Elusive by Linda Rae Blair

fingers of Scotch. Well, it was
just as well that she had told him, he supposed. She was right. It
wouldn’t do for his mother to be upset by some imposter trying to
make claims on the estate. She had enough to deal with. He poured
back the Scotch in a single swig. Yes, he’d look into it, and if
this girl and her associate thought they were going to get by with
doing anything to upset Lady McDonnough, he would put a stop to it
quickly. If it was ever necessary, he would protect her with his
very life. That’s what he would do for anyone he loved.
    ***
    The next morning, as the dreaded cousin Izzy
prepared to leave, she asked her cousin’s widow, “Are you sure you
don’t want me to stay to help you, dear?” Cousin Iseabail would
have welcomed the excuse to stay on at the castle and spread more
suspicion where she could. Watching Alexandre’s face when she had
given him the news had made her absolutely giddy with pleasure.
“Charles was a beloved cousin. I would be glad to be of service to
you and the boy.”
    “No, please!” She tried not to sound as
panicked as she felt at the thought. “Don’t feel it is necessary to
stay any longer. I’m sure you are anxious to get back home to
Glasgow,” Lady McDonnough told her husband’s cousin. “It was most
kind of you to come.” God, she hoped the woman would just leave,
and do it quickly!
    “Well, please let me know if there is
anything we can do to help you. We are family after all and would
love to be of service to you and the new Laird. Please do call on
us, dear.” Dripping with sugary concern, she kissed Lady McDonnough
on the cheek and reluctantly climbed into her car.
    Lady McDonnough did not wait until the car
was over the bridge before going back inside, where she met her
son, her dear boy, coming out of his library. “Alexandre, my dear.”
She raised her cheek to him for a gentle kiss. Wouldn’t he just
have a tantrum over being called ‘boy’, she smiled to herself. At
thirty-five he had long passed the ‘boy’ stage, she realized with
both pride and regret.
    He watched her face looking for signs that
she had gotten better rest the night before. “We didn’t get a
chance to speak in private this morning, what with all the
gossiping at the breakfast table,” he growled. “How are you feeling
this morning, Mère?” he asked, with his fluid French flavoring his
endearment.
    “I’m fine, Alexandre. Just fine,” she
answered. “Now, why don’t you and I sit down for a cup of tea and
some conversation while the house is quiet?” She smiled up at her
son, took his offered arm, and they headed back to the Great Hall
to enjoy the warmth of the dying fire while they could.
    “I’ve always loved this room,” she said,
looking around her. “It is one thing I shall miss a great
deal.”
    “You know you are more than welcome to stay
on here, Mère. This is your home!” He knew she wouldn’t stay, but
he was still sorry to see her planning to leave.
    “Yes, well, it is for the best. I need a new
start, Alexandre. There are too many ghosts here.” She tried to
keep the sadness from crossing her face, but her son knew her too
well. She knew she would have to stand her ground, or she would
weaken and stay—she needed to go.
    “What did our dear cousin have to
discuss with you last night?” she asked.
    “How did you know she came to me? You were
supposed to be sleeping, Mère.” He smiled at her and waited for her
response.
    “Charlotte told me she saw the old crone
waiting to pounce on you last night,” she laughed. “I wondered what
mischief she was up to. Unfortunately, Charlotte’s hearing isn’t
what it used to be,” she laughed.
    “That explains why the old dear was
hovering,” he laughed. “I was afraid she wasn’t feeling well…she
was dusting ! The sweet thing hasn’t dusted anything in the
twenty years I’ve known her. I thought she was having some kind of
breakdown.”
    As he poured a white wine for each of them,
he