There was one more revelation in store before the day was over. Donalda MacRae, a sturdy Highlander with steel grey hair and a pair of eyes so black as to be almost impenetrable, welcomed them into a cottage where she had lit a fire, turned on all the lights, boiled water, left a tray with quiche and fish to be heated in the microwave, and arranged a plate of griddle scones, cake and cheese for their supper.
“I’ll be off now,” she declared in a lilting Scottish voice. “But I am just a call away should you be after needing a thing at all. Have a good night.”
She was almost out the door when she turned back and looked steadily at Lawren. He was transfixed by her gaze and wondered what else there was for her to say. When she spoke again, he could not have been more astounded.
“You’ll be one with the second sight, then.”
It was not a question, merely a statement, and she did not expect it to be contradicted.
“My man was a seventh son of a seventh son. He had the sight all his life and I can see it in your eyes even now. Never doubt it.”
With that, she was gone. Lawren stood, blinking rapidly as if he had dreamed the entire incident.
“Anna?”
“I know! That was the most incredible thing to happen at the end of this incredible day.”
All at once the day seemed to have gone on too long and she suspected neither one of them had strength for much more.
“Come over to this lovely fire, my dear. We’ll have something to eat and get right to bed. We can talk about it all tomorrow.”
They set off early, after eating what remained of the evening’s feast and downing hot tea. Lawren left cash on the table for their accommodation and food. He was wary of another encounter with their prescient hostess.
They drove into the sunrise and stopped briefly at the first garage they saw to fill the gas tank and ask for the fastest route back to Oban. This took them away from the sea views but meant they were home well before noon.
Anna felt impelled to pack some clothes and check over everything in the farmhouse to prepare for their departure. She was sorting out washing when she remembered the cell phone in her handbag had been turned off since their departure from Oban. She had not wanted any possible interruptions to mar their special day.
As soon as she powered up the cell phone she saw a list of missed messages. There were two from Bev who had tried to get in touch and then worried when she was unsuccessful. There was one from Grant asking if the hired car had worked out. There was one from Alina wondering when they were coming back to London, and there was an urgent request from Fiona insisting on Anna’s arrival at Glenmorie Castle at 7:00pm sharp this evening.
Anna replied to all the other messages but left Fiona’s until last.
She found Lawren in the kitchen where he was carefully packing his drawings into a cardboard box and laying out the canvas of the oil painting of George and Jeanette’s lovely family.
“Lawren, that’s the first time I’ve seen the portrait. It’s quite beautiful. The children are painted with such care. Jeanette will always have an unforgettable record of how their family grew. Are you taking it home?”
“No, this one stays here. Jeanette wants to find a frame for it and she knows a firm who will stretch the canvas and install it for her. I have preliminary sketches of the group if you would like to have them.”
“Thank you! That’s a wonderful idea. I will love to have my goddaughter, that precious little Annette, with me in our new home.
That reminds me, Lawren. We have a condo to decorate when we get to London. We can have some fun with that. I want you to choose whatever style makes you feel most at home there.”
“I don’t know much about interior decorating Anna,” he laughed, thinking of his chaotic studio, “but we can explore options together. Something else to look forward to, I believe.”
“Ah, about that! We have one more castle to see before we leave here.”
“What! another road trip so soon?”
“Not exactly. The truth is I really need you to come with me to meet the Campbells at Glenmorie Castle. Fiona has requested my attendance at dinner tonight and I am afraid I may have interfered in her life far beyond the scope of friendship.”
“That doesn’t sound like you, Anna. What is it you are afraid of?”
There was nothing for it but to confess everything she had done two nights before. She would rather have kept the secret but the need to have Lawren’s support at the castle outweighed the desire to keep her impulsive actions to herself.
Lawren listened without comment until Anna had finished. There was a frown between his golden eyes which Anna had not seen before and she felt a sense of guilt that she had caused the frown to appear. She was about to launch into an apology for drawing him into her mess when he stated firmly that he could understand why she needed backup on such an occasion.
“I don’t personally know Fiona well, but I know how important she is to you. I do not like the sound of this Captain Campbell one little bit and I will be right beside you this evening no matter what happens. We’ll stand together, come what may.”
Anna exhaled. As long as they were of one mind, nothing could harm her although the thought did occur that it was not a bad thing they were leaving Oban in a day or two.
