Page 82 of Foes, Friends and Lovers
Holding Hamish’s gaze, Rory calmly stated, “I’m still here because this is a good place, and it’s given me the chance to set up as a woodcarver, just as I’ve always wanted, while keeping my hand in at the cattle stud as well.” He studied Hamish. “So why are you here?”
“Because Da sent me after you, just like we thought he would. After you left, he got angstier and angstier and, eventually, dispatched me to find you, and if not you, then Caitlin at least, and I’m supposed to haul whoever I find back home.” Hamish glanced around. He spotted the painters and politely nodded, then turned back to Rory and Caitlin and—eyeing Gregory rather curiously—said, “I didn’t expect to find you both in the same place.”
Caitlin waved at Gregory. “This is Mr. Cynster, the owner of Bellamy Hall.”
Gregory promptly held out a hand. “Just Gregory, please.”
Hamish gripped his hand, shook, and dipped his head. “Hamish Fergusson, sir. Brother to the hillock over there and cousin to Caitlin.”
“Welcome to Bellamy Hall, Hamish.” Gregory glanced at Caitlin.
She waved at the chairs. “Why don’t we all sit down?”
She, Rory, and Gregory reclaimed their seats, and the three painters crept back to theirs. They returned to their half-eaten breakfasts, plainly intrigued and determined to quietly listen and observe, while Hamish drew out a chair midway between Tristan and Gregory.
Once all were settled, Gregory asked, “Coffee?”
Hamish nodded. “Thank you. A cup would be welcome.”
Gregory signaled to Cromwell, who obligingly filled a cup and placed it before their new guest.
Rory was frowning in puzzlement. “I’m the tracker in the family, not you. How did you find us?”
Hamish snorted. “You daft pillock—I just asked after you. The moving mountain. Trust me when I say none of those who had seen you go past had forgotten you.”
Rory grunted.
“So now you’ve found us both,” Caitlin said, “what are your plans?”
Hamish sipped the coffee appreciatively, then lowered the cup. “Well, for a start, no more than Rory and you do I plan to go back, no matter what Da fondly believes. I, too, have had enough, so…” He paused, sipped, then continued, “But he made me promise that I would make sure both of you were all right—that you were happy and well—and that I would write back and tell him so as soon as possible, even before I started on persuading you to come back.” He met Caitlin’s eyes. “I think he’s beginning to accept that you might not need rescuing. He truly did use the word ‘persuade.’”
Hamish sighed and set down the coffee cup. “I’d like to keep that promise as far as I’m able.” He looked at Rory. “You saw how he’d got before you finally gave in and came down to look for Caitlin. It’s as if it’s finally dawned on him that three years have passed, and we’ve all grown older, and he no longer knows what’s going on—what Caitlin’s been doing and, now, what the devil you’re doing as well.” He flicked a glance at Caitlin. “We—Rory, me, Daniel, and Morgan—did remarkably well in distracting him from you going off, but now, reality’s biting with a vengeance, and there’s just no putting him off any longer.”
Caitlin nodded. “If you write, we’ll need to send the letter via London, but I know how to do that.”
“Aye, well.” Hamish drained his cup, then lowered it and said, “If you can think of some neat way to convince me that you’ve truly fallen on your feet and are in no danger of any sort, I’ll be on my way.”
“Why the rush?” Gregory met Hamish’s sharp glance with an easy smile and gestured to the house around them. “We have plenty of room and can easily put you up until you decide what you want to do next. Like Rory, you’re welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
Hamish looked at Caitlin and Rory, taking in their encouraging looks.
“There’s no reason to rush off, is there?” Rory pointed out. “Stay awhile and catch your breath and, if you’re serious about not going back, figure out what you really want to do.” He shrugged. “That was what I did.”
Gregory wondered if Hamish would refuse simply to be different from his older brother, but after a moment, Hamish said, “I’m definitely not going back. I’ve had my fill of farming under Da. There has to be more to life than that.”
Rory and Caitlin both nodded in affirmation.
“In that case,” Caitlin said, “Cromwell will arrange a room for you near Rory’s. But meanwhile, why don’t you come with me on my usual Tuesday morning rounds and see some of what’s going on at Bellamy Hall?”
“Rounds?” Hamish looked intrigued.
Caitlin rose, bringing everyone else to their feet. They’d all finished their breakfasts, and the three painters, with smiles all around, seized the moment to sidle past Hamish and out of the door.
Gregory would wager the three—who were among the biggest gossips at the Hall—would make straight for Nessie, queen of the gossip circle, to inform her she had another large Scotsman to feed.
Meanwhile, Caitlin explained, “There are various businesses that operate on the estate, and I visit a handful on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings to check if they have anything specific they would like me to add to the Hall’s weekly orders, most of which go out on Fridays.”
With a wave, she collected Hamish and made for the door.
