Chapter 21
Duncan’s own mother had passed away when he was still very young, and Carrie and he were as close as Bex had ever seen a stepmother and son. Carrie thought of him as her own and saw all his qualities, not to mention all his faults. And she loved him unconditionally.
Like most people close to Duncan, she had been a bit wary when he had started a relationship with Bex, because of the issue of distance.
But it hadn’t taken her long at all to see that it was real love, and she had embraced Bex as part of the family.
More than once, Bex had found herself thinking how Carrie and Duncan’s dad, Keith, would’ve made perfect in-laws.
And she was pretty sure they had thought the feeling was mutual.
As Carrie finally released Bex from a hug, she kept her hands on Bex’s face and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
‘Look at you. It feels like it’s been forever,’ she said.
‘It’s been a little while,’ Bex admitted.
‘How are you doing, darlin’? I’m guessing this hasn’t been easy on you either. Have you been eating properly? You look like you’ve lost weight.’
‘I’m doing all right,’ Bex said, before reciting the words she must’ve said hundreds of times already. ‘And it was for the best in the long run. You know, the distance and everything.’
Carrie’s lips twisted, as if she could see through Bex with perfect clarity.
‘Well, I’m sure the decision couldn’t have been easy on either of you. And I know you two wouldn’t have made it if you hadn’t thought there was no other option.’
Bex smiled gratefully. It felt like the first time somebody had said that to her. Everybody else had just insisted on telling her how wrong she was. Or assumed it was all on her. Carrie hadn’t done that.
‘Getting a coffee?’ Carrie asked, gesturing towards the café.
‘Just before I walk down to the castle.’
Carrie nodded. ‘I heard. Lots of hush-hush business going on there.’
Bex’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t realised people thought what she was doing was secretive. Even though it was.
‘Don’t worry, I’m pals with Gordon’s wife, Cary. I know she doesn’t know what’s going on either, so I’m not going to press you for any answers. You and Gordon’ll let people know when you can. But I’d like to buy you a drink, for old times’ sake, if that’s all right?’
‘That sounds lovely. Thank you.’
For the next ten minutes, Bex and Carrie skirted around the issue of her and Duncan’s relationship and kept the conversation on far more neutral matters.
How the village was coping with Fergus’s death.
When the funeral was likely to be. Not to mention Lorna, with her never-ending plans, and not quite living up to her potential. That kind of thing.
When Carrie had paid for both their drinks, they headed towards the door, but as Bex went to open it, she felt a hand on her arm. When she turned around, Carrie was looking at her with an expression of concern crinkling her face.
‘You know, if you ever need me, as a friend, or as… I don’t know what exactly,’ Carrie said, ‘but I’m always here to talk to you. You know that Keith and I thought the world of you, and that doesn’t change just because you and Duncan didn’t work out the way we all hoped.’
‘Thank you. I’m really grateful. Honestly.’ It was her turn to go in for a hug, and it left her wondering why she had been so worried about talking to Carrie in the first place.
‘Take care of yourself, Bex,’ Carrie said as they broke apart.
‘I will.’
By the time Bex arrived back at the gate of the castle, the sun was casting yellow rays of light over the undulating hills.
She had just finished her coffee, and was debating whether it would be wrong to get another straight away, when she spotted the figure standing outside the front door.
He offered a small wave before walking over to her.
‘Rebecca,’ Kieron said, taking her by surprise as he kissed her on both cheeks. ‘How are you doing?’
‘I’m good, thank you,’ she said.
‘I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to see you much of late,’ he continued. ‘I’ve been rather busy here now, with everything. Not to mention Burns Night. But you’re okay, aren’t you? You’ll let me know if you need anything? I don’t want you to think you can’t ask me.’
It was a kind offer, considering how much he much he had going on.
‘Of course, but I’m absolutely fine.’ Bex glanced to her side, where Gordon’s car was already parked.
‘I see that Gordon’s already here,’ she said.
What she really wanted to know was whether he had spoken to Kieron yet about looking around the rest of the house.
From the slight pause, it seemed Kieron had.
‘Yes, yes, he’s been here.’ He swallowed, lips pressing into the same position before he lowered his voice slightly.
‘Between you and me, Bex, I’m not sure whether I should bring in some of my lawyer associates from London.
You know, to help speed this up. I’m not saying that Gordon can’t do the job, of course.
I’m sure he was very capable once upon a time.
