Chapter 1: Welcome to Perthshire
Willa Mae hated flying. If there were a train to Great Britain, she’d have been on it, because planes gave her the heebie-jeebies. Still, her job as a property developer made it next to impossible not to be on a plane for much of the year. Not to mention, the property she was on her way to see was more than just some random stretch of land in the countryside. It was the estate of the Drummonds, a noble family in Perthshire, Scotland. The fact that she was fortunate enough to have been invited to visit by none other than the earl himself was a stroke of luck she could never even have dreamed of.
Settling her spine against the seat, she stretched her legs out and inhaled deeply. Partly, it was to calm her suddenly quaking nerves as the pilot revved the engine. In another second, the big jet began to move, and Willa Mae closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. She had taken the pill the doctor had given her, and was hoping it would kick in soon. The plane was early, which meant she hadn’t had it in her system long enough, but she would do what she could not to draw any attention to herself. No one else around her seemed in the least bit perturbed that the hulking beast was gathering speed rapidly. No one else seemed to notice the power that was gathering beneath their feet as the giant metal bird drew in on itself, and then launched them into the sky.
Gripping the arms of her seat, Willa Mae inhaled and exhaled like a woman in labor. The plane kept climbing, but the feeling of nothingness that always attacked her in the pit of her stomach seemed somehow less intense than normal. Maybe the pill was working, after all. She relaxed her grip slowly, and watched as the stewardess released her own seatbelt and stood up, ready to continue her work. Willa Mae felt an immense amount of admiration for everyone who worked on an airplane, and she was always careful to show them the greatest courtesy, because she knew that if it were up to her, no one would fly anywhere, ever.
Eventually the jumbo jet leveled off, and the stewardesses began their rounds. Her seat in the first class cabin had been paid for by her host, a man she had not as yet met, but whom her boss knew personally. Which is how she came to be jetting her way to the highlands of Scotland. Her only exposure to the terrain she was about to traverse had been in the romance novels she devoured whenever she had a spare moment. The lairds that peopled those books were all large and in charge alpha males with handsome faces, hunky bodies, and lusty appetites. She wondered idly if Niall Drummond, the earl whose home she would be visiting, was anything like his fictional cousins. She snorted softly. It wouldn’t matter if he was…she was going there to do a job, not find a man.
The stewardess stopped next to her with an offer of something light to nibble on, as dinner would not be served for another couple of hours. Willa Mae had already made her dinner and breakfast choices, so she opted for some fruit and a glass of champagne — she wasn’t paying for it, so she could indulge a bit — and hoped the liquor would help speed up the effect of the pill so she could sleep. She had chosen a day flight, but knew at some point she would need to get a little sleep before they landed in Edinburgh. She withdrew her Kindle and settled back against the seat, which she had reclined so it was more like a lounger.
An irritating tapping woke her, and she realized she had fallen asleep. Dinner was being served and she ate everything put before her, drank another glass of bubbly, and went back to sleep. The next time she woke, the cabin was quiet…it seemed everyone else was asleep. After a quick pit stop, she returned to her novel and stayed awake for the rest of the flight. Following a full breakfast, she took another pit stop to brush her teeth, comb her hair and re-apply makeup before returning to her seat for the landing. Not feeling nearly as anxious as she normally did, she chose not to take the second pill, but still sent up a silent prayer of thanks when the plane landed without mishap.
Having provided a description of what she would be wearing as well as her last name, Willa Mae didn’t expect there would be any problems with finding her ride, and indeed, she saw her name emblazoned on a bright white board in front of a very tall, ridiculously handsome man. If the chauffeur looked this other-worldly, she mused, the earl was probably a god. She was safe, then…other-worldly gods didn’t frequent her social circles. She approached the man brandishing her name with a smile and an outstretched hand.
“Hi, I’m Willa Mae Jamison from Creative Legacies Property Management Group. You must be my ride.”
The man smiled at her, and something hot and spicy unfurled in her chest. Willa Mae swallowed as his hand engulfed hers, and she found herself struggling to breathe. What the hell was wrong with her? It wasn’t a particularly warm day, and her asthma would not kick in at such low temperatures.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jamison. I’m Niall Drummond.”
