Chapter 8
‘O kay so usually after breakfast, the Buchanan heads into the scullery to read her Take a Break that she hides between the pages of the same copy of the Times that she’s had since 2003.’ Sophie sits on my bed as I pace up and down the room in front of her, tapping my finger against my chin. She seemingly forgot all about the tour of the castle as soon as the scheming began yesterday, and, though I appreciated knowing a little more about the place, I am more than happy with the diversion that has taken us almost seamlessly into the following day. As is she, by the way she lounges across my duvet with a grin. ‘She’s usually in there for about half an hour by herself before inspecting the kitchen and laundry.’
‘And where is Jimmy at this time?’ I stop pacing to ask her.
Sophie thinks about it for a moment, her face straining as though she’s physically rifling through her brain. ‘Well, he and Fraser usually head to the stables in the morning after Fraser has finished piping.’
‘Fraser?’ She nods. ‘Perfect.’ As if on cue, the carriage clock on the mantel ticks softly to 9 a.m. and I cross to the window.
As punctual as ever, he is already there, beneath the vines, assembling his instrument under his arms. For the first time since I arrived, I am waiting for him, and I steal a moment to watch him when he believes himself unperceived. He’s deep in thought and his fingers twitch against his kilt, as though already playing the songs he has lined up in his mind. The serious expression on his face, lined by his furrowed brows, relaxes ever so slightly as he draws in a breath and releases it shakily. The thought of a man who is usually so composed calming his nerves beneath my window makes me smile, and I fantasise for a moment that he is a prince come to serenade me with a prettier instrument than the bagpipes.
Only when he looks up to take another breath for his opening note does he actually see me. The novelty of seeing me at all, let alone already fully dressed and ready for the day, seems to make him falter for a moment.
‘Are you well, my lady?’ He breaches his protocol to call to me first.
‘I need your help.’ Setting down his pipes without another second’s hesitation, he marches down the garden path towards the castle entrance.
‘Pipe Major Bell.’ Fraser about-turns at the sound of my voice. ‘Where are you going?’
‘You need my help,’ he replies bluntly.
‘Well, yes.’ He waits just long enough to hear my affirmation, before turning again and entering the castle.
‘I just assumed it would take a little more convincing than that,’ I babble to myself.
‘What’s going on?’ Sophie asks as I retreat from the window.
‘I believe Fraser is on his way up here.’ I shrug, still unsure of what exactly it is that I want him for.
‘Fraser? Fraser Bell? The piper?’ Sophie’s eyes widen and her face flushes.
‘Is there another one?’
‘Well, no, not that I know of.’ Her brows knit together and the heel of her shoe taps against the rug as she bounces her knee nervously.
‘Is there a problem?’ I haven’t yet seen her so ruffled as she picks at the hem of her dress.
‘No, no, no problem. It’s just Fraser Bell doesn’t really socialise with us inside lot very often,’ she whispers and tracks her eyes erratically across the room as though he is already hiding in the walls. ‘I only ever see him alone or with Jimmy and the horses. I’ve been here half a decade and I don’t know if he’s ever said two words to me.’
‘Well, that’s perfect for us. If he can help us get Jimmy in the right position, we stand more chance of putting him in Buchanan’s path.’ I grin. My scheme is falling together.
‘I, er, well, I went to school with his sister,’ Sophie stammers out, as though revealing an embarrassing secret.
‘Excellent?’ I reply, a little confused, and am grateful when a firm knock finally sounds. ‘That will be him.’ Rushing to open the door, I don’t fail to notice how Sophie straightens and smooths out her hair and dress.
When I reveal Fraser on the other side of the door, he is stood to attention, hands firm at his sides, his uniform pressed perfectly against his frame.
‘Are you well, my lady?’ He repeats his initial question, his eyes flicking across my face and then scanning into the room behind me.
‘I am quite well, thank you.’ His attention darts back to me, his forehead creasing beneath his cap.
