Bride of the Solway (17 page)

But he must not allow it to blight his life. He knew that now. Having recognised his own weaknesses, he must set about putting his life back on an even keel. After he had disposed of Miss Elliott.

He must discover the truth about his father. He must. It was here somewhere, he was sure of that. His friend Max had roundly hated his own father. But at least Max had had a choice. Ross had had no father to hate. Or to love. And there had been such emptiness in his childhood after his mother's early death. Even at the end, she had refused to answer any of his questions. All Ross had were a few memories, grey and misty through the veil of time: an old man shouting at him in a broad accent while his mother cowered away, trying to protect Ross; a day on a beach, trying to skim stones across the firth; a long journey in a rickety carriage that smelled of damp, with only his mother for company. She had wept over him that night. He still remembered his boyish shock at the sight of her tears. And how he had slept in her arms.

Something must have happened to them in Scotland. As a boy of just three, he had not understood but, as a man, he could begin to read the memories, frail though they were. His mother had taken her son and fled from her husband. Why? What had he done to her? And how had she managed to hide from him until she died? Had he not been looking for them?

Ross shook his head. Too many questions and no answers. He could not begin to untangle the tale until he had discovered where his family came from. He must keep looking.

But first, he must
fulfil
his promise to Miss Elliott.

He rose to his feet and began to walk swiftly round the outside of the transept. This place was affecting him strangely. It was peaceful and serene; and yet strangely disquieting, bringing back forgotten memories. He looked up at the greenery growing along the top of the ruined wall of the nave. It softened the stonework, even though it looked incongruous against the soaring arches beneath.

He would never forget this place, he
realised
. It was strong and steadfast. And very beautiful.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, a small voice responded, 'It has all the qualities of Cassie Elliott. You would not offer for her. Yet you willingly lay your service at her feet.'

Chapter Ten

Ross took his teacup and returned to his seat opposite
Mrs
Anstruther.

'That was a splendid dinner, ma'am, as ever. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you and the colonel for your hospitality.'

Mrs
Anstruther smiled broadly. 'Believe me, Captain Graham, it is our pleasure to have you here as our guest. Why, until you arrived, my husband hardly went anywhere, except on business. He would always find some excuse not to leave me. But now he is going about on pleasure trips. And I may tell you I am delighted to see it. I do thank you for it, sir.'

Ross returned the smile as best he could. 'You will be without us both again tomorrow, ma'am, I fear, for your husband has offered to take me to
Caerlaverock
.'

'Yes, indeed,' added the colonel from his place beside his wife. 'It is a magnificent castle. And well named, too. Lark's nest, in English. You will be impressed, Graham, I am sure. I am hoping that, on this occasion, Miss Elliott will join us there. Her brother can have no cause to object this time. It is hardly any distance from their home. And the invitation came from an impeccable source.' He beamed at his wife.

'Oh, my dear, I am so sorry,' cried
Mrs
Anstruther. 'I completely forgot to tell you. Miss Elliott did reply to my invitation. Just this morning, in fact. She sends her apologies. She would very much have liked to join you both at
Caerlaverock
, but is prevented by a prior engagement.'

The colonel frowned angrily. 'Humph. I take leave to doubt the existence of this prior engagement. Miss Elliott is well known as a recluse who never goes anywhere. Or rather, who is never permitted to go anywhere. I detect her brother's fell hand here, yet again. Do you not agree, Graham?'

Ross did not meet the colonel's eye. 'Perhaps some household duty keeps her at home tomorrow? She must have many tasks, as mistress of
Langrigg
. I am sure she would have accepted
Mrs
Anstruther's
invitation if it had been possible.'

'There may yet be other opportunities,'
Mrs
Anstruther said brightly. 'I shall invite her again and again, until her brother finally relents.
Mr
Elliott will discover that I am not easily bested.'

The colonel laughed. 'I can certainly vouch for that, my dear.' He reached across and patted her hand. 'However, you can only continue to invite Miss Elliott while Graham is here with us. It would look most peculiar—and do the lady's reputation no good at all—if she were to be known to make excursions with only myself for company.'

His wife nodded sadly. Then she rallied. 'Well, we must make sure that Captain Graham remains here with us for many weeks yet, must we not?'

The colonel readily agreed.

Ross did his best to join in their cheerful conversation, but it was not easy. He was not a
practised
liar, and it was especially difficult to dissemble with hosts as generous as the
Anstruthers
. But, on this occasion, he would just have to do the best he could.

Until deliverance came.

'Excuse me, madam.' The colonel's footman stood bowing, just inside the drawing-room door. 'A letter has just come express. For Captain Graham.'

'Oh, dear.'
Mrs
Anstruther had turned visibly paler. No doubt she assumed, as most people did, that an express letter must be bringing bad news.

Ross rose from his seat and strode across to the doorway to take the letter from the salver. 'Thank you, Gordon.'

The footman beamed, clearly pleased that the guest knew his name. The smile was instantly wiped from his face, however, when the colonel rose from his seat and cleared his throat noisily. Gordon straightened his shoulders and raised his chin. 'Will you be wishing to send a reply, sir?'

'One moment.' Ross ripped open the seal and scanned the sheet rapidly. 'No. No reply.'

The footman bowed and silently withdrew.