Willa Mae stumbled, feeling suddenly lightheaded, but managed not to fall flat on her face. This hunk of manly perfection, this god-like presence was the man she’d be working closely with for at least the next year? How the hell was she going to do her job when she could barely breathe around him? Because in typical romance novel style, the man simply took her breath away. Gathering the tattered remains of her control, she straightened her shoulders and said, remembering her manners,
“It’s my pleasure as well, Lord Drummond.”
The god laughed, a rich, full, sultry sound that rolled around her and wrapped her in aural bliss. “Very few people address me by my title anymore, and most of those want something from me or my family members do when they’re angry with me. Niall is fine.”
Although it was mostly contained, Willa Mae could still hear the faint lilt of his Scottish burr, and it thrilled her. “And I’m Willa Mae,” she replied, tamping down the feeling and extending a hand.
“Welcome, Willa Mae,” he said, enveloping her hand in his own large, warm one for a long moment before releasing her. “Right this way, if you please,” he added, and escorted her out of the terminal to a waiting Mercedes Benz, ditching the sign in the back seat.
After helping her into the passenger seat, he directed the sleek black car out into the afternoon traffic. The sights whizzed by, a breathtaking view of rolling hills and pristine water courses.
“How far away from Edinburgh are you?” she asked, needing to break the too-long silence. She wanted to hear his voice again.
“About ninety minutes,” he said. “Bannock Castle is nestled at the foot of a lovely range in the highlands. It’s in a pretty valley, and with your help I’d like to turn it into a showpiece for the village and surroundings.”
“I’m sure that will bring great largesse back into the family’s coffers,” she said, and then realized how it might have sounded. His immediate response told her she needn’t worry that she had offended him.
“That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Otherwise, the money I’m looking to spend will have been an incredible waste!”
His tone was mocking and arrogant, and it simultaneously irritated and attracted Willa Mae.
“It must be nice to be able to spend that kind of money without resorting to mortgages.”
She managed to keep the sharp edge of sarcasm from her tone, because despite her confused emotions around him, her host was a client of her company, and as such deserved her respectful attention. The sharp eye he turned to her for a moment indicated that he didn’t miss the import of the words, and Willa Mae scolded herself for letting him get to her so much that she was already screwing up, and they hadn’t been together an hour. Still, there was nothing she could do about what she had already said. Going forward, she was determined to be as professional as she could be, and to ignore the unsettling effect that he had on her.
“You’ll be staying in the castle for the weekend, and I’d like to spend the first part of tomorrow touring it and the grounds with you, so that when we sit down to discuss ideas, you will have a better sense of what is there currently to work with.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” she said agreeably. “Will I be able to take pictures?”
“If they will help you to plan, of course. Only, I ask that you not take any of the private spaces used by the family.”
“Of course. I understand.”
After another small silence, he asked, “Have you ever been to Scotland before, Willa Mae?”
“No, as a matter of fact, I haven’t. I have very little knowledge of things Scottish.”
“I’ll do my best to make your stay interesting before you have to return. We may not have the variety of entertainment that you’ll find in your typical American tourist destinations, but we pride ourselves on our country’s history and natural beauty.”
“I’m not a fan of ‘typical American tourist destinations’,” Willa Mae said, feeling defensive but not understanding why. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy whatever I am able to take in before I leave.”
The conversation was stilted, and she was uncomfortable. What was it about this man that had her so off kilter? She took another furtive glance at him and noted his angular jawline, his full lips, the scruff on his chin, and wondered how the sight made her feel shivery, as though she were coming down with a fever. She had never been so physically affected by any man, not even ones she knew well. This man was a stranger to her, and yet she seemed to have fallen under his spell. Maybe he wasn’t a god but a wizard. The thought amused her greatly and she bit back a laugh at her foolishness.
“What’s so funny?”
Niall’s sharp question made her look sharply at him, realizing too late that she had not managed to completely stifle her amusement.
