Page 75 of Journey to the Scottish Highlands

‘We need additional, regular funds,’ answered Alison with the backdrop of the tree tops looming behind her out of the study window. ‘I feel so guilty that Evan keeps contributing to this place. He should be thinking about his own future, not trying to save what is essentially in the past.’ She gave a tiny nod. ‘I know if I said that to him he’d dismiss it, but still, it’s true.’ She folded her arms on top of her desk. ‘His father and I aren’t prepared to keep accepting money from him like this. We need to think of something else, because in the scheme of things, it doesn’t feel right taking it from him, and it isn’t making a huge difference in the long run.’ She let out a dry laugh. ‘I know Dane would’ve offered to help too if he knew the extent of our problems, but he’s always on the road with Disciple and doesn’t make a massive amount of money with his music anyway.’ She allowed herself a small smile. ‘He’s adamant that will change though. Oh, listen to me wittering on. I’m so sorry, Daisy.’

‘No. There’s no need to apologise.’

Alison tilted her chin onto one hand. ‘I just heard on the news that those two bombs are being deactivated shortly.’

‘That’s right.’

‘So, I take it that means you’ll be heading home to Strath Ross soon?’

I nodded. ‘Yes. Today.’

Alison leant forward. ‘Please don’t feel you have to dash off, Daisy. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.’ She blushed a pretty pink. ‘It’s lovely having another woman around. No disrespect to Louise, but you’re young and vibrant. You bring sunshine into this old house.’

I let out an embarrassed laugh. ‘That’s very kind of you to say, but I haven’t felt very vibrant recently.’ I smiled. ‘And believe me, I appreciate your offer of allowing me to stay on, but I think I’ve availed myself of your hospitality for long enough. And I really do want to see my grandfather.’

‘Oh, of course you do.’

I stood up and made my way back towards the closed study door. ‘Can I bring you anything, Alison? A cup of tea or something stronger? A nip of whiskey perhaps?’

‘How about a solution to our mounting money issues?’

‘I wish I could.’

I slipped out of the study, feeling wretched on Alison’s behalf, and looked up to see Evan striding across the hall. It looked like he’d had a later breakfast, as he was coming from the direction of the dining room.

He spotted me and gave me one of his dark, unfathomable looks.

My stomach performed an impersonation of a washing machine on full cycle.

He’s a prat, remember? I told myself. A moody, stubborn one.

I gathered myself and brushed past him on my way towards the stairs. ‘Morning,’ I clipped.

‘Morning. Off out anywhere?’

I set one hand down on the top of the ornate bannister. ‘I’m just off to start packing.’

He blinked at me. ‘Packing? Why?’

‘Haven’t you heard or seen the news this morning? Those two bombs are being safely detonated at lunchtime today, and then the road will be clear up to Strath Ross.’

A strange expression clouded his features. ‘Oh. Right. I see. No, I didn’t know.’

I took in his blue-black hair and the way his brows gathered like storm clouds.

‘Anyway, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got things to do.’

I hurried up the stairs to my room, wishing that I wasn’t feeling conflicted like this.

I had to get a grip. Yes, it was ok to fall for a pair of irresistible dark brown eyes, but it was everything else that went along with it that I had to watch out for.

I was relieved to closet myself behind my bedroom door.

As I began to pack, fetching my toothbrush, toothpaste and body lotion from the en-suite bathroom, I thought again about Alison’s pale, distracted expression. The Lords had made me feel so much at home here. I just wished I could do something to help them.

I returned to the bathroom and gathered up my packet of flossers, deodorant and moisturisers next. I slipped everything into my big, quilted toiletry bag, before placing it inside the front cover of my case and zipping it back up.

What a hectic and surprising few days these had been. If someone had said to me last week that I’d be sleeping in a grand, four-poster bed in a Highland mansion owned by a lovely couple and having my emotions put through the wringer by their gorgeous but moody eldest son … and then, of course, there was Cayla. I had hoped I’d be able to reignite her passion for acting with my pep talk, but instead I’d made her dig her trainers in.