The Lochmore Legacy

‘I did not mind it, truly. It was my quiet time. I had the library to myself then.’

He hesitated, clearly tempted, but she clasped her hands and carefully refrained from pressing. Finally he gave another of his peculiarly Latin shrugs.

‘Perhaps later. But only if you prove you can actually tally and were not secretly siphoning off the Uxmore funds to the local butcher and baker and candlestick maker.’

‘If I was, you will never know, I was very discreet.’

‘Mrs Langdale...’

She waited for another list of prohibitions, but after a moment of hesitation he continued.

‘I have not been very gracious. Thank you for staying. Jamie will be very happy. If there is anything you need to make your time here more...agreeable, please don’t hesitate to speak.’ He grimaced, as if aware of how stilted he sounded, and she did her best not to smile.

‘Thank you, Your Grace. That is very kind.’

‘Yes. Well. Where are you headed now?’

‘Jamie wants to take me treasure hunting in the bay. With luck I will meet his mermaids.’

He smiled just as the sun cleaved through the clouds outside the window and the combination made her look down.

‘You are being honoured indeed. I have yet to be introduced to them.’

‘Jamie did not sound very hopeful. He says I might be lucky because I know Minerva, but usually mermaids think adults are too boring.’

He laughed and came to open the door for her. ‘I tend to agree with them. I hope your connections with the magical Minerva serve you well. I will tell Angus to keep well back when he accompanies you so he doesn’t ruin your chances with the dwellers of the deep.’

‘Surely Angus need not be bothered to accompany us?’ she asked as she stepped into the corridor.

‘I do not want you going by the Sea Gate tunnel with only Jamie as guide on your first descent to the bay. The tunnel is... I do not want you wandering around and becoming lost.’

The shift from laughter to tension was so sudden it jarred her, but she did not wish to upset him again so she nodded.

‘If you do not think Angus will mind.’

‘I do not think he will mind in the least, Mrs Langdale.’ This time his smile was sardonic and before she could respond he disappeared back into the study.

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