Down the Rabbit Hole

As the car began rolling toward the lodge, Beth’s host took her hand in his, sending the most delicious curls of heat along her spine. “I hope you don’t mind that, after receiving your letter, I took the liberty of asking my stepsiblings to stay home this weekend.”


“You did?”

He nodded. “I don’t want any distractions while I show you around. There’s so much to see. The lovely loch, where I’ve been fishing since I was a lad. All the quaint shops in the village.”

“I stopped in Stag’s Head Village on my way, and it was lovely. The old gentleman in the bake shop couldn’t say enough good things about you.”

“That would be Hanley. A sweet friend and a fine tenant.” He smiled, and Beth felt her heart doing a strange dance in her chest.

“Not to mention an outstanding baker. I thoroughly enjoyed his scones.”

“Wait until you taste Mrs. MacKay’s bread pudding. There’s no one around here who can match it.”

Beth sighed. “I can’t wait.”

He continued holding her hand. “I hope this doesn’t sound too presumptuous of me, but if I were to ask you to stay on for an extended visit, would you think me too bold?” Before she could respond, he added, “Though I suppose, if you did stay on, you would probably miss New York too much.”

She gave a quick shake of her head. “At the moment, New York seems so very far away. I doubt I’ll miss it at all. In fact, I don’t know how anyone could ever bear to leave all this beauty to live in the city.”

“Do you know how much it pleases me to hear you say that?” He lowered his voice. “I know you’ve come to negotiate the sale of my ancestral estate, but I should warn you that no amount of money will tempt me. It isn’t for sale at any price.”

“Then why did you agree to see me?”

“Why indeed? I think you know, sweet Bethany. I’ve been waiting for you for a very long time. It feels like hundreds of years, in fact.”

She felt a quick hitch around her heart. “It’s true, then? I didn’t dream it?”

He squeezed her hand and stared at their joined hands before looking up into her eyes. “I hope you’re prepared for a very long stay.”

“How long?”

He caught a stray strand of her hair and watched as it sifted through his fingers. “I think you know.”

As they pulled into a paved courtyard, she heard the pealing of bells, and caught a glimpse of a small chapel to one side of a lovely rose garden.

“Tomorrow I’ll show you where my ancestors are buried.”

“I’d like that very much. And I want you to know that I understand why you will never part with this estate. This is hallowed ground.”

“Exactly. Our hearts and minds are in sync, Bethany. Come.”

She accepted his hand and slid from the car to see a plump, gray-haired woman standing in the doorway, smiling in welcome.

Instead of merely leading the way, he dropped an arm around her shoulders, and she felt the warmth of his touch all the way to her toes. “It’s time you say hello to old Maura. She’s been on pins and needles ever since she learned you were on your way.”

She paused to look up into his eyes. “Tell me the truth. Is this really happening? Or is it more magic?”

His smile was quick and easy. “Who can say what is real and what is magic? Instant attraction? Love at first sight? How to explain them? Many have tried. But only those who’ve experienced it can know for certain.” He paused before adding, “This much I know, Bethany. You and I are real. And I do believe we’re both ready to accept whatever . . . magic the Fates decree.”

Beth looked around at the ancient castle, the beautifully tended gardens, the little chapel, with its cherubs and stone markers standing guard over the graves of Colin’s ancestors.

Though this was her first trip to Scotland, she knew this place intimately. And whether she had lived here in ancient times, or it had all been a strange dream brought on by a fall, she knew, without a doubt, that her lonely heart had, at long last, found its home.