“Just a thought,” she said, refusing to be more specific. He didn’t need to know her every thought. In fact, nothing unrelated to the business on which she had come was any of his business.
“If you’re feeling rested enough later on, we can take in a pub dinner, and you can get a feel for the village before tomorrow’s tour.”
Willa Mae nodded, then remembering that he couldn’t see her, she said, “That sounds fine.”
The rest of the journey was made in silence, but Willa Mae had so much to look at that she had no time to be uncomfortable, and Niall didn’t seem to care. Then, after a few winding twists and turns, they turned in between a pair of grand iron gates and before her astonished eyes rose the castle. It was probably a half mile away, and as it grew closer, she had the chance to see how the brightness of the almost midday sun lit up the sharp angles and warm tones of the ancient building. She tried to remember all she had read about it from the copious notes that her boss had forwarded to her, along with the few pictures he had taken.
By the time Niall stopped the car and came around to her side to help her out, Willa Mae was speechless with admiration. Up close, the castle was imposing, though smaller than she had imagined, and she didn’t know whether or not she was just being fanciful but the stones seemed to exude a magical warmth that made it glow in the sunlight. It was breathtaking, and she said so, unable to keep silent.
“It must be so fabulous to live here!” she exclaimed, looking around at the manicured lawns, at the tall stately trees that lined the driveway, at the gardens disappearing beside and behind it.
Niall smiled. “It has its moments,” he said. “Please, follow me.”
He had her luggage by this time, and they walked together up to the stately front doors, two heavy wooden doors with the crest of the family carved into them. Before he could do anything, they opened and a thin man beamed down at her from a great height.
“Ah, Mr. Niall, I thought I heard you arriving. Let me have those, if you please, sir. You know how your mama is about the niceties!”
Niall laughed and relinquished the luggage, saying as he did so, “Willa Mae, this is Andrews, our butler, a stickler for the niceties most of the times. Andrews, meet Willa Mae Jamison.”
The butler inclined his head, the beatific smile still on his long face. “What a pleasure, Ms. Jamison!” he declared, his broad brogue thrilling her to her toes. “Mr. Niall has been looking forward to your visit for quite some time. I’m sure he is elated to have you here.”
A look passed between the men that Willa Mae didn’t understand, and she began to feel the stirrings of unease when Niall asked,
“So where’s the family?”
“Those who are present are all gathered in the drawing room, sir.”
“Thank you, Andrews. Can you please make sure that refreshments are sent up at once?”
“Yes indeed, Mr. Niall. Mrs. Reid is already finishing up the tray.”
Willa Mae watched the butler walk away and turned to Niall. “Your relationship with your butler seems to be somewhat more…relaxed than one might expect.”
“How very perceptive of you, Willa Mae.”
She wasn’t sure whether Niall’s tone was sarcastic or not, and she had no time to dwell on it, as he was still speaking.
“I am not one for posturing, and in these days, when the family’s standing is more ceremonial than substantial, it seems a little ridiculous to treat those with whom I work as though they are subservient to me.”
He curled his lip as though the very thought of it was displeasing to him, and Willa Mae smiled. He might be an arrogant man, but he was also, it appeared, a fair and principled man.
“You will find, however,” he added, bringing her attention back to him, “that I am the only one of all the resident members of my family who feels that way.”
Willa Mae understood that what he was telling her was significant. If he and his family didn’t see eye to eye on how to treat the help, what else did they disagree on? This weekend might turn out to be more of a challenge than she had anticipated. She’d have to stay alert.
“Noted,” she replied. “How am I to treat Mr. Andrews?” The last thing she wanted to do was be the source of discord among her clients.
“That’s between you and Andrews,” he told her. “If he objects, he will let you know.”
“Understood.” The butler seemed like a friendly enough man. She would treat him the way Niall did, just to be on the safe side.
They had been walking as they talked, and had now arrived at another imposing set of doors, this time open to the hallway. Willa Mae could hear voices from inside, though she didn’t see anyone. She heard everything that was said before they walked in.
