Page 68 of The Secret Castle in the Highlands

My stomach lurched at the intonation in his words. ‘What if I request a tune that you do not know?’

His dark eyes flashed dangerously. ‘Then I shall learn it for you.’

My heart galloped. I was finding it most difficult to retain an aura of calm. Who was this man? His presence was making me feel vulnerable. ‘Do you know “Spring” by Vivaldi? It is a particular favourite of mine.’

Gideon Kelly inclined his dark-brown curls. ‘I do indeed. It is wonderful.’

I watched, mesmerised, as he raised the violin and placed it under his angular jaw. He proceeded to play, sliding the bow rhythmically across the fine strings. The sound he created was uplifting and joyous; it filled The Hawthorns with a chorus of playful notes and sensations.

As Gideon Kelly continued to strike the strings with his bow the intensity of the music grew deeper. I was surrounded by the notes he was creating; they were reverberating through my body and so lost was I, I failed to notice a bright-blond head appear around the drawing-room door.

All at once, a second violin stepped up to accompany Mr Kelly.

The man’s eyes widened with surprise, as did mine, as Oscar stood beside him and proceeded to play, albeit with a few fumbled notes here and there.

When the piece finished with a dramatic flourish, I applauded enthusiastically. ‘Bravo! Bravo!’

Mr Kelly performed a bow, never taking his attention away from my glowing face. I caught another glimpse of his sumptuous curls fastened in a low ponytail at the base of his neck.

He lowered himself down in front of Oscar and shook hands. ‘It is a pleasure to meet another fellow musician, young sir.’

Oscar clutched his violin and beamed. ‘I am Oscar Lapley, sir.’

Mr Kelly then raised one hand towards Oscar’s right ear. ‘What do you have concealed behind there, young man?’

Oscar blinked his innocent blue eyes. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘I think you have secreted this behind your ear, young master.’ Mr Kelly withdrew his closed hand and then unfurled it. In his palm, was a small square of marzipan in the shape of a dog. ‘This is for you, Master Oscar.’

Oscar gazed down at the glowing yellow sweet. ‘Thank you, sir.’

Gideon Kelly straightened up and offered me a kind smile. ‘Your son shows a great deal of ability, Mrs Lapley. With the correct instruction, he could have a very promising future in music.’

Oscar was solemn for a moment. ‘My father wishes for me to study law, as he did.’

Gideon Kelly listened. ‘Well, law is certainly an honourable profession, but in my humble opinion, it does not stir the blood in the same way as music.’

Oscar gave Mr Kelly a conspiratorial grin and dashed towards me, almost treading on the hem of my gown. ‘Can Mr Kelly become my violin tutor? Please, Mother!’

I tried to conceal the growing blush in my cheeks. ‘After your very impressive Vivaldi duet, I think there is no doubt about that.’

The Hawthorns holds the answer was typed in the centre of the paper.

There was no other message.

Even though I knew the mysterious messenger would be long gone by now, I still insisted on sticking my head out for another scan around, but the courtyard was empty, except for glowing lights and fluttering curtains in the occupied cottages.

Someone was trying to help Mason and me figure out all this Scarlet Highwayman stuff. But who were they? If they were trying to help, why not reveal their identity? I turned this question over in my head again and again.

For my own peace of mind, I double-locked the office door and fetched my mobile.

Mason’s number rang for what seemed like an eternity, and I was on the verge of dialling off when his deep voice finally swam down the line. ‘Poppy, sorry I took so long to answer.’

‘No, don’t worry,’ I faltered, ‘if this is a bad time…’

‘No, not at all. Darwin and I are just down on the beach for a walk.’

There was a sudden whoosh of waves in the background, followed by an excited bark.