‘You no longer require my help, ma’am? Not ill? Or in danger?’ His chest rises and falls softly with each of his breaths.
‘Danger? Christ, no.’ I chuckle. The piper doesn’t crack a smile. After pulling him by the wrist into my room, I close the door quickly before imparting our plan to him. ‘We need your help setting up Mrs Buchanan and Jimmy.’ Fraser seems to lose control of his expression for a moment as his face contorts in bewilderment.
‘Hi.’ Sophie breathes heavily and raises an awkward hand in a greeting before he can fully process my words. The single contraction paints her cheeks a brand-new shade of crimson as soon as it leaves her lips.
A confused Fraser nods in reply, and looks down at my hand wrapped around the cuff of his jacket. ‘Is this a joke?’
‘How is Eilidh?’ Sophie covers her mouth as soon as she speaks, as though trying to stop any other words from slipping out.
‘She’s well, thank you,’ Fraser answers politely, though still quite considerably perplexed.
Opening my mouth to speak again, I can’t get out a word before Sophie is blabbering once again. ‘We went to school together. I’m Sophie.’
‘Aye, I know.’
‘Wait, you know I went to school with your sister or you know my name? Did she tell you?’
‘Of course I know your name, Sophie; we have worked together for four years.’
‘Five, actually, but who’s counting, right?’ She chuckles awkwardly.
‘Right, moving on from whatever this is …’ I cast a side glance at Sophie and remind myself to return to this topic with her later in the day. ‘Will you help us or not?’
‘Sorry, ma’am, but I’m not exactly sure how I come into this?’ Fraser looks between myself and Sophie, a glimmer of what almost looks like fear in his eye. ‘I’m just here to play the bagpipes.’
‘That’s exactly what I need you to do.’ Now it’s Sophie’s turn to look confused. ‘Buchanan reads her magazine in the scullery because it’s quiet, right?’ Sophie nods as I continue reciting my plan. ‘Well then, why don’t we make sure that she gets absolutely no peace? And she has no choice but to take her reading to the garden? And … who else will be alone with her in the garden?’
‘It won’t work,’ Fraser pipes up after I have given myself a little giddy round of applause at the climax of my plan. A little ruffled by my hard stare, he continues, ‘Well, if you want her to cross paths with Jim, the maze will probably be your best shot, no? It’s more secluded too.’ Sophie and I share a glance as though neither of us can actually believe we have roped Fraser into this, and are both now champing at the bit to find out why he would choose to describe it as ‘secluded’.
‘How will we get them both into the maze?’
‘It’ll be easy enough. Jim spends most of his time in there at the moment, getting it ready for the king coming in August. He’s become just a little obsessed, as the king’s “brand-new thistle-shaped maze” has been the talk of all of the royal circles since they planted it last year.’
‘He might not have to be so anxious. I, thankfully, haven’t heard a peep in any of my circles.’ I snigger, amused at the idea of Jimmy taking a pair of scissors to the hedgerows to perfect each manicured point of the giant thistle.
‘Aye, well, if you’d like to get him alone, then the maze is where he will be.’
‘I, for one, think that’s a brilliant idea.’ Sophie grins at Fraser before turning back to me. ‘Mrs B will do anything to make sure things are perfect for the family coming for their holidays, especially when it involves bossing old Jimmy around.’
‘That’s settled then.’ Moving to the window, I can just about make out the tops of the yews that have not a single leaf out of place. ‘Now we just need to figure out how we get Buchanan to actually go inside the maze.’
‘Oh, if there’s any sign of Jimmy, she won’t be able to help herself. I reckon we can use Flo to our advantage too.’ Sophie joins me in looking out of the window.
‘Flo?’
‘Jimmy’s dog,’ Fraser answers for her as he draws up to my other side and the three of us watch as the man and his dog stride across the lawn, the latter running off ahead before circling back obediently when called.
After another half an hour ironing out the details, the plan is finally set. Sophie and I watch Fraser from across the garden as he takes his position just outside of the window to the scullery.
