Page 54 of The Midnight Secret

Effie was quiet for a moment. ‘It was quick, at least.’

He came back over and handed her the drink.

‘To absent friends,’ he murmured. They clinked glasses, eyes locking as they both sipped their drinks.

‘You must miss your home very much.’

‘I do – especially as I haven’t found somewhere to replace it.’

‘Yes, you are currently somewhat nomadic, aren’t you?’

She watched him, knowing that behind his discretion, he knew. They all did.

‘Actually, I only found out last night that Sholto’s parents don’t want us to marry,’ she said simply. ‘He had told me differently.’

‘Ah...Tricky.’ He looked down at his glass, then back at her. Was his loyalty conflicted? He had known Sholto for many years. They had run in the same set since boyhood and even if they weren’t as close as others, he wouldn’t want to drop Sholto in it with a misjudged word. ‘...How did he take it when you told him he’d been rumbled?’

‘He doesn’t know. I ran straight down to the boat to confront him – only to end up on yours instead.’

He nodded. ‘Fate can work in mysterious ways, Miss Gillies,’ he deadpanned.

She grinned back. He played to type a lot, she’d noticed. ‘It isn’t fate that I’m here. It’s a simple mix-up. I asked a woman which boat was MacLeod’s and she pointed to the wrong one.’

‘Well, then, give me her name. I must thank her.’

She laughed, amazed that shecouldlaugh about it. Last night, in the Gathering Hall, she had felt exposed and humiliated. Now, at least, she felt a little more perspective.

She peeled away and went to stand by the fire. It was distinctly strange to feel a tiger’s pelt beneath her bare feet. Archie watched her bask in the warmth for several moments before coming back around too.

‘I’m sure Sholto will have a plan.’

She looked at him, an eyebrow raised. ‘There are a lot of castles in Scotland. I think he means for us to spend the rest of our days visiting every single one.’

‘Perhaps he’s buying time. He must believe he can talk his parents round.’

She shrugged. ‘I did tell him they wouldn’t accept it, but he wouldn’t listen to me. When he insisted on going back to talk with them alone, I agreed only because I knew he would have to explain things. They were never going to welcome me with open arms...But I never imagined that he’d come back and lie to me.’

‘You should be flattered. He refused to let you go.’

She shook her head, knowing he was right, and yet...‘He’ll regret it, I know he will – if not today, then someday soon. It’s too much to ask of him.’

A comfortable silence opened up which neither of them feltin a rush to fill. Archie was holding his whisky tumbler in the palm of his upturned hand, the firelight making it sparkle. ‘...You know, we chaps are fishing in a small pond when it comes to wives, and Sholto – lucky devil – has found a wild creature from the sea. You’re exciting and dynamic, Effie. Challenging too, I’m sure, but most certainly not a bore. None of the girls on our circuit are like you.’

‘Oh, I know. And they hate me for it.’

‘I refuse to believe it!’ he said in mock horror.

She smiled. ‘It’s true. I get everything wrong. I’m too rough, too loud, too strong. Bitsy Cameron is adamant she’s going to have a limp for ever because of me.’

‘Whatever did you do to her?’

‘Rode a rocking horse over her foot.’

‘That could only improve her dancing,’ he quipped, taking a sip of his drink. ‘Look, if it’s any consolation, the only woman I’m aware of who truly loathes, hates and despises you is Sibyl Wainwright – and of course she has good reason. We can’t deny her the pleasure of pickling in her own resentment.’

Effie couldn’t help but laugh. ‘I would hate me too if I was her.’

‘Oh, she’ll get over it eventually. There are plenty of other bachelors lining up; she’s coming into a fair fortune when her old man croaks. Although she is so very stuck on Sholto. I suppose he’s just so pretty, isn’t he?’ He wrinkled his nose.

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