Once Upon a Star

by Nora Roberts

  She saw the pained expression on his face before he composed himself. In that moment, she knew that Jamie had been correct.

  She noticed that he hadn’t touched a bite of his meal. She realized she’d lost her own appetite as well. Suddenly she felt compelled to get back to work.

  She looked up. “Would you be offended if I return to my workroom now?”

  “Without eating?” Sir Charles looked up in surprise.

  Rob shot a glance at his uncle, then shook his head. “Of course not. I have little appetite myself. I understand how compelling work can be.”

  Rob watched her until she had left the dining hall. Then he turned to his uncle. “Griff is stopping by this afternoon.”

  The old man’s mouth turned down in a frown. “So he can gloat?”

  “Most likely. But I’m in no position to refuse, especially since he claims to know a way to save Father’s reputation.”

  “Griffin Mackenzie never gave a thought to my brother’s reputation while he was alive. Why would he care about his good name now?”

  “Maybe because it will reflect badly on him as well. After all, Uncle Charles, he was once married to Patience.”

  “A mistake your sister lived to regret.”

  “You don’t know that for a fact. You told me that she never said she was unhappy.”

  “She didn’t have to. Every time I saw her I could read the misery in her eyes.”

  “Then why did she choose to start a family with him?”

  “I’ve asked myself that. Maybe for the same reason your heritage will soon become Griff’s prized possession.”

  “Are you saying he bullied Patience into conceiving a child?”

  The old man shrugged. “Griffin Mackenzie has made a study of people’s weaknesses. It’s what has earned him millions. He knows what buttons to push. He knows, for instance, that you would never sell Castle Clough. So he had to get to your father before he died. I’d be willing to bet any amount of money that he dangled his fortune in front of your father’s eyes, and in a moment of weakness, the wheels were set into motion that have now brought us to the brink of disaster.”

  Rob pushed away from the table. “For now, Griff is the only player in the game. I have no choice but to listen to his latest offer.”

  “Aye.” The old man clasped his hands in his lap. “Just promise me one thing. Promise you won’t sign anything.”

  Rob touched a hand to his uncle’s shoulder. “You know me better than that.”

  As he strode away, the old man brooded. When Fergus came to take him to his room, he said, “Not yet, lad. I’d like to take a turn around the gardens. Maybe the sunlight will be just the thing to cheer me up a bit.”

  Once outside, the old man huddled beneath his plaid blanket and dreamed of younger, happier times, when he’d raced across these lawns with all the grace and speed of a gazelle. He’d done so much in his youth. Lived. Loved. And lost. Then he thought of the bleak future looming on the horizon for his nephew, and lifted his face to the sun, struggling to dispel the chill that seemed to have penetrated his very bones.

  He looked up to see Estelle in her workroom, head bent, eyes downcast, as she studied the object in her hands. There was something about the lass that tugged at him. It wasn’t just the auburn hair and green eyes, though he’d always had a weakness for green-eyed redheads. There was a sweetness about her. A simple artlessness that was most appealing. Beyond her titles and degrees, he felt quite certain that she had a genuine love for this land and its artifacts.

  Perhaps he would just drop by her workroom and spend a few pleasant moments before retiring to his room.

  He turned to Fergus, who stood silently behind the wheelchair, staring off into space. “I believe I’d like to go inside now, lad. And if you’d be good enough to take me to our young lady’s workroom, I’d be grateful.”

  Fergus pushed the old man’s chair effortlessly across the lawn and into the castle.

  “Sir Charles.” Estelle looked up from her work and smiled in welcome. “How nice to see you.”

  “You don’t mind that I’m interrupting your work?”

  “I can’t think of a nicer interruption.”

  The old man signaled for Fergus to push him closer. When his chair was parked beside her table, Charles waved the boy away. “Come back in an hour, lad. Oh, and you might ask Arley to bring us some tea.”

  Fergus nodded before lumbering off.

  “This is lovely.” Charles picked up the jeweled box Estelle had been inspecting. “I remember seeing this once when I was a lad. I believe it was in my mother’s reading room. It held notepaper and a lovely crystal inkwell.”

