Elusive (13 page)

He patted her slim hand with his own rather
plump fingers. “He took every precaution he possibly could with
your safety in mind.” He looked her straight in the eye. “There is
absolutely nothing your uncle would not have done for you, my dear.
Now that responsibility is mine, and I accept it gladly.”

“Thank you, Mssr. Ferguson,” she said in her
heavily French-accented English.

“Ah, lassie, you must call me Angus. In my
eyes, you are now the daughter I have never had. I will do
everything I can to protect you and to help you obtain what is
rightfully yours,” he told her.

She really liked this man. He was slightly
round and, aside from being upset at the news of losing his old
friend, a jovial man. His pale blue eyes shone with good humor. The
wrinkles that deepened at the edges of those eyes when he smiled
reinforced that opinion. He wore tiny square-lensed glasses that
sat on the end of his prominent nose. She was beginning to
understand that this feature was not unusual in Scotsmen. Once
again she was struck with the memory of Roddy, and had to push down
the grief.

Angus’s hair, what there was of it, was thin
and sandy in color. His pink scalp parted his hair by about five
inches, and the hair stuck out over his ears in wispy curls that
led down toward mutton-chops that ended at his jaw line. She liked
the man instantly. “Thank you, Angus. Where should I begin?” she
asked.

His face grew serious. “When your uncle was
here last April…”

“What?” she blurted out. “Uncle Roddy was
here in April?”

“Yes, my dear. He came to see me because he
was afraid he had been discovered. He wanted to know everything I
had found out on his behalf. He was trying to decide whether to
bring you here or take you elsewhere for safety.” Angus stood and
started pacing his office.

“That explains why he would not tell me where
he was going,” she said quietly, almost to herself more than to
Angus.

“We talked of his predicament for hours over
good Scotch whiskey.” He smiled as he thought of his old friend.
Then still pacing, he continued. “He had hoped that by leaving
France for a few days, they would lose the trail to you.” He
stopped his pacing and looked at Blair. “Otherwise he would have
just called me as he had done in the past. He felt that, by coming
here, he could keep his dear little lassie safe—even if it was for
just a little longer.”

Suddenly feeling very tired, Angus sank back
down in his chair. “Obviously, he was incorrect. They had tracked
him…and you…down. I believe that what I told him would have
resulted in him bringing you back here, had they not caught up with
him. The time was right for you to be brought here.”

“What do you mean, the time was right?” she
asked.

“The old Laird died in March, Blair—just
before Roddy’s death. There is a son who will be arriving in
Scotland any time now. My understanding is that he had business to
finalize before coming here to assume his duties as heir to the
estate. He is almost the last of his line. There are some
cousins—distant,” he said, waving his hand in dismissal. “They are
not in direct line for the inheritance as long as the two of you
live, or if either of you have children who would inherit.”

“Since your existence was unknown to the
Laird’s son, he, of course, laid claim to the estate. What he did
not know was that you are the rightful heir, and he will lose claim
to all but the title.” Shaking his head, he continued quietly, “I
fear we must assume that he now knows about you.”

He is a very wealthy and powerful man. He
runs a family-owned shipping line…mmm, yes…Black Swan it is—White
Star’s primary competitor for the transatlantic business!” he said,
almost in awe.

He didn’t wish to frighten her anymore than
she was already, but he owed her the truth. He smiled and
continued, “As the only surviving male heir, he would very likely
retain the title of Earl of Donnach. You would become the Countess
of Donnach,
Lady
McDonnough, but with the rest of the estate
going to you, his would be a mere honorary title at this point. He
would have no control over the estate and.therefore, little power
or influence at court.”

“Believe me when I tell you that this man is
not
accustomed to being without influence
or
power!
You must be very careful, Blair. Now that someone knows of your
existence, you are a huge threat to the new Laird’s claim to the
estate.” He saw that she understood the danger and moved on.

“Now lass, did you bring the letters with
you?” he asked.

