sitting
there with his sleeves rolled up eating fish and chips, and
smiled.

“You find something amusing?” He’d caught
her.

“Yes, the fact that the Laird of the castle
is eating fish and chips with his fingers.” She smiled, glad to
lighten the mood, so she could think.

“It
has
been quite a long time since
I’ve done so... perhaps since college days.” He
admitted.

“It’s good for you to relax.” She couldn’t
think of anything smart to say.

“I have been run amok for these last few
months.”

She pushed her empty cartons away and sat
back, trying to relax herself, but it was impossible. Could she,
Edwina Emily Blair, leave her safe apartment, her safe job, her
completely safe life and come to Scotland?

He gathered his things and hers and carried
them to the trash.

It’s only for a year Edwina Emily Blair, get
a grip. You could stay for one year. It may be your only chance to
write the story in the country where it takes place.

The moment he left the table, Edwina knew she
wanted stay.

Chapter 17

W
hen the morning light hit her face, Edwina knew she couldn’t
stay. Whatever she was feeling the night before was gone now. There
was no way she could possibly live in Scotland. Why had she been so
mesmerized with the idea? Because the Scot needed her that’s why.
She reasoned.
Had anyone ever really
needed her? That was plain silliness
, she
scolded herself. Not to mention she was tired from the constant
touring. She was ready to go home. Back to her safe
life.

He had given her until today to make up her
mind. Throwing the covers off, she stomped into the shower at the
hotel and scrubbed clean. She had a job to do and she would not do
it over the phone. The Scot had given her his number to let him
know of her decision. She had hardly slept through the night. She
had responsibilities. Her apartment lease renewal was three months
off, and what would she do with her Volkswagen? Not to mention her
position she’d worked so hard for at the library.

If she was patient, she might still have a
chance as head librarian if she stayed on. Besides, what would her
father do without her?

Edwina had exactly six hours before her
flight left for London and then home. The hotel checkout was eleven
o’clock but she was not inclined to sit around and wait. Should she
call for Reardon to come for her... no... she would take a bus out
to Dunnegin Castle and let the Scot know face to face. She was not
the right person for the job. There must be someone closer, someone
that would take the enviable position he was offering. The money
was more than she could ask for, but it was not the motivation she
should consider. Besides, what about his fiancé?. Another good
reason why she could not stay under the watchful eye of the
Laird.

After reading her Bible, she still was not
convinced she could do the job. Nary a word had come from the Lord
as to whether she should stay or go... so she allowed her practical
nature to rule her senses. It was easier that way. Common sense
told her she’d come there for a good reason and that was to keep
Cecelia’s $4000 from being wasted. That was a good reason. This,
however, was not.

“May I see a bus schedule?” she inquired at
the hotel counter.

“Aye, where might ye be going today?” The
lady asked kindly.

“Dunnegin Castle."

“Yes, it’s not far.”

“Hmmm...” Edwina studied the list. “I see a
bus leaves in fifteen minutes. Will I have time to make it back
here to the airport by seven o’clock?”

“Aye. If you leave on the half hour. You
should have time. Would you like to leave your luggage here while
you travel? We have a locked room for such purposes.”

“Thank you for stowing my luggage. She
followed the woman. “It’ll make the trip so much easier. I should
be back by four o’clock so I can get to the airport on time.”

“
You are quite welcome.
When you return inquire after your bags at the front counter. I’ll
add your name to the list.”

Edwina thanked the woman and made her way to
the bus station stop just outside the hotel entrance. Determined to
give her answer to Mr. Dunnegin with kindness, she whispered, “Lord
help me to know what to say.”

The early morning views from the bus as it
rolled along the curving streets out into the countryside drew a
certain sadness from her heart. She forced herself to put the
feelings away. Three quarters of an hour later, Edwina stood at the
end of the long drive at Dunnegin Castle. She started walking, the
wind catching her hair and blowing it hither and yon. Early morning
dew still rested on the grasses and the smell of freshened air
filled her lungs. She dare not dally nor look too long at the
rolling hills else she might throw her common senses to the winds
and stay.

When the door opened to her there stood
Bertie, hair sticking out and her apron askew. “Miss Blair... what
brings ya back?”

“May I see Laird Dunnegin, Bertie.” She saw
the scowl on her face and forgot she preferred her full name, not
the one Edwina had assigned to her. “Is he in?”

“He is ‘in’ as you say, but at his desk. Come
in, the wind is blustery this morn. I will announce you.”

Well, wasn’t Bertie formal this day? They’d
left on such good terms, Edwina wondered why she was austere and
stiff. That didn’t make what she had to do any easier.

In a moment Bertie returned and marched her
to the Laird’s office... a room that had not been opened to her
before. The Scot looked up and stood, offering her a chair. Once
she was seated, he sat down. “Have you an answer?” his manner was
forthright.

Why was everyone so solemn today?

“
Mr. Dunnegin, I want to
say thank you for trusting in me regarding the position you
offered. I have thought about it and realize I will not be able to
take the position.”

“Ah, I see. Perhaps the salary is not
enough?”