'Not bad news, I hope, Captain Graham?'

'Not exactly bad, ma'am, but.. .troubling. I fear I shall not be able to remain here to enjoy your splendid hospitality. Some...er...business difficulties have arisen that will require me to return to London.'

'Oh, I am so sorry. When must you leave?'

'It would be best if I started out at once—'

'Surely not?' said the colonel. 'Can you not remain until tomorrow? Unless it is a matter of life and death, of course.' He looked a little embarrassed. It was clear that he did not want to pry into Ross's private affairs.

Ross shook his head. 'Not that, sir. At least, I fervently hope not. I thank you for your concern. And you are quite right. It is too late to start out now. Besides, it will take some time to prepare for the journey. I will leave tomorrow, as early as possible.'

'How will you travel? Shall you take the stage?'

'No, ma'am. At least, not initially. I think the best course would be to ride as far as Carlisle and take the London stage from there.'

The colonel nodded. 'Aye, true enough. You'll have a choice of coaches from there. You might manage to pick up the mail from Glasgow, if you are lucky. Don't worry about your baggage. I'll see that it's sent on, if you leave me your London address.'

'Thank you, sir. You are very kind, but I don't think it will be necessary for you to put yourself out to that extent. My man can ride with me as far as Carlisle and then bring the horses on to London by easy stages. If you would be so good as to send on the remaining baggage to Carlisle, he will take charge of it from there. I'll tell him to wait for the bags at the posting house.'

'That is an excellent solution, Captain.'
Mrs
Anstruther smiled up at him. 'You are to be commended for your quick thinking.'

'You should have learned to expect that from a soldier by now, my dear,' the colonel said with a wicked grin. 'There's no time for dithering on the battlefield, you know.'

Mrs
Anstruther shook her head at her husband, but there was love and admiration in her eyes.

'If you will excuse me, ma'am, I will go and give my man his instructions. We may be travelling light tomorrow, but there is still much to do before we depart.'

'Shall I see you again before you leave?'

The colonel had moved to stand behind his wife's chair. He caught Ross's eye and shook his head faintly.

Ross knew that getting
Mrs
Anstruther ready in the mornings was a lengthy business. She did not normally appear at the breakfast table. No doubt she would make the effort if Ross were to encourage her, but it was bound to sap her strength. He did not need the colonel's hint to know what he should say. 'I would plan to be off as soon as it is light, ma'am. I'm sure even the servants would not be about so early.'

'But you will need to break your fast and—'

'Pray do not concern yourself, ma'am. We will be able to eat when we stop to rest the horses.'

'I'm sure the captain knows what he is doing, my dear. We had best say our farewells now and let him be about his business.'

'You are right, of course.'
Mrs
Anstruther stretched up a hand. 'My dear Captain Graham, it has been a great pleasure to have you here as our guest. I do hope that, one day, you will come to us again. You would be most welcome, as I am sure you know.'

'
Mrs
Anstruther, you have been more than kind.' Ross bowed over her thin fingers. He knew better than to suggest that their paths might cross in London.
Mrs
Anstruther would probably never leave Dumfries again. 'I am truly sorry that I have to leave so abruptly. Under your tuition, I was even learning to love plants.'

Mrs
Anstruther laughed. 'Now that, sir, is what I believe you young people would call a bouncer.'

The colonel laughed too. 'I won't dare ask where you learned such language, my love. Though on this occasion, I think you may be wrong.

Captain Graham was asking some extremely knowledgeable questions when we were at Castle Douglas.'

'Prompted by Miss Elliott, I fancy. That young lady is a real enthusiast. I only wish I might know her better.'

'Perhaps we will find a way. In due course,' the colonel said. I must say that I am glad, now, that she declined your invitation for
Caerlaverock
, my dear. Imagine her disappointment if she had been permitted to accept. For I should have had to put her off, now that Captain Graham will not be able to join me. I could not meet her there alone.'

Mrs
Anstruther nodded her agreement.

'I am very sorry that I shall miss seeing the ruin, sir,' Ross said. 'You mentioned that it was well worth the visit. Shall you go by yourself?'

'No. I have visited often enough before. Without company—' he looked sadly down at his wife '—I should not enjoy it. Let us agree to visit it together the next time you come to Dumfries.'

Ross nodded. 'The next time. Agreed.' He bowed again. 'And now, ma'am, if you will excuse me? I leave behind my most grateful thanks for all your kindness. And for everything you have both done for me.' He looked meaningfully at the colonel. For a moment, he could almost smell the stench of Dumfries gaol in his nostrils. 'Now I will bid you both a goodnight. And thank you again.'

Cassie cast a final warning look at Morag, assumed what she fervently hoped was an innocent expression, and stepped down from the carriage. She looked across at the majestic ruins of
Caerlaverock
, safe behind their encircling moat. Would she be safe soon? With Ross?

He was striding towards her. 'Well met, Captain Graham,' she said, dropping him a curtsy. 'It is another beautiful day, is it not? At least, so it seems to me.' She gestured towards Tarn, still sitting on the box. 'Dour Tarn there always looks on the black side. He's sure it will rain before long.'

Had the captain caught her meaning? It seemed he had. As he bowed to her, he frowned and gave a tiny nod in Tarn's direction. He had recognised the danger she was warning him about.