But, you know, it’s a colossal task, and maybe it might be a bit too much for the old chap. ’
Bex felt a slight twist somewhere in her abdomen.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I mean, are you allowed to do that? Fergus appointed him, right? It’s Fergus’s estate. I mean, I don’t know at all.’ She let out a tight, slightly awkward laugh. ‘Obviously I’m not a lawyer.’
‘Right.’ Kieron nodded, his eyes drifting off slightly. ‘Wouldn’t surprise me if my uncle made this as slow and difficult as possible. That was the type of man he was, as you’re well aware.’
As he smiled at Bex, she felt her stomach tighten further.
Yes, Fergus certainly came across as grumpy and difficult, but that was only to those who didn’t know him. The fact that Kieron still thought of him that way was a sign that perhaps he hadn’t known his uncle as well as he thought. Or at all.
‘I wanted to say thank you,’ Kieron said. His tone shifted as his smile relaxed. ‘I know that being cooped up in a stuffy old castle probably isn’t your idea of great fun. Not to mention bunking down with the locals. You know, I’m sure your firm wouldn’t mind paying for a room in the village.’
‘I’m fine at Lorna’s.’ Bex meant the comment genuinely.
Being on her own meant being in her own head, and that wasn’t something she wanted at the minute.
Particularly not up here. And the sofa bed was exceptionally comfortable.
Now she knew how to set it up properly. ‘And this place is hardly stuffy,’ she said, quirking an eyebrow.
‘You know what I mean.’ He flashed her a grin, his twinkling eyes glimmering at her.
‘You and I are city folk. The big smoke is in our blood. Like the damn loch water for these folks.’ He sighed, broadcasting his arms around the area.
‘Strange, you know. It doesn’t matter how many holidays I spent up here, how much I tried to get to know the place, how many parties I try to throw for the locals.
I’ll never be one of them, you know. That’s the thing with a place like this.
Either you’re a local, or you’re an outsider. There’s no in-between.’
Was he talking about her or himself? Bex couldn’t quite tell.
Something about his tone made her think it could be both.
Bex’s mind shifted back to Carrie. She had been born in America, and her thick accent remained, yet there was nobody more involved – or, as far as Bex could tell, beloved – in the village. Apart from perhaps Moira, of course.
‘Anyway, it’s good for me to know that you’re there with Gordon,’ Kieron continued. ‘Fighting my corner for me.’
Fighting his corner? The choice of words caused a spike in Bex’s pulse.
Did he know about the will and how he wasn’t necessarily going to inherit the laird’s title, and everything else, for that matter?
He was being very calm if he did. She parted her lips, not sure how she was going to find out, when he continued talking.
‘I just mean, trying to get this sorted as quickly as possible,’ he clarified, causing a wash of relief to flow through Bex.
‘Well, everybody just wants to get this sorted as quickly as possible,’ she said.
‘You’re right. Absolutely, of course. I didn’t mean anything by it.’ Kieron flashed her a smile, though it was replaced by a far more serious expression. ‘Look, maybe, when we’re back in London, you and I could get together under more enjoyable circumstances? If that’s something you’d be up for.’
‘More enjoyable circumstances?’ she questioned.
‘Dinner perhaps? Maybe a show?’
Was he asking her out on a date? Yes. She was sure he was.
Dinner or a show didn’t leave much room for misinterpretation.
Besides, his eyes had that twinkle back in them, and like it or not, they really did cause a flutter in her abdomen, though she tried hurriedly to suppress it.
How the hell was she meant to reply? It wasn’t that she wanted to say no outright.
There was a definite physical attraction, but was there more than that?
It was hard to say. Then there was the minor detail of how she was also working for him.
But if she said no, when she was still going to be here for an undisclosed amount of time, that would be more than a little awkward.
And why would she say no, anyway? Because she still loved Duncan, who lived up here and would never move.
Whereas Kieron had just said himself, he was a city boy.
They were definitely a better match on paper.
‘That would be lovely,’ she said, before she could stop herself. ‘When we’re back in London.’
His smile broadened, taking that twinkle to a whole new level.
‘I should get in, though. Gordon’s waiting.’
‘Of course, of course. Don’t let me keep you.’ He stepped aside, making room for Bex to step past, and as she just reached the door, he called out.
‘Oh, by the way, I mentioned to some of my friends about the work you do. Friends who need accountants. There might be some good news for you there, too.’
‘Well, thank you. I appreciate that,’ Bex said, struck with an urge to get inside, which had nothing to do with the cold.
‘No worries. Have a good day, Rebecca. See you soon.’
He left her with one of those flashing smiles, and she could feel something between excitement and nausea filling her. What the hell had she just agreed to?