Page 34 of Edinburgh Escape
Fiona snorted and glared at Ewan. “You’re going to confuse the boy.”
“Not at all,” Ewan smiled at Maggie and Callum. “She’s family, and I say she’s welcome to stay as long as she likes.”
Fiona opened her mouth as if to argue with her stepson and then closed it again. “As you wish, Lord Drummond.”
“I didn’t come to stay,” Maggie assured Fiona. “I only came to meet my brother...” Her gaze went to the little boy, and she smiled and added, “Brothers.”
“How long will you be in Scotland?” Ewan asked.
Maggie bit her lip, looking from Ewan to Fiona. “I have two weeks. I’d planned on doing some sightseeing.”
“You can use the manor as your base and travel out from here. There’s a lot to see on day trips. No need to get a hotel when we have ten rooms available,” Ewan said. “I insist.”
“If the woman doesn’t want to stay, she doesn’t have to,” Fiona said.
Ewan met Maggie’s gaze. “I would be honored if you stayed. I want to get to know you.” He shifted his gaze to Callum. “Of course, the invitation is for you and your fiancé.”
Maggie glanced up at Callum.
“It’s up to you,” he said softly. “You’ll be grand, either way.”
She smiled and turned back to Ewan. “Maybe for a couple of days?”
Ewan grinned. “It’s settled.” To Fiona, he said, “Could you let Cook know we have two more for dinner. I had Mrs. Jones prepare the blue room for them.” He turned to Maggie. “I assumed you two would want to be together.”
Maggie opened her mouth.
Before she could respond, Callum said, “Thank you. We would, wouldn’t we, my love?”
Maggie snapped her mouth shut and nodded.
Ewan strode out into the foyer, calling out, “Gregory, could you bring in our guests’ luggage and take it to the blue room?”
Bryce reached out for Maggie’s hand. “I’m glad you’re staying. Do you want to see my horse?”
Maggie took the boy’s hand in hers. “I would love to see your horse.”
“Not now, Bryce,” Fiona said. “Let her get settled.”
Bryce frowned and then nodded. “Yes, mother.”
“Go get washed up for dinner,” his mother said.
“Yes, mother.”
As the child walked by his mother, Fiona ran her hand over his curls and smiled down at her son. “You can show her your horse later,” she said softly.
He glanced up at her and smiled, then hurried away to do her bidding.
The soft look Fiona had given her son vanished as she turned back to Ewan. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll inform Cook of the change in dinner plans.”
“Thank you,” Ewan said.
After Fiona left the room, Ewan faced Maggie and Callum. “We’re all still getting used to life without Lord Drummond in residence. I haven’t been back here for years. I’m sure Fiona doesn’t mean to be testy or rude, but she’s had a lot to process with the death of her husband, the return of his prodigal son and Bryce’s medical issues.”
Maggie’s brow puckered. “What’s wrong with Bryce?”
Ewan frowned. “He’s never been a really sturdy child, from what I gather. Fiona said he started feeling sickly a few months ago. The doctors can’t find anything wrong with him. He gets ill at times, is often lethargic and has difficulties concentrating on his studies with the tutor.”
