Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands (Scottish Highlands)

Chapter 1

1

IVY

Ivy Heart admired the snow-covered Scottish mountains that framed Hawthorn Castle as she drew close to the end of her short walk to work. She glanced up at the stunning old building with its pointy turrets and white stone facade, before taking in the heavy oak portcullis draped with lush green holly that the gardeners had hung the day before.

Ivy pushed the door open and stepped inside the striking hallway. She stopped again to appreciate the high ceilings and sumptuous fir trees that lined the walls, which had been decorated in an abundance of tasteful baubles that matched the red, blue and gold of the Ballentine coat of arms. Then she heard her boss – Miriam Ballentine – shriek something from the office and Ivy tried to remain calm.

Just a normal day at work , Ivy soothed herself, breathing in the heady menthol fragrance from the Christmas trees. Then she lifted her chin and made her way along the hallway, rhythmically tapping on the tiles in her shiny red boots.

The small room that Ivy used as her workspace was situated outside of Miriam’s office. It was empty when Ivy entered and she pulled off her new green coat and hung it on a hook, before placing her bag on the ground. Then she flinched as Miriam’s door suddenly swung open and Simon Ballentine – Miriam’s grandson – immediately charged out.

‘If you leave now, you’ll never be Laird of Hawthorn Castle!’ Miriam shouted after him with fury in her voice.

‘I don’t care. You’ll have to get yourself a new puppet. I can’t do this on my own – I was never the only person for this job. I’m leaving today and I’m not coming back!’ Simon roared as, looking more than a touch unhappy, he practically sprinted past Ivy.

She started to turn to go after him. ‘Ivy, I need you!’ Miriam yelled through the open doorway and Ivy almost slid on the oak floorboards in her haste to obey. She’d been covering Miriam’s PA’s maternity leave for five months now and knew her boss would be annoyed if she had to wait.

Stay calm, she’s Mum’s oldest friend from university – and you have to impress her. Remember Mum’s mantra, ‘the best views come after the hardest climb’ , Ivy reminded herself as she took a moment to smell the blooming African Violet on her desk, feeling the knot in her stomach ease.

Ivy grabbed a notepad and pen and scrambled into Miriam’s office at speed. The room was impressive. Three walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, each crammed with antique, leather-bound journals and novels Ivy suspected hadn’t been so much as dusted in years. The floor was covered in a sumptuous red woollen rug and Ivy made her way across it towards the imposing six-foot desk her boss was currently hunched behind.

‘Sit!’ Miriam ordered abruptly in her rough Scottish lilt, nodding at the low wooden chair Ivy knew had been earmarked for uninvited guests, her grandson and staff. No doubt in an attempt to intimidate them.

Ivy carefully sank onto the seat, trying to look professional as her knees rose until they were angled a few inches above her thighs. She fidgeted, trying to get comfortable, and poised the pen over the pad ready to take notes.

‘Is everything okay with Simon?’ she asked quietly. ‘Do you want me to see if he’s okay?’

Miriam took a moment to study Ivy, her blue eyes critical. She wore her usual immaculate outfit which included a grey woollen suit, crisp white shirt and pearls.

‘My grandson has made an appalling decision and you can’t help with that,’ she snapped. ‘However, I have a plan to put things right and I need you to do something important for me.’ She pursed her lips.

‘What do you need?’ Ivy straightened her shoulders and determinedly met Miriam’s eyes.

‘I need you to track down my youngest grandson and bring him back to Hawthorn Castle. If Simon’s really determined to’ – Miriam twisted a hand in the air as she searched for the correct word – ‘ abandon his position here, then I need a new heir to take on his responsibilities. Unless of course Simon changes his mind.’ She sniffed, her cool eyes calculating. ‘In the meantime, it’s essential I find an alternative,’ she said carefully.

‘I thought Simon was an only child!’ Ivy blurted, immediately regretting the remark when her boss’s expression clouded. She knew the older woman wasn’t keen on sharing confidences so usually kept her questions to herself.

‘I have two grandsons, but Ross and I have been…estranged for years,’ Miriam said, looking annoyed.

Ivy wanted to ask why they were estranged but wasn’t sure how the older woman would react. ‘Will he come back if I ask?’ she said instead.

Miriam reached up and began to fiddle with the string of pearls around her neck. ‘Ross understands duty,’ she murmured, although Ivy detected a hint of something odd in her tone. ‘He’s…not been around for a while, but he was raised to appreciate that he might be required to step up one day. Despite everything, I’ve no doubt he will if the correct pressure is applied.’ Her eyes bored into Ivy as she waited for her to agree. The corners of Miriam’s mouth lifted when Ivy nodded.

‘How will I find him?’ Ivy asked, feeling unsure. When she’d taken on the role of Miriam’s PA, she hadn’t been expecting assignments like these.

‘My grandson is in one of those pictures over there. Take it so you’ll be able to recognise him.’ Miriam waved a hand at the numerous frames on the long sideboard situated under the window. ‘Not that one,’ she snapped as Ivy searched through the photos – most of which featured Simon, his deceased parents, their extended family, or Miriam – before she finally settled on a simple wooden frame at the back. It was of a tall man with a beard standing beside a large, blooming flowerbed in front of the servants’ entrance to Hawthorn Castle. He was holding a spade and there was mud on one of his cheeks. ‘That’s him. It’s a few years old so he might not look exactly the same now,’ Miriam said, waiting while Ivy studied the man’s face.