“I’m sure Niall understands how we feel, Mama,” a soothing female voice said placatingly.
“When has Niall ever given our feelings on anything related to this castle a single thought? Once he has made up his mind, be sure it’ll be a fight to the bitter end.”
The older woman’s voice was sharp with annoyance and frustration. Her unease grew, but she squelched it as they walked into the room and Niall introduced her.
“Everyone, this is Ms. Jamison, our guest for the weekend. Willa Mae, this is my mother, the Countess of Ayesthorpe. Mother, meet Willa Mae Jamison of Creative Legacies Property Management Group in New York.”
Willa Mae stepped forward and waited until the countess extended a hand before reaching out to shake hands.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, your ladyship,” she said, doing her best to maintain a proper form of address. She didn’t know too much about Scottish nobility, but she assumed their titles were similar to those of their English cousins. At least it had seemed so from the little she had gleaned from her boss’s notes and from Google. It couldn’t hurt to call the woman ‘Lady’, even if her son eschewed his title.
“Welcome to Bannock Castle, Ms. Jamison,” the older woman said, drawing out the ‘z’ in ‘Ms.’ with a condescending expression. “My son tells me you are to help bring us into the twenty-first century.”
Her words were innocuous enough, but her tone was biting, as though what she really wanted to say was something else, something that left a nasty taste in her mouth. Willa Mae chose her response carefully, recognizing at once that she had an adversary in Niall’s mother.
“I’ve come at his lordship’s request to work with him on a plan to prepare the castle for a more prosperous future as a local if unofficial heritage site, ma’am.”
Before his mother could reply, Niall guided Willa Mae with a hand at her back to the other occupants of the room. She did her best to ignore the shock of his touch that made her tremble with an unexpected heat. Inhaling to calm her quivering nerves, she smiled politely at the young man and woman who stared at her, their expressions openly amused, as though she were the butt of some joke that only they were privy to.
“My siblings, Angus and Alison, who live here in the castle.”
Again, Willa Mae waited, and when neither extended a hand, she decided that she would avoid the family as much as she could. She didn’t think she would be able to hold her tongue in the face of such rudeness otherwise. Would she be able to take her meals alone? Or perhaps she could ask to eat with the servants, since that’s what it seemed that these people thought she was. She turned her eyes away from them, her face unsmiling, and said, suddenly needing some time to herself,
“If you don’t mind, your lordship, I would really appreciate being shown to my room. It’s been a rather long flight, and there’s a lot to be done before I leave on Sunday. If it’s not too much trouble?”
She hoped her voice was sufficiently respectful, though she knew Niall didn’t care.
“Certainly. I’ll have Andrews bring up something for you to snack on before dinner. Can you be ready to leave in a couple of hours? We can take in some of the village before the dinner hour.”
“I’ll be ready. Thank you.”
She turned and walked back to the door, not looking at the three people whose hostility she could feel like daggers piercing her back. She walked out, head held high, and only breathed when she was at the foot of the stairs. Andrews appeared just then with a tray laden with tea things.
“Ms. Jamison is going up for a rest, Andrews. Please see to it that she has a tray brought up to her.”
“Yes, my lord. The countess has put her in the blue room, sir.”
Andrews seemed uncomfortable as he relayed that information. Something hot flashed in Niall’s eyes, but it disappeared almost instantly.
“Thank you, Andrews. I’ll deal with it.”
“Yes sir. Will you be rejoining the family for tea?”
“Yes. But we will not be here for dinner. Have Mrs. Reid prepare the meal for the others alone.”
“As you wish, sir.”
Willa Mae didn’t miss Andrews’ smug smile as he continued on his way to the drawing room, and she wondered exactly what kind of shit show she had walked into. Her boss had not given her any information about the family dynamics, but he seemed to have been well treated, when he was there. Of course, he wasn’t a small black woman, so his chances of acceptance were exponentially greater than hers, she supposed. She couldn’t let other people’s response to her affect her performance of her job, though. She would trust Niall to help her weather what was sure to be a stormy weekend in Bannock Castle.