Free The Legacy of Lochandee by Gwen Kirkwood Page A

skirts. They’ll be lovely for dancing.’
    â€˜I think my days for swirling skirts and dancing are past,’ Rachel said, summoning a smile at Bridie’s enthusiasm. ‘We shall have to think about a wedding gown though, and bridesmaids, but we’ll wait for all that until you have fixed the date. I expect it will take at least six months to build a house.’
    â€˜Nick was hoping they would do it in three months. We are just having a small house to begin with. We thought a September wedding, after the harvest is in.’
    â€˜I see …’ Rachel’s anxiety returned, but she turned away and for once Bridie was preoccupied with her own thoughts. She seemed to alternate between excitement and desire, and a dreadful coldness in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of leaving Glens of Lochandee. Apart from her own love of the farm where she had been born, she had an uneasy feeling that she was letting down Alice Beattie, the woman who had been her benefactor and entrusted her with the care of her beloved land and animals.
    Rachel had not told anyone she was going to see Mr Niven, but she had forgotten Fiona was working there two or three days every week now. They greeted each other in surprise.
    After they had talked for a little while and Rachel had laid her tentative plans before the young solicitor she sighed. ‘There are so many “ifs” and time is short. I suppose you think I’m silly to try to interfere?’
    â€˜Not at all, Mrs Maxwell. Your motives are beyond reproach – the health of your husband and the happiness of your daughter. As you say, much depends on the successful sale of the vase. I presume this Mr Murray is entirely trustworthy, if it does turn out to be as valuable as he suspects?’
    â€˜Oh I’m sure he is.’
    â€˜Then I shall do my best to co-operate if you let me have your instructions.’
    â€˜Would you mind if I had a word with Miss Sinclair before I leave? You see, I don’t want my family to know about this visit until I’m sure the vase can raise enough money to carry out my plan, and I had forgotten Fiona would be here.’
    â€˜That’s all right. I’ll ask her to come through. You will find her most discreet – I firmly believe she may prove a great asset to our business. She sees problems – and their possible solutions – very clearly, and she is an extremely intelligent young woman. Any time you wish to convey a message to me you may entrust it to Miss Sinclair if that is easier than coming into town.’
    â€˜Thank you, I’ll remember that,’ Rachel smiled with relief. It was all so much easier than she had thought. If only …
    Rachel was on the road for home but her mind was on Fiona Sinclair’s parting remark. She was not only an accountant; she had a fine understanding of human nature. If she was right in her opinion of Nick, and in her heart Rachel knew she was, then her comment was worth some thought. She decided to make a detour by the garage, though she knew it was unlikely she would find Nick alone there, or that he would have time to talk with her. The more she pondered the more she felt Fiona was right. It was imperative to have Nick’s opinion, and to have him on her side.
    Nick was lying full length beneath a small truck when Rachel drew the car to a halt. She knew, by the disappointment on his face, that he had expected it would be Bridie when he recognised the Lochandee car, but he hid it quickly and smiled a welcome.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Mrs Maxwell, you’ve just missed Conan. He was called out to a breakdown, so I don’t think he’ll be back for at least an hour.’
    â€˜That’s all right, Nick. As a matter of fact it was you I wanted, but I can see you’re busy.’
    â€˜Nothing I can’t put off for half an hour. The owner of the truck doesn’t need it until Saturday. I –