Bolstered by Lawren’s support, she called Fiona immediately.
“Anna? I am so glad you called back. Grant told me you were out of town and I was
afraid you would miss our dinner date.
Can’t talk now, I am working. See you at seven o’clock at Glenmorie.
And, Anna, please bring Lawren too!”
Short and sweet, thought Anna. She was no further forward about the guest list or the reason behind this special occasion but Fiona was back to work and seemed in fine fettle. So far; so good!
When about to face the dragon, it was essential to go well armed. In this case the armour would consist of an appropriate outfit for an evening at a castle.
Anna groaned to herself as she mentally contrasted the previous day at Eilean Donan castle with what might happen at Glenmorie. Hopefully, there would be no ghosts there.
Several outfits later, Anna was doubting whether she had anything suitable for a formal event in a Scottish castle. Every article of clothing she had packed for her trip was spread out on her bed and most of it had been rejected. The full black skirt and white sweater she had worn in Glasgow was the best bet by far but the sparkly belt would have to go, and the red leather shoes would not look right either.
She picked over her jewellery to see what would add a more classic look and found pearl earrings, always a safe choice. She had black court shoes with a small heel that might be acceptable but still the outfit lacked something. In desperation she went back to the cedar closet in the tower where she stored winter clothing to save packing heavy items for her trips. She flipped through the hangers aimlessly, with no idea what she was looking for, when something colourful dropped to the floor at her feet.
It was a square woollen shawl, long enough to be folded into a triangle and wrapped around the shoulders or fastened with a celtic-styled pin. She did not know the tartan but it was a rich mixture of colours. The plaid was mainly red and had green and blue stripes. A distinct, white line outlined the panels. The shawl would add needed warmth to the black and white theme of her proposed outfit.
“Perfect!” she declared. “But why have I never seen this before? Perhaps Alina or Fiona left it behind on one of their visits. No one else has the key to this closet.”
Grateful to have her problem solved, Anna locked the door and quickly folded away the rest of her clothes. Lawren would not suspect the mess she could create when making such decisions.
He had nothing to worry about. Whatever he wore he always looked exactly right. It was all a matter of inner confidence, she decided. A quick bath and a different hair style might help her achieve that high standard. It couldn’t hurt, and she felt she would need all the help she could get when confronting a certain Captain Diarmid Campbell and his son Gordon.
Warmed through, perfumed, and with her best features accented carefully, Anna donned her outfit and carefully descended the stairs. Lawren looked up from the cell phone he was studying and almost dropped it when he saw the transformation.
“Anna Mason, soon to be Drake, I had temporarily forgotten what a stunning woman you are. Whatever magic you performed in the last two hours, it was worth every minute. I will be immensely proud to escort you to the castle. Together we will be invincible!”
Lawren had arranged to keep the hired car for another day and he had also obtained directions to the castle. They set off in the last rays of the sunset for Glenmorie. Anna sat back with a famous Scottish motto running through her head.
‘Wha daur meddle wi’ me?’
Bring on the Campbells! They were prepared for them.
It was dark when they drove up the winding driveway. Flood lights on the high, distinctive roofline illuminated the towerhouse features and lanterns were lit over doorways and windows on the lower levels. Lawren was impressed and Anna was stunned. So this magnificent structure was where Fiona had been staying? What a long way from her tiny little cottage on the seafront.
They left the car on the gravel circle where a large black limousine took up a considerable amount of space. Anna pulled her outfit into place and clutched the tartan shawl around her shoulders. It was not the cold that caused her to do this. It was the unnerving effect of the castle looming above them.
Lawren just smiled and took her hand. As usual, he was not intimidated by anything. His leather jacket and black cords with a white shirt looked like a highlander’s garb from a century ago, minus the kilt of course. Anna had a second to wonder what Lawren would look like in a formal kilted outfit but she concluded he would not look any better than he did right now.
Fiona opened the massive oak doors before they could pull the bell’s iron handle. She reached forward and enfolded Anna in a warm embrace, whispering in her ear that everything was fine and Gordon’s father had not recognized her from the day they had met so briefly.
Anna was immediately reassured and she stepped back to allow Fiona to hug Lawren and welcome him into the castle. Anna saw that Fiona was wearing a long, full-skirted dress with a round neckline and a gathered sleeve. The dress was in a deep crimson shade and gave glowing colour to the girl’s cheeks which Anna knew were innocent of artifice.
