Page 83 of Foes, Friends and Lovers
Gregory and Rory followed.
“Just come and see, then you’ll understand.” As they headed for the front hall, Caitlin glanced back. “Rory?”
He waved southward. “I’m off to Nene Farm.” To Hamish, he said, “It’s the cattle stud—one of the Hall’s businesses.” He studied his brother, then added, “For what it’s worth, my advice is to take a good long look around before you decide on your next move.”
With that and a general salute, Rory parted from them in the front hall, striding down the corridor to the south door, clearly intending to walk to Nene Farm.
After they’d donned their coats, with Hamish and Gregory, Caitlin left the Hall by the north door. As they walked to her first regular stop at the carriage works, she pointed out the walled gardens and the other buildings scattered along the rear drive. “The livestock pens are at the end, farthest from the house.”
Hamish was studying the carpentry barns. “Solid-looking buildings. They look recent.”
Caitlin explained how the conglomerate of businesses had evolved, first under the late Lady Bellamy and, subsequently, her lifelong companion, Timms.
Hamish glanced at Gregory, sauntering beside them. “And now, you own the estate.”
Smiling slightly, Gregory inclined his head. “I inherited it…in reality, I suppose, from Minnie, the late Lady Bellamy, via Timms. Minnie was my great-aunt.”
“So it’s a family property?” Hamish asked.
His hands in his pockets, Gregory shrugged. “In a way. It’s certainly the place I intend to make my long-term home.” He glanced sidelong at Caitlin, a small smile curving his lips. “I look forward to establishing my own family here.”
Caitlin was thankful that Hamish was looking ahead and so missed Gregory’s smile and the blush that warmed her cheeks in response.
They reached the carriage works, and she introduced Hamish to Jenkins, who came striding up to greet them.
After exchanging cautious nods, Hamish stepped back, outwardly reserved, but Caitlin noted that he was looking all around, taking in everything—and listening as well—as Jenkins described a special type of screw he needed. While Jenkins needed to speak with her regarding his tools and supplies, he also wished to consult Gregory about a new idea he and his lads had for an innovative axle. So Jenkins could demonstrate what he meant, Gregory went with him into one of the bays, leaving Hamish and Caitlin free to talk—for Caitlin to further assure Hamish that all was well with her.
“Tell me,” Hamish rumbled, “is he any bother?”
As his gaze was resting on Gregory, Caitlin didn’t pretend not to understand. “No bother at all. Gregory and I get on well, and no, you don’t get to judge or interfere in my life, Hamish Fergusson—no more than your Da.”
Hamish glanced sideways at her, but she rolled straight on, “In fact, I’ll make a pact with you—I won’t interfere in your love life, and you will keep your nose out of mine.”
Hamish’s brows rose. “Love life? Is that the way the wind blows, then?”
She put her nose in the air. “Perhaps.” Then she reconsidered and said, “Actually, it is, but we’re in the early stages of sorting ourselves out, and I don’t need any heavy-handed cousins getting in my way.”
Given her tone, she wasn’t surprised when Hamish—after examining her determined expression—nodded and backed down. “All right.”
She wasn’t deceived. She knew him, and Rory, too…
Thinking of Rory gave her pause.
When Gregory returned and, looking a trifle distracted by Jenkins’s innovation, absentmindedly waved them on, she brightly declared, “I want to go to the carpentry workshops next.” Rather than the forge, which she wanted to leave until last.
Gregory glanced at her, but after a second’s hesitation, nodded. “Lead on.”
She did, checking in with Percy at the main workshop door while Gregory showed Hamish around the various projects underway, including Rory’s carving and the lute he was making for Millie, then she rejoined the pair, and the three of them wandered down to the livestock pens.
Hamish was fascinated by the goats, enough to make Caitlin wonder what it was about goats that drew men to them. Gregory, Joshua, and Hamish all stood around and discussed the finer points of the herd and Joshua’s plans for expanding it, and through that, Hamish heard about Gregory’s efforts to procure standing orders with the inn at Northampton to stabilize the income to some of the businesses.
She knew Hamish was every bit as intelligent as Rory and, if anything, had a better head for business. He was definitely impressed by Gregory’s efforts, just as much as he admired Joshua’s goats.
When, after duly examining the chickens and pigs, they left the livestock pens, she was crossing her fingers that she, Gregory, and the rest of those Hamish had thus far met had laid at least a foundation for him to understand and, ultimately, accept her and Rory’s decisions to remain at Bellamy Hall.
They entered the glassblowing studio, and after speaking briefly to Vernon and introducing Hamish, with her fingers crossed, Caitlin watched the artist in Hamish rise to the lure of Vernon’s creations. She listened carefully, but although Hamish talked avidly to Vernon, Hamish didn’t reveal any of his personal and very private ambitions.
Standing beside her and watching as well, Gregory bent his head and whispered, “Is Hamish a secret artist?”
