Edwina

by Patricia Strefling

  Chapter 16

  He turned and she saw his ashen face. Had something bad happened while she was away? As she drew closer slowly, he changed his countenance and smiled rather sadly.

  “Reardon will drop us. Do you have a preference?”

  “You mean about food?”

  “Aye.”

  “No. I am at your beck and call.” She said hoping to raise his spirits a bit. He did not seem to notice her comment for when they reached the car, Reardon put them in and they were dashing down the busy streets of downtown Edinburgh.

  “Ralph’s” The Scot had said.

  The car pulled up under a burgundy canopy with the word Ralph’s written in gold.

  “Oh dear.” Popped out of her mouth.

  “What?” The Scot turned.

  “Well, as you see, I’m not property dressed for... .for... such...”

  “Too formal?” He said with a side glance.

  “Much too formal.” She found strength from somewhere inside.

  “Ah... I see.” A slight smile rested on his face.

  A smile? Hmmm... perhaps he was in need of some encouragement. She could do that.

  “If we’re just to talk we could swing into a fish and chips place and find a good corner.” She offered.

  “A good corner...” he said considering her idea. Edwina gazed out the window.

  “You know it’s been a long time since I’ve had fish and chips. Reardon, do you know of a place?”

  “Ah, Sir, indeed I do not know of such a place.”

  “I do. It’s right down on Walter Street, near the Pop and Top Restaurant. I went there a couple of times.” She said quietly.

  “Reardon, do you know where the Pop and Top is located?”

  “I do, Sir.”

  “Well, then take us there.” Reardon drove around the streets until they arrived.

  “Seems nice enough.” The Scot said. “Reardon, you may do your duties and come for us when I call.”

  Edwina noticed Reardon’s face as he stepped out to open the door. He seemed pleased. The Scot led the way opening the door for her as Reardon drove away.

  “I hope you like it here.” She was a bit worried it may be below his taste in food.

  “There in the corner. There’s a nice table and we won’t be bothered.” She offered.

  He led the way and since he couldn’t pull out her chair, went to stand by it until she sat. Boy was he trained well. But something inside her stomach twitched. She could get used to this.

  “We order from the counter.” He said and asked her what she preferred. She told him and he went up to order. He was the only one with a dark suit and tie.

  Edwina knew the feeling. She was always properly dressed. But since she’d come to Scotland, she’d learned to be more casual. Why was that? She was pondering those thoughts when he returned with the tray.

  He set it down and she waited as he took off his suit jacket, folded it exactly in half and draped it over the extra chair. Then he removed his tie and smoothed it over the jacket.

  “There now isn’t that better? We won’t have to worry so much if we’re offending anyone by our dress.” Edwina couldn’t believe she’d said that. But this arena was much more to her liking than it was to his, she realized.

  He looked up and passed her a drink and then a basket of fish and chips. Then took his off the tray.

  Edwina paused for a quick mental prayer and felt her face warm. How did one talk to a Scottish Laird? She took the plastic fork and began to eat.

  Before he took a bite, he rolled up his perfectly white sleeves.

  A minute or two passed. Edwina noticed his strong hands and muscular forearms. Geesh, wasn’t he going to start the conversation? Wasn’t he the one who wanted to talk?

  When he didn’t she could barely stand the quiet. “Do you always eat in silence?”

  He looked up. “No, I was just thinking.” He said by way of apology.

  “That’s okay.” She shrugged.

  “I am interested in offering you...” he hesitated. “A position.”

  Edwina picked up her fork again so her hand would shop shaking.

  “Miss Blair, do you like children?”

  “Oh yes, I like children. I read to them at the library every Thursday night and Saturday mornings.”

  “I see.” He pondered. “I will get down to the matter, but I need your word that you will not speak of this conversation to anyone. Not my staff, nor anyone else.”

