Storm Over Rhanna by Christine Marion Fraser

Author:Christine Marion Fraser [Fraser, Christine Marion]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2013-03-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The evening boat brought Daniel Smylie Smith back to Rhanna, well pleased with himself as work on the Mermaid could now get started, and he had spent the last few days in Oban arranging for the relevant parts to be shipped over on the same steamer as himself.

He was even more pleased when, on presenting himself at Tigh na Cladach, he discovered Steven to be up and about and sipping sherry in Megan’s homely little sitting room.

‘You look well on it, old son,’ Daniel enthused, ‘and you’ll feel even better when I tell you that work can begin on the Mermaid. I’ll arrange some local help and be on the spot to supervise and make sure the buggers get their fingers out. From what I’ve seen they’re not too keen on hard work in these parts though no doubt the finished efforts will be alright. That old geezer, Ranald, seems more than keen to let us continue using his boat shed so all in all everything’s worked out well.’ He winked. ‘Should all take a few weeks though, and I must admit this place has grown on me so I mean to make the most of my stay – as no doubt you will too.’

Steven, somewhat pale after his first day up and about, held up a protesting hand. ‘Dan, old boy, slow down. I’ve just spent six weeks on the boards and am in no fit state for all this breezy talk. I’ll be taking my time getting myself shipshape again and a whole summer mightn’t be long enough to do it in. I’ve still to see this island, remember, and while I’m seeing the sights I want you to keep out of the way.’

It was his turn to wink. The young men smiled at one another in complete understanding.

Morning brought Eve, so overwhelmed to have Daniel back she rushed to the kitchen to sit at the table and nibble nervously at her fingernails while she stared tearfully and unseeingly into space. Megan had never known Eve to bite her nails before. She felt uneasy and wished Daniel hadn’t come back, and without more ado she went to find him and tell him he couldn’t possibly stay at Tigh na Cladach.

Just a few hours after Daniel’s return the island knew about it. Tigh na Cladach was instantly labelled a ‘house of sin’, more so now that the two men in it were up and about and able to indulge in ‘all sorts o’ mischief’.

‘I told you she’s a Jezebel.’ Elspeth was emphatic in her condemnation of the doctor and this time her cronies were inclined to agree with her as their nods and ‘ay’s’ so amply implied. ‘No’ content wi’ corruptin’ herself she’s inveigled Eve into her web as well – and after all the tragedies that’s happened in that family too. Tina is beside herself wi’ worry as well as grief, Eve was aye a lass for the lads but she was careful wi’ herself. The Lord alone knows what trouble she’ll get into wi’ that cityfied young man.

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