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H
ector hadn't been as fortunate as Millie and Caitlin in finding someone to help him — specifically, someone to manage the daily operations of the Cameron Sanctuary when he was finished with his role in setting it up. Clint and Ethel had spread the word around the village that they were looking for a woman to manage the Sanctuary, but none had appeared so far.
Sitting in his office, actually just a small area in a corner of the great room, he wanted to do one more final calculation before he could be assured his figures were correct and he was comfortable about submitting them to Millie. All the bedrooms had been outfitted with several small beds that could accommodate children and would also be large enough for the women, and the dining room now held three long trestle-type tables that would seat at least ten. The former gardeners had been re-employed and several gardens had been planted and were being cared for daily. Ethel had located the young girls that had worked at the castle before and, with a bit of coaxing, they had returned to their posts. There was still fear in the village, as the assailant of the Cameron ladies was still at large. Now that Clint and Winston had funds to work with, the sheep were being sheared and the proceeds already coming in from that. So the only hitch was their inability to find a manager.
As Hector was closing his ledgers, he heard someone approaching. Clint made his presence known by clearing his throat. "Uh, excuse me, Hector, but there's a young woman here asking about getting work in the Sanctuary. Ye can find her outside in the flower garden. She was taken with that so I told her to wait there."
"Did she say what kind of work? Kitchen work or gardening?"
"Nae. I didn't ask her, ye ken? Didn't seem to be any of me business, and I knew ye'd do better talking to her than me."
Hector nodded, put his ledgers away and walked out to the flower garden. The gardeners not only worked wonders with vegetables and fruits, but the flower garden was bursting out with blossoms all over. Spring in the Lowlands came much sooner than it did in the Highlands, and it was obvious the gardeners were more than glad to have employment again.
For a few seconds he saw no one, thinking perhaps the woman had left. Then, just a few yards to his left, there was movement and he looked in that direction. A young woman was bent over examining a large bloom on a rosebush. She raised up and turned in his direction, then stood there staring at him. He stared back and neither of them said a word for the longest moment.
Hector was quite sure he had never seen a more beautiful woman. Her luxurious, long hair was a soft, light brown, a color he had seen on many young fawns, and it was held back with a blue ribbon. She was average height, rather thin, and was wearing a plain, very prim, blue dress with white collar and cuffs. However, there was nothing average or plain about her face. She appeared to look him over from head to toe and when she finally let her gaze meet his eyes, he took a deep breath and let it go slowly. The only word that would describe her eye color was violet — the color of the amethyst broach he'd seen Mam wear over the years. But that was impossible — no one had violet eyes — but obviously this woman did.
Hector finally found his tongue and re-engaged his brain. He nodded his head and bowed slightly to the woman. "Hello, madam. I'm Hector MacKinnon. Clint tells me yer seeking work here at the Sanctuary. What kind of work are ye looking for, may I ask?"
She made a half-curtsy and introduced herself. "Hello, sir. I'm Regina Carmichael. I understand there is a position available here at Cameron Castle for someone to manage the new Sanctuary project."
"Yes, that's right. The Sanctuary is ready, but we're still seeking someone to manage it. We need someone with some experience, however. Do you have any experience running a business or a large house?"
"Yes, actually, I do. I've been Lodge Manager for the hunting lodge at the Wellington Estate for the past two years. My husband was the Games Keeper and I was in charge of organizing lodging and accommodations for the guests of the Wellingtons whenever they entertained hunting parties. They had shooting events and occasionally clan gatherings, which required me to plan meals for a large number of folk, keep the books, and organize the staff that was needed for the events."
"I see. That sounds like quite a lot of experience, but I must ask, why are ye looking for employment? Do ye no longer work there?"
"Nae, I am no longer needed there. My husband was killed in a shooting accident about six months ago. Master Wellington very graciously kept me on as a matter of courtesy, but I know they would prefer a new husband and wife team to take over. Without my husband there, I find it very lonely so I've decided to seek a new place and start my life again. I am in hopes that this position might be one that would provide me this new start."
Hector found himself staring at the woman again and struggled to find the words he needed. This woman could be the answer to his problem. She certainly spoke like an educated woman and her experience seemed adequate.
"Then perhaps we should talk further. This project is a new one and we'll all have to work together to make it a success. My brother's wife, Millie, is the granddaughter of Mrs. Cameron and the estate now belongs to her. It was her idea to have this Sanctuary. I agreed to help her get it going, but eventually I'll return to the Highlands. The manager will have a lot of responsibilities for sure."
The young woman had listened carefully, but as yet had said nothing more. Hector really didn't want to see her walk away so quickly, so he made a suggestion that might keep her for a while longer.
"Seeing as it's getting late, why don't we meet at the Mermaid Inn for supper and we'll talk more detail. Would that be agreeable to you?"
The woman nodded her agreement and thanked Hector for his time.
That evening, following a long meal during which Hector filled her in on as many details as he could think of, both of them agreed that this arrangement might work.
"It appears to me that you are just what we need for this position, so it's yours if ye want it. But ye must understand, if Millie disagrees with my choice, then that is that. Her decisions are the ones that really matter. She'll be down next week to see the changes we've made and I'll arrange for the two of ye to have some time together. But if yer willing, I'd like ye to start as soon as possible. We already have several women with children huddling in a lean-to at the back of the estate, desperate for help. Once yer here, we can begin to bring those and others in."
"Tomorrow suits me and I'll be here early and see what needs to be done. Thank you, Mr. MacKinnon. I look forward to working with you and meeting my employer."
He stood up quickly and pulled out her chair. "Hector — call me Hector," he said as he helped her with her coat.
"And I'm Reggie," she said as she smiled at him and disappeared out the door of the Inn.