“Yes, I did. I thought it best to keep them
in my possession for safekeeping until we spoke. I knew that they
were an important link between Caena and me.”

“Aye, indeed they are. The courts will want
to see them, I’m certain. Would you like me to put them in my safe
here?” he offered.

“No, thank you.” Seeing he was surprised that
she would not trust him with the letters, she added, “If someone
were to find the link between us, they might try to steal them. I
do not want anyone else harmed, Angus—especially a friend of my
uncle’s. Do you have any suggestions—ones that would not put anyone
in danger?”

So, he thought, it is not a lack of trust but
concern for my safety. What a sweet girl and very practical. “Now
that you mention it, yes, I do. But first, there are some
additional items we should discuss.” He pulled out paper and pen.
“Now, let us plan your next move.”

***

After their plans had been clarified, he
instructed her to take up residence in a nearby hotel. “It is the
best in Edinburgh. It sits just across from the castle and was once
used as a residence for some of the visiting royalty. You deserve
to spoil yourself, my dear.”

“I couldn’t possibly afford such a place,”
she said. Almost embarrassed to admit it, she had very little money
left, except what she made from the sale of Roddy’s furnishings. It
wouldn’t last long. Unfortunately, in her haste to leave Paris she
had neglected to contact the French bank to find out how much money
was in her account there.

“My dear, do you have any idea how much you
are worth—even without the Scottish estate?” He sat back in his
chair and grinned at her. Of course, he thought, she had
no
idea. Ah, what a pleasure it will be to give her some good
news—v
ery
good news indeed.

“Well, no…I do not, but, Angus, it cannot be
much. Roddy had not worked in some time, and we lived simply.”
Smiling, she added, “The bookstore was his love, but it really did
not bring in a large income when he owned it. I am certain that it
did not bring in much when he sold it. He really ran the shop more
out of his love for books than for revenue. And, of course, he had
retired a few years ago, so…” Why was he grinning at her like this?
She liked the man, but this cavalier attitude about her finances
was beginning to fire up her temper. She found herself squirming in
her chair, trying to tamp down her emotions.

Angus reached into a desk drawer, pulled out
a file and, after looking for the appropriate document, placed it
on the desk in front of her. “This is the Paris account as of last
month.” He picked up another document from the file. Placing it
alongside the first, “This is the account in the Royal Bank of
Scotland.” He watched as her eyes opened wide. Oh, he was enjoying
this. It was about time this bonnie lassie got some good news.
“Both accounts are, as you can see, in your name, as they have been
since I became aware of Roddy’s death. That would have been covered
in his Will. Did you read it, my dear?”

Blair could not begin to fathom what she was
looking at. These were not the accounts of a retired book shop
owner. “I…I do not understand.” She looked up at Angus with utter
amazement. “Ah, the Will—no, it made me so sad to even think of it
that I packed it away to read later. The lawyer had told me that I
inherited everything, so I really did not think it necessary to
read it right away since I assumed there was so little…” She was
stunned! “I had no idea…” She was absolutely speechless.

“Then let me enlighten you…” and he gave her
some very good news, indeed!

**************************

Chapter 16: Sòlas Plans for the Future

Donnach Castle, Scotland – 1726

“Sòlas?” His mother had received word of the
child’s death and immediately sought out her youngest son.

He heard his mother’s voice and had to brace
himself. He owed her a personal goodbye. The child and the wet
nurse had been taken directly to the ship in Edinburgh. He would be
right behind them on horseback as soon as he said his goodbyes.

“In here, Mother,” he said, as he put the few
remaining items of his belongings into his small traveling bag.

“Sòlas?” She was behind him now. “What are
you doing?” Looking around his room she recognized that his
personal belongings were all gone.

He turned and saw before him the woman who
had borne him. He was going to break her heart, he knew. But he had
to go—quickly. “Mother, please sit.” He led her to the chair near
the fire. “I am leaving mother. I will not be back.”

“Where do you go, Sòlas? And why? Why do you
not stay here with me? With those who love you?” she pleaded.