‘Sophie?’ I whisper to her as Fraser begins his opening melody. She hums in reply, keeping her doe eyes firmly locked onto the piper. ‘He’s great, isn’t he?’ I encourage, sensing another match on the cards.
‘Who?’ she asks, though still unable to tear her eyes from him.
‘Fraser, of course.’
‘Yes, yes, brilliant. I can’t believe he actually agreed.’
‘Handsome too, right?’
‘The whole family are, they’re like the hot Hollywood version of what everyone thought Scottish royalty looked like.’ Finally tearing her eyes away, she looks at me with an animated glow across her cheeks. ‘They all have that dark red hair too, like sunlight through a ruby.’
There it is – all the proof I need is right there in her dilated pupils and cherry-brushed cheeks. Since Sophie has been nothing but good to me, it’s only fair that I repay the favour: by the end of the summer she and Fraser will be my most successful match to date. If there is one good thing I can do whilst I’m here, it’s bringing her a little happiness. From this day forth, I’ll make it my mission to get to know everything there is to know about Fraser Bell, find out what makes him tick, what makes him smile, what will make him fall in love.
Before I have the chance to comb over the fine details of my plan, Mrs Buchanan comes huffing out of the kitchen door, shaking her head in Fraser’s direction, her tattered copy of the Times tucked under her arm.
‘She’s going the wrong way,’ I whisper to Sophie as Mrs B comes strutting around the path in the opposite direction to the maze.
‘Leave it with me. If there is one thing the Buchanan hates more than Jimmy, it’s being pestered on her break.’ Sophie stands up from behind the bush we are crouched in, brushes down her dress and strides towards her with a bounce in her step. ‘Mrs B?’ She waves a manic hand in the housekeeper’s direction. With the speed and ease of a reflex, Mrs Buchanan draws her phone out of her pocket, holds up a silencing finger and turns in the opposite direction to take the call that miraculously came at the sight of an interruption.
Stifling a giggle from the bushes, I almost give the game away when Sophie turns around to shoot me a wink and a thumbs up. Once our target has moved out of sight, I emerge from my hiding place and rejoin Team Cupid in the middle of the garden. Fraser’s playing slowly diminuendos until the peaceful silence is restored to the Balmoral gardens.
‘Those bagpipes have never sounded so sweet,’ I tease. ‘Who knew they’d actually have a use.’
‘My lady, I’m going to say this in the politest way possible.’ Sophie turns to me with uncharacteristic seriousness. ‘Only those of us who have spent too many PE lessons at school being forced to learn Scottish country dancing as the popular kids all laugh when their pal has to hold your hand for Strip the Willow are allowed to slag off traditional Scottish music.’
I hold my hands up in surrender. Both Sophie and Fraser chuckle and the nervous thumping in my chest quickly subsides.
‘We’d better make sure Flo is in position.’ Sophie returns to her usual jolly demeanour as she tries to peek around the side of the house for any sign of our targets.
‘Do you still require my services or may I be excused, ma’am?’ Fraser straightens and returns to his usual air of seriousness.
A little taken aback, a small part of me aches at the thought that he has only joined us this morning as he believed it to be some royal order. ‘You’re welcome to join us as a friend?’ As soon as the words leave me, I know he would only ever accept so as to not upset his bosses. I wonder for a moment if Sophie too is only here for fear of her job or reputation.
‘I have some other duties to attend to. I work in the stables in the afternoon, ma’am, and the horses will need me since Jim is in the maze.’
‘Very well. Thank you for your services, Piper Major. You are dismissed.’ The excitement of my scheme seems to dwindle as Fraser bows and marches back down the garden path and out of sight.
‘Shall we?’ Sophie interrupts my ruminations as she shakes a packet of custard creams in front of me. Nodding wordlessly, we follow back along in the direction that Mrs Buchanan took off in and tread carefully along the limestone walkway.
From behind some of the perfectly manicured foliage, we spy the housekeeper sat in one of the shaded corners of the castle muttering to herself as she skims through her magazine.
