Heather Song by Michael Phillips

Author:Michael Phillips [PHILLIPS, MICHAEL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781455505746
Publisher: FaithWords

Chapter Thirty-six

The Edinburgh Affidavit

To the raid and the onslaught our chieftains have gone,

Like the course of the fire-slaught their clansmen pass’d on;

With the lance and the shield ’gainst the foe they have bound them,

And have ta’en to the field, with their vassals around them.

—G. Allan, “Is Your War-Pipe Asleep, M’Crimman!”

It was torment almost beyond belief to be stuck in Elgin and cooped up in a B and B for two days.

There was so much I wanted to do, people I was dying to see. I had no ocean, no seagulls, no trails, no headlands to walk along, no Crannoch Bin—only city streets and big-box stores and bustle and traffic and noise.

For the first time in my life, I was thankful for jet lag. What better way to pass the time than sleeping the day away.

Finally Thursday came and the meeting with Alasdair’s Edinburgh solicitor. Mr. Murdoch was utterly gracious and respectful. He treated me like a duchess whether I really was one or not. After Mr. Crathie told him of my doubts and reservations, he went to great lengths to establish the veracity of the claim and to explain why it had taken so long to make the content of Alasdair’s affidavit public.

“We had to get it all the way through the network of probate court,” he concluded, “and all the complex legal channels involved, with everything documented and recorded, before any potential challenge could be mounted.”

I nodded. “I appreciate how thorough you have been with everything, Mr. Murdoch,” I said. “But you do understand my own mixed feelings and reactions.”

“Of course. They are understandable given the circumstances. We are all very sympathetic. But you see, Mrs. Reidhaven,” he went on, “it is already beyond the point where you have to do anything, or even whether you have to take my word for it. The matter is concluded. You will be listed in the forthcoming edition of Debrett’s Peerage as Lady Angel Dawn Marie Buchan Reidhaven, Duchess of Buchan.”

I shook my head again in disbelief. Hearing him say it like that, especially with the Lady in front of my name, was like hearing it all again for the first time.

“I didn’t realize you knew my full name.” I smiled.

“Indeed, Mrs. Reidhaven, I probably know more about you than you have any idea. The legalities involved have required the most exhaustive research into your background.”

“In any event, I am honored,” I said, “and I will do my duty to Alasdair’s memory. But it is still very difficult for me to fathom why he did it in this way.”

“I understand,” rejoined Mr. Murdoch. “He anticipated exactly this contingency, even this moment when you would raise these very questions. He attempted, he said, to convince you against the prenuptial agreement, but did not want to pressure you unduly. He hoped your precautions, and this whole matter of his subsequent precautions as well, would turn out to be moot anyway. But to make certain nothing untoward should eventuate, he then undertook, as he said when he first broached the subject to me, ‘Plan B.

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