Cauldstane by Gillard Linda

Author:Gillard, Linda [Gillard, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Mystery
ISBN: 9781496147110
Amazon: 1496147111
Barnesnoble: 1496147111
Goodreads: 20622738
Publisher: Linda Gillard
Published: 2014-01-01T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

It was a relief to be outdoors, out of the castle, away from my room and my laptop. It was a positive pleasure to be moving smartly across the courtyard, out of the long shadows of Cauldstane and into the autumn sunshine. I buttoned up my thick cardigan against the chilly breeze and headed for the stone bridge and riverside walk which had become my favourite.

As I crossed the bridge, I averted my eyes from the Blood Stone projecting from the water. Instead, I gazed downstream at the brown water hurtling over the rocks. The movement and sounds entranced me, almost hypnotized me. I stared into the river from the bridge and for one vertiginous moment it was as if I was being drawn down towards the water; as if the current had the power to pull first my mind, then my body into the river.

My reverie was interrupted by a shout, a male voice hailing me. I looked up to see Fergus on the opposite bank, seated on a ride-on mower, pulling a trailer. The trailer contained a barking collie and two dark-haired children. He waved and switched off the ignition, then turned and said something to the children who climbed out of the trailer, laughing and shrieking, then ran off into the woods followed by their dog. Fergus jumped off the mower and jogged up onto the bridge.

‘The Cauldstane taxi service, at your disposal, ma’am. Can I take you for a ride along the riverbank? Or into the woods? You looked a wee bit sad, staring down into the water. Is my father giving you a hard time?’

‘Not at all. He’s an absolute delight. Couldn’t be more helpful. But Cauldstane’s giving him a hard time, isn’t it?’

‘Aye, and so am I. Were you wanting to talk about that some time? As background for the book, I mean. Sholto and Alec will have given you the emotional and historical perspective. But there’s another point of view. Financial. Practical.’

‘Yes, I know. They’ve both been at pains to give me a balanced view of the problems you all face. But of course I’d also like to talk to you.’

‘Now?’

‘Do you have a few minutes?’

He leaned on the bridge parapet. ‘Fire away.’

‘You want to sell up, don’t you? Put Cauldstane on the market.’

‘I don’t want to, but I think we should, aye.’

I wasn’t quite sure how to proceed, how to avoid asking the bald question that would seem impertinent. I looked up at Cauldstane, at the mass of pale pink stone rising up incongruously above the steep river gorge. I gazed up at the window of my room and thought how lucky I was to be able to live here, if only for a few weeks. I thought of the MacNabs living here for centuries, then of the current incumbents having to leave. Finally, I blurted out the tactless words. ‘Fergus, how can you bear to think of leaving?’

‘I think of little else other than how we can stay. I have ideas.

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