‘Okay, here’s the plan,’ I whisper to Sophie. ‘You lure Flo out of the maze for just a moment with the biscuits, just as I tell Mrs B that there is a dog digging up the lawn and causing trouble. If all goes as predicted, she will storm right over, find Jimmy, and if there was something about one another they couldn’t ignore once, it has to still be there now. We shall leave it up to them for the rest.’
Sophie nods her head like a solider given an order to fix bayonets and scampers across the garden, her custard creams clutched in her hand. With as much poise as twenty-two years of pretending to be someone else has readied me for, I strut over to the housekeeper and unleash my best finishing-school acting.
‘Do you get many strays around here, Mrs Buchanan?’ Though I keep my tone as casual and level as possible, she snaps her attention from her magazine so quickly that one would think I’ve told her that Hamish the horse is walking on his hind legs singing ‘Zadok the Priest’.
‘Strays?’ she rushes out. ‘Stray what?’ Scanning across the lawn, she is half hunting spaniel herself before she regains her composure. ‘My lady,’ she adds as an afterthought.
‘Why, stray dogs of course.’ I give her one of my best jeering Kitty titters, and Mrs Buchanan leaps up from her seat.
‘Where? Where is she?’ Scanning across the garden again, she rushes back along the path and I have to trail behind her.
‘Last I saw, she was digging up the flowerbeds near the maze.’
‘No, no, no.’ She hums to herself as she redirects and storms towards the maze. ‘I’ll have that eejit’s guts for garters.’
It doesn’t take us long to see the mess. Flo is nuzzling in the loose earth and every now and again crunches one of the concealed biscuits between her jaws. Out of the corner of my eye, I spy Sophie, crouched behind a white stone water feature giving me a sly thumbs up.
‘Mr Campbell!’ Mrs Buchanan screeches as she rushes over to Flo. ‘Mr Campbell.’
The groundskeeper rushes from the maze as fast as his wobbly legs can carry him, his eyes wide and panicked at the sound of her call.
‘Mary? What is it, hen?’ He places a tender hand on her elbow and she snatches it away as though stung by his touch.
‘What is it? What is it? Your mindless mutt is what it is.’ She points at Flo who sits obediently now at her master’s feet, a mud-smeared grin on her face. ‘The king will be here next week and look at this!’ She points at the decimated marigolds that are now littered across the pathway. ‘His pride and joy!’
Mrs B scrambles to her hands and knees and attempts to shove the shredded petals back into the soil but her efforts are futile.
‘Mary, please. Let me.’ Jimmy kneels beside her and tenderly takes the roots from between her dirtied fingernails. ‘I don’t know what’s come over her – it’s not like her at all.’ Jimmy gives Flo a long, sad stare and the sight of all three of them, filthy and miserable, causes my gut to tremble.
The feeling doesn’t subside. Mrs Buchanan grows more agitated, as Jimmy’s shoulders round even more in a defeated hunch and all I desire is to go back in time and never have come up with this foolish plan.
‘Please,’ I splutter forth, ‘allow me.’ Dropping to my knees beside Jimmy only causes the expression of panic to deepen on his face.
‘Lady Alice!’ Mrs Buchanan cries. ‘See here, Mr Campbell, what has become because of your beast! You have Princess Alexandra’s granddaughter knee-deep in filth!’ She lets out an exacerbated cry and runs her hands over her face, leaving behind a thick streak of mud.
‘My lady, there you are!’ Sophie rushes out of her hiding place, a guilty expression on her face. ‘I have been looking for you. Come on, we must be off.’ She tries to pull me to my feet but my shame keeps me rooted.
‘I just need to help—’
‘Ma’am.’ Sophie gives me a pointed look and tugs at my wrist as gently as she can whilst still sending me the message that I must move now. ‘It is quite urgent.’
Looking back once more at the chaos I have created, a coldness spreads through me until I no longer fight against Sophie and allow her to drag me away.