  Estelle shook her head in amazement. “Even after all my years of study, I find it hard to believe that there are people who actually grew up surrounded by such beauty.”

  “And we’ve taken it for granted all these years. We were quite spoiled, I fear. We wanted for nothing. Toys. Clothes. Amusements. My parents lavished my brother and me with love and attention as well. In our youth our father took us all across the Highlands, hunting and fishing. Even when we went off to university, we were always eager to return home.”

  “I can see why. It’s so lovely here.” She accepted the jewel-encrusted box from his hands and set it aside. “Did you ever marry, Sir Charles?”

  He shook his head. “There was a special young woman. We met at the University of Edinburgh, where I was teaching a class and she was working on her degree. We knew from the first that we were fated to be together.” His eyes glowed with the memory. “I can’t remember a happier time.”

  “What happened? Why didn’t the two of you marry?”

  “The time was wrong for both of us. She had obligations and was forced to leave the university. At the same time, my brother’s wife died, and I realized he wasn’t able to cope with the responsibility of raising little Rob alone. Maybe it’s because my brother, Robert, was so spoiled as a child. Or maybe he was just born with a selfish streak. For whatever reason, he seemed unable to conquer his weaknesses. So I came back to Castle Clough to help in whatever way I could, thinking I could pursue my own happiness later.” His voice lowered. “But the years have a way of slipping by. When I tried to reestablish contact with the woman I loved and lost, my letters were returned. I suppose she grew weary of waiting for me and married someone else. I couldn’t blame her. She had a right to happiness. But it taught me a painful lesson. We have but one chance in this world. We must seize it with both hands and live life to the fullest, or the opportunity for happiness could be gone forever.”

  Estelle placed a hand over his. “I’m sorry, Sir Charles. Sorry that you lost her. And sorry that I asked such a personal question. I had no right to open up an old wound.”

  “Nonsense. It all happened a long time ago. I’m resigned to the fact that I can’t go back and change a thing. So I’ll not waste time on regrets.”

  “My aunt used to say that very thing.” Estelle smiled. “You would have liked her. She had this childlike sense of wonder about things. She was curious, inquisitive, inventive. When I was very young, I used to wonder why I’d had to lose my parents. But as I grew older, I realized that I wouldn’t trade a single minute of my time with my aunt. And I think…” She paused for a moment, wondering if she ought to be so bold. Then she plunged ahead. “I think it’s the same for your nephew. Though he appears to have been a loving son, he truly loves you as well. He understands the sacrifice you made for him and loves you for it.”

  The old man cleared his throat. “Thank you, my dear. I can’t think of a higher compliment.”

  They both looked up as Arley entered, carrying a silver tray. He set it on the table and removed a linen cloth to reveal a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits.

  “Will I pour, Sir Charles?” the lad asked.

  “Yes. Thank you, Arley.” Charles accepted a cup of strong, hot tea and waited until Estelle lifted hers.

  “How was school today, lad?”

&nbs
p; “Fine, sir. But I was delayed by soccer practice, and Desmond isn’t happy with me. I’ve left too many chores undone.”

  “Then I’ll not keep you. You wouldn’t want to make Desmond angry.”

  “No, sir.” With a laugh the boy sprinted away.

  “He’s sweet.” Estelle watched as he disappeared down the hall.

  “Aye. His grandfather worked here at the castle when I was a lad. That makes him part of our family. And when he and Fergus lost their father, Rob insisted that we hire them so that they could help their mother a bit. He pays the lads far more than they could earn working in the village. Probably more than they’re worth to Desmond. But it helps in two ways. It gives them spending money, and it eases Desmond’s burden, now that he’s getting up in years.” He grinned. “Not that I’d ever say that in his hearing, you understand. Desmond and his brother, Alfred, are very proud men. They’d not likely enjoy being reminded of their age. But they’ve spent their whole lives in service to our family. They deserve some help as they grow older.”

