Page 26 of Heirs and Graces at Highland Hall
‘Thank you. I’m really grateful. Honestly.’ It was her turn to go in for a hug, and it left her wondering why she had been so worried about talking to Carrie in the first place.
‘Take care of yourself, Bex,’ Carrie said as they broke apart.
‘I will.’
By the time Bex arrived back at the gate of the castle, the sun was casting yellow rays of light over the undulating hills. She had just finished her coffee, and was debating whether it would be wrong to get another straight away, when she spotted the figure standing outside the front door. He offered a small wave before walking over to her.
‘Rebecca,’ Kieron said, taking her by surprise as he kissed her on both cheeks. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m good, thank you,’ she said.
‘I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to see you much of late,’ he continued. ‘I’ve been rather busy here now, with everything. Not to mention Burns Night. But you’re okay, aren’t you? You’ll let me know if you need anything? I don’t want you to think you can’t ask me.’
It was a kind offer, considering how much he much he had going on.
‘Of course, but I’m absolutely fine.’ Bex glanced to her side, where Gordon’s car was already parked. ‘I see that Gordon’s already here,’ she said. What she really wanted to know was whether he had spoken to Kieron yet about looking around the rest of the house. From the slight pause, it seemed Kieron had.
‘Yes, yes, he’s been here.’ He swallowed, lips pressing into the same position before he lowered his voice slightly. ‘Between you and me, Bex, I’m not sure whether I should bring in some of my lawyer associates from London. You know, to help speed this up. I’m not saying that Gordon can’t do the job, of course. I’m sure he was very capable once upon a time. But, you know, it’s a colossal task, and maybe it might be a bit too much for the old chap.’
Bex felt a slight twist somewhere in her abdomen.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I mean, are you allowed to do that? Fergus appointed him, right? It’s Fergus’s estate. I mean, I don’t know at all.’ She let out a tight, slightly awkward laugh. ‘Obviously I’m not a lawyer.’
‘Right.’ Kieron nodded, his eyes drifting off slightly. ‘Wouldn’t surprise me if my uncle made this as slow and difficult as possible. That was the type of man he was, as you’re well aware.’
As he smiled at Bex, she felt her stomach tighten further.
Yes, Fergus certainly came across as grumpy and difficult, but that was only to those who didn’t know him. The fact that Kieron still thought of him that way was a sign that perhaps he hadn’t known his uncle as well as he thought. Or at all.
‘I wanted to say thank you,’ Kieron said. His tone shifted as his smile relaxed. ‘I know that being cooped up in a stuffy old castle probably isn’t your idea of great fun. Not to mention bunking down with the locals. You know, I’m sure your firm wouldn’t mind paying for a room in the village.’
‘I’m fine at Lorna’s.’ Bex meant the comment genuinely. Being on her own meant being in her own head, and that wasn’t something she wanted at the minute. Particularly not up here. And the sofa bed was exceptionally comfortable. Now she knew how to set it up properly. ‘And this place is hardly stuffy,’ she said, quirking an eyebrow.
‘You know what I mean.’ He flashed her a grin, his twinkling eyes glimmering at her. ‘You and I are city folk. The big smoke is in our blood. Like the damn loch water for these folks.’ He sighed, broadcasting his arms around the area. ‘Strange, you know. It doesn’t matter how many holidays I spent up here, how much I tried to get to know the place, how many parties I try to throw for the locals. I’ll never be one of them, you know. That’s the thing with a place like this. Either you’re a local, or you’re an outsider. There’s no in-between.’
Was he talking about her or himself? Bex couldn’t quite tell. Something about his tone made her think it could be both. Bex’s mind shifted back to Carrie. She had been born in America, and her thick accent remained, yet there was nobody more involved – or, as far as Bex could tell, beloved – in the village. Apart from perhaps Moira, of course.
‘Anyway, it’s good for me to know that you’re there with Gordon,’ Kieron continued. ‘Fighting my corner for me.’
Fighting his corner?The choice of words caused a spike in Bex’s pulse. Did he know about the will and how he wasn’t necessarily going to inherit the laird’s title, and everything else, for that matter? He was being very calm if he did. She parted her lips, not sure how she was going to find out, when he continued talking.
‘I just mean, trying to get this sorted as quickly as possible,’ he clarified, causing a wash of relief to flow through Bex.
‘Well, everybody just wants to get this sorted as quickly as possible,’ she said.
‘You’re right. Absolutely, of course. I didn’t mean anything by it.’ Kieron flashed her a smile, though it was replaced by a far more serious expression. ‘Look, maybe, when we’re back in London, you and I could get together under more enjoyable circumstances? If that’s something you’d be up for.’
‘More enjoyable circumstances?’ she questioned.
‘Dinner perhaps? Maybe a show?’
Was he asking her out on a date? Yes. She was sure he was. Dinner or a show didn’t leave much room for misinterpretation. Besides, his eyes had that twinkle back in them, and like it or not, they really did cause a flutter in her abdomen, though she tried hurriedly to suppress it. How the hell was she meant to reply? It wasn’t that she wanted to say no outright. There was a definite physical attraction, but was there more than that? It was hard to say. Then there was the minor detail of how she was also working for him. But if she said no, when she was still going to be here for an undisclosed amount of time, that would be more than a little awkward. And why would she say no, anyway? Because she still loved Duncan, who lived up here and would never move. Whereas Kieron had just said himself, he was a city boy. They were definitely a better match on paper.
‘That would be lovely,’ she said, before she could stop herself. ‘When we’re back in London.’
His smile broadened, taking that twinkle to a whole new level.
‘I should get in, though. Gordon’s waiting.’
