As she stood there, still watching the silhouettes glide effortlessly on the infinitesimal breeze, Duncan slipped his arms around her waist, pressing his chest against her back.
‘You know, they mate for life,’ he whispered back into her ear.
‘Once they find the one, they know,’ Bex said, looking up at Duncan, recalling the words he had told her all those months ago. ‘That’s it. There’s no one else for them.’
A grin rose on his lips. ‘Feels like a sign, don’t you think?’
As Bex continued to stare up at the sky and at the two animals who had committed their entire life to one another, she didn’t worry about replying to Duncan’s question. There didn’t seem to be any need.
41
Somehow, all the fear Bex had felt about facing Kieron again evaporated as Duncan held her hand tightly in his. As they reached the front door, Duncan leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips.
‘Have you got the key?’ she asked.
‘I have,’ he said, pulling a worn key from his pocket. A copy Fergus had given him years ago, which Duncan had kept all this time. It was how he’d managed to sneak into the house to grab dog food when he needed to.
‘Well, he’s definitely in,’ Bex said. ‘Niall and Eilidh have been watching the house all morning. He came back about an hour ago and hasn’t left since.’
They glanced back up the road as a large car appeared, driving towards them.
‘This is it,’ Duncan murmured. ‘Last chance to back out.’
‘We both know that’s not going to happen. Go for it.’
Bex’s lungs seized tight as Duncan slid the key into the lock, turned it and pushed the door open. Something felt different as they stepped inside. The air in the house carried a faint heaviness, as though the tension within its walls had seeped into the very air.
‘Do you want to do the honours?’ Bex asked, her voice steady but low.
Duncan shook his head. ‘After you.’
‘Kieron!’ she called, her voice ringing through the grand entrance as she stepped inside. ‘Are you here? Duncan and I need to talk to you.’ She took another step inwards. ‘Kieron, I hope you don’t mind, we used Duncan’s key. We just really need to talk to you.’
She knew that would be the part to get him. A crash echoed from the drawing room, quickly followed by Kieron’s furious voice.
‘What the hell are you doing here? Get out! Get out before I call the police!’
Hand in hand, Bex and Duncan strode firmly into the drawing room, blocking him from coming out into the hallway.
‘Kieron,’ Duncan said calmly. ‘We need to have a talk.’
‘I’ve got nothing to say to you,’ Kieron spat, his face twisted with fury. ‘You think you can just let yourself in here! I’ll have you arrested for trespassing!’
‘You won’t be able to do that,’ Bex replied sharply. ‘Technically speaking, until the will is sorted, no one should be living in this house. Including you. And let’s be honest, when it is sorted, you’re not going to be allowed here.’
Kieron hissed, his fists clenched at his sides. ‘I thought I made myself clear. There is no world where you have this house. This land. This title.’
Bex and Duncan exchanged a look before letting out long, simultaneous sighs.
‘Aren’t you tired of it?’ Bex said softly. ‘The conniving, the games, the lies? Sending messages to all those people, telling them to drop my accountancy firm. Making up lies about embezzlement. I get what your short-term plan was there, Kieron, I do. But have you thought about it long term? I mean, I’m not even going to need a job anyway when I sue you for defamation. No, with what you’ve cost me, I reckon I’ll be able to live a life of luxury. You, on the other hand…’
His face darkened as he glowered at her.
‘It won’t stick,’ he sneered. ‘You don’t have the money to go up against me.’
‘Not at the moment,’ Bex said. ‘But when Duncan is laird here?—’
‘He won’t be laird!’ Kieron bellowed, his voice cracking with rage. ‘I don’t care if he’s my second cousin or Fergus’s grandson! I don’t give a rat’s arse who his mother was. Fergus was a batty old fool, and that… that thing is not my blood!’ Marking each word with venom, he pointed towards Duncan. ‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I will let this house go to ruins before I?—’