They followed her up the stone staircase. Anna admired the view of the sweeping train of Fiona’s dress and figured out that the girl must be holding up the front.
Gordon Campbell was waiting at the top. He stepped down to take Fiona’s hand and in that gesture revealed how respectful of her he was. Anna began to breathe again. One more person to meet and she could relax.
Gordon made flattering comments about Anna’s good influence on his girlfriend’s life. He shook Lawren’s hand firmly as he complimented him on his artistic talent and asked him to assess the castle’s paintings. The guests were ushered into the grand banquet room where the imposing figure of Captain Diarmid Campbell waited in front of the fireplace wearing full highland dress including dark velvet jacket, frilled white shirt, sporran and sgian dhu tucked into his long wool stockings. Anna thought he could have dispensed with the dramatic attire as his facial decoration was quite imposing enough. She took a quick sidelong glance at Lawren to see how he was taking this display of male fashion and noticed his eyebrows were raised up considerably and there was a gleam of humour in his golden eyes.
The senior Campbell was presented with due formality by his son. Some desultory conversation about the weather and the estate’s size ensued, during which Anna received a discreet nod of the head from Diarmid, which she deemed to be a silent signal of approval. Sherry was circulated in an antique glass container and Anna had a chance to look around the huge room.
The first thing she noticed was the preponderance of a dark green tartan fabric similar to that in the attire of the Campbell men. She was almost sure it was the Black Watch plaid as she had once had a waistcoat and tam of that same pattern. The wall decorations of armour and deer antlers were similar to those they had seen the night before at Eilean Donan so they required no further examination. The highly-polished wood table in the middle of the room was another matter. It was adorned with a central line of silver sconces of more than two feet in height. Some held candles and others had a display of fruits and trailing plants.
Only the top section of this table was set out with gleaming silver flatware and an assortment of crystal glasses. Anna was glad the couples would be sitting close to each other rather than have to shout down the length of the table. She also surmised the Laird himself would be taking the carved chair at the head of the table and this was proved to be an accurate assumption when a female figure in white apron, over a dark dress announced that dinner was served.
Anna had been wondering if Fiona was responsible for all this splendour but as she was chatting comfortably with father and son and not knee deep in kitchen preparations, the appearance of a housekeeper made a lot of sense.
Lawren had to be pried away from examining the huge, dark, oil paintings of highland forbears that dominated the walls, but Gordon assured him there would be time to continue his inspection after the meal.
Anna was seated beside Gordon and facing Lawren and Fiona. As they started the meal with broiled scallops and an edible seaweed vegetable, it became clear that Diarmid was in charge of the conversation. In a manner accustomed to obedience, he sent inquiries down the table and waited imperiously until a satisfactory answer had been offered.
His first question was for Lawren. “I hear you are an artist. What have you been working on lately?”
Lawren responded by praising the McLennan family and outlining his method of capturing each child with one parent only, then combining the two halves into one cohesive portrait.”
“That must be timesaving,” commented the laird. To which Lawren replied, “Saving time is not the objective. Small children are easily distracted and a formal pose with both parents would be taxing on everyone.”
“Indeed! Perhaps you could visit us in the Borders at some point. Gordon’s older sisters have produced a brood of children who have not yet been committed to canvas.”
Lawren just nodded and continued to eat his scallops.
The next course was rabbit stew with a rich, red wine sauce accompanied by savoury wild mushrooms and a tangle of cress and bean sprouts. Diarmid’s focus was now on Anna. “I am reliably informed by Fiona that you are the person who encouraged her to pursue her career aspirations.”
“I can assure you, Captain Campbell, Fiona needed little encouragement. She is more than capable of steering her own course and always has been.”
Anna bent her head and resumed eating. She was not to be drawn into a discussion about Fiona in case she might reveal something the laird could use against the girl.
When the roast haunch of venison was placed on a platter in front of Diarmid Campbell, he proceeded to carve it with practiced skill while his guests were busy passing plates around. Conversation lapsed for a few minutes and Anna was not the only one to be relieved.
“This is excellent meat, Gordon. Was it hung for the required amount of time?”
“You taught me well, father. I am not likely to forget your teaching on estate matters.”
The senior Campbell mumbled into his beard then changed tactics. “So, Gordon, what’s this I hear about the endangered Scottish wildcats?”