“Oh no, it’s not that...” What was it? She’d
forgotten the reasons. “It’s just that I feel someone else, someone
close here in Scotland would be a better fit for the position than
I would.”

“So you don’t think you could do the
job?”

“Oh, I think I could, it’s just that...
that... well, I have a good position and I... well I just cannot
accept.” Edwina twisted her hands in her lap.

“You are unconvincing, Miss Blair.”

Unconvincing? What did that mean?

“That may be, sir, but my
plane leaves this evening and I plan on being on it.” Edwina felt
stubborn and tearful all at the same time.
How dare he make her feel she couldn’t refuse his
offer.

The Scot stood and Edwina knew she was
dismissed. “You have made up your mind. I thank you for your time,
Miss Blair.”

“Yes...” she stood on shaky legs remembering
his help at the hotel that first night. And the trouble she’d
caused him. That in itself should have been warning enough to the
man to seek help elsewhere.

“Thank you for the offer.”

‘Tis not for me I made the offer.”

Edwina felt instant shame. Here she was
thinking about her own circumstances.

“It is imperative that you not mention this
to anyone. Is that clear?”

“Yes.”

The sadness in his eyes cut straight to her
heart.

“What about Miss Ilana? She will handle your
household duties.” Edwina said softly.

“
Aye, she will not.” The
Scot said, closing the subject, as he stood to his feet and crossed
to the window.

Edwina heard the intake of
her breath and schooled herself not to overreact. She wanted to
retract her answer instantly but her father’s words came to
her.
When in doubt, sleep on
it.

When Alex Dunnegin did not look back, she
quit the room. As she walked through the door she heard the squeak
of his chair.

Chapter 18

A
lex Dunnegin sat down in his chair hard, head down, hands
threading through his hair and pressing against his temple. For
some reason he’d thought Miss Blair would take the offer. He could
have been more forthcoming with additional details, but knew he
could not. At least not now.

Standing, he went to the window and watched
as she walked up the road. She must have taken the bus out. Should
he have Reardon drive her back into town?

She’s a grown woman, man.
She arrived here without difficulty
.
Besides it would only embarrass her. He had known she struggled
with the answer. Free, a little earnest perhaps, nevertheless he
admired her enough to ask for her assistance. He knew from
conversations that her sister was beautiful and Miss Blair thought
herself somewhat unworthy.

He knew all about that feeling. The second
son of a wealthy landowner, he had not been his father’s choice to
inherit Castle Dunnegin. His brother had received that reward by
the position of his birth.

Throwing off his bitter feelings, he saw the
dust rise as the bus stopped at the end of the road. She was
safe.

There was work to be done.

“
Bertilda.” He called
out.

She arrived and he had to cast his eyes
downward. The woman’s hair was sticking out in every direction. “I
shall be leaving this afternoon for America. See that my bags are
prepared.”

Bertilda acknowledged his order and was on
her way without a word. Something was awry. She was always quick
with a word and neat in her appearance.

Alex Dunnegin pored over the legal papers and
felt his stomach churn. His daughter’s life hung in his hands. If
he was to protect her he had to leave her. And that was some- thing
he was loathe to do.

The smells of the kitchen wafted down the
hall, reminding him that he’d not eaten. Once the papers were in
order he would be flying back to the States for another round of
ridiculous mocking of the very law meant to protect his
daughter.

Not wealthy by any means, yet well enough off
for the present time, Alex wanted nothing more than to move to the
farm and raise his sheep and harvest potatoes. But until things
were settled, he would not rest.

Rising from his chair, determined to finish
what he’d started, he headed for the kitchen and stuck his head in.
The staff was busily preparing a bit of lunch.

Bertilda looked up from her work and Alex saw
her eyes dart around the room. He knew that she was concerned that
he was stepping into her territory and found it, truthfully, quite
disheveled.

Then he decided that today he would get his
own coffee. Bertilda dusted the flour off her hands and said, “Sir,
I will see to your coffee.”

“Stay at the task, I will get my own coffee.”
He said sourly.

She gave him a second look, but did as she
was told. “I may be busy, but I am capable of serving myself once
in a while.” He grumped.

Alex felt rather sorry for the dough she was
pounding into shape. What was with her this morning? He opened
several cupboard doors and eyed her while doing so. Her mouth was
pursed into a straight line and he knew she would not open it.

“Have you spoken to the Gillespie’s today?”
He inquired fishing through the drawers looking for a spoon.

“
I have not.” Bertilda said
through her teeth.

“Well, old gal, what consumes your joy this
afternoon?”

“Old gal?” Bertilda’s voice rose.

“Just a form of speech.” He rather felt like
teasing today, wondering where that strange desire came from as he
relaxed his backside against the counter.

“Don’t you have other things to do?” She said
rather sweetly.

“Ah, what brings about the sudden change. Is
the Laird of the castle not welcome in his own kitchen?”

“Ahhhh...” Bertilda grabbed a towel and quit
the room, but not before he saw tears.

“Women.” He snapped and gulped his coffee
down, scalding his throat.

There had been only one woman for him and God
had taken her away. Without warning and without a care, it seemed.
His joy and reason for living died the day she did.

Chapter 19