  “Are you sure you want someone like me to be in that kind of position? I mean...” her thoughts were flying in all directions. Did he want her to do something illegal. No... he wasn’t that kind of man, she scolded herself. Yet she’d only known him two days...

  The deep voice interrupted, “Believe me, I know about you, Miss Blair. I do not make this offer carelessly.”

  “What do you mean?” She put her fork down.

  “I have checked your background and find you suitable.”

  “Suitable for what?” her stomach flip-flopped again.

  The man took another bite of food and seemingly ignored her question.

  Edwina turned her head giving him her ear, waiting, her hands squeezed together in her lap.

  After he swallowed his food, like a gentleman would before speaking, she felt her face turn warm again.

  “Miss Blair, you are serious in your endeavors. Have you attachments at home?

  “What do you mean?” Her food forgotten.

  “I know that you are unmarried, your position at the Michigan Library is secure, and that your sister is well suited to her life.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve observed your demeanor. And I find it to be...”

  Edwina waited.

  “Truthful, fresh and, well, you have a bit of fun in ye.”

  “Me? Fun? Really?” She could not help herself.

  “Aye. I saw you walking the hills with your pad.”

  “You did?” Edwina felt her face warm up a degree.

  “Aye. I was about my business.” He pulled in the reins on the conversation.

  “Mr. Dunnegin, I have a job back home... I couldn’t possibly... stay.” She was too tired to think about such things. Not to mention she was leaving tomorrow.

  “The position is offered for one year and then you will be free to continue your life as you wish. I’ll pay you triple what you make at your current assignment.” He tapped the table with two fingers.

  Edwina could not think of a single thing to say. That would be a substantial amount.

  “I need assistance in the office and ... other household duties.”

  Edwina nodded, thoughts tittering on the edge of reason and insanity. How could she possibly fulfill such a request?

  “It may seem untoward for you to be about the castle, an unmarried woman—as it is you would live at my farm. The Gillespie’s are the caretakers and they know the circumstances. They will be there while I am away. You may count on them.”

  “Sir, I thank you for your generous offer, but I do not think that I am suitable for such a position and as I said I have a job back home.”

  The man’s dark green eyes held hers captive.

  Edwina felt the inward groan of her heart. Why in the world did he have to look at her like that? The man with the deep voice and tall frame also contained a serious, almost sad side.

  She was free, could always get another job, and this would be an adventure. A big adventure, she reminded herself.

  “It is a large request, but I am in need almost immediately. I do not have time to interview and besides... I cannot trust those here that I know.”

  Why couldn’t he trust his friends? There must be some sinister reason, she began to worry again.

  “There are questions you may have that I cannot answer at this time. I only know that you are trustworthy. I will also pay your travel expenses and you will live free of room and board at the farm on a small estate. The house will be yours while
I am away.”

  Edwina was trying to wrap her mind around the idea. It was an opportunity. One she knew would never come to her again. She could stay and write her story here in the midst of the Scottish mists and hear the brogue of the locals while she wrote. Kill two birds with one stone, per se.

  The Scot finished his food, even eating his chips with his fingers. Edwina thought him rather cute, sitting there with his sleeves rolled up eating fish and chips, and smiled.

  “You find something amusing?” He’d caught her.

  “Yes, the fact that the Laird of the castle is eating fish and chips with his fingers.” She smiled, glad to lighten the mood, so she could think.

  “It has been quite a long time since I’ve done so... perhaps since college days.” He admitted.

  “It’s good for you to relax.” She couldn’t think of anything smart to say.

  “I have been run amok for these last few months.”

  She pushed her empty cartons away and sat back, trying to relax herself, but it was impossible. Could she, Edwina Emily Blair, leave her safe apartment, her safe job, her completely safe life and come to Scotland?

  He gathered his things and hers and carried them to the trash.

  It’s only for a year Edwina Emily Blair, get a grip. You could stay for one year. It may be your only chance to write the story in the country where it takes place.

  The moment he left the table, Edwina knew she wanted stay.