He looked a little like Simon, although his features were more rugged than refined and the dark whiskers on his cheeks and chin made him look sexy and a little wild. His jaw was square and he had a full mouth and brown eyes that in a wistful moment Ivy might describe as sad. His brown hair was ruffled, and Ivy guessed it was because he’d just been working outside. The khaki cargo trousers and black T-shirt hugged his frame, giving enough away for Ivy to suspect the body underneath was muscular. An unwelcome frisson of attraction shot through her and she placed a palm over the photo, then rested the frame face down on her knees as she sat.

‘What happened to him?’ Ivy asked hoarsely.

‘Nothing,’ Miriam snapped, before letting out a long breath. ‘I suppose you might need some background though.’ She looked bored. ‘When my son and his wife died in a sailing accident almost sixteen years ago Simon became first in line to inherit Hawthorn Castle, the land and Laird title when he turns thirty – which is just a month from now. I’ve been preparing him to take on the responsibility since he was fourteen.’ Miriam’s voice was emotionless.

‘And Ross?’ Ivy asked, intrigued.

‘Ross is two years younger than his brother so had the option to live a more ordinary life.’ Miriam’s voice was clipped. ‘Since Simon is…’ She hesitated. ‘Intent on abandoning his position, I’m afraid Ross no longer has that luxury. It’s imperative that he return and pick up the reins.’ Her icy blue eyes were serious.

‘Okay,’ Ivy agreed, wondering how easy it would be to convince Ross of that.

‘There’s a lot to learn, so I require him back at the castle by Christmas Eve at the latest – we have plenty of time.’ Miriam raised her chin, her expression determined.

Ivy knew from experience there was no point in arguing with her boss when she was in this mood: everyone was expected to fall into line.

‘Since it’s the second of December tomorrow, that gives him a full twenty-two days to organise himself. I intend for him to attend the party you’ve been organising. It’s very important everyone hears about Simon leaving and that I’ve got a replacement lined up.’ She looked towards the door and her eyes glittered.

Ivy nodded. The plans for the Christmas Eve soiree at the castle were already in place, and for a few months the gathering had consumed every second of her working day.

‘It’ll be the perfect opportunity for me to reintroduce my youngest grandson back into society and to announce that he’ll be the new successor to the family title and wealth.’ For the first time since Ivy had sat down, Miriam looked satisfied.

‘Do you have a number for Ross so I can warn him I’m coming?’ Ivy asked, repositioning the pen as she balanced the pad on top of the picture frame.

‘Ross doesn’t believe in phones,’ Miriam barked. ‘He doesn’t believe in letters or emails either because he’s not responded to any of the communications my last three assistants have sent.’ She jerked her chin, looking irritated. ‘Until today I was quite happy to leave him to live his own life.’

‘Right.’ Ivy nodded. The whole family had obviously had a serious falling out. But why – and could she help to fix it? Hopefully she’d find that out from the man himself. She turned the picture over again and studied Ross’s handsome face. ‘So how do I contact him?’

‘You’re going to have to speak to him face-to-face,’ the older woman explained. ‘That way you can inform him what’s happened with Simon and tell him exactly what I need him to do.’

‘Okay…’ Ivy murmured, feeling a niggle in the pit of her stomach. Ross obviously hadn’t been to Hawthorn Castle in years and had ignored any opportunity to reconnect, totally cutting himself off from his family. Not that his family seemed to have made much effort with him. This was the first time she’d ever heard of the younger grandson in the five months she’d worked here. Would Ross be as willing to return as his grandmother suspected? Then again, did he really have a choice? ‘That sounds simple enough…’ Ivy said slowly, ignoring the niggle, which had quickly started to nag.

‘That’s exactly what I wanted to hear,’ Miriam replied, smiling.

‘Where is Ross now?’ Ivy asked, still staring at the photo, feeling strangely drawn to his desolate face.

‘I believe he’s employed by Christmas Resort as some kind of groundsman and adventure guide,’ Miriam said, her tone offhand. ‘The place is situated about a mile outside of Christmas Village. You’ll find the exact location on Google Maps. It’s less than a thirty-minute drive from here.’ Miriam tapped a pen on her desk. ‘It won’t take long to get there; I suggest you depart tomorrow.’

Ivy nodded thoughtfully. ‘If I leave first thing I could be back by late afternoon.’

Miriam began to fiddle with her pearls again. ‘It’s possible Ross might need to be convinced.’ She cleared her throat. ‘My youngest grandson can be…stubborn.’ She shrugged her bony shoulders. ‘I’m sure once you meet him, you’ll be able to work out exactly what he needs to hear. But you should probably pack a bag just in case he needs time to come to the correct decision. Once he does, I look forward to seeing you here with good news. And Ivy…’ Miriam smiled her tiger’s smile. ‘If you succeed in this task, I’ll ensure you get a place on the Trainee Financial Trader Programme your mother is so keen for you to join when your contract finishes at the end of the month. You know it's almost impossible to get onto without the right contacts.’

Ivy stilled as her pulse fluttered. This was what she’d been waiting for. A place on a coveted training and induction course at one of London’s top investment houses which would provide a springboard to a highly lucrative career. A glowing endorsement from Miriam Ballentine into the right person’s ear would spell the start of her new vocation. It was way past time her mother stopped fretting about her future, and Ivy knew she had a responsibility to finally fulfil her potential.

‘Goodbye, Ivy.’ Miriam clicked her fingers, nodded at the door and turned her attention back to her laptop.

Ivy slowly rose from chair, clutching the photo frame, wondering what exactly had made Ross Ballentine leave the castle and his family – and whether it would really be as easy as Miriam hoped to persuade him to return.

Ivy knew she had to do everything in her power to convince him that he should. Her future – and her mother’s – depended on her success.