  She thought of the things Jamie had told her. No wonder Desmond and Alfred looked so unhappy. They were in peril of losing the only security they’d ever had.

  “What about Fergus?” Estelle asked. “Is there a story behind his infirmity as well?”

  “Ah. The poor lad.” Sir Charles sipped his tea for a moment. His eyes grew somber. “Aye, a sad story. Fergus was hunting in the Highlands with his father just four short years ago, when he was twelve. They had no way of knowing that a company had come in to cull dead trees from the forest. Too late they heard a shout and realized a tree was falling toward them. They tried running to safety, but it was too late. The tree fell on both of them, grazing the lad’s head, crushing his father. When the woodcutters arrived on the scene, they found Fergus lifting the tree in an effort to save his father. They came to his assistance and claimed it took four of them to do what the lad had done alone. But his superhuman effort was too late to save his father’s life.” He tapped a finger on the arm of his chair. His voice lowered to a whisper. “The accident left the lad damaged as well. Some in the village think he’s addled. But it isn’t so. He’s just a bit slower now. Head injuries do that, you see.”

  “And your nephew hired him because no one else would.”

  “Aye.” He looked up when he heard the slow shuffle that signaled the arrival of the one they were discussing. “Here you are, lad. Right on time. I believe I’d like to go up to my room now and have a rest.”

  The young giant crossed the room and nodded to Estelle, then took up his position behind the wheelchair.

  Sir Charles patted her hand. “Thank you for giving an old man the gift of your valuable time, my dear. You’ve helped the hour pass very pleasantly.”

  “It was my pleasure, Sir Charles. I hope you’ll drop by and visit often.”

  “I’d like that.” He lifted his hand in a salute, as Fergus pushed his chair out of the room.

  When she was alone, Estelle sat for a moment, staring out the window and thinking over all that she’d heard.

  Lord Rob Cameron, it would seem, wasn’t at all the dour, unemotional man she’d first thought him to be. He was kind and compassionate. And she was beginning to care about him, and his trouble, more than she wanted to admit. That fact disturbed her. After all, her job was to evaluate and prepare the artifacts for auction. She had always prided herself on her professionalism, which dictated that she had no right to become emotionally involved—with either the sale or the seller.

  She pushed aside the troubling thoughts and returned to her work, more aware than ever that time was of the essence.

  5

  “ACH. WHAT’S THIS now?”

  At the childish voice Estelle turned.

  Jamie’s head popped up from behind a marble pedestal. “I remember hiding behind this and watching while my little brother searched everywhere for me.”

  “You have a little brother?”

  “I did. Once. He’s gone now.”

  “Gone where?”

  “Home.” His voice grew sad and distant. “They’ve all gone home. All but me.”

  The look in his eyes nearly broke her heart. A shiver passed through her. This boy didn’t appear to be ethereal. There was no puff of smoke. No passing through walls. He simply appeared and disappeared. And he seemed as much flesh and blood as she. But she knew without a doubt that he was from a spirit world. It all fit. The odd-looking clothes. The ancient manner of speech. The ability to come and go at will.

  Sweet heaven, she hoped she wasn’t losing her mind. Still, she had to risk it. She had to verify what she suspected. “Why can’t you go home with them, Jamie?”

  He paused a moment, looking perplexed. “There’s something I have to do. Something I promised. And until I get it right, I can’t leave here. It’s been such a long time. And I really do want to be with them. I get so lonely sometimes. It’s been years since there were any children to play with.” Suddenly he brightened. “But now ye’re here. And I’ve found a new friend. Ye promised ye’d be my friend, Estelle.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  He pulled himself on top of the pedestal and posed, his arms over his head. “Do I remind ye of that statue?”

  Estelle couldn’t help laughing. He was an adorable imp. She nodded. “You do indeed. But the statue is prettier.”

  “I should hope so. I have na wish to be pretty like my mother. I want to be strong and handsome like my father.” He hopped down and walked closer to the table, running his hand over the objects that had been neatly tagged. “These won’t bring enough, ye know, to save Castle Clough from foreclosure.”

