Chapter 21 #2
“You may be right about the records, though I think it also depends on the clan from which the family came when it comes to information. Some of them kept better records than others.”
“Ah. That makes sense. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t checked any of the other archives, but I will. Visiting those is on my bucket list of places to go in my new country.”
He smiled. A valet opened the door for me and helped me out of the SUV.
“Our bags are in the back,” Ewan said. “Can you take them to my mother’s suite of rooms?”
“Yes, sir,” the valet said.
“Thank you,” Ewan said.
There were several stone steps leading up to the mansion, which were tricky in a long dress and heels. Ewan offered his arm, and I gratefully took it. Lifting the front of my dress with my other hand, we went up the stairs.
While Ewan’s family had several homes, and even a few castles, they had opened up most of the refurbished ones to use for events such as this and weddings.
Others were also open to tourists. It made good financial sense for the upkeep and gave the public a chance to see the gorgeous architecture and interiors.
At the double front doors, we were checked off a list. Inside, the stone-arched ceilings were massive and stole my breath.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” I whispered.
Ewan glanced up as if he’d forgotten what was up there.
“Again, a bit of architecture from our French ancestors, who preferred things a bit more ornate and much larger. Originally, the structure had the entrance in a different place. Most of the stonework is also new; well, it was done within the last three-hundred years.”
I laughed. “Only in Scotland could three-hundred years be new.”
He grinned. “Aye. Being you are American, I can see how that would be different.”
“It’s beautiful, though.” We followed several other well-dressed couples to another set of tall double doors made out of ornately carved wood.
Waiters with glasses of champagne stood on each side. Just inside the door was a receiving line. An elegant woman in a long-sleeved chiffon dress, held out her arms.
“There’s my boy,” she said. Her grayish hair, with a white streak in the front, was pulled into a chignon. She radiated both power and class. And she was gorgeous in her long flowing gown.
She pulled Ewan tight to her in a mother-bear hug. There was no mistaking who she was.
And I already liked her.
“Hi, Mum. Everything looks nice. You did a good job.”
She put his face between her palms. “Are you eating? Make sure you eat tonight. You’re looking too thin to me.”
I grinned but said nothing. Ewan was extraordinarily fit and took very good care of himself. But then, I wasn’t his mother.
“Mum, Da, may I introduce you to Dr. Emilia McRoy,” he turned to me. I held out a hand to shake, but his mother pulled me in for a hug.
“We’ve heard so much about you, Emilia,” she said as she squeezed me tight. “Our Ewan cannae stop talking about you every time we see him. He tells us how much you’ve done for his wee town.”
I glanced up to see Ewan’s cheeks turning a light pink.
He cleared his throat. “She has done extraordinary work for the community,” he said. “We are lucky to have her in Sea Isle.” He sounded so formal and was obviously embarrassed.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“If my wife will let go, I’d like to shake your hand,” his father said. “And maybe later, you can help me with this bursitis that is bothering my golf game.”
The father was as tall as Ewan and just as big a presence. He had a white beard, but his hair was the same mix of brown and red as Ewan’s. It was easy to see where Ewan’s good looks had come from; his parents were beautiful.
“Da.” Ewan shook his head. “She is here to enjoy herself.”
I shook his father’s hand. “I’d be happy to chat with you about it. Just find me later on.”
“See, son, she doesn’t mind. There’s a good lass. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Take her and dance,” his mother said. “Oh, and do not forget about the auction. It is all for a good cause.”
I turned to follow Ewan, who crooked his arm again. Since I wasn’t used to wearing a long dress with heels, I took it gratefully.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “They can be a bit much sometimes.”
I smiled. “I thought they were wonderful, and they obviously love you.”
He grunted. “Sometimes a bit too much. My father and I dinnae always see eye-to-eye, but it is has been better the last few years. He seems to be mellowing with age.”
“Don’t we all?” It was funny when I thought back over the things that stressed me out when I was younger. None of that mattered now. With age comes wisdom was a true adage.
“I suppose you are right.”
Five huge crystal chandeliers lent light to the ballroom, the arched ceilings in here had been painted beautifully, and it reminded me of the Sistine Chapel in a way.
“Your family spared no expense when it came to décor, did they?”
He glanced up to see what I’d been looking at.
Once again, he grunted. “Took seven years for them to return that ceiling to its former glory. Da wanted to just paint over it because of the cost. But Mum wouldn’t have it.”
“I’m glad she got her way, it is gorgeous.”
“She usually does—get her way that is.”
“I’m not surprised. Hard heads seem to run in the family.”
He laughed at that. “You are right about that, Doc.”
We hadn’t gone far when I recognized a couple in the corner who appeared to arguing.
“Wait, is that who I think it is?”
Ewan turned to see who I was looking at. “What are they doing here?”
It was a very good question.