We wound through a thick stand with him reminding me they were Scots pines and birch. He said, “The birch sounds fine, daena it? I missed the sound.”
We paused so I could listen to the soft, crisp rustling.
I nodded, “Lovely, I missed it too.”
Over time the wheels of the trailer had worn ruts of packed earth along our way. It made for easier walking. The ground between the ruts and along the edges, was soft and springy with fallen needles and moss. I breathed in deeply, it all smelled fresh. Real. It was going to be a warm summer day, and was a bit cool in the shade. The trailer, modern, with wooden panels and rim covers to disguise it a bit, creaked behind us as the horses plodded along, rolling it down the path.
The woods hummed with life. Magnus pointed out a red squirrel as it darted up a trunk. “Ye see it, Kaitlyn, there is the animal I compare ye tae.”
I laughed. “You had me going that time you called me a majestic squirrel.”
“Aye, I ken ye dinna think tis a compliment, but I canna agree, a squirrel has many fine qualities.”
“I don’t mind, I think of you as a bear and on reflection the squirrel might have a better reputation.”
He nodded, then looked up at a buzzard circling high overhead. I watched the side of his face as he watched it intently. Even after all this time I just loved how freaking hot he was. Likeevery scar, every soft promise of a coming wrinkle, he was only like, 30… or so, as he would say, the crow flies.
He smiled at me and raised his brow. “What ye thinkin’ on?”
“How glad I am that we have some time alone together.”
Right then a horse whinnied and stamped, and one of the men leading the trailer began to sing a sea shanty kind of a song and Sean joined in.
I joked, “By alone, you know what I mean.”
“Aye, I ken.” He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. I bumped into him as we walked then veered away as we went, my hand tucked in his.
The distant rush of the River Tay filtered through the branches, a steady murmur that grew louder as we neared and then the trees began to thin, revealing glimpses of the loch, its long, grey surface rippling and sparkling under the summer light. Our view was framed by the rugged peaks in the far distance and the gentle green slopes closer in.
We had a view of the castle then, familiar as home.
His step quickened and his gaze became more alert as we caught the first sight of the castle’s silhouette against the landscape, Balloch’s green-gray stone, its walls thick and weathered, rising four stories with the high walls encircling round. It was so grand. Still, after all these years, difficult to imagine what life had been like growing up here.
Magnus’s eyes swept the land around the castle, the low field walls, clipped hedges, and a few orchard trees near the kitchen gardens, where smoke rose from the chimneys, carrying the smell of peat and baking bread.
We walked along the main approach, a wide, beaten-earth track that curved gently toward the gates. As we drew closer, villagers and castle folk paused in their work to watch us. Sean and Magnus were the nephews of the Earl, after all. We cameto the heavy gates, standing open, flanked by two guards in Breadalbane livery who straightened at the sight of our party.
Magnus said, very quietly, “Tis always good tae come home.”
I squeezed his hand.
One thing I knew: he loved Florida, preferred Florida, but this was where his heart had grown. It wouldn’t be easy for him to say goodbye.
In the courtyard, Lizbeth stood on the steps to the Great Hall and called across, “Tis ye, Young Magnus, for what purpose?”
“Och nae, is nae one glad tae see their brother?”
“I believe we just saw ye, a few weeks ago. Where are yer bairns?”
“We left them in Florida, while we came tae see ye. We brought some chests tae pack for yer trip.”
She asked, “But the bairns are well?”
“Aye — are ye goin’ tae yell at me from across the courtyard?”
“Nae, I will…” She stepped down the stairs with her head held high, looking a great deal like her mother, Lady Mairead, haughty and cold.
She bowed her head. “Good day, Kaitlyn, tis verra fine tae see ye.”