Gordon took his chance to show off Fiona’s knowledge on this topic. “Father, Fiona is in the best position to advise you about this. She came to Glenmorie for the first time to provide information to our keepers about identifying the difference between feral cats and the wildcat species. That is how we met.”
The dark eyes now turned their full gaze on Fiona. Anna was proud of the way the girl answered his gaze unflinchingly. This was a topic on which both she and Fiona had intimate knowledge. No one would, or could, challenge her expertise.
“The number of pure-bred wildcats has been falling to a serious level, Captain Campbell. Disease and inter-breeding with domestic and feral cats are believed to be among the main threats to their survival. This a matter of great concern to all wildlife groups and a meeting was held last month to discuss if widespread live trapping, in the few remaining areas where the cats survive, could be the species last hope.”
There was no doubting Fiona’s knowledge or her enthusiasm for the subject. Gordon’s face lit up as he listened to her and even the reserved Diarmid Campbell was impressed.
“Interesting! What is your own opinion, young lady? Would this method be effective?”
“Politicians would insist there is no benefit to society in spending public money on this. Tourists would not ever be likely to catch a glimpse of wildcats, even if they were in the right area at the right time.
I am on the side of the conservationists. A species unique to Scotland deserves to survive. We have lost enough of our national pride in our land and its inhabitants, both human and animal. I am not sure that trapping would be the most effective way to do it. I have experience of what happens when wildcats are exposed to human contact.” Fiona exchanged a quick look with Anna at this juncture, then resumed her impassioned plea. “The whole issue deserves more money for research and implementation. I hope to be among those who pioneer this endeavour.”
The party at the table erupted in spontaneous applause at the conclusion of Fiona’s heartfelt plea.
She blushed like a rose but the tension was gone and the rest of the dinner was much more relaxed and convivial. Gordon gave his girlfriend a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and a warm smile. His father could not misinterpret the significance of this public display of affection. He raised his glass in a toast to Scotland, its wildlife and its people. Anna and Lawren gladly drank to that.
While Gordon acquainted Lawren with the Campbell ancestral portraits, and Diarmid sat back with port and cigars, Fiona motioned to Anna and they slipped away to the restroom together. A few minutes to talk freely was welcomed by both of them.
“Fiona! That is the most beautiful dress. It’s silk isn’t it?”
“It’s the loveliest thing I have ever worn, Anna. Gordon uncovered it weeks ago in an old wooden chest in an attic. He hung it up because he thought it was too delicate to languish there, not knowing he would have someone to wear it before too long.”
“And it fits you like a glove! You look so happy Fiona. I am thrilled for you.”
“Isn’t Gordon wonderful! His father isn’t so scary once you get past his appearance. The best part is he’ll be leaving tomorrow!”
They laughed and chatted together like schoolgirls in the huge echoing bathroom secure in the fact that the massive door would blanket any sounds of hilarity.
Later, Anna and Diarmid had a moment to talk. He seemed to be mellowed by the plentiful food and drink and the congenial company. Anna could imagine his favourable account of the evening to his wife and daughters when he returned home to the Borders.
Noting the elder Campbell’s pride whenever he mentioned his son’s plans for Glenmorie, Anna had a feeling that it would not be long before Captain Campbell attempted to restore the castle to Campbell ownership again. The absentee landlord rarely appeared to enjoy his Scottish property, it seemed. If she was right, Gordon and Fiona would have exciting times ahead of them and this castle could become a landmark of environmental and ecological innovation.
“I have been admiring your tartan shawl, Anna,” resumed the laird. “Fiona told me your parents were Scottish. Is this your clan tartan?”
“I don’t believe so. My family name is McLeod and that plaid is a more subdued colour akin to your own Black Watch, as far as I remember.”
“You are correct about that, but perhaps your family had a link to the Fraser clan also?”
Anna registered his use of the Fraser name but replied she was unaware of any such connection.
Hours after this, when she was thinking back over the evening’s events, she had a sudden flash of memory. Helen Dunlop was Helen Fraser when she was a married woman. Could the scarf have belonged to her?
Why had it suddenly appeared when it was most needed?
It seemed to Anna a sign that Helen’s spirit had finally accepted her past with all its faults. The Fraser connection, although much feared during her life in Oban, was a part of what had made Helen the remarkable person she became.
Anna decided she would take the scarf back to Canada with her and wear it with pride.