  “How much will it take?”

  “Fifteen million pounds.”

  “Fifteen million…” She pressed a hand to her mouth.

  “Aye. Poor Rob. When the news gets out, his father’s name will be ruined, and all the generations of Camerons to come will bear the shame.”

  “Is there any other way to save his estate besides selling everything he loves?”

  The boy shot her a quick grin. “I was hoping ye’d ask, Estelle. Ye see, my powers are limited. But if ye were to join forces wi’ me, maybe together we could do what neither of us can do alone.”

  “Your powers…” Estelle decided to keep her thoughts to herself. But the idea of one woman and a child—who may or may not be a…ghost—solving this crisis was simply too much. She shook her head in denial. “I’ve wasted enough time, Jamie. I must get back to work. But while I do, why don’t you tell me how you happen to be here while the rest of your family is…gone.”

  “Aye. Ye wouldna have heard.” He clasped his hands behind his back and began to stride around the room. “The castle was under siege. It was a terrible battle, made all the worse because it was with family, in a way.”

  “In a way?” She looked up.

  “Aye. The warrior Donan was wed to my father’s sister. But he had long coveted Castle Clough and the treasure it held.” He glanced over. “Ye’ve heard of the Star of Scotland?”

  Estelle’s eyes widened. “Of course. It’s the mythical star-shaped diamond said to have been worn by the first laird of Castle Clough in the thirteen hundreds. But there has never been any documentation to prove its existence. Scholars have declared it nothing more than a legend.”

  “A legend, is it? If that’s true, then I’ve seen this legend. And held it in my hands.”

  Estelle lowered the magnifying glass she’d been using and turned to stare at him. “You’re having fun with me now, aren’t you, Jamie?”

  “Nay.” Agitated, he hopped up on the end of the table and began to walk along the edge, waving his hands like a tightrope performer. “My father presented it to my mother on the day they wed. It sat in a special place on her dressing table as a symbol of their love.”

  “What happened to it? Was it stolen during the siege?”

  “I think so. I canna remember. I’ve tried so many times to recall. But the memory is gone. I
remember…” He paused, staring out the window into the afternoon sunlight.

  “What do you remember, Jamie?”

  “I remember my mother telling me that Donan knew about the curse of Castle Clough.” He looked up. “Surely ye’ve heard of it as well?”

  She nodded. “All the Cameron women are doomed to die young.”

  “Nay. That’s not the curse.”

  “It isn’t?”

  He shook his head. “The curse is this: Cameron men, when they love, love so deeply that they can give their hearts but once in a lifetime. If a Cameron should try for more than one love, his fortune, and his very life, will fail.”

  “That would explain what happened to Rob’s father.”

  “Aye. He was brokenhearted over the death of both his daughter and his wife. He spent a lifetime trying to love again. But all he did was lose everything. And so it was, from the beginning of the clan. The enemies of the Camerons, knowing of the curse, use it to their advantage.”

  “How?”

  “By threatening the life of the woman. They know a Cameron warrior would rather die than sacrifice the one he loves. My mother, realizing Donan intended to use her to snare my father, sent me to fetch the Star of Scotland and bring it to her in the great hall. She hoped to use it to bargain for my father’s life. She told me I must not tarry, for Donan was a man of little patience.”

  “Did you do as she asked?”

  “I tried. I remember racing along the long, dark hallways, the jewel in my hand. But then I heard a cry. It was my little brother. And as a warrior in training, I knew that I must save his life, even if it meant sacrificing my own. So I ran down to the playroom to save him. But it was too late. One of Donan’s warriors had already come upon him and was laughing as he carried him away.”

  “Oh, Jamie! What did you do then?”

  “I was torn between saving my brother and doing as my mother asked. I had my dirk at my waist and was skilled in its use. So I unsheathed it and followed the one who had my little brother. When I was close enough, I hurled it at him. But at the last moment he turned, and instead of inflicting a mortal wound, it merely pierced his shoulder, enraging him. In his anger he ran my little brother through with his sword, then came after me.”