“Those who love me?” He sneered, “There are
only two who love me here, Mother. One I cannot have. The other
will mourn the loss of me but will have others to console her.” He
saw the look of utter devastation on her face and knew he should
not be loosing his anger on her.

He knelt before her and held her hand. “I am
sorry, Mother. I leave because I must. I cannot live here and watch
her with my brother—watch what he is doing to her.”

“Do you think
my
loss of you will so
easily be dismissed, Sòlas?”

“No, I was wrong to say that to you. Please
forgive me.” He kissed her cheek softly. She had no idea how much
he would miss her.

“You are forgiven,” she responded somewhat
petulantly. Then smiling at him, “Now won’t you tell me why it is
you really leave, Sòlas? I know there is more to it than that.”

“Is it the loss of the child?” She noticed
that he barely controlled his smile at the mention of the child.
Ah, it is as I suspected, she thought. “Caena’s maid told mine that
the babe was stillborn.” She watched his face carefully. “Sòlas, I
have never asked you until now. I have watched you when you were
watching her. Was…
is
the child yours?”

He thought his heart would break. She was so
clever, this mother of his. What a wonderful example she would have
been for his child. “Mother, do not ask what you should not
know.”

She understood completely. If Macrath ever
found out the truth, his wrath would rain down on all of them. And
she knew it would be murderous!

Standing, he took her hands and helped her
rise from the chair. “Now, say goodbye to your son and wish him
well. I must leave quickly.” He kissed her cheek, wet from her
tears.

“Take this.” She pulled her hand from her
skirt pocket and placed the heavy, little bag she carried into his
hand. She had guarded it by carrying it with her everywhere she
went. It was never entrusted out of her possession.

When he saw the gold and gems inside, he
looked at her in amazement. “Mother, where did you get this?”

“Ah, Sòlas. We women are so easily dismissed
and ignored. I have watched you, watched Caena, for months. What
others do not see, I do. Let us just say that some of the things
that belong to me have somehow been misplaced. Use this for the
child.” She held him close for one last time. “I wondered how long
your love for her could be shoved aside, and feared this day might
come.”

“Go now. Do not stand here with an old woman
any longer. Your future is out there with your child,” she said,
looking toward the doorway.

She humbled him. Without a word from him,
Meadhbh McDonnough had figured out everything. He could only pray
that Macrath was not so bright. Looking at the bag he held, he
thought that, with what he had stashed away in the trunk already on
its way to Edinburgh, this would make a lovely addition to what he
hoped would keep his child and her children safe for a good long
time. “Goodbye, Mother, and thank you!” He walked backward watching
her face, then turned and left quickly, never to see her again.

His mother sat again near the fire, looking
at what had been her son’s room since he was just a small boy. She
knew she would never see him again. She wiped the last tear she
would permit herself to shed for the son who was so very brave and
strong. He needed no tears, this brave son of hers. She knew that
somehow Macrath, and to some extent Mordag, had been responsible
for her loss.

How did a mother choose between her sons? No,
she had not chosen. The choice had been forced upon her.

She would keep her knowledge to herself for
the rest of her days. Perhaps she could give him even more help.
She remembered hearing about the islands south of the American
colonies. Many were going there, as well as the American colonies,
for a new start. It would not harm him, if they thought he had gone
there. Yes, that sounded good. After all, she had always been a
very good story teller.

She sighed heavily. Men really do not give us
enough credit, she smiled. She would go to Caena, she thought.
Caena could read and write. Together they would do what they could
to protect him.

Then she rose and left his room for the last
time.

**************************

Chapter 17: The History of Money

Edinburgh, Scotland – July 1912

Angus continued telling Blair the story as he
knew it. “Sòlas made certain that, when the time came, the proper
heir of the estate would have…shall we call it a
nest egg
?”
He sat back in his chair and watched her as he continued. “He
recognized that fighting for the estate in court could cost a small
fortune, as would the upkeep on the castle—even if the estate had
not been misused. So he assured that the heir could act when the
time was right.”