Would she ever be able to do so?
Her eyes glazed over as she looked out into the golden sunset, the great shadows of the Highlands lengthening across the valley, and a kind of peace came over her, the peace of being away from him.
Whatever the reality of her life in London, she had these few days in this distant heaven to dip her toe into the realm of dreams.
NEVER HAVING BEEN ONa royal visit, Caroline was surprised to find herself given a large bedroom at the end of the servants’ quarters, evidently reserved for senior staff members. Like the queen’s room, it was simply furnished and decorated with tartan, and she quickly unpacked her few belongings. How uncomplicated everything suddenly seemed, the essence of life in a room, a small suitcase, an evening ahead of her, and a chance she might see Angus.
With a quick look at herself in the mirror, she brushed herself down and went to find the staff dining room.
But as she made her way down the back stairs, plunging into the gothic basement, the chambers of servants past, her appetite seemed to vanish.
Did Angus know she was coming?
Would he be happy to see her there?
As she opened the door to the dining hall, the bright lights and noise spilled out, people chattering loudly in the great high-ceilinged room. The flickering glow of a large fireplace came from one end, the smell of roasting meat hearty and bold.
A long table ran the length of the room, with smaller tables dotted around the edge. Uniformed maids and footmen mingled with porters and cooks, grooms and chauffeurs.
Caroline scoured the room for Angus, but he didn’t appear to be there.
‘Come and sit with me.’ Mrs Campbell hurried across the room, leading her to one of the smaller tables.
Soon, a kitchen maid served them steaming plates of roast venison with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
‘Do all the staff eat here?’ Caroline asked.
‘Those who live here do. Most of us who live outside the castle go home for the evening when the queen isn’t here.’ She watched asCaroline looked around the room. ‘Do you know someone who works here?’
Blushing, Caroline focused on her food. ‘Just a few people, and not awfully well.’
‘Well, I’m assuming one of them is the head gardener.’
Flustered, Caroline dropped her knife, and it clattered onto her plate. ‘How do you know?’
The woman chuckled. ‘He’s just come in, and he’s looking straight at you.’
Caroline gasped as she saw Angus, who was now coming towards them, a great smile on his face as he pulled out the spare chair beside her.
‘I wasn’t sure if I saw correctly,’ he said, sitting down. ‘But itisyou, isn’t it?’
‘Miss MacDonald won’t be here until the day after tomorrow, so I’m filling in for her.’ She focused on cutting her venison, trying to sound nonchalant. ‘It’s lovely to see Balmoral after hearing so much about it.’
He smiled. ‘Do you have time for a tour of the grounds tomorrow? I can show you the town, too.’
‘The queen is shooting until midafternoon, but I wouldn’t want to be a bother—’ Caroline began, but Angus cut her off.
‘It’s no trouble at all. I’ve organized the garden work for the day, and the foreman can look after the men. Why don’t I pick you up at ten by the service entrance?’
One of the porters had come to speak to Mrs Campbell, and she got to her feet. ‘I’m afraid I have to leave. There are always unforeseeable problems at the start of every visit.’
With a cheerio, she bustled away.
And Caroline found herself alone at the table with Angus.
The room was emptying, the servants heading back to work for a few hours before bed, preparing for the busy day ahead. From the kitchen, she could hear the cooks barking orders as they prepared the full picnic lunch for the queen’s shooting party. There was to be a large evening event, too, with a dance.
She